His and Her Circumstances

Chapter 6 - Striking back

Chapter 6 - Striking back

Days passed by like usual and it's Friday now.

I sure miss Lucas and Marianne since I am itching to see them right after I entered our company’s door. Too bad that they are still not in here and only the gossipers are in sight. People sure love thrilling scandals like this to show how righteous they are compared to others. Not sure what benefit they will get though after this commotion fades away.

My stupid trial disguised as a meeting will happen in a few hours and I am more than excited than nervous for it to start. The last three days were spent gathering all the necessary shreds of evidence that I could present and I managed to compile all the materials that I needed to bring out my A-game.

What I have on hand are all legal documents that have been notarized and signed by different authorized individuals. If Lucas and Marianne really did present proof, then it will come down to the most reliable source and manner of presentation.

The stepping sounds of my black stiletto rang down the meeting hall, making the people all look at me. I hated that sound when I first wore it, but the high price that I paid for it seems worthwhile now because of the attention that I am getting. Well, they could look all they want since I am also physically prepared for today’s event.

I am fully aware that I am prettier than most of the women in this company and I feel no shame to flaunt it right at this moment. My one-piece red dress hugs my body tightly to show the natural curves that I have. It is formal wear and yet could also pass as a casual piece.

My lips are in full bloom with matte red lipstick. I let my wavy hair do the best thing it could and that is to flow luxuriously. I may be the victim, but I won’t let the spectators look at me with pitiful eyes after the end of this event.

Ah, No. I almost forgot that almost everyone thinks that I’m the super villain today. What I’m getting is not a look of pity but that of contempt.

Majority does not give people the power to have control over the populace. It is something else and these people will not understand it unless I show them how a single woman could win a war on her own.

I am a woman strong enough to climb the corporate ladder and a scandal like this won’t affect my standing in this company. Ridicule this woman as much as you want. I will be the one laughing in the end and let’s just see how you will face me when that time comes.

Let’s all go back to being the happy co-workers that we used to be. Forever and ever.

* * *

The meeting room was filled in an instant and I couldn’t help but notice that all of them were taking a quick glance at me.

“She is trying so hard. I can’t understand how big her liver is to be able to attend this meeting. I'd be ashamed to the bone if it was me.”

“Yeah. Well, she will be out of this place in no time.”

“I can’t wait to see her packing her things.”

I can hear that, bitches. At least start your nonsense conversation after you step out of my hearing zone. If it is your intention to degrade me, then it is completely worthless. I am not guilty of any charges, so I won’t be taunted by those words.

If Lucas sent these girls to be my trolls, then all I can say is that he wasted a lot of money on their pathetic acting. I am just so damn lucky that Anthony will not be affected by these rumors.

I am enjoying my freshly brewed copy when the meeting room buzzed without any consideration for the formal setup of the place. I see. The main characters are here. The beautiful heroine is being bullied by her superior and his prince in his expensive tuxedo.

Marianne is wearing a maternity dress as if flaunting that she is pregnant and should be treated with all the gentleness in this world. We were still working together last week, and I can still remember how flat her stomach was at that time, so it is like a miracle for her to suddenly wear something like that. She should not be an assistant secretary but a hall of fame actress.

Marianne’s beautiful face has no hint of makeup and is screaming the stressed look. The way he clings to Lucas shows how scared she is of the woman on the other side of the room. Lucas’ protective hold on Marianne’s waist is only a clear declaration that the two are on this together.

Wrong place, Marianne and Lucas. You are wasting your talent in the corporate world. We don’t act here, we sweat blood to be on the top, and being pitiful won’t help you.

Go on and have fun all you want. I am not sure if both of you initiated this or if one is smart enough to fool the other into believing that I am the wicked villainess of their love life. Whatever it is, I will show no mercy at the end of the day.

Thank you for all the memories that we share, but that is the extent of our relationship.

“Good morning everyone. This is Anthony Mendoza and I will be the relationship manager for the issues that we have on hand. We will start the meeting in a few minutes. Please all be seated while we are checking the submitted materials.”

As stoic as ever. Anthony might be the coldest person in this room, but my trust that he wouldn’t be biased towards anyone made me breathe with relief. If we are going to play without a single trick, then the result is probably in my favor.

Though, it is better to prepare myself in case these two will pull some stupid actions or connections just to gain the upper hand.

The meeting started ten minutes right after Anthony stood on the podium. The room is dead silent and even the little whispers are totally gone.

“Again, greetings to everyone. To start, I will read the claims that were filed by Mr. Lucas Smith, general manager of the purchasing department; and, Ms. Marianne Carnette, secretary to the office of the general manager Ms. Victoria Lynx, the dependant.

As per Mr. Smith and Ms. Carnette, Ms. Lynx is guilty of three charges, namely: battery on the pregnant Ms. Carnette and her ex-boyfriend, Mr. Smith; s****l relationship with one of the company directors which she used as her ticket to gain her current position; and, the last but the most grave of all, is company theft amounting to $1,000,000 dollars.”

