Chapter 18 Chapter Eighteen
I had to attend a meeting today in place of Mordechai. It wasn't too important and all I had to do was take notes and report back to him.
He could've gone himself but I was the 'assistant' so I had to do what I was told.
I sat in my office hoping to finish off these documents before the day ends. I found four already that needed to be typed over and the rest only needed to be stamped.
As I sat there, the door suddenly swung open without so much as a knock.
A woman stepped in, closed it behind her, and glared at me. I realized she was the same one I'd seen wearing that extra short skirt when I first came here. I'd caught glimpses of her a few times since, either leaving Mordechai's office or casually strolling around. Her office was the third one on this floor.
I felt both confused and irritated as she started walking around, looking here and there. We had never exchanged words, but I could tell from her eyes that she despised me.
I didn't know why, and I wasn't planning to care. As long as I did my job, nothing else mattered.
She stopped pacing, and took a stance in front of me.
"I'm Tiffany. Tiffany Wellington to be exact. We have never spoken before but forgive me, I only socialize with very important people and most times I'm busy helping Mordechai managing this business. I calculate the sales and other important things," she said but I just stared at her with a bland expression.
Just great, one more cocky person to deal with. I also noticed that she called him Mordechai and not Mr. Lenetti or boss.
Perhaps it was a privilege of having the same arrogance as him.
"What do you want?" I asked, leaning back into my chair when I noticed that she wasn't planning on leaving.
I wasn't intimated by her and if she was planning on bullying someone who just started working here, it won't be me. She looked me up and down before her face twisted into disgust.
"Let me get to the point. Stay away from him. I can already tell that you have your eyes on him, maybe even dreaming about him. He's too good for you and why would he want to be with someone who doesn't even have their own apartment? Someone who can't even afford to dress decent enough to show that they actually work for someone as wealthy as him. You're his personal assistant and that doesn't mean you should start to develop personal feelings!"
She was out of her mind. She couldn't possibly think that I wanted Mordechai! And who the hell was her to judge me?
I swear sometimes I would go insane if I stayed around people like her for too long. It's like they feed off of my energy.
"First of all, I could care less about you and your status, next I don't want-
The door to my office opened, and Mordechai walked in, his brows furrowed as he looked between me and her.
I swallowed my anger, forcing myself to stay calm as I sank into my chair. Turning back to my desk, I tried to focus on my work, though my pulse was still racing.
"What's going on here?" he asked, but I didn't spare him a glance.
"She was on her phone so I thought she was slacking off and gave her a small talk," Miss goodie two shoes said and that's when I snapped my head towards her.
Not only was she delusional, but also a big liar.
She had this evil smile on her face and if it wasn't for God and my dignity, I would've scratched that smile off with my nails. I never felt like I wanted to do something painful to anyone as much as her.
"What's your problem? First you insult me because you think your wealth makes you above me and then you tell a lie on me? If you have problems, I suggest you try to work them out instead of taking them out on humble people," I replied, my voice firm.
I felt a sense of satisfaction when her smile faded instantly.
One point for Vanessa!
"I need to speak with Miss Collins, alone," Mordechai said as he glared at me.
I had to stop myself from just groaning and walking out. Tif, that's what I'll be calling her from now on, walked out slamming the door shut.
"Why were you on your phone when you should be working?"
"What?" I asked in disbelief. He actually believed her, and why wouldn't he? She was very close to him as far as I could see.
"Watch your tone with me and if I hear that you have been slacking off again, I won't hesitate to fire you. That means you won't receive any money and you won't be leaving the city anytime soon. Miss Wellington have been working for me a very long time now and I suggest you try to respect her. Your job depends on that as well."
By this time, I felt like I was going to explode with anger. I hated when people had things on me or held power over me. They always used it to manipulate me, and it reminded me of Zed and my past.
I felt tears brim in my eyes, the ones I had held back for so long.
The tears I had promised myself I would never let fall again
I didn't know how long I kept my eyes focused on the floor. I heard my office door closed and that's when I looked up.
I wiped my eyes as the emotions took me over. I was a strong woman and I shouldn't have broken down like this.
But even the strongest people on earth have feelings.
I was just a human, and I had to feel.
And I hated it.
It was time for lunch but I didn't feel like eating. I left my office and went to the bathroom. I looked in the mirror for a few seconds before I washed my face. I just needed to breathe.
Inhale. Exhale.
I walked out and made my way towards the elevator. I just needed some time away from this place. Once I reached the bottom floor, I left the building.
I went straight to the park and sat down on a bench. There wasn't a lot of children around today so it was a bit quiet.
I didn't know how long I sat there for but I knew lunch was already over and the meeting had started. I wasn't going and I didn't care if I had to face the consequences. I hated him and his arrogant ways and if I had one wish...
...If I had one wish.
That thought struck a nerve and I started thinking about all the things I could wish for. To change my past, or perhaps I could've made a wish before it actually took place.
I could wish for a family that really loved me or maybe a family of my own. But wishes were only lost thoughts and they will never come true.
I left the park and went back to the office. Some of the workers were looking at me as I made my way to the elevator. It didn't faze me because I was used to being stared at. Whether it was because of my body or my status.
The elevator came to a stop and opened. I came face to face with Mordechai. He looked pissed more than anything right now. I stepped out of the elevator and stood there, meeting his eyes.
"Why did you leave without informing me?" I thought I told you that you had to attend a meeting that I won't be at? I had to get the information from Miss Wellington because my personal assistant made me look bad!" he spat but the way I was feeling at the moment, I didn't care too much.
"It seems as if you need some punishment to fully understand your place here. Don't leave when your shift ends, I have something for you to do."
And with that he walked past me brushing my arm in the process. Tif stood there with a smirk on her face as she flipped her hair to one side before going to her office. I went to mine and this time I locked the door.
After spending the rest of the day in my office, It was finally time to leave so I took up my bag and walked out. I had managed to finish most of the work but I had a few files left. Not going to lie, working in an office is hard work. Sure the AC is nice and all but typing for hours is not.
I went outside and spotted Mordechai in his car, parked up, waiting for me... I think. He opened the door to the backseat and I went and sat down. I closed the door and he drove off.
I had no idea where he was taking me, probably for my so called 'punishment'.
I crossed my arms as I looked out the window. I felt numb to the point where I wasn't focusing on anything around me. I eyed him for a few seconds before closing my eyes and taking a deep sigh.
"Where did you get an iPhone?"
"It was a gift," I replied coldly without opening my eyes.
I had no beautiful memories to focus on so I thought about what I was going to do when I leave the city. Find a home and settle down and then get a good job.
Then maybe, just maybe, I'll find that special someone.