Breaking Through Her Wall

CHAPTER SIX

Too Comfortable

Late afternoon in the office.

The hum of computers, clicking on keyboards, the distant ring of a phone. Outside, the sky is dimming with an approaching rainstorm.

INT. EXECUTIVE FLOOR-MARKETING DEPARTMENT

Yvette Lupine sat rigid at her sleek desk clicking through spreadsheets that she wasn't really reading. Every so often, her eyes lifted - just slightly - to where Berly sat across the floor, near Liam's office.

Berly was laughing softly at something Ryan Blake had said. Her shoulder relaxed, posture open. She hadn't been this comfortable on her first day. Or even the first week. But now?

Now, she belonged.

And that annoyed Yvette more than she could explain.

"Too Comfortable." She muttered under her breath.

Ryan leaned against the edge of Berly's desk, loosening his tie as he smiled down at her.

"You know, most people would've cracked by now. Mr Liam's... not actually Mr congeniality." He said

Berly smirked

“Maybe am too stubborn to be cracked ."

“I like that in a woman."

Berly looked up - mildly amused, not quite flattered. She was learning how to handle Ryan's flirtation; a balance of polite distance and dry humor. Instead she replied.

“Well lucky for you, I'm not here to impress you." Ryan chuckled but didn't leave.

Across the floor, Yvette's jaw tightened. She stood suddenly, grabbing a file and striding to Liam's door. She knocked once and pushed it open without waiting. Besides the both of them had been friends since childhood, went to the same school too but Liam graduated a year ahead of Yvette.

Liam looked up briefly. His desk was as spotless as always. The faint sense of coffee and old books hung in the air.

“Weekly analytics report. Updated as of this morning."

"Leave it on the desk." Liam said without looking up

She hesitated. Her eyes flickered towards the glass overlooking the office - where Berly and Ryan were.

“ She seems awfully... chatty with Ryan these days."

Liam didn't answer. He returned to his tablet, scrolling coolly.

“ I just thought you liked your employees focused. Efficient. Not distracted."

A pause.

Liam's voice came without looking up.

“ She finishes her tasks before noon." Yvette blinked. That wasn't the response she wanted. She asked cautiously.

“You mean she's not like the others you've fired?"

Liam's fingers stilled on the screen.

“ I meant what I said. Leave the report."

Yvette left the file and turned stifly, her heels clicking on the polished floor.

As she exited, Liam allowed himself one glance through the glass. Berly was now typing, lips pressed in concentration. Ryan had finally walked away, his smile lingering.

Liam frowned slightly.

Not because she was failing

But because she wasn't.

Yvette walked to the lady's in frustration. Liam had never treated her like this and it was all because of that bi*ch Berly.

“ Argh! How dare she?” She stood in front of the mirror with her face full of hatred.

“ Berly I'll make you leave this company sooner or later, you can't just be a stumbling stone for me.” She said smirking as she retouched her makeup before leaving.

She had to come up with a good plan.

And as fast as possible.

But before that...

Reaching her desk, Yvette pulled out three large files and walked towards Berly with a bossy smile.

“ Hey.” She said placing the files in front of Berly

“Oh Ms Yvette.” Berly greeted

“Sort these out today.” Yvette said about to leave.

“Wait.. Ms Yvette I still have a lot of work to do today, can I do it at instead?”

Hearing this, Yvette remembered Liam's words.

“Oh really? Well maybe then work extra hard, I want all these files properly and correctly sorted before you go home today.” She said and walked back to her desk leaving Berly in a confused state.

'Had she offended her in any way?'

Yvette smiled satisfactorily whilst watching Berly bury herself in work.

'Serves her right. This is just the beginning. She shouldn't mess with people however she dim fit.'