Chapter 4: The Coffee Test
1201 Words
An overwhelming wave of fear gripped me instantly as I pushed open the door.
“Sir?”
I began to dig my nails into my skin, wondering what he would say next.
“Get me coffee!” he ordered.
He didn't look up as his eyes were fixed on the screen of his laptop. He commanded without sparing me a glance.
My heart was thrilled. “This was our second encounter, maybe he doesn't remember?”
“Any problem, Miss Ama?” The senior secretary caught sight of me and questioned me.
“Mr Marcus sent me to get him coffee but I don't know the way to the cafeteria from here.” I replied.
“You will find the cafeteria down the hall, corner left.” She added and left.
I nodded. Forcing a smile on my face.
Walking as she directed, I found the cafeteria and went straight to the counter. “Wait, he didn't tell me what he wanted. Latte? Espresso? Black? Sweet? Strong? What kind of person is this?”
I bit my lips and scratched my hair trying to recall if the senior secretary had mentioned it before. But nothing came out of it.
“I will make him plain. Someone as aggressive as him takes plain, black coffee. But what if he actually wants something sweet? Hm... Plain works better.” I thought to myself.
I fumbled about with the machine, making him a plain strong black coffee, which suited his attributes so well.
The cup was extremely hot. My hands kept trembling, causing it to shake, and it almost slipped out of my hands. I took a deep breath, carrying a thin tissue paper for protection.
I walked slowly like every step was calculated, afraid of spilling a drop before even reaching his office. Employees kept casting glances at me like this was a ritual for every new secretary.
By the time I reached Marcus's office, I swallowed heavily. And knocked gently.
“Come in!”
With the support of my body, I pushed open the door with my back.
“Sir. Here is your coffee.” I leaned in about to drop it on the table.
“Did I tell you to drop it? Stand there!”
I was left shocked, the heat of the cup scorching against my palm. “Excuse me, sir?”
His eyes finally lifted to me, and he looked me in the eyes, releasing a cold, sharp, intimidating glare. “ I said you should stand there. Hold it.”
I glared at him in confusion. “Sir, you mean–”
“I despise repeating myself. Are you deaf or something?” His tone was cold.
I panicked for a second then adjusted back, standing straight. The cup weighed heavily, and the heat kept inflicting pain in my palms.
Minutes felt like hours. I stood there quietly as his office became a graveyard only the sound of his fingers pressing against his keypad. The smell of his cologne filled the air—expensive, sharp and suffocating.
My arms began to ache. My legs were weary and were trembling in my heels. Cold sweat dripped down my back, but he didn't utter a word. He continued typing.
“ Drop it.” His voice broke the silence after what felt like hours.
I sighed in relief, bending slightly to set it down on the table.
My hands were weak and fumbling but fate wasn't on my side. Just as I leaned in by the side of his desk, the cup slipped crashing to the ground.
Crash!
Hot liquid spread across the tiled floor.
My heart became extremely tense. Time stopped.
I kept looking at the shattered pieces of ceramic glass on the ground. Fear gripped me and my breath was caught in my throat. Marcus looked down at the mess, then back at me, he remained composed. He didn't speak; but his glance was enough to send me six feet.
“I'm—I'm sorry.” I stammered.
“Get it cleaned!”
“I will get the cleaner, Sir.”
Marcus leaned back in his chair. “I said you should get it cleaned up and you want to call a cleaner?”
“But sir… I'm your secretary, not your cleaner.” My jaw tightened as he gazed at me with a fierce look.
A smirk appeared on his face, he clapped his hands sharply, stood up from his seat and made his way towards me. “You were eager to clean when you messed up my shirt, weren't you? Now, you will clean my floor. This is my office! Miss Wellington.”
I stood there in total humiliation. I knew I had to comply because he is my boss, and I had humiliated him in front of everyone the day before.
Marcus returned to his seat. “ Remember this, Miss Wellington. I am the boss here, I give orders. And you obey them.”
I walked out of the office with my head bowed down. Other employees kept looking at me as I made my way into the cleaning store room I saw earlier on.
“They never last. And this is just her first day.” One of the employees whispered to another but I overheard their conversation.
My pulse tightened as I went back into his office to clean the stain . He sat there, legs crossed.
“Clean it properly!”
I swallowed the lump in my throat, bent lower, wiping off the stain, the hems of my skirt brushing against the floor. I could feel his eyes on me as he successfully humiliated me.
When I stood up holding the pieces of glass in my hands, I was met with the piercing eyes of Mr Marcus. He extended his hands, pointing to the direction of the trash bin.
I walked in the direction, disposed of it and was about to leave
“Come here!”
Feeling reluctant, I pressed forward standing opposite him. My hands twisted together as I trembled with fear.
“Miss Wellington, tell me, is this your idea of professionalism? How did the board even hire such an incompetent person like you?”
“ I—I'm sorry, sir. I—I will do better.” I hesitated in reply.
“I don't tolerate carelessness, Miss Wellington! One act of carelessness and you are gone. I don't give chances.” He said to me in a commanding tone.
“Yes sir.” My voice was barely heard as I was wrapped in fear.
“You may leave.”
I quickly fled from his office into the hall. The door closed behind me and tension exploded at once.
Back at my seat, I exhaled deeply as I collapsed into my chair. My fingers kept shaking violently. I reached for my diary, scribbling words into it.
Day One: I found out the guy from yesterday is actually my boss and I know he is going to make my life a living nightmare. Yesterday was his clothes, today was his office and he made me clean it like a maid. This is just the beginning and I don't know if I will survive.
- Writer
