There are days when you just wake up and you can feel that it's going to be a bad day for you. I know that's what my day has decided to be this morning.It's like waking up with a really bad feeling that cannot be helped. I can't believe I woke up late on the most important day of my career.
Its 8:00 am .yes you can say that again. it's already started badly but I won't go down without a fight that is. I'm supposed to be at work by eight sharp to prepare for the...meeting suffice to say it's a very important meeting which will determine who is going to get the Promotion I have been working so hard for as the creative director of Blackwell Inc. I do remember putting my alarm for six in the morning so I could arrive at work early. Why didn't the damn alarm ring? I have to get ready and get ready quick I can't be late for this. My whole life depends on this.
I skip the shower get dressed and collect my stuff on the way out as my phone keeps buzzing. I decide to pick up the call on my way downstairs to grab a cab (I could take anything right now) on the phone is my assistant Nami.
"...umm…..hey. I'm on my way. Bad day. I'll get there" I pick up the phone my breath shaky.
I decided to race down the stairs since the elevator isn't working.
I live on the third floor so instead of waiting for the elevator I decide that is wasting more precious time so I decide on the stairs instead.
"Everyone is already here. Where are you? The meeting is about to start." She whisper shouts at me through the phone
"Coming... I am coming….." I end the call because she is making me more nervous and finish the stairs. Catching a cab is even harder this morning, but by some miracle I eventually grab one.
I'm trying to keep my face in order by applying a little lipstick, some eyeliner maybe some mascara a bit of powder so I don't look like such a disaster that I am this morning. A mint for my breath and my phone won't stop buzzing off its literally driving me crazy. I have enough missed calls to panic and as I watch the phone I realize its my assistant Nami that keeps calling over and over again I have to take this. Maybe do some damage control while I am at it.
"Yes, hello….." I answer
"They are starting the meeting without you. It's been half an hour. Like…. where are you?"
"Listen just get in the meeting without me. We worked on it together, so I'm sure you'll be fine. I just might….."
"What?" she cuts me off shrieking
"Mr. Blackwell is here. He is in the conference room. I... "she goes on
"He came to the meeting? Why didn't you tell me earlier? Okay fine just do what you can." I hang up on the phone on her and start panicking.
"s*** s***" this is not good news for me.it is not good news at all. Mr. Blackwell is a nightmare. He is the owner of Blackwell inc.one of the largest marketing companies in the world and as strict as one can be. He wasn't supposed to be in the meeting as they have different offices in the world and he is mostly in the headquarters but it's his company he can decide to make an appearance whenever it suits him.
But it so happens to be bad news for me today. Really major bad and seeing as he is already there before me then I am sure things are not good for me.
He rarely comes to the office and when he does everyone is always on their toes and attentive since he has a habit of making an example of people. I feel like i will be an example for today because I am sure I can kiss that promotion goodbye. I put my phone on silent as it keeps ringing and keeping me on edge. By now I know I did not have the promotion and all my hard work was for nothing how did this happen?
"Why aren't we moving? In a hurry over here! Can't you go faster or do something anything" I tell the driver in front of me
"Sorry Mam. Just normal morning traffic" he answers casually and it grates on my nerves
"S*** it's like we haven't even moved at all. I can practically see my apartment from here" I start complaining as Time is running slipping from me and the traffic isn't helping. I'm running out of my mind in this car and I just keep playing different scenarios in my head and contemplating what lies ahead.
"Miss we are here" the driver takes me out of my own crazy head. I look outside and see our office building as tall and imposing as it is then I look at the time it's nine forty five which means I'm not just late the meeting might as well be done by now. I should be hopeful and maybe they are waiting for me. Ha!, that will be amazing and not happening. I Decisions By Mijaly Lyimo don't want to leave the confines of this car. I just want to delay the inevitable and my impending future. I am dreading this moment and this day while it was supposed to be the best day for me.
"Miss, are you alright?" the driver asks me, I think he can see my hesitation and fear on my face so I decide to school my features before I answer him "Yeah. All good" I pay the driver get out of the car and make my way to the building as I try calling Nami nonstop but she does not pick up. I smile at the secretary and make my way to the office. I do last-minute checkups of my appearance then compose myself on the mirror and make my way to the conference room.
A few people are socializing in the room as its made of glass walls and I have visual access to its occupants I keep observing while slowly approaching. Other people are leaving although some of them have already left. My eyes are looking around in search for Nami but she does not seem to be in the room. I approach the closest co-workers and greet them with a fake smile and all and I get the news I dreaded to hear but knew was inevitable ever since I walked inside this building today. They let me know Eric got the Promotion (figures) since he was my strongest competitor for the promotion. We don't normally see eye to eye and we both have different ideas of how to run and present things. I kind of hate him all the way right now since I know it's going to be hell working under him. He has no creativity like at all and thinks he knows every freaking thing. I try so hard to hide my feelings from my face as they give me the rundown of things.
