"Hey there, you feeling better?" Joanne asks as I appear in her line of view just at the corner of her desk.
"Uh yes, I am." I take my seat in between her and John.
"You know I called it." John proclaims.
"What?" Joanne asks him.
"This whole transaction business, selling the company off." He answers.
"It's really disheartening, I wonder how Mr Knowles' children feel about all this." Joanne sighs.
"Like they would care, none of them were interested in the business from the start." John huffed.
"That's awful." I feel a bit sad for Mr Knowles. He probably wanted his children to succeed him.
Joanne shakes her head sadly but almost immediately her demeanour changes as she speaks again. "On the other hand, you should have seen Mr Illston! That was definitely one piece of hunk, I already knew he was young but I did not expect him to be so good looking." She finishes dreamily.
I merely give her a small smile in return.
"Oh trust me when you see him, you'll definitely be swooning."
"I don't believe there is so much to swoon about." John rolls his eyes.
"Typical lesser guy." Joanne replies rolling her eyes as well. I manage to smile at them both then look down at my desk which already has a bunch of paperwork for me.
"That's all we are going to be doing today. Going over every sale this company has ever had. Basically we are cleaning out everything. Welcome to the team Ophelia." Joanne pats my shoulder before continuing with her own work. I put all my focus on the papers placed before me hoping my thoughts don't stray elsewhere.
***
"Well I am completely exhausted. I'm sure you are too. Let's call it a day shall we?"
I immediately comply with Joanne's request as I stack the papers I've been working on in a corner. John left about an hour ago which earned him a 'lazy ass' comment from Joanne. Joanne and I walk towards the exit and occasionally she tells people left and right good night. I simply walk beside her feeling a little bit awkward. I don't know any of these people yet so I have no idea how to relate with them. Although some people send me small smiles which I return. We take the elevator to the lobby and bid each other goodbye as we part ways at the entrance of the office building.
As I hail a taxi, I noticed the sun dipping, inviting the dark night. Well it is not so dark as all the offices and streetlights that adorn the street are lit. I enjoy the scereny as I wait for the taxi I just hailed to stop.
I flick on the switch as I enter my two bedroom apartment. I sigh heavily as I land quite tiredly on the single three sitter that I own.
More thoughts about this new boss disturb me. What if it isn't even him? The chances of it not been him are slim though. My gut just keeps telling me.
Like a Zombie, I change into my pajamas and get into bed. I turn and tussle for the better part of the night with only one thought alive and disturbing me.
The man who hurt me deeper than I'd ever thought could be possible is most likely back.
***
"Another meeting?" John groaned as the same voice from yesterday
announces another meeting.
As I walk into the office this morning, I can tell from most of the solemn looks of the workers the news of the company been sold has gone round. I feel just as solemn as everyone else only my reason for my being solemn is completely different.
"Another chance to see our sexy new boss?" Joanne asks instead.
As the whole department walks to the conference room I conclude my estimation from yesterday--after another rough counting--we are about 30 in total.
I make sure to walk a bit slower than the rest of the little crowd. I know I can't hide forever. Thankfully, right now is not forever.
"You slow poke, we won't get a good view of him if you don't pick up your pace." Joanne says once she notices my slow pace. Little does she know that is my goal. To not get a view of him at all. As I keep beating myself up, I realize if it is him, he won't care seeing me.
She doesn't say anything but she continues walking at my pace which I appreciate.
I feel my heart rate pick as we enter the conference room.
"Good morning everyone." My heart slows it's pace as I piece the voice belongs to Mr Knowles. "This meeting has been called for by your new boss, Mr William Illston."
It's him. His name alone sends me into a mini panic and I consider leaving once again but I know it's silly playing a one sided hide and seek.
"Things are going to be run differently now." His voice sounds so familiar yet different. It's deeper, harder even. "New rules are going to be put in place. You will all do well to stick by them, put in all your effort as you all work and lastly, do not mess with me or cross me, you are all here to work not play." He laid emphasis on his last words and a slight shiver runs down my spine.
"I'll need to see all the records of each department. Starting with this one, any recent activities?" I faintly hear him ask. I'm ready to tune out his deep voice and get away as fast I can but it seems nothing good is ever going to go for me when Mary, the department head replies.
"Oh, yes sir. Yesterday, a new employee was employed into the sales department yesterday..."
Whatever she says after doesn't reach my hearing or maybe it does but my brain isn't able to process it.
"Alright then, everyone else can leave. I already have your memos and performance sheets. The new employee, stay behind."
Joanne smiles at me before leaving with the rest of the department. What is happening?
I remain unmoving as the room is now almost empty. Mr Knowles, Mary and the bane of my very existence stands at the opposite end of the room, all looking in my direction expectantly. I remind myself to breath as I take shaky steps towards them hesitantly.
Mr Knowles sits back down while Mary smiles at me like all is well. I'm a few feet away from them when I look at him. His face is morphed into an irritated look as I walk slowly towards them. I drink in all his familiar features before stepping next to Mary with my head down. His hair looks darker and longer. His face seems more sculpted and godly looking. His jaw is set in a straight line. He had always been tall but now he's towering and from what I see, all those boyish scrawny features are gone. He's a lot more muscular. In other words, he is a lot more adionis looking than before. A lot more.
"Ophelia." Mary suddenly says forcing me to raise my head and almost immediately, I lock eyes with him. It's real, It's actually him. He's now inevitably my boss. Well shit.
All irritation leaves his onyx grey eyes as a new mixture of different emotions flicker through them. How does he feel seeing me again? Probably angry. His face remains neutral with his mouth in a slight scowl but his eyes are the only give away about his true thoughts.
I immediately avert my gaze to face
Mary instead who stands unaware of what is happening.
"Our latest employee, Ophelia Duhamels Mr Illston." Mary introduces not knowing it really isn't necessary.
I feel like my limbs will give out as his steady gaze scrutinizes all my features.
"Ophelia."
Note: This work is from dami241. If you like to read, please go to buy a physical one to support the author.