Derrick knew he was really late to work. Traffic was so hectic in the steamy cross yards of Florida city. As an assistant manager- he had to be at work early before his boss, but it was different that day, it was not that he never came to work early- that day, wasn't his day. He casted a quick glance at his wrist watch, while his left hand was fixed to the steering, still waiting for traffic to clear. It was already half past nine. "God damn!". He exclaimed. Never has he been to work at eight, not to make mention of nine thirty. His mind wasn't about the traffic, this time, it was all about his boss. Mr Lucian Armstrong. Knowing the kind of boss, whom he worked for, late coming, absenteeism always warranted a maximum deduction of salary, which was not funny at all. Sometimes, one might find out that at the end of the month, the usual income, would have been split into halves. The other one for the company, the rest belongs to that individual. Never in his life, since the past twelve years of working for Supreme Pacific Corporation had he defied their CEO's number one rule. " No late coming ". But..."why today"?. He asked himself. Had the devil decided to visit him finally today?- he imagined the same old look on his boss's face, and was so afraid of that deadly look.
Cold, dark, gloomy and in his eyes would be two liquid blues of flashing fire. With his jaw hardened, and his no welcoming personality , and when he would talk, his voice hoarse, like a thundering sound. Good heavens, what would be his fate today, after he has to experience, the same dilemma, other employees undergo, each time a mistake was made, even the slightest one, that seemed to be overlooked. Still, it wasn't his fault. Traffic in Florida city, was so bad- recently, after the news of an earthquake was reported at Perez art museum, Miami. Not only that, in some other parts of the country, natural disasters like hurricane and tornadoes occurred in states like, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island ... and a few others too.
It was now a matter of the president and the House of Representatives to handle. A state of emergency. Even at that, he knew that his boss wouldn't take it as an excuse, no matter what... Finally, the traffic light shone green, thins were going smoothly. He carefully drove past the most of the the drivers and sped up to his destination, twenty minutes later, he arrived. He heaved a sigh, unbuckled his seat belt and picked up his brief case, and got down from the car. He didn't hesitate one second but quickly dashed into the office building. Showing his ID as a prove of working in the company, an ideal office building. Comprising of ten floors, including a lower level and a pent house. The twelve story office building has a total of 11.400 square feet in surface area. With a well spacious parking lot, and basement garage, was one of a kind. The first person, he saw on the desk was the receptionist, Miss Stacy Dobblin- and gave her a warm smile.
He took the first elevator leading to the second floor, on his arrival to the first floor, he observed that most employee's weren't early enough, as he thought to himself. Well, the country was in a state of emergency. And most of the them would be affected. But, their boss cared less... did he?. Even though, at times he showed little care to their welfare, while most of the times.. he doesn't care at all. He accidentally bumped into a fellow employee- Mr Gabriel Griffin, still in thoughts, the assistant financial manager, they both exchanged warm pleasantries, after seeing each other.
" I thought, I was the only one late- honestly....". Gabriel said brightening up.
" Me too.. . Traffic these days are.."
Cutting in sharply" hectic, so hectic, well, you can't blame us- nor does the boss understand at all...". They saw a few of other workers arriving , almost at the same time. Still, discussing about the nation's current state, a slender beautiful lady - Lisa Smith, a co- employee was covered in sweat from her temples to her half exposed cleavage. Her work outfit was already mattered with sweat, plus her pants which seemed like she ran a marathon race.
" Oh my, Lisa, you look really exhausted, what the hell happened?".
Still catching her breath , she took a very deep breath and narrated her ordeal to them.
" Seriously?". Gabriel asked.
"Of course. Do you think that I'm lying, if you take a look outside the parking lot,my car isn't parked there. I had to leave my car in the frustrating traffic, and ran more than two hundred miles to get here! ".
Derrick smiled, while Gabriel Chuckled . They knew the reason why, for them to report early at work, to avoid the wrath of their angry boss, but it seemed like the trio totally forgot about their boss, so engrossed in their conversation . And truly, she looked so sweaty- like a marathon racer, from her temples down to her neck was a mess of sweat balls.
Just then Gabriel offered to help her clean up, which didn't surprise Derrick one bit. He carefully observed the atmosphere turning into something else. With Lisa's blushing, and Gabriel's eyes still glued to hers, while holding a wipe in his hand. As if in a trance, recalling himself and his duty of reporting to the boss first thing after coming to work. Now, he lost track of time again. There are plenty of chances to discuss with his fellow workers, maybe during lunch, when he would be free. Not now, watching little romance ensue between employees.
Giving a slight cough, telling them both that he would be heading to the boss's office.
"Oh sure.. " . Finally, pulling them out of their paradise.
He whispered into Gabriel's left ear a little, as Lisa tucked back a strand of hair into her hair band , looking away completely embarrassed. She knew that Derrick had caught Gabriel Ogling at her a certain times.
"Stop Flirting- it's not the right time for that ". He patted his shoulder, while Gabriel gave a shy smile nodding. Derrick walked past the two love birds, proceeding to meet up with his boss.
" See you at lunch ". Gabriel said after him.
Derrick made no comment and took the second elevator, which was straight way to the CEO's office. He heaved a sigh and thought about his boss reaction. Maybe he had already gone, and discovered that some of his employee's offices are yet to be occupied, as that was his daily routine. He stepped out of the elevator and took the left staircase- to his boss's office. He got to the door and started panicking , before he gave a slight push, he took a deep breathe. Still at that he was bound to see his boss- or get fired. For the very last time, adjusting his suit and tuxedo, he gave a heavy sigh, with cold hands, got hold of the handle and made a slight push, the door creaking, with his head bowed, biting his lower lip, he said....
"Good morning, sir,I'm sorry to....".
An office chair swung to the direction of the voice, with a raised eyebrow revealing a cold pair of beryl greenish eyes..
"Come in".