Chapter 5 - [5] The price

The next day at the office, the air was thick with tension. No one really said much to each other as we waited for Karen to arrive. There had been rumors swirling since last night—rumors about layoffs. The talent show had come and gone, but now, it felt like the real test was beginning.I sat at my desk, staring at my computer screen, trying to focus on anything other than the pit forming in my stomach. It wasn't hard to guess what was coming. I could see it in the way the others were sitting stiffly in their chairs, casting nervous glances toward Karen's office. We were all waiting for the hammer to drop.At exactly 9 a.m., Karen's office door swung open, and she walked out, her heels clicking sharply on the polished floor. She was dressed in her usual immaculate, expensive outfit, her hair pulled back in that tight, severe bun she always wore. Her face was unreadable, as usual—cold, professional, and calculating. The kind of look that made you feel like you were always being judged, like she was waiting for you to fuck up."Everyone, can I have your attention, please?" she called out, her voice cutting through the room like a knife. We all turned to look at her, the murmur of conversation dying instantly. "I have an important announcement to make."I could already feel the dread rising in my chest, like a lead weight sinking deeper with every word she spoke."As you all know," Karen began, pacing slowly in front of the room, "we recently held a company-wide talent show. It was an opportunity for you to showcase your creativity, your ability to perform under pressure, and, most importantly, your willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty."Her eyes flicked around the room, landing briefly on each of us. When her gaze passed over me, I felt a cold shiver run down my spine. She kept walking, speaking with that same icy, businesslike tone. "Now, as we move forward, it's important to recognize that Reed Estates values those who are willing to step up and show their initiative."I could see Jason across the room, fidgeting with his pen, his jaw clenched. He knew what was coming, just like the rest of us. The ones who hadn't participated in the talent show were the ones who looked the most nervous—shifting in their seats, avoiding eye contact. They had refused to play Karen's game, and we all knew what that meant."Unfortunately," Karen continued, "not everyone in this company has demonstrated the kind of adaptability and commitment we're looking for." She paused dramatically, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly. "And because of that, there will be some changes."There it was. The other shoe finally dropped. I felt a sick twist in my gut as Karen walked back to her desk, picking up a list of names. The silence in the room was deafening."Effective immediately, the following individuals will no longer be with the company," Karen said, her voice as smooth as ever. She didn't look like she was about to lay off half the office—more like she was announcing the weather.She began reading the names, one by one, each one a punch to the gut. I glanced around the room, watching as faces paled, people's expressions shifting from confusion to disbelief. These weren't just random names. They were all people who hadn't participated in the talent show.Mark was the first name called. He had been vocal about the whole event, saying it was inappropriate and refusing to perform. His face went white as Karen said his name."You've been let go for," Karen glanced down at her paper, pretending to read some bullshit reason, "performance discrepancies and a failure to meet company expectations."Mark opened his mouth to protest, but Karen cut him off with a sharp glance. "I'm afraid the decision is final. Please see HR before you leave the premises."Next up was Amanda. She had refused to perform too, citing personal reasons. Karen didn't miss a beat. "Amanda, we're letting you go for failure to meet your project deadlines. We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors."One by one, the names kept coming, and every time, the reason was just as ridiculous. "A lack of creative problem-solving skills," "poor integration with company culture," "inadequate contribution to team synergy." It was all complete bullshit, and we all knew it. These people were being laid off because they hadn't participated in Karen's twisted little talent show. They hadn't jumped through her hoops, and now they were paying the price.By the time Karen finished reading off the list, half the office was in stunned silence. Those who had been named stood there, dazed, as if they couldn't quite believe what had just happened. The rest of us, those who had performed in the talent show—whether we had fucked up like I had or not—were still here, still sitting at our desks, still clinging to our jobs. Barely.Karen set the list down on her desk with a finality that felt