Chapter 15 Susan's Unexplained Anger
"Susan, do you need anything?" Bryce's voice travelled to Susan's eyes, and she snapped out of the moment.
Her eyes scanned the place, and Angela was not there. She shifted her gaze back to Bryce, and he was wiping his hand while standing close to the dining table.
"Erm, Mr President, I didn't know you were in," Susan said and managed a smile. "I brought the hard copy of the report on the new employees," she reported.
"Good," Bryce acknowledged and returned to his desk while Susan exited the office.
As soon as Susan left, Angela returned to the main office from the connecting kitchen and made her way to Bryce's desk after ensuring the dining area was cleaned. Bryce was sitting behind his desk and had resumed his work.
"Thank you, Mr President," Angela appreciated, and Bryce replied with a 'hmm', not bothering to even raise his head to look at him.
Angela headed for the door. That was the time Bryce lifted his head and stared at her back briefly before returning his gaze to his laptop.
Angela closed the door gently behind her after exiting and walked towards her office door. She pushed the door open and entered only to find Susan waiting for her. Angela froze briefly at the entrance as she was not expecting to find Susan in her office. She closed the door behind her gently.
"Aren't we looking for trouble too early in the company?" Susan said, and Angela wondered what she was talking about.
"I don't understand," Angela replied, squeezing her brow.
"It is prohibited for an employee to sit and eat in the president's dining area. It is also prohibited for an employee to sit and eat with the president," Susan said sternly. "Did you not read your manual?" she added, sounding very angry, surprising Angela.
"Are you aware you are on a three-month probation?" Susan asked, and Angela just stared at her, wondering if Susan's anger was because she saw her dining with the president or if there was more to it. "Two days into your probation and you are already breaking the rules of the company?" Susan snapped. "The only person who can sit and dine with the president is his wife? Are you his wife?" Susan threw the question at Angela.
"I didn't dine with the president at his table at my own will. The president asked me to sit and eat with him. It was an order. The manual said I am supposed to do what the president asks of me," Angela defended.
"You could have politely declined. What would you be doing next, in the name of the president, told you to? Sleep with him?" Susan spat, and Angela was surprised.
"Okay, I am sorry. I didn't know it was a crime to dine with the president," Angela said, still standing behind the closed door.
"Did you just reply sarcastically to me?" Susan snapped as she stared at Angela with eyes full of anger.
"No, please," Angela replied.
"You are on probation. Read the staff manual. There will be an assessment of your conduct in three months. Everything will be considered," Susan said. "Take note of that and watch your back," she added and exited the office, rudely pushing Angela out of the way.
"What was that all about?" Angela thought. "First she spilt cold coffee on her and now this. What is going on?" Angela thought as she made her way to her desk. "Is she the president's girlfriend or something?' Angela thought.
"She didn't quite understand Susan's anger. She sat at a table and ate with the president. What is the big deal about that?" Angela thought and sat behind her desk.
Angela decided to forget about what happened just now and focus on her work. She completed her work, grabbed her bag after packing her stuff into it and got ready for home. The phone on her desk rang just when she was about to exit her office. She sat back behind her desk, and she answered.
"Come to my office now," came Susan's voice, and she ended the call before Angela could respond.
Angela placed her bag down and headed for Susan's office on the sixth floor. On the sixth floor, Angela knocked and entered Susan's office and found Eva also still there, even though it was closing time.
"These are files of some clients. The president will be meeting these clients tomorrow afternoon. You need to work on them and send them over to me before 6 a.m. tomorrow," Susan said and gave the files to Angela.
"I know it is the close of your shift. I am not asking you to work extra hours, but these files need to be worked on before 6 a.m. tomorrow," she repeated.
In Diamond Corporation, employees are not allowed to work beyond the closing time except when there is a need to. And if an employee has to work extra hours, such an employee is compensated with extra income. Angela understood that Susan just wanted to punish her with this action because she dined with the president. She is giving her extra work, so she will work extra hours, but no extra income.
"Yes, please," Angela acknowledged and carried the files to her office.
Inside her office, she wondered how she had offended Susan. Yesterday she spilt coffee on herself and now this task. Susan is the HR manager. Why has Susan targeted her was the only question on Angela's mind.
Angela checked her time and sat back down. She spent an hour after the close of her shift working on the files. She didn't want to take the work home. It was too early. By the time she was done, it was 6:30 p.m. She then carried the files and headed for Susan's office. When she got to Susan's office, she was not there. Susan's office door was locked. Susan had already left for home and kept Angela working in the office.
Angela took the files back to her office. She knew she needed to report early tomorrow morning to give Susan the files before 6 a.m. Angele placed the files on her desk and exited her office. She closed the door and turned the key to lock her office door.
"It is 6. 35 p.m., what are you still doing here?" came Bryce's voice, startling Angela, but she calmed herself.
Angela turned to find Bryce standing behind her. In the instant, she wanted to tell Bryce she was working on some files for Susan, but a part of her told her not to do that. She just didn't want to start anything. She had finished working on the files. It is best not to do something that will give Susan grounds to do terrible things to her. With this thought, Angela decided to find another excuse for staying in the office after the close of work.
"I am just reducing the workload for tomorrow by working on some of the files today. Makes me efficient," Angela replied and managed a smile.
"There is a reason your closing time is 5 p.m. The body needs rest. Go home, Angela and continue tomorrow," Bryce said, sounding like he didn't stay in the same apartment with her and headed for the elevator.
"Yes, Mr President," Angela acknowledged, locked the door and also headed for the elevator.
She stood in front of the elevator waiting for it to return. She entered and pressed for the ground floor. Outside, Angela walked towards the bus stop after checking out at the reception. Bernard parked his car in front of her.
"I was waiting for you. Let's go home," Bernard said.
"Thank you, but I will wait for the bus," Angela declined.
"Hey, what is wrong?" Bernard asked, stepping out of the car. "I know you rejected my offer yesterday, but today you sound a little hostile in your rejection. Did I do anything wrong?" he asked, and Angela sighed.
"I appreciate what you are doing, but I only came here to work, not to look for trouble," Angela said, but Bernard realised immediately something had happened, as this would not be the first time he had encountered such a situation.
"Who threatened you, Angela?" Bernard asked, sounding serious.
"Nobody did. I just want to use the bus," Angela replied and walked towards the bus, which pulled over at the bus stop.
Her phone was spoilt and she didn't get the chance to fix it. There was no way she could request an Uber. She entered the bus and decided to keep her eyes on the road so she wouldn't miss the bus stop again this time.
At the bus stop, Bernard stood there and watched the bus Angela had boarded leave. He fetched his phone from his car and dialled Eva's number. Angela is a beautiful girl, and he seems to like her. Even though he had not decided if he wanted to date her or not, he was sure he wanted to be a friend, but Eva had put a flag around him, making it look like he was her boyfriend when he was not.
"Eva, what did you do to Angela?" Bernard questioned angrily.
He frowned, hearing Eva's reply.
"Eva, you are not my girlfriend. So stop threatening any girl that I get close to," Bernard yelled and ended the call, tossing the phone into the car.