They also inform me that Nami did the presentation she helped me prepare and after the meeting Mr. Blackwell asked to see her in his office. They try cheering me up for losing the Promotion and I play it up well with everyone then decide to go back to my office so I can collect myself for a few minutes. I just know that the worse is yet to come and I have to prepare myself for what lies ahead. I am on my way to my office when I meet Eric in the hallway
"Congratulations on the Promotion" I tell him while pulling the best smile I can offer at the time "Thanks Brianna. I'm sure you would have got it, had you been present." He answers with a smile trying to hide his smugness below it
"You worked hard for it. I am sure you deserve it" I smile back as I know deep down he is celebrating and deep down I am suffocating. I turn around and keep walking towards my office. As I near the office I do a double take and stop on the bathroom to freshen up a bit and go to my office. I am lost in my head when Nami Knocks and opens the door letting herself in. By reading her facial expression I think my bad day is about to get a lot worse.
She stands in front of the door doesn't speak and tries to avoid eye contact but still while looking at me. I already know its bad news so I decided to kill the silence that keeps stretching between us as its making me uncomfortable.
"I already know I didn't get the Promotion. Lighten up its fine" I tell her making a smile
"It's not that. I mean that is also very bad but….mmh."
"Enough already stop with the suspense and get on with it" I tell her dreading this discussion
"I was in Mr. Blackwell's office" she tell me "I know. And…?"
"We got to his office and he asked his secretary to call you. You weren't picking up so he decided to call you on his personal phone and you still weren't taking your calls. He was so upset, i...." "He is always upset.so what happened?" I cut her off as I just want to know what awaits me on the other end of her words "Well he told me you cannot be counted on as he does not feel confident leaving an entire department in your hands because you couldn't be counted on to be there for yourself. So he might have decided to give me your position because I may have impressed him during the presentation. But He said you did an excellent job and had you been present you would have totally got it "she gives me a sympathetic look though I can feel her energy and excitement from way over here "What?" I mean come on. Seriously? I was just late for one day. One day that I had the biggest career changing meeting of my life and they just take my job and give it to my assistant. Just like that. It can't be that simple can it? What if I had an accident or my building burned down, would they really do that to me? Do they even care?
"I know. I am so sorry. I mean…."she tries to explain but I know she doesn't know what to say to me
"Oh..."
"Brie I really tried..." what is she apologizing for? What is she saying? I need to think
"Just stop" I whisper shout at her while raising my left hand in a stop gesture. It all falls quite for a while until she says
"He asked you to go straight to his office on your arrival. I am so sorry Brie I don't know what to say"
"What are you sorry about? It's not your fault. You're not the one who did not make it to the not important meeting of their career and instead ended up...'' I sigh closing my eyes. Glad I caught myself before I said something I would regret to Nami. I would have said something ugly probably against her that I can't take back.
Over all Nami has been a great assistant to me and maybe a good work friend. We have always had a great dynamic at work and plus she is very hardworking but she was my assistant for a reason. she does not have my qualifications or experience to run this department. Are they going to make me work under her and Eric now too? Fuck my life! I am probably already fired and have no job to be sad about although they wouldn't do that would they? But then this is Mr. Blackwell we are talking about he can do anything he wants really. I am still allowed to be hopeful that everything will work out so hopeful I shall be.
"Can I have a few minutes please?" I tell Nami toning my voice to come out as normal as I can while trying to be as civil as possible "Of course" She says in a hurry and leaves too quickly. I think she hated this conversation and wanted out of the room as soon as possible, possibly so she can go and celebrate without having to feel guilty at the same time. I need time to compose myself before I go to Blackwell's office and face the music right now. I just lost my position and I don't even know if I still have a job in this company.
I make my way slowly but determined to the elevator and go to the top floor of the building where Mr. Blackwell's office is located. I approach his secretary with a smile as I try holding my true feelings in check. Mr. Blackwell is always travelling but has the corner office and a secretary "Good morning Maggie" I greet her "Hello Brianna. How are you?" she answers cheerfully "That depends. I am here to see Mr. Blackwell. He asked to see me." I manage with a tight smile.
I am fake smiling a lot today it hurts "Oh! He actually just left. You missed him." She answers and starts going through her desk. I can't believe how bad my day is turning out to be today.
"He left this for you" Maggie, Blackwell's secretary hands me an envelope. I stare at the envelope it cannot be a good thing I know that much. I automatically bite my lips take the letter and head to the elevators not even looking or saying anything to Maggie. I feel like breaking down and crying but I have to be strong and get through this.
I make my way purposefully from the elevators to my office close the door and lock myself inside. My hands holding the letter are actually trembling. I put the letter on the desk like it's on fire and take a seat facing my office chair. I can't take the feeling anymore so I quickly tear the envelope and open the letter but i can't read anything. The words are blurry and I find tears falling from my eyes that I hadn't even noticed where falling. I wipe them away while trying to compose myself and drawing back the tears. this is not the time for a pity party.
The knock on the door startles me and I realize I fell asleep with my head on the desk on top of the letter. I guess the pressure and the shock must have been too much for a day.
"Brianna you okay in there?" it's Nami and she isn't my most favourite person right now. I walk to the door open it slightly and face her.
"What is it?" I ask her and I realize it sounded way too sharp than what I was going for.