The next day dawned, and Milane trudged to work, her anticipation of another encounter with Lucas adding an extra weight to her steps. It seemed as if fate took pleasure in testing her resilience, subjecting her to the torment of his presence.
As Milane made her way through the office, lost in her own thoughts, a voice rang out, shattering the silence like a nightmare come to life. "Milane, is that you?" The sound of Lucas's voice seemed to reverberate from a distance, sending a shiver down her spine.
Lucas? She whipped around, her heart skipping a beat, only to find him standing at the pantry, peering at her with that all-too-familiar gaze of disapproval.
"Mr. Leedon? How can I assist you?" Milane stammered, caught off guard by his unexpected appearance.
He smirked, relishing the opportunity to seize upon yet another flaw of hers. "See, that's what I've been telling you all along. Stop dragging your feet! I can hear you coming from a mile away," he sneered, as if this were a matter of utmost importance.
Swallowing her frustration, Milane kept her emotions in check and responded with a slight bow. "Apologies, Mr. Leedon. I'll be more mindful of my steps."
Lost in her own thoughts and focused on maintaining a professional facade, she missed the subtle smile that tugged at the corner of his lips and the mischief that danced in his eyes.
"Come here... with soft, quiet steps. Make me a cup of coffee," he ordered, his voice laced with a soft chuckle that Milane could barely hear.
Wait a minute. Was Mr. Leedon trying to make a joke?
With his poker face, it was hard to tell.
Nevertheless, she suppressed the urge to let her guard down and replied obediently, "Yes, Mr. Leedon."
Walking towards the pantry, Milane did her best to move as quietly as possible, feeling a tinge of discomfort at the thought of being squeezed in such a confined space with him. She couldn't help but voice her concern.
"Mr. Leedon, it would be more convenient for you to return to your office. I can deliver the coffee to you shortly," Milane suggested, hoping to spare herself from the awkwardness of the situation.
"It's okay. I'll stand here," he replied nonchalantly, seemingly unperturbed by the close proximity.
Taking a deep breath, Milane focused her attention on operating the coffee machine, attempting to block out the piercing stare he directed towards her.
Just as she was finishing up, she caught a soft murmur emanating from him. "So, that's how the machine is operated. I didn't know there was a lock button. No wonder nothing starts even when I tried pressing all the buttons."
Curiosity piqued, she turned to him, a hint of confusion in her eyes. "Did you say something, Mr. Leedon?"
He shook his head, a glimmer of amusement dancing in his eyes. "No, nothing. Maybe you need a hearing check?"
With a forced smile on her face, Milane handed him the freshly brewed cup of coffee. "Here you go, Mr. Leedon. Enjoy."
Accepting the coffee, he nodded appreciatively. "Thank you, Milane. And I suppose I should extend my gratitude for the improvement in your footstep volume as well," he added with a hint of sarcasm.
His words stung her ears, reminding her of the constant backhanded compliments that seemed to be his specialty. Even a simple thank you from him carried a sting of insult.
With a relentless stream of meetings and an endless cycle of scoldings, the day raced by in a blur. It felt as if time itself had joined forces with Mr. Leedon to conspire against her.
Before she knew it, the clock struck 6, and his dreaded voice echoed through the office. "Milane!!!" The sound sent a shiver down her spine, as she glanced at her watch and sighed inwardly. It seemed another day of unpaid overtime was in store for her.
"Yes, Mr. Leedon," Milane responded, mustering the last bit of energy she had left, and made her way into his office.
He wasted no time in issuing his orders, pointing to piles of documents that seemed to multiply by the minute. "This, this, this, and this. Get these piles settled by tomorrow," he commanded, his voice a sharp reminder of the mounting pressure.
But then, to her surprise, he added, "I have an appointment, so I'm leaving the office now."
Her eyes widened in disbelief. Could it be? Was I hearing him correctly?
"Ahem. You can leave the office too. Don't stay here and idle," he added, his face showing a slight blush.
What? I don't have to stay in the office till midnight today?
" Yes, Mr Leedon. I'll make my leave after you.", I said happily.
As she turned to exit his office, a sense of liberation washed over her. The thought of leaving the office at a reasonable hour brought a smile to her face, like a secret victory against the relentless demands of this job.
After he left, Milane quickly packed her bag and rushed to her mother's favorite diner, determined to honor her memory on this solemn day. She ordered her favorite dish and carried it back home with care.
Placing her photo on the dining table, she set the meal before it and took a moment to reflect. The memories of her mother flooded her mind, her mother's laughter and warm embrace etched into her heart. She spoke to her photo as if she were there, listening intently.
"Sorry, Mama, that I couldn't travel down to accompany you at your grave today. But I managed to buy your favorite dinner before the restaurant closed. I remember how much you loved this dish. Oh, and let's not forget your favorite wine. I'll pour a glass for you! A glass for you, a bottle for me! " Milane said, a bittersweet smile playing on her lips.
With a gentle pour, she filled a glass beside her photo, as if to symbolize her presence at the table. The aroma of the food filled the room, mingling with the memories of their shared moments. She savored each bite, imagining her sitting across from her, enjoying the meal together.
As the evening wore on, the weight of frustration that had accumulated at work began to surface. The wine, acting as a catalyst, emboldened her to share her deepest frustrations with her mother.
"Mama, I want to quit so badly," Milane confessed, the words slipping out like a whispered secret. "If you were here, you'd probably be urging me to write my resignation already... but I can't, and I won't. At least not now. I need to repay the mortgages. I have to preserve the warm home you worked so hard to provide for us."
A wave of resentment and anger surged through her, fueled by the memories of her boss, Lucas Leedon. She felt an overwhelming need to unleash the pent-up emotions that had accumulated over time.
"But... I really hate my boss. Lucas Leedon. He's strange and incredibly demanding! He constantly makes me work overtime. He never praises, only insults! Yes, he may be intelligent and exceptional in pharmaceutical sciences, but he can't expect everyone to be as knowledgeable and talented as him. Today, he presented a super long pharmacokinetic equation and a string of complex chemical names, expecting everyone in the meeting to understand it. You should have seen the condescending look he gave me when I asked for clarification."
With each word, her frustrations spilled forth, filling the room with a mix of exasperation and determination. The weight of the burdens she carried at work grew heavier with each passing day, and the desire to break free intensified.
"ARGGGGHHH!! I want to quit, quit, quit! I don't want to see his face ever again!"
In a moment of impulsive rebellion, she reached for her phone and signed up for the app Audrey had mentioned, the one that offered an unconventional way to earn extra income. With a mix of determination and a touch of humor, she proclaimed to her mother's photo, "MAMA! I'm going to be a RICH DOMINATRIX and whip Lucas's ASS!"
As the words echoed through the room, a sense of defiance and excitement washed over her. It was as if the universe had provided her with an unexpected opportunity to reclaim her power, to assert herself in a way that would bring both financial freedom and a measure of satisfaction. Little did she know how this bold decision would shape the path ahead, leading her down a road of unexpected twists and turns.