This is the first time that I heard that the theft charge only amounts to that. If my life savings could speak, then it would surely berate the i***t questioning his amount and capacity. I usually stick to my necessities and avoid unnecessary expenses even though I am earning more than an average elite, the reason why my savings ballooned to an unimaginable amount five years after my Master's completion.

As for the others, the directors must be laughing like crazy when they heard of the last two charges. If I was one of them then I’ll definitely be joking around and claiming that it was me who the general manager had an affair with.

I’m acquainted with all of them, but we never shared any romantic relationships. A bald old man is totally crossed out of my list, to begin with. I don’t even have to lift one of my fingers to brush off this issue, since this concerns the company's reputation. Anthony will handle it for me.

Lucas and Marianne must be crazy to create those charges and even add a non-existent director to the list. Let’s see what their evidence will be to prove that I’m a w***e dressed in an office lady's suit.

All I can think is that whatever desperate moves that they have must be the effect of their cheating anxiety.

“Ms. Lynx. Are you guilty of any of those charges? Do you need me to repeat it for your clarification?”

“You don’t have to and I’m not.”

The office room roared in uncontrollable buzzing after my denial. I can hear phrases like “what audacity!” being passed around by everyone. Playing pass the message won’t be boring with players like them.

“If that is the case, then we will be presenting the pieces of evidence submitted by Mr. Smith and Ms. Carnette one by one. You will be given a chance to counter it after their statements have been delivered. Is that clear to you or do you have anything to say before we start?”

“I’m all good. Please do as you say.”

I should praise Anthony’s consistency throughout our corporate careers. He’s been delivering meetings like this, in the same manner, all the time. I wouldn’t be shocked if he would ever confess that he is hiding a script somewhere in the office.

Thud. Thud. I want to stay calm and be seen as one, but my heart is not cooperating even a bit. My aorta and everything, this is not the first time that we will be subjected to such disgrace, so better control your beatings and be a darling.

Even the fact that we are alone did not change, so get used to it right now. I’m begging you.

“The illicit relationship will be tackled first. Mr. Chua of the I.T. department will handle the evidence presented. As per Ms. Carnette’s statement, she witnessed the finance director, Mr. Adam Stevens, and Ms. Lynx have been meeting privately, not just once, for the last three years. This was brought to our concern, not just because of their alleged romantic relationship, but because of the fact that Mr. Stevens is a married man with two children.

Also, this would be a company violation since it was on our contract that we can’t have any kind of s****l relationship with a man or woman in the same department.

Mr. Chua. Please show the submitted images one to five for everyone to check their validity.”

My internal monologue was cut by Anthony. I can’t believe that these two will drag Mr. Stevens of all people. He might be strict, but he is one of the people that I respect the most in this company.

“Hahaha hahaha”

I could no longer hold my laughter after seeing the pictures that they had presented as evidence. Dear Lucas and Marianne, you are such funny clowns, I tell you. What the projector is showing is all real but not because of the forbidden relationship that they are trying to throw in my face.

“Ms. Lynx. Please control yourself. We may not be in a real legal court, but this is still a formal company proceeding.”

“Yes, I am so sorry.”

I feel bad for laughing on my own after seeing Anthony’s twitching face. He must be doing his best not to react even a little after seeing the same thing. Even the faces of the people who are aware of the real past hiding behind those images are smiling like lottery winners.

My happiness doubled when I saw the pale faces of the loving clown couple. They must be shocked to see the opposite reaction that they are expecting.

“Now, Ms. Carnette. Please explain how you came up with the first allegation that Ms. Lynx is having an illicit relationship with the finance directory, Mr. Stevens.”

“Yes, Mr. Mendoza. So I once asked Ms. Lynx, how she became a general manager at a young age and she confessed that is because she is sleeping with one of the biggest directors and our direct boss, Mr. Stevens.”

Pathetic liar. I never said those words. You and your stories are so pathetically made that it may win an Oscar award if someone turns it into a movie.

“Do you have any additional proof before we ask Ms. Lynx for her defense?”

“Yes, Mr. Mendoza. I have a dash cam recording of when Mr. Stevens and Ms. Lynx met last month in a five-star hotel. It was taken on a weekend and I just accidentally saw them when I was with my mother for a weekend getaway. Please play the video for everyone to see.”

A three-minute footage of Mr. Stevens and I greeting each other and entering a hotel was played after Marianne’s instruction. The once silent room is now being filled with malicious comments and negative reactions.

My laughter and smiling turned cold and pale after seeing the last evidence that they had. This is nothing but despicable.

“Ms. Carnette, do you have any additional evidence to present or any statement to give before we proceed to Ms. Lynx’s defense?”

“None. That is all I have.”

“Thank you. Now, Ms. Lynx, are you in a relationship with your superior, Mr. Stevens?”

I smiled and looked intently at Anthony.

“I’m not.”