Monday's work was assigned in groups, so Bentlee had to team up with others which she didn't mind. Some did though, and showed it several times. She didn't give a fuck though. She just wanted to get on with it and be paid by the end of the month for her hard work.
During lunch, she went to see Kevin again, who pulled her aside to talk.
"What's wrong?" She asked confused.
"Please stop coming to see me here", he said simply.
"Oh I'll stop no worries", she replied thinking it was about his co-workers behavior, not seeming to understand fully.
"I mean don't come to see me or talk to me. I don't want anyone to have the wrong idea", he said.
"Since when did people having the wrong idea bother you?" She asked.
"Since 'people' became my wife", he finally said making her understand.
She nodded and walked away. Bentlee was so disappointed in Anika and Kevin right now. Two years of friendship just to end in such a ridiculous manner. She was sad, but she wouldn't let it show to give her co-workers the satisfaction they craved.
Work went on in the groups and once it was 5pm, Bentlee's bag was in her hand and she was out the door.
She went home without wasting time.
She didn't want to say something like 'friends are useless' so she tried to see it from their point of view, didn't change how disappointed she was though.
Her phone beeped reminding her that today was very important. And she went home to change, wearing a black face cap, black T-shirt with black cargo pants and black sneakers.
She got on the bus to head to Primville Cemetery. It was the death anniversary of her parents.
The sadness from work and the day generally gathered together, but she didn't cry.
Turning around, she didn't see her relatives or friends. That was when it hit her that you can only truly depend on yourself for support, everyone else is secondary. Her phone was off. She bought roses and champagne on the way there and placed them on their graves, pouring two glasses of champagne for them.
She spoke to them about work and life in general. About how it was stressful and filled with negativity all around.
After spending two hours, she was ready to go so she spoke, "I won't ever be a charity case. I'll work hard and be the best without sentiments from people. I won't fully depend on others for support emotionally or otherwise. I will be my own person and be strong. I won't cry and I won't breakdown. I miss you so much, one day in the far future, we'll be together again. I love you".
She headed home and turned on her phone. There was no notification from anyone which hurt a bit.
The next day...
Work was same old same old until Tiana, a co-worker, decided to pick a fault in what Bentlee was doing.
"Why did you type it in this layout?" Asked Tiana.
"That's the layout Mr Richard prefers" She replied.
"I'm the head of this group and I say what Layout goes" Tiana boiled.
"But if Mr Richard doesn't like the layout you want, he'll ask me to do it again and I'll be repeating the work of something I've already done" Bentlee said.
"I am the group head and I say what goes", Tiana rose her voice.
Bentlee decided to do two and keep one just Incase Mr Richard didn't like Tiana's layout for peace to reign.
"This isn't your parents company and never will be, obey the head. I'm not your broke ass mom", Tiana said with a chuckle.
Bentlee stopped everything she was doing and turned around. "What did you say?" Her normal tone was gone and an oppressive aura was exuding from her.
"I said I'm not your broke ass mom, that is if you even have a mom", Tiana laughed out loud.
Mr Richard and Leilani just arrived and were at the door when they heard what Tiana said. Bentlee rose her hand to slap Tiana but stopped inches away from her cheek.
"I won't give you the satisfaction of watching me lose my job bitch, but let me make this clear to you and your minions... Don't test me." She said in a way that made shivers run through everyone's spine.
Mr Richard was aware she was an orphan and wanted to see what she would do once they tested her using that fact, that was why he didn't intervene.
Leilani felt an aura from Bentlee that was greater than anything Mr Richard ever exuded and immediately understood that Bentlee was a silent Tigress, don't test her and she won't retaliate.
The rest of the day went on with everyone being on their toes around an angry Tiana, except Bentlee, Leilani and Mr Richard.
.....
Bentlee hadn't texted or called Kevin since he asked her to stop speaking with him. She hadn't even called Anika to talk because it would be weird.
Did Anika think she wanted Kevin? Please no, he's a brother.
She would've loved to speak to Anika about it, but she knew it'd probably make more trouble for her. She put those thoughts aside as she collected a huge report she was supposed to analyse throughout the week.
The report analysis was to be submitted on friday to Mr Richard, that was in three days. She had to get to work immediately. She stayed an extra hour after 5pm to complete three topics' analysis.
She wasn't the last one to go home as she left Leilani there, who was also working endlessly on her assigned task.
At home, she ate pasta for dinner afterwhich she continued the report on her laptop. She completed three more before turning in for the night.
The next day....
Bentlee's POV
I woke up by 3am today to make sure I read the topics I would analyse later at work. After reading, I ate cornflakes for breakfast afterwhich I prepared for work.
I was early to work, coming an hour before it began, so i could analyse and read more. It wasn't an easy task seeing as I'd have to read the individual write-ups, understand the main point of it after all the irrelevant grammar, and type it in the most professional way possible.
This was supposed to be the damned job of the department head or his assistant, but they were both extremely busy and since I'd done this before, it was assigned to me.
Lunch time felt like a trip to heaven to me. I eased myself, went to buy bread rolls and sat there to eat them. I also bought yoghurt to wash it down. I saw Kevin, he was eating with his co-workers and Leilani.
I focused on my delicious fresh bread rolls. I was done and now it was the yoghurt left when Tiana and her minions walked over to where I sat. I definitely wasn't in the mood for this bullshit.
"You know, after talking so big, at the end of the day, you're just a little twerp." She picked up my yoghurt and poured it on my shirt making people gasp and anticipate a fight.
At Kevin's table, they noticed what was going on and after a girl poured the drink on Bentlee, Kevin balled his fists.
Leilani noticed his anger and said, "they like to pick on people who are strong but have no option than to pretend to be weak".
He took a deep breath and calmed down waiting for Bentlee to slap the bitch. He knew Bentlee was a fighter, but today she only sighed and walked away.
"Smart girl", Leilani said in a hushed tone.
"What do you mean?" Kevin asked.
"Tiana isn't someone to just fight back, she has backing in this company despite her lazy incompetent ass. If Bentlee fights, she'll be fired immediately, but if Tiana does, she'll be suspended for a few days and be back." She answered making Kevin sigh and continue eating his food.
Bentlee went to the bathroom to clean up. If not that she was aware of Tiana's uncle being a 25% shareholder in this company, she would've slapped the bitch's head off.
After cleaning up, she took three deep breaths that calmed her down before she went back to work.
She was silent as usual, not talking to anyone and only focusing on her work.
Mr Richard sent Milan, a neutral coworker, to hand some already done parts of the report to Bentlee. Thinking that Bentlee would pour out her anger on her, she gently tapped Bentlee's shoulder.
"Hm?" Was all Bentlee replied as she turned around.
"Mr Richard said to give some already finished parts of the report", Milan said.
"Yes! Finally some help. Thanks Milan", Bentlee said collecting the papers and turning around to continue her work.
Milan was shocked for a while. It seemed Ms. Bentlee wasn't the person they rumoured she was. She was actually nice to her despite what happened at the cafeteria. Her support started going towards Bentlee after seeing that she wasn't a bad person like she was painted by others to be.
After some more encounters that day, Milan decided that she would rather sit beside Bentlee than beside Tiana, so she requested for her desk to be moved, and since Milan was one of the competent and hardworking ones there, Mr Richard let her do what she wanted.
By 5pm, Bentlee had gone far in the report thanks to the already done parts she was given earlier. She decided to go home early, eat quickly and continue, so she would be done before Thursday evening.