TWO MINUTES LATE
1138 Words
Jason had to exit his executive chair for Mr. Green Leaf, the CEO. He sat just opposite Liora making their eyes occasionally lock.
“So tell me, how has work been on the past couple of days, Reed?”
He sat up, “work has been going well sir. Just last night, our stock balance went up by twenty percent and it has been progressive.”
Mr. Green Leaf just nodded mechanically, “so what about the balance shortage in the external audit file you sent to me? Have you resolved it?”
Jason looked away, his palms jittery. “Actually sir, I’ve tried to figure it out…we still don’t know what…went wrong.”
It was the first time Liora was seeing Jason lose composure, she was enjoying herself.
“Reeds, you are always having one silly excuse or the other. Can you even handle anything?” Huffing, “what about the international trade project? How far have you gone?”
“I’ve been trying to gather information, sir. I’ll send you the report next week.”
Mr. Greenleaf giggled under his breath. Wagging his head, “you mean the same next week you said last week? Or the one before that?”
“Sir, there’s been a lot of work to handle here and-“
“Enough of your damn excuses, boy!” Slamming the table. Liora was startled this time. She had never seen the CEO in such an enraged feat. Not at her or anyone else.
Mr. Green Leaf calmed himself down and turned to Liora, “Liora, you are good at your job and you are able to get things done. Would you at least partner with Mr. Reeds on the international trade project?”
Scared to not get yelled at, she affirmed. “Sure sir.”
“Good!” Sucking his breath, “so how are you enjoying your new position?”
“It’s fine, sir.”
“If you need anything just ask Mr. Reeds.” Turning to Jason, “I need an update on the international trade project before the end of this week. If not, you’ll hear from me.”
“Yes sir.” Jason responded, head facing the ground until Mr. Greenleaf left.
Liora heaved a deep sigh, it was the first time she was experiencing such an awkward moment. To not compound things, she picked up her bag and rose to her feet.
“Have a nice day, sir.”
“Wait!” Halting her, he reached for a white file and handed her. “Since, you are his favorite, you might as well get the project done.”
“But-“
“I’m not asking for your opinion. It’s a direct order!” Kissing his teeth and retreating to his seat. He leaned his head back on the chair.
>>>
With no extra chores to deal with, Liora was able to take Genevieve and Lovelyn on an appreciation lunch. The ladies had more in common than they were aware of especially, Genevieve and Lovelyn.
“You all should have been there. I never knew Mr. Green leaf could raise his voice on anyone.”
Lovelyn smirked, “I heard the rumors too that he’s really hard on Jason Reeds. I guess maybe because he has a major position.”
“I don’t know about that but for sure Reeds deserve every form of harshness. See how hard he treated you? He deserves worse.”
Genevieve added sarcastically which got the girls giggling.
Zzzz!
“Excuse me,” Liora excused herself from the ladies to use the restroom. It was Sylvester, her boyfriend. She knew how much Genevieve hated him hence she didn’t want her knowing he was the caller.
“Hello?” In the confines of the bathroom.
“How long would it take for you to pick up my call?!” He yelled on the phone. Rolling her eyes, “I was busy. How are you?”
“Busy? Are you planning to rub it in my face that you’re now a manager?”
“Not now, Sylvester.” Her insides already growling, “I thought you were calling to apologize for standing me up last weekend. Turns out you just want to give me an earful. So please, I’ll call you back.”
“Don’t hang up on me!” His voice agitated, “I’m sorry about last weekend. Would you come with me for a studio session, this weekend?”
Not in the mood for any of that, she responded with something else. “I’m going to see my parents this weekend. Maybe some other time, bye.”
“Wait!” He hurled again, “I also…need some money.” She was expecting that line from the start of the call. They had been dating since her final year in college. While she got a job, he was still psyched about being the biggest rapper in America.
“I’ll send something later.”
“I love you!” He affirmed. She said nothing, just hung up. She used to be head over heels for him. He was her first love and even against her parents wish she was sure they were going to get married until work started getting tedious. And he started getting too busy and needing too much money.
Straightening her expression, she returned to the girls on the table. “So, what did I miss?”
They placed more orders and Liora paid. She arrived at the Chinese restaurant in their car and drove back together.
“We arrived just in time,” Genevieve commented with her eyes glued on her wristwatch. Coming back from lunch break even five minutes late could attract a fine or scolding from Isabella, the supervisor.
They chuckled as they approached the building. First anomaly was the cluster of people outside.
“What’s going on?” They asked themselves, doubling their steps to satisfy their curiosity.
“It’s Miss Isabella, she’s instructed the guards to not let us back in.”
“Why?”
“She says we arrived two minutes late for lunch and she would take out the returns from our salaries.”
Liora stood shocked, lifting her wristwatch. “This barely five minutes past lunch.” Having a sigh, “you all excuse me!”
They partied for her to get close to the automatic door. She recognized Mr. Augustine from earlier.
“Sorry ma’am. You can’t go in.” They blocked her path.
“Why?”
“It’s a direct order from Miss Isabella that all staffs that return late should stay out.”
Sighing and forcing a smile, “and who is Miss Isabella?”
Mr. Augustine stood stunned for some seconds. “She’s the company supervisor.”
“And I am the company’s manager. So open this door, now!”
- Writer
