BRING THEM HERE
1202 Words
Liora felt lightheaded after the first three hours of reviewing the audit files. Despite running on speed mode and trying her best to keep on pushing, she just couldn’t hold up for too long.
Lovelyn stepped in with a tray of coffee. “I figured you might need this for support.”
Liora smiled at least a shoulder to lean on. “Thanks.” Taking one of the cups.
Lovelyn lifting one of the files, “any hope of getting all this done today?”
Liora wagged her head, looking at the pile on the table. “I don’t think so.”
Bing!
The electric door parted for a guest. It was Genevieve, smiling sheepishly with her hands buried in her pocket.
“I’ve never been so happy to see you,” Liora squealed.
“Lovelyn told me you needed some help, so I took a quick leave to come help my favorite manager.”
Genevieve took one of the coffee cups. “This is a lot of audit files.”
“Jason’s evil. He wants me to provide the review by the end of the day.”
“He really is a cold devil.”
“I agree.”
Genevieve smiled gently, taking a huge gulp of coffee. “Let’s get to work then.” The ladies joined their laptops together, using their fastest speed to edit as much as possible.
“How many hours do we have left?” Liora asked without lifting her head from the laptop.
“Just forty-five minutes,” Lovelyn responded.
They were done with the reviews, just compiling them. Twenty minutes to the end of work hours, they were done.
“Wooaaah!” Genevieve yelped after compilation.
“Let’s not celebrate now. "I need to get this to him.” Taking the drive with her as she walked out. Her back ached, eyes were burning but the joy of beating his deadline was the adrenaline pump.
Jason had his legs crossed on the table. He had just finished daily reviews for the day when Isabella called.
“Was wondering if I should wait for us to go home together?”
Rolling his eyes, “for the one millionth time, I told you we can’t let anyone at work know we are dating.”
“Whatever. What about that inexperienced kid? Hope she’s already going through hell?”
He smirked, “Hell is nothing compared to what she’s going through right now. I guess she’ll quit by the end of the day.” Chuckling to himself when a soft knock hit his door. It was his secretary.
“Sorry to disturb you sir, but Miss Liora is here to see you.”
The mention of her name forced a smile on his face. “Send her in, in the next five minutes.”
Tuning his attention to his caller, “I guess she’s resigning earlier than I thought. How about I call you back later, ok?”
He hung up, straightened his expression, his head high as he anticipated her arrival.
“Good evening sir.” Liora said, their encounter earlier had taught her to avoid being forward. Hence, taking a seat wasn’t part of her ordeal.
“If you are here to complain, you might as well do it outside.”
“Complain?” She scoffed, holding out her usb drive. “I’m here to give you the six-month review you asked for.”
His throat dried, trying hard not to show how flustered he was.
“And you brought it in a USB file? What happens to printing it out and sending a hard copy?”
“Actually, I thought about that, but it’s a digital world, and I’m sure…you are more acquainted with technology, right?”
He could hear her subtle challenge in sarcasm, and it was tearing down his pride. Stretching his hand. “Give me the drive.”
She handed it to him, watching as he inserted it into his system. He couldn’t hide his surprise. “I guess you’re not quite as dumb.”
Liora not sure whether it was a compliment, just muffled a, “thank you.”
Sitting up, “what are you planning to do now?”
Forcing a smile, “work time is over. I’m going home, sir.”
Springing to his feet, “You might have to scrap that out. There is a vital executive meeting holding in the next…” looking at his watch, “…fifteen minutes. It’s an expansion brain storming meeting to bring new ideas for the company.”
“But sir?” A lump rising in her throat, yet she wouldn’t give him what he’s looking for. “Can’t this meeting hold in the morning during work hours?”
A stifled laugh escaped his lips, “so you think all that funds your expensive car and salary is the audits you review or the departments you supervise?” Wagging his head, “innovative ideas is what funds it. The creative team and I are having a meeting with the executives. You have to be there.”
“But sir…”
“No buts.” His expression stern and fierce, “no one is forcing you. If you want to leave, the door is opened. Just ensure you have enough explanation for the CEO in the morning.”
“This is so unfair…my back aches, I can barely stand straight. Evil bastard.” She grumbled under her breath.
Lifting his eyes from his system, “did you say something?”
“No sir.” Bowing slightly, “I’ll just go get my things and bring them here.”
“Better.”
Immediately she was in the elevator, she kicked the air. Cussing Jason at the top of her lungs. “What kind of devil is this?!” Hot tears slipped from her eyes but she wasn’t going to flinch, the last thing she wants is to be called an incompetent manager. That’s the rumor spreading. Once he confirms it, her world might as well just be shattered.
Getting back to the office, Genevieve had packed her things all ready for them to leave. Her face made a gloomy pout. “Sorry, I won’t be joining you guys. Turns out Mr. Daredevil wants me to attend another creative meeting.”
“Meeting?” Genevieve scoffed, “that’s not part of your job description. Any extra work is absolutely voluntary. He shouldn’t force you to stay.” Taking her friend’s arms. “Don’t let him step all over you.”
Liora giving a wry smile, “it’s fine…I’ll just stay behind.”
Dismissing Lovelyn and Genevieve, she went up to Jason’s office. A group of creatives were seated almost like they were waiting for her to come in. Jason was nowhere in sight.
“Welcome ma’am.” They all stood to greet her but she hinted them to sit. Not in any mood for work but had to remain professional.
“So, where’s mr Jason so we can start this meeting early?”
They looked at each other quizzically, “ma’am, he just closed for the day. He says "you are the one leading the meeting today.”
“Whaaaat? He went home?”
- Writer