like a punch in the gut. She looked around the room, her expression cold and professional, as if nothing out of the ordinary had just happened."These decisions were made in the best interest of the company," she said, her voice sharp and unyielding. "We expect excellence here at Reed Estates. Those who cannot or will not meet those expectations, for whatever reason, do not belong here."She paused, letting her words sink in. "For those of you who remain, I suggest you take this as an opportunity to reflect on your own performance. Moving forward, we will be evaluating everyone very closely."With that, Karen turned and walked back into her office, closing the door behind her with a quiet click. The room was dead silent. No one dared to move, let alone speak. The tension hung in the air like a thick fog, suffocating.I glanced around at the others, at Jason, at Dave, at the people who had performed, just like I had. No one looked relieved. No one looked happy. We had survived for now, but the cost felt steep. We all knew what had just happened. The people who had stood their ground, who had refused to participate in Karen's fucked-up power play, were gone. Laid off for "wacky" reasons that had nothing to do with their actual work.But the real reason? It was because they hadn't played along. They hadn't let Karen control them. And now, we were left, the ones who had jumped through her hoops, wondering if we were next.The sound of shuffling feet broke the silence as those who had been laid off began gathering their things, still in shock. The rest of us sat in stunned silence, not daring to move, not daring to say a word.We all knew the truth, but no one was brave enough to say it. Not here. Not anymore.Karen's cold, detached voice broke through the tense atmosphere of the office. "Tristan, I need you to follow me."I blinked, snapping out of my thoughts. The layoffs had just happened, and I was still trying to process the bullshit reasons Karen had given for letting so many people go. But I didn't have time to dwell on it. Karen was already walking briskly toward the elevators, her heels clicking sharply against the floor. I stood up, unsure of what was happening but knowing better than to hesitate.Without a word, I followed her, my legs moving automatically as I trailed behind. We made our way through the office, and the few people who were left didn't dare make eye contact. The tension was still palpable. No one knew who would be next.We reached the elevator, and Karen pressed the button for the top floor. I swallowed hard as the doors slid shut, and the elevator began its slow ascent. Karen didn't say anything, just stood there with her arms crossed, her expression unreadable. My mind raced with possibilities. Why the hell was I being called upstairs?When the elevator doors finally opened, we stepped out into a hallway that was unlike anything I'd seen before at Reed Estates. The floors were marble, polished to a high sheen, and the walls were lined with expensive artwork and sculptures. It felt more like a high-end hotel than an office building. At the end of the hallway was a set of ornate double doors, and Karen walked straight toward them without a glance in my direction.She stopped in front of the doors and pressed a button on the intercom. "Ms. Reed, I've brought him," Karen said in her usual clipped tone.There was a brief pause, then the sound of a lock clicking open. Karen pushed the doors open and motioned for me to follow her inside.I stepped into the office, and my breath caught in my throat. It was opulent—far beyond anything I could've imagined. The walls were lined with dark, rich wood, and the floor was covered in an intricately woven Persian rug. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the city, the skyline stretching out in all directions. In the center of the room was an enormous mahogany desk, and behind it sat a woman who looked oddly familiar.I couldn't place where I'd seen her before, but there was something about her that tugged at my memory. She was stunning, with long, wavy black hair cascading over her shoulders, framing a face that was both sharp and elegant. Her skin was a warm olive tone, and her eyes, deep and dark, were fixed on me with an intensity that made my stomach tighten. She wore a form-fitting white blouse that clung to her curves, accentuating her full bountiful curves, and a pencil skirt that hugged her hips perfectly. Everything about her screamed power and confidence.Karen was about to speak, but before she could get a word out, the woman behind the desk raised her hand, cutting her off."You can leave now, Karen," the woman said, her voice smooth and commanding.Karen froze for a second, her eyes flickering with something that looked like frustration before she nodded stiffly. "Of course, Ms. Reed." She turned on her heel and left the room, the doors clicking shut behind her.I stood there, feeling a bit like a