The tension in the office was so intense that even the often laid-back Charlie was splitting hair. Charlie was used to working the bare minimum, so this stressful pressure was pretty new to him.
"If this old guy comes here every month from now on, I swear to Jesus I will quit."
Mr. Klaus had requested every single file on the floor, sending a memo to everyone in the department.
Trin took a good look at the old man in his office room. He was checking through every file while his assistants were sorting them out for him.
"I think this guy is going to be here for a day or two", Trin said.
"Oh hell no! I swear I'm..."
"Charlie, please calm down. Do your job for now. Let's think about quitting later", Sera had to say.
Charlie was now irritating everyone there, and Sera was the person who always calmed everyone down.
Sera walked towards Charlie and gave him a small hug.
"Don't worry, kiddo, just get this over with. As long as we give him what he wants, we will be alright."
This changed his mind almost immediately, a special talent Sera always had.
"I believe you, ma'am,", Charlie said.
Sera smiled back, reassuringly.
"Back to work, guys."
The team nodded.
Just as they were all settled and back to working, one of Mr. Klaus' assistants walked out of his room.
"Mrs. Sera Lee Delaney?"
Sera stood up and said, "Yes?"
"Mr. Klaus would like to see you now,".
There was a visible silence in the room.
"Oh boy, I'm going to freak out", Charlie said with nervous energy.
"Because she got called and you weren't?", Trin had to say something.
"Guys, I'll be back right now."
Sera was really nervous; she didn't want to be fired or, even worse, exposed as a mole. But she still kept her composure and moved further.
"I got this", she thought to herself.
She entered the room, calming her nerves down.
There he was, all stoic and serious, almost like he was sending daggers through his eyes. He signaled his assistants to leave the room, and they complied.
He then looked at Sera.
"Mrs. Delaney, how long have you been an employee at this department?"
Sera took a while to answer and stayed confident: "For twelve years, Mr. Klaus."
"Why have you continued working for this company?"
That question shook her. She didn't hesitate and answered, "I don't think I have a suitable answer to that question, Mr. Klaus."
"And why is that so?"
Sera took a while to think.
"I feel like I have been..."
Before she could even respond to the question, Mr. Klaus interrupted her.
"Why are there certain special security clearances under your name?"
Sera stood stunned. She froze right where she stood. She felt like he was onto something, but she knew this was no time to fold.
"I beg your pardon, sir?"
"I was going through your employee history file, and I noticed that you were given security clearances to certain files and zones that the rest of your peers weren't given. Could you care to elaborate?", Mr. Klaus said.
Sera knew he was onto something, so she was prepared to give an appropriate answer.
"With all due respect, I believe that certain responsibilities were handed over to me so that there wouldn't be any misuse of authority and there would be quicker access. I also believe that I was given these clearances as I have been here longer than my colleagues."
Mr. Klaus took a deep sigh.
"So you say that you were given them based on your seniority and for more efficient work, correct?"
"Yes, Mr. Klaus", Sera replied.
"But you do also realize that the recent intrusions into company property have been centered around the information based on those files, right?"
"I am aware of that", Sera replied, still nervous.
"Do you think that has to do with anything related to the attacks?", Mr. Klaus asked Sera.
"I can understand why that question would be directed to me, but I can assure you that I am not responsible for any of the attacks on our property, and neither am I affiliated with this person."
Mr. Klaus grinned.
"Ah yes, the typical. You do have to understand, these incidents are costing the company a lot of money, and the media channels can stop chit chatting about the so-called weaponry found along the lot. Those idiots need to understand that we are a pharmaceutical company."
Sera remained quiet.
"But there's no way for such clear cut information to be leaked, unless told by someone else, would you agree?", Mr. Klaus was now taunting Sera.
"I have been very loyal to our company and will always continue to serve it. Also, I'm not the only person with those particular security clearances,", Sera answered.
"Oh, I totally understand your side. But it's really questionable why a business analyst needs access to those files and grounds."
"I'm a senior business analyst, and with that job come a lot of matters that I cannot disclose to my juniors. And consequently, I'm the only one with those clearances since those are classified files", Sera said, answering all questions to the point.
"You gave good answers to my questions. However, I have one more question."
"Oh boy, as if these weren't enough", she thought to herself.
Sera was tensed.
She just wanted this to get over with. She took a good look at the people in her office through the window. They were all staring at her, waiting to know what was happening in the room.
Without my anticipation, Mr. Klaus asked her his final question.
"How would you like a promotion?"
Sera stood stunned. She wasn't sure if she wanted to feel relaxed or even more worried.
"I'm sorry, but what?"
Mr. Klaus smiled, but it wasn't the most comforting smile. Almost like a pterodactyl looking at it's prey.
"Since you have been very efficient in your job so far, and to increase security and profound profits, I think it's best you take your talents to somewhere it would be more suited, a higher corporate role."
Sera wasn't ready for this; she loved working here. She had bonded with almost everyone here. Getting a promotion at this point of her tenure would really make her sad, even if it meant a pay raise.
"I would love to work there, but..."
"Is it about the pay? Of course, your salary will be raised," said Mr. Klaus.
"I mean.."
Sera was at a loss for words.
"I understand you are all flustered by this, but this isn't my decision alone. You have all the time to come up with a decision, but be quick."
Just as he said that, Mr. Klaus walked out of the room and went to the working lobby. He didn't even give her time to process this.
"Come with me, Mrs. Delaney."
He stood in the center and then addressed everyone.
"Here! Attention everyone."
Those words were enough to raise Charlie's blood pressure even higher.
"As it's almost lunchtime, you all can take an early break. But before that, I have an announcement to make."
"Fire me you old hag, just do it already", Charlie whispered.
"Stop whining, stupid", Trin replied to Charlie's whisper.
"For her outstanding work and good management of the work handed to her, the company has decided to promote Mrs. Sera Lee Delaney to a higher corporate role."
Everyone was surprised, so much so that they immediately started clapping for her.
"I wasn't finished."
That was enough to bring the claps to a screeching halt.
"Mrs. Delaney, you can have the day off. If you are interested in taking on the role, please email one of my assistants. If not, don't bother, and you can continue your work here."
And just like that, with no concluding words, Mr. Klaus and his assistants walked out. As soon as they were sure he had left, all of them swarmed around Sera, congratulating her.
"Woo hoo, you're finally graduating from this hell hole!", Trin said.
"Oh, come on, who's going to comfort me now? I swear I'm going to quit", Charlie said.
Sera was still shocked, but seeing everyone happy, she finally broke out of her trance.
"OH MY GOD! YES!"
Everyone was happy for Sera, as they all felt she deserved it.
"Wait, does this mean this is your last day here, ma'am?", Charlie had to ask.
Everyone was not too pleased with that question.
"You had to ask."
But Sera just gave him a smile.
"No, I will be here again. I have to hand over my current duties to my successor."
"I wonder which nutjob is going to be my senior", Trin sulked.
"Don't look much further", Sera smiled, as she turned towards Charlie.
"Wait, do you mean I'm the next head?", Charlie said.
Sera nodded, "Why not?"
"Oh, I swear I'm going to quit!"
Everyone broke into loud laughter.
After a good time at the office, she was approaching her car, ready to go home. She wasn't sure if Tim was back, so she thought of texting him.
But just as she was checking her phone, she noticed she had a missed call and text message from the principal of Eva's school.
She immediately called Tim.
"Hey Tim, please come over to Eva's school. I got a text from the principal. The text said it was an emergency."