Emily sat at her desk, the soft hum of the computer the only sound in the large, quiet office. The sun streamed in through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the floor. Outside, the city bustled with life, but inside this office, it felt like time stood still. Emily adjusted her glasses and focused on the endless rows of numbers on her screen. She took a deep breath, trying to push away the weight that seemed to settle on her shoulders every day she worked there.
Her boss, Marcus Hale, was a man known for his sharp mind and ruthless nature. To everyone else, he was a successful businessman, respected and feared in equal measure. To Emily, he was simply Marcus—her demanding boss with an iron grip on the office. This was her third year working as his assistant, and as much as she tried to stay positive, the shadows of that place loomed large.
Emily often wondered how she ended up here. After graduating college with a degree in business, she thought she would find a job that brought excitement and growth, a place where her ideas could shine. But this was far from the dream she envisioned. Instead, she found herself in a role that felt small, working late nights, running errands, and dealing with Marcus's moods.
"Emily!" Marcus's voice snapped through the quiet, making her jump. He didn't just call her name; he barked it as if she were a disobedient dog. She looked up quickly, her heart racing. The stern look on his face made it clear he was not in a good mood again.
"Yes, Marcus?" she replied, forcing a smile onto her lips, though she felt a knot form in her stomach.
"Get me the report on my desk by the end of the day!" he demanded, not bothering to make it a request. His tone was harsh and cold, like a winter wind that cuts through your clothes. "And get me that coffee too—make it strong!"
"Of course," Emily said, nodding. She hurriedly wrote a note to herself and turned her attention back to the screen, where countless emails awaited her. Most of her tasks involved organizing his schedule and managing his emails, but in moments like this, it felt like she was being overwhelmed by a storm.
As she typed away, Emily couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped. The glass walls of the office felt more like prison bars. She looked around the room at her coworkers, all buried in their work, their faces tired and resigned. Most of them kept their heads down, avoiding each other and Marcus's gaze. The air was thick with unsaid words and hidden frustrations.
Emily turned her attention back to her computer, her fingers dancing over the keyboard. She hadn't meant to daydream about a life beyond these walls. She often thought about what it would be like to work somewhere bright and lively, where people smiled and appreciated each other. But every time she let herself think that way, Marcus's stern words echoed in her mind: "Stay focused, and don't let your emotions interfere with your work."
After a few more hours, the office was nearly empty. Emily stole a glance at the clock—it was almost 8 PM. She had lost track of time again. The lights overhead flickered slightly, and she realized she was the last one there. Most people had left hours ago, but her job demanded that she stay until Marcus was satisfied, even if that meant working late into the night.
Once she finished the report, Emily took a moment to lean back in her chair, rubbing her tired eyes. The shadows in the room grew longer as the sun disappeared, leaving the world outside dim and quiet. She took a deep breath, reminding herself that this struggle would only last for one more year. One year until she would be free from this place and its oppressive atmosphere.
Her thoughts turned to her friend Sarah, who often talked about her dreams. Sarah worked at a different company, a place filled with creativity and ideas. Emily envied her so much. During their coffee breaks, Sarah would share stories about her workplace where everyone collaborated and felt valued. The contrast to Emily's experience was stark.
"Maybe I should talk to her tonight," Emily thought. "I need to hear her voice and get some encouragement."
Suddenly, the door opened, and Marcus walked in, his brow furrowed in concentration. He didn't even look at her, moving straight to his desk, papers in hand. Emily quickly focused on her work, but her heart raced. She could feel the energy shift; he was agitated, perhaps because of