Twisted Ties

Behind closed doors

Chapter Two

CHAPTER TWO

Behind Closed Doors

Stella thought of every possible way of getting the appointment letter back, but each thought that came to mind was fruitless.

Finally, she leaped, as she thought of a plan that might work. She could show the interviewer or the receptionist a file on her phone, and find a good excuse for misplacing the copy. She has to fully convince them if they were having doubts about her, which she won't give no room for.

She wished she could stay there all night. She was at peace, no insults, no yelling and certainly, no pain. She didn't know when she lost track of time; it was dark by the time she left. There was only one thing on her mind by now.

She wanted out, she wished she could get out. Stella tiptoed into the house late at night, the hallway lights had already been switched off, and the silence told her that her father had either gone to bed or passed out drunk in the living room chair, either way, she didn’t care to find out.

She slipped into her bedroom and locked the door behind her with trembling fingers. After a while, she heard a knock on her door. Her mother had noticed her coming in and came to talk to her. “Stella?" She called out with a pleading tone. "Baby, please come eat, I saved some food for you.”

Stella sat curled up on her bed, with her knees drawn to her chest, and arms hugging herself like a baby. She stared at the locked door but didn’t move.

“Sweetheart,” Martha tried again after a few minutes. “We don’t have to talk about what happened. I just want you to eat.”

Stella said nothing still, and eventually, her mother’s footsteps came to her hearing till she couldn't hear it again, she gave up. Stella closed her eyes, letting the pain settle in her chest. She refused to cry, she just wrapped herself up to sleep.

The next day came and went the same way the night had passed, and Stella remained locked in her room. She didn't step out for anything, not even to eat.

Her mother tried several times to reach her, she knocked on the left messages for her. Stella read each of them but gave no response.

MOM: Just say something, please, I’m worried.

MOM: I left breakfast for you. I know it’s your first day tomorrow. Don’t let anyone ruin it.

MOM: You’re stronger than him, Stella. You always were.

Her mother spent most of the day talking to the door, her father’s voice echoed once in a while from down the hall, barking orders and muttering complaints, but never once asking if she was okay. That's how the day passed.

Monday came, and she got up before the sun did. It was still dark as she stepped into the bathroom and stood under the cold water until her skin prickled. She didn’t cry, she didn’t flinch, she just stood there, letting the chill awaken her from the darkness of the weekend.

Her outfit was simple but clean, a clean white button-down shirt tucked into a black skirt that reached just past her knees. She paired it with a thin black tie and black office shoes. She combed her hair down neatly, but no makeup, no extras, she looked just plain and professional.

By the time the sun rose slightly, Stella had made her way out of the house and in a short time, she arrived at her workplace. She took some time to admire the structure. The Vercetti Enterprises skyscraper stood tall in its majesty, its glass walls caught the morning light and reflected the city back like a mirror.

Stella’s palms were sweaty when she stepped into the grand lobby. Everyone looked like they fell from the sky, cold, sleek, and polished. She felt like a black dot on a whiteboard, but she kept walking, trying her best to keep her head high.

The elevator dinged on the 27th floor, and when the doors slid open, a woman with fiery red hair and a dazzling smile greeted her.

“Hi! You must be the new assistant!” The woman said, practically stepping towards her. “Tessa Bright. I’m on the PR team, but don’t worry, I’m everyone's favorite around here. Come on, I’ll show you to your little corner of hell.”

Stella blinked. “Corner of..?”

“Kidding! Mostly.” Tessa winked, pulling Stella by her hand. “Let’s go before the boss arrives.”

She led Stella down a hall with walls so white, they hurt her eyes. They passed sleek glass doors and important-looking people, who were already whispering into earpieces.

“Okay, so here’s your desk,” Tessa said, pointing to a sleek setup just outside the main office. “This is where you’ll answer calls, set meetings, and basically serve the boss.”

Stella set her bag down on the table as she stepped inside. “Thanks, Tessa. Seriously. I needed a friendly face.”

Tessa grinned. “We’re not all robots. Words of advice though; don’t speak unless spoken to, don’t ask too many questions, and never, I repeat, never bring him coffee unless he asks.”

Before Stella could ask more, Tessa spoke first. “Speak of the devil,” Tessa whispered, already stepping back. “Good luck, rookie.”

Stella stood straighter just as he walked towards her office. He looked like everything she expected, sharp tailored suit, green emerald eyes, model-like face, everything was perfect, not even a hair out of place.

He stopped just outside his office and turned to face her through the open door.

“You’re the new one,” he said flatly, eyeing her from head to toe.

Stella nodded. “Yes, sir. Stella Raymond.”

He raised a brow. “Raymond? What the hell are you wearing?” He asked, eyeing her like she was trash.

Her spine stiffened.

Vincent stepped closer, his eyes narrowed as he examined her closely. “Your hair, what is this on your head?”

“I…”

“And the tie?” he sneered. “Are we going to a funeral?”

She parted her lips to speak.

“Save it,” he said, waving her off. “You look like you stole from a cheap mall.”

Stella tried again. “Sir, I can assure you..”

“Don’t speak unless I ask,” he snapped.

She swallowed it. Then he motioned toward the door. “Don’t come back tomorrow looking like this.” He turned and stormed out, towards his office, slamming the door behind him.

Stella stood frozen for a moment, the pain of humiliation rose in her chest like bile. So this was Vincent Vercetti, she thought.

The rest of the day went by quickly. Since he didn’t call her in again, she had no real work beyond minor tasks, so she spent the hours in silence, going over his words again and again, each insult like a verse on her mind.

She hated him already, every inch of her wanted to walk out the door and never look back, but she needed this, for her mother, and for herself.

It was nearly closing time when a young intern dropped two files on her desk with a sticky note.

“Deliver these to Mr. Vercetti directly. Now.”

Her stomach tightened. Stella stared at the files, whispering a silent curse. She gave herself a little pep talk, inhaled, squared her shoulders, then rose to her feet.

The hallway seemed longer this time. She approached his office door slowly. Her heart pounded harder with every step. Just before she could knock, she heard a strange sound.

A low murmur, then a feminine giggle.

She paused.

Her brows drew together as she leaned slightly toward the door. Another strange sound came through, something strange.

Curious, she placed her hand on the door handle nervously and gently creaked it open, just an inch, enough to peek in.

And when she did, her mouth parted in shock.

The file from her hand dropped and Vincent noticed someone by the door.

“Come in”, he said. Stella knew she was doomed on her first day, why did she allow the file to fall? Immediately she came in, He didn't give her the space to look at him, as he dropped an unbelievable statement.

“You're fired”.