They kept on staring at each other for some minutes before Shir said.
Joey is gone. She announced breaking off the intense staredown.
Andrew choked on his water as Jason blinked
Come again? Andrew asked as he cleaned himself up.
I said Joey is gone. Shir repeated her statement as silence descended everywhere.
Wait, Joey... CEO Ryan assistant Joey? Andrew asked for clarification.
It couldn't be her. I saw her before I came here. Maybe it is another Joey. Jason reasoned in his mind.
Okay, what the hell are you talking about now? Jason asked. He picked a screw from the laptop keypad and handed it to Andy who dropped it in his drawer. It was a spare screw, probably loosened from somewhere. The atmosphere was intense as Andrew broke the suspense.
Joey? As in Joey, the CEO'S assistant, as in Mr Ryan's assistant. Andrew said as Shir nodded.
Yup. That Joey! Shir replied.
What do you mean gone? Is she dead or something? Jason asked.
Worse. Much worse. Mr Ryan fired her sorry ass. Shir said as she sat down on one of the empty seats in the office, as Andrew shook his head in disbelief.
Jason stopped what he was doing as he faced her. He looked at her for a few minutes to check if she was kidding, but there was no sign of laughter on her face. He looked at Andy who shrugged and drank his water.
Jason looked at her with an arched eyebrow. Are you kidding me?
Nope. She said popping the p. she frowned as she was scanning some files on the tables. Actually, it wasn't filed, it was porn magazines and she knew that it belonged to Andy, but she decided to let it slide for now. They wouldn't like it if she deviated from the current topic. They all had a soft spot for Joey and they would like to know what happened to her.
Damn, is this like her second day here? Andrew asked.
Yeah, it was. Walked into his office to submit some documents, walked out.... sorry dragged out by security guards and Mr Ryan screaming and I quote 'You are Fired!' It was a splendid evening really.
Only you take pleasure in someone's downfall. Andrew muttered. This wasn't completely true. He knew that Shir cared about people, a lot, but she didn't know how to express herself as a normal being. It had to do with the fact that she was abused a lot and her dad never cared about her, so she was resolved, not to let her emotions show. But if she couldn't contain it, she goes out to get drunk, wasted, so that she can forget about it, for the time being.
Double damn. Jason said, shaking his head. Too bad, he had a liking for Joey. She was kind, caring, always laughing and always had a solution, to solve problems. What the fuck was wrong with that bloody CEO? Did he think that humans are toys, he can discard whenever he feels like?
Make that triple. This will make her the 45th assistant in a month. A freaking month. And it's not for up to 30 days. That man is a walking bastard. Shir said, impatiently tapping the floor with her shoes.
No insulting the man, please. I don't want issues if this gets to his ears. Andrew said, putting his fingers in his ears to block out the insults.
Relax, Andrew, who is going to tell him, certainly not me, nor Jason. Shirley said as Jason chuckled.
You know, I don't know how you do it, Jason. Shir said as he was working on the once-forgotten computer.
Do what? Jason asked not sparing her a glance. He reached forward and plugged the charger back into the socket and plugged the computer.
Care so little about Voldemort! She said as he chuckled. He pressed the button, but it still didn't boot up. He removed the battery from the casing and looked at it, before using a tissue to clean it slowly as he replied.
First, I wasn't in my mind when I gave him that name. He who shall not be named was what I suggested. And secondly, he doesn't know me, nor do I know him. We walk and work on two different parallel lanes, never hitting for once. Jason replied as Andy peered over his shoulders.
Yeah we know already, but you are the IT guy, surely you have gone up there to repair computers right. Shir asked.
Yes, I have, but I have never worked for him, usually a fellow employee or his assistant, but I have never gone up to answer a freaking question from him and hopefully I never will. Jason said as he inserted back the battery and switched on the computer.
Here, all set. If you like, download fucking porn on it, and I will personally sell your pathetic ass to Mr Ryan. Jason said as he handed back the computer, back to him.
Thanks so much, you are, hey how about drinks when we round up, as a gesture of my gratefulness. Andrew said, as Shir immediately turned and gasped.
She loved free things, no doubt about that. Shirley was never one to turn down free things, even if you hurt her badly, if you wanted to get on her good side, just offer her something free, and she will treat you like her little brother, with so much love and affection.
Well, of course. She replied as they both turned in Jason's direction.
Well, I guess. Jason replied, giving them a shrug. He continued.
