Chapter 10
1304 Words
Jenna’s POV
It’s been two weeks since I started working at Walthorne Tech Industries, and everything has been moving swiftly.
Tomorrow is our first monthly meeting, where we have to present the progress of the project to the board.
The pressure had been building all week, but strangely, I felt proud.
For once, I wasn’t just surviving.
I was leading.
I had spent the better part of the day going through reports, reviewing upgrades, and making sure every part of the software was ready for tomorrow’s presentation.
Just as I was saving the latest changes, I heard a knock at my office door.
“Lucas.”
He stood at the doorway with his usual composed expression.
“Ms. Jensen, Mr. Walthorne has requested to see you in his office right now.”
A small knot formed in my stomach.
“Okay, I’m coming. Thank you.”
As Lucas left, I quickly glanced at the project report on my screen.
Yesterday, Dean had specifically asked for the monthly report, and everything had gone exceptionally well.
We were almost three months ahead of schedule.
Surely nothing was wrong.
Still, being summoned to his office without warning made me uneasy.
I took a deep breath and made my way upstairs.
When I reached his office, I knocked softly.
“Come in.”
I stepped inside.
“You requested to see me, Mr. Walthorne?”
“Yes. Have a seat.”
I froze.
Seated beside Dean was the one person I didn’t realize I still resented this deeply.
Brad Washtone.
The moment my eyes landed on him, something inside me tightened.
A memory.
A pain I thought I had buried.
Flashback
It was math class back in high school.
There weren’t many students that day because most of the cheerleaders and football players had gone for a big game in Chicago.
Mr. Wright, our math teacher, had noticed I was the only one answering the questions he was asking while everyone else was either chatting or glued to their phones.
“Since it’s only Jenna, my lovely student over here, who seems to care to learn today, we shall have a test on Monday. You will do well to inform your other friends.”
And just like that, he walked out.
Everyone hated me after that.
The bullying became worse because, in their eyes, I had ruined their perfect weekend by being the nerdy girl who cared too much.
But nothing prepared me for Monday.
We wrote the test one hour before lunch.
The entire day felt strangely quiet.
Too quiet.
No one blamed me.
No one said anything.
I thought maybe they had let it go.
I was wrong.
Waiting for me at the cafeteria entrance was Brad and a few of his football friends.
Before I could even react, they dragged me into the boys’ restroom.
One of them stood by the door, keeping watch.
Brad shoved me forward.
Then forcefully pushed my head into the toilet.
I struggled.
I kicked.
I tried to pull away.
Humiliation burned through me like fire.
It was only when one of them shouted, “Someone’s coming!” that they let me go.
I stumbled out, shaking, drenched, and humiliated.
When I finally made it to the cafeteria, everyone laughed.
“Had a warm bath, Jenny?” Dean had said.
The room erupted with laughter.
I wanted to disappear.
But how could I stand up to them?
They were spoiled rich kids.
And I was just the scholarship girl.
End of flashback
“Ms. Jensen… or should I say Jenny?”
Brad’s voice pulled me back to the present.
I lifted my chin.
“Mr. Washtone.”
I forced myself to meet his gaze.
“I think we should remain professional. I have no interest in revisiting high school.”
Dean’s sharp voice cut through the room.
Brad chuckled lightly.
“Sorry. Just trying to lighten the mood.”
“Ms. Jensen, you’ll be working with Brad on additional security features for the program. Everything is fine. I simply want that section adjusted before tomorrow’s board presentation.”
I nodded.
“Understood.”
Brad stood.
“Come on then.”
I followed him out, every step feeling heavier than the last.
As soon as we entered his office, he leaned against the desk.
“Small world, huh?”
I ignored him.
He continued anyway.
“So it was really you I saw with Markfields.”
I stayed silent.
He smirked.
“With those oversized granny clothes you used to wear, I had no idea you were hiding such a gorgeous body.”
Disgust twisted in my stomach.
“And those glasses… they really hid your face. Maybe I wouldn’t have treated you so poorly.”
I turned sharply to face him.
“This is exactly why I insist on keeping it professional.”
His expression softened slightly.
“You know… it was just high school. We all made mistakes. I’m sorry.”
I stared at him.
Part of me wanted to scream.
To ask him if being shoved into a toilet was just a mistake.
But instead, I swallowed the anger.
“I’m here strictly for work and the opportunities this project provides. Let’s get back to business.”
He raised his hands.
“Alright, ma’am.”
The next few hours were spent making final security adjustments for tomorrow’s meeting.
We reviewed the encryption layer, updated the firewall interface, and strengthened the user authentication framework.
By the time I finished, the building had gone almost completely silent.
I checked the time.
9:47 p.m.
My shoulders ached.
I packed my laptop and files, then headed to the elevator.
The cool night air hit me the moment I stepped outside.
I immediately requested an Uber.
Five minutes.
Ten.
Cancelled.
“Seriously?”
I requested another one.
Again, I waited.
Cancelled.
Again.
I stared at my screen in disbelief.
“This has to be a joke.”
I requested a third one.
Still nothing.
The parking lot was nearly empty now.
That’s when I heard footsteps.
Dean.
He stepped out of the building, jacket over one arm, expression unreadable.
“You’re still here?”
“My Uber keeps cancelling.”
He glanced at the dark road.
“You stayed this late without arranging transport?”
His voice was calm.
Cold.
Judging.
“I didn’t plan on staying this long. I was finishing some adjustments for tomorrow’s meeting.”
“Well,” he said flatly, “you knew what you were doing when you decided to stay behind this late.”
The words hit harder than I expected.
I stared at him.
For one stupid second, I thought he might offer me a ride.
He didn’t.
“I’ll manage.”
He gave a small nod.
“As you wish.”
And just like that, he walked away.
I watched his taillights disappear into the night.
Unbelievable.
No luck with the Uber.
I sighed heavily and scrolled through my contacts.
Last resort.
Stella.
She picked up on the second ring.
“Jenna? Babe, why are you calling this late? Is everything okay?”
“My Uber keeps cancelling and I’m still outside Walthorne.”
A pause.
Then—
“Stay there. I’m coming.”
I almost sighed in relief.
“Thank you.”
Twenty minutes later, Stella pulled up.
The moment I got into the car, she turned to me with concern.
“Girl, you look exhausted.”
I let out a tired laugh.
“You have no idea.”
She reached over and squeezed my hand.
“It’s okay. I got you.”
And for the first time that night, I finally felt safe.
As the city lights blurred past the window, I leaned back into the seat.
Tomorrow was the board meeting.
And somehow…
I had a feeling everything was about to change.
- Writer
