Chapter 78. Rumors
Johnson Enterprises
Lilly Bradley
I had my arms crossed, watching television in Máxima's office along with my other administration colleagues. We were watching the press conference with Jackson, speculating about her departure. Some assumed she was in love with him, while others murmured that the pressure Máxima was under had caused her to rebel against him, which he didn't like.
The press conference ended, and they continued to draw silly conclusions.
"I think we shouldn't speculate. What I do say is that we need to see who will take her vacant spot," two of my colleagues glanced at each other and smiled excitedly. "I should get that position," most of them complained, then looked in my direction.
"I hope they don't give you the job just because you're a woman," one complained. I raised an eyebrow briefly.
"Just because I'm a woman?" I frowned. "Is that how things work here?" One of the visitors stood up and smiled in my direction.
"I've heard rumors," he said in a tone I didn't like.
"So?" I asked.
"Rumors about you and Mr. Johnson." I didn't show any reaction, continuing to look at him intently.
"And? Do you think those rumors will get me the job?" I sounded sarcastic.
"They're just rumors," said another from the group, standing up from his chair. He approached the first man who hadn't stopped looking at me, then looked in my direction. "Don't pay attention to them, Bradley."
"I don't pay attention to rumors," I said, then lowered my arms to my sides. I turned, and the first man spoke.
"But they're not just rumors, you know?" I stopped in the doorway and turned halfway.
"And?" The first man approached until he was at a certain distance from me, not crossing that personal line.
"I've seen you get into his car several times," he then squinted his eyes. One of them turned off the television, making the office feel silent. Everyone was paying attention. I looked back at the man in front of me. "Did you really get into this prestigious company because of your work skills?" I was about to respond when he interrupted. "Sorry, I meant... oral skills?" He made a gesture with his cheek and hand near his mouth, referring to oral sex. I stood still, containing my anger at his mockery in front of the rest of the group.
"Efra, you're crossing the line," the second man warned, closing the distance the first man had given. "Apologize, Bradley."
I said nothing to his disgusting comment. I turned and crossed the doorway to keep walking toward the office.
"I suppose if you have those skills, it won't be long before we see you in Máxima's position. In fact," I stopped without turning around, "I think maybe you had a hand in getting her fired." "It's not worth it, Lilly," I repeated to myself a few times. I turned toward him and put on my best smile.
"You'll find out later, and if it's true, shouldn't you treat me better? You know, if you keep making absurd and rude insinuations towards me, your job could be in danger," I said sarcastically, and everyone noticed. So I winked at him. I could tell he didn't like my response. I kept walking to my office. I heard one of them shout for him to stop. I stopped before entering and saw him coming quickly toward me.
"Sleeping with our boss doesn't give you privileges on this floor or any other department!"
"Stop now," I warned. He leaned his hand on the door and smiled disgustingly, looking me up and down.
"Efra, stop," said one of the colleagues.
"Tell me, what else do you do besides sucking Johnson's balls?" I opened my eyes a bit wider, ready to punch him with my fist, but someone else beat me to it. I gasped as a cry of pain echoed, and I saw the man's body hit the marble floor. When I looked up, I realized it was Richard. He rubbed his knuckles, adjusted his security suit jacket, and then looked in my direction.
"Are you alright, Miss Bradley?" he asked. I nodded, still shocked by what had just happened. Two security men behind him approached to lift the man off the floor, who was groaning with a split lip.
"You just hit me! I'm an exemplary employee of Johnson Enterprises!" the man protested. Richard stepped closer to him.
"When I show Mr. Johnson how you've been harassing your colleague, you'll stop being exemplary and become blacklisted from this company. Do you know the rules? Harassment between employees is forbidden," he paused.
"She started it," the man growled through clenched teeth.
"I heard everything myself," Richard replied, giving him a look of contained fury. "Mr. Johnson will make sure no one in this city or this country gives you a job." The man’s eyes widened in surprise. "Apologize," Richard demanded, which seemed to infuriate him even more.
"She started it, you heard wrong. You can ask them," he looked at the others, hoping for support, but no one spoke up except the second man.
"I told you to stop twice, and she asked you to stop before that," the second man said, and everyone quickly nodded in agreement with him.
"Fine, fine, I just got carried away in the heat of the argument. It's no big deal."
"Apologize to Miss Bradley," Richard insisted. The first man glared at him angrily.
"Seriously, for telling the truth, you're going to make me humiliate myself in front of this woman?" he diverted his gaze to Richard.
"What is the truth?" a third voice asked, and it wasn't just anyone. I looked past Richard and saw Jackson walking toward us with his hands in his dress pants pockets. His expression was one of fury, but he was holding back. I noticed a vein standing out on his neck. "What is the truth, Efray Monroe Murz?" The man tensed, clearly uncomfortable.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Johnson. They're just rumors..." Jackson stopped next to Richard without looking at me.
"Then what are these rumors? I want you to tell me everything," he said in a tone laden with coldness.
"Alright," he paused. "That you and Bradley are having an affair, that she got the job by sleeping with you, that you meet at the mansion that hasn't been sold, and that's why you rejected the last offer because you use it as a love nest on weekends." He blurted it all out suddenly. I could only gasp and cover my mouth. My heart was racing. When had we become the talk of the company?
"And do you know who started all this?" the man swallowed hard.
"The receptionist said it was... Mrs. Maxima." My heart pounded even faster. "And other rumors..." he added, looking directly at me when he emphasized the last part.
"Why are you looking at her?" Jackson suddenly said, stepping closer until they were face to face. I thought he might hit him, but there were too many eyes on him: the rest of the administrative team.
"No, no, no... I..."
"Why are you looking at her when you say 'others'? What other rumors are being spread in my company besides the ones you mentioned?" Jackson's tone was fearsome. Efray was ready to spill everything to avoid going down alone. His eyes focused on Jackson.
"That you and Mrs. Maxima... were lovers."