And now, I am going to go back to my floor, the SANE floor, Shir, you coming, let us finish rounding up before our asses get fired. Jason said as Shir came to meet him.
You know, what. I don't think that man knows that he has some IT people in this company. He keeps buying new laptops, after smashing the old ones. I have 14 different kinds of laptops, all in my house, because of his sheer ignorance. Shir said as they both left.
Wait, I almost forgot. Jason said as he turned and yelled at Andrew. I can't make it at six, I need to take care of something, so you and Shir should go together, I will meet you there. Jason said as Andrew gave him a thumbs up, already accessing a porn website.
That boy never changes. Jason said, shaking his head as Shir shouted, as we walked down the hallways filled with workers, staying on the fifth floor.
ANDREWS NATHANIEL, GET YOUR FUCKING HANDS OFF THOSE PORN WEBSITES! Jason's face broke into a grin, as he could hear laughter, around him. Well, if people didn't know about it, then, they sure do now.
***********
Jason spent the next one hour, still working on his assignment. He was trying to repair one of the workers, an EMT. He was so busy focusing entirely on tightening the screws that came loose that he jumped up in fright when his phone started buzzing. At first, he thought that it was an invasion of aliens since he changed his ringtone to Unstoppable, by force. It was a good intro for all those kinds of stuff
He glanced at the caller ID. It read Crazy Psychotic Shir. He chuckled
As he picked up the call.
Hey, Jason. Where are you, you are supposed to be fucking here, aren't you? Shir said as she slurred her words.
Shir, are you drunk? Jason asked, rolling his eyes.
Nope, I am not drunk, you can't prove anything, just get the hell over here, this instant. Shir said
Where the hell is Andrews? Jason added.
Oh, Andrews, I don't know where he is…oh wait, I can see him, now, he is riding the bull, damn, he is good, no he is knocked out, he fell. Shir said laughing loudly on the phone as Jason removed the phone and winced.
This is so not good, stay right there, I am coming. Jason said as he started packing his stuff,
Jason, if any man tries to take me home, should I follow him? Shir asked slowly.
What! No, just stay clear of any man, I am on my way this instant. Jason said as he carried his bag and wore it on his shoulders.
Oh okay, I am waiting, bring teddy bears for us. Shir said as she cut the call.
Jason shook his head and switched off his table light. Shir was the most mature, responsible, accountable person he had ever met in his life, but whenever she got drunk, she was a mess. A true mess.
He reached the door and was about to open it when he saw two men in front of him, the first man, was unknown, he didn't know the person, but the second person was no stranger to him, and maybe fucking everybody in this company. MrFucking Ryan Scott. Jason looked shocked to see them.
He was too shocked to speak, as the unknown guy waved a hand at him.
Excuse me, do you work here? He asked.
What kind of useless question is this? How else was he going to pass through security? Jason asked in his head, yet he nodded.
What is your name? Mr Ryan asked for this first time directly.
Michael replied saying the first name that came to his mind, there was no way in hell, he was telling him his real name. Jason made sure that he stayed on the dark side so that his face wouldn't be seen clearly.
Michael huh? Ryan said, nodding his head, as he eyed him from head to toe. Jason was waiting for his next question, but Ryan was busy stuck king at him. The other guy waved at him to go. Immediately Jason turned and opened the door, closing it behind him, before he sprinted to the roadside.
Jason glanced back to see if they were watching him, and he saw Mr Ryan outside the company leaning on his car, as he watched him. Jason smiled before facing the front slowly. He flagged down a cab and slowly entered the cab, closing the door. He still saw Mr Ryan staring at him, he wasn't even trying to pretend that he wasn't watching.
Jason gulped as he told the cab driver to drop him, at club Red. He knew that is where they were, they always went to clubs on Wednesdays and Saturdays. And today was a Wednesday. So obviously they were there. He couldn't believe it, he was face to face with Mr Freaking Ryan, and he lied to him. What kind of employee lies to his boss? What the fuck has he gotten himself.
He sighed as the cab driver glanced at the rear mirror and said,
Son, you look like you could use a drink or a hundred. Tough day at work huh?
Yes, I could use one, I am so stressed out, right now and disarranged. Jason said, ruffling his head, as he breathed out deeply.
Want to talk about it? The cab driver asked as he looked back again.
Hmm, not really, I do not want to bother you. He replied as he looked through the window. He saw the streets and how the lights had already been lit up. He saw two guys scuffling as they drove beside them, before taking a corner.