deer caught in headlights. The woman's eyes remained on me, her lips curling into a teasing smile."Well, well," she said, leaning back in her chair, "you're the one who sang Sugar at the talent show, aren't you?"I felt my face heat up immediately. "Uh... yeah, that was me."She let out a soft chuckle, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I have to say, you certainly had the crowd's attention. That note you missed... it was quite something."I cringed inwardly, but her tone wasn't cruel. She was teasing me, and somehow, that made it worse. "Yeah... that was, uh... not my best moment," I admitted, feeling like an idiot."Oh, don't worry," she said, leaning forward slightly, her eyes never leaving mine. "I actually liked your performance. It showed... character."I blinked, taken aback. "You... liked it?"She nodded, her smile widening. "Yes. You were authentic. You weren't trying to be someone you're not. I appreciate that."I wasn't sure what to say. My heart was still racing, and I could barely think straight. This woman—this incredibly powerful, gorgeous woman—had just complimented me. I swallowed hard, trying to play it cool. "Well, I'm glad you liked it."She smiled again, but this time there was something more in her eyes—something playful, almost predatory. "Tell me your name," she said, her voice soft but commanding."Tristan," I stammered, my throat suddenly dry. "My name's Tristan.""Tristan," she repeated, as if tasting the name on her tongue. "A strong name."I glanced down at the placard on her desk, and that's when it hit me. The name on the placard read Vanessa Reed. My heart nearly stopped. Holy shit.Vanessa fucking Reed. The billionaire CEO of Reed Estates. The woman behind everything. She was sitting right in front of me, and I'd been too clueless to realize it.I stared at her, speechless for a moment. My mind was racing, trying to catch up with everything. Vanessa Reed. She's the one in charge. She's the one who controls everything here.Vanessa seemed to notice my realization, and her smile grew wider. "You know who I am now, don't you?"I nodded slowly, feeling like I was walking on a tightrope. "Yeah... I mean, yes, I do. You're Vanessa Reed.""The one and only," she said, her voice dripping with confidence. She stood up from her desk, slowly walking around it toward me. As she approached, I could feel the air shift. There was something magnetic about her presence, something that made it hard to look away.She stopped in front of me, crossing her arms casually, her eyes locked onto mine. "So, Tristan," she said, her voice dropping slightly, "I have a proposition for you."My mouth went dry again. "A proposition?"Vanessa nodded, her dark eyes gleaming. "I've been looking for a new personal assistant. Someone I can trust, someone who can handle the pressure. After seeing you... I think you might be the right fit."I blinked, my heart pounding in my chest. Her assistant? I wasn't sure if I'd heard her right. "You want me... to be your assistant?"She smiled, that same predatory edge in her expression. "Yes, Tristan. I think you have potential. And I'd like to see what you can do."I felt a rush of adrenaline, my mind spinning. This was Vanessa Reed—billionaire, CEO, the most powerful woman in the company—and she was offering me a job. Not just any job—her assistant. I couldn't believe it."I..." I stammered, my voice barely working. "I would love to."Vanessa's smile widened, and she reached out, placing a hand on my arm. Her touch was soft, but it sent a jolt of electricity through me. "Good," she said softly. "I think we're going to get along just fine."I stood there, completely speechless, as Vanessa turned and walked back to her desk, her movements slow and deliberate. She sat down, crossing one leg over the other, and gave me a look that made my heart skip a beat."Karen will handle the paperwork," she said, her voice smooth as silk. "But from now on, you'll report directly to me."I nodded, still trying to process everything. "Yes, Ms. Reed.""Call me Vanessa," she said with a smile."Vanessa," I repeated, my voice shaky."Now," she said, leaning back in her chair, "I'm sure you're eager to get started. We'll have plenty to discuss. But for now, you can go. Karen will give you all the details."I nodded, feeling like I was in a daze. "Thank you, Vanessa."She smiled again, that same teasing, confident smile that made my heart race. "You're welcome, Tristan. I'll be seeing you soon."I turned and left the office, my mind spinning as I walked back down the hallway. I could hardly believe what had just happened. Vanessa Reed—the Vanessa Reed—had just offered me a job as her personal assistant.As I stepped into the elevator and the doors closed behind me, I let out a long breath, feeling the weight of everything that had just happened settle in. This was a game changer. And somehow, I'd ended up right in the middle of it.Q: Do you think the price was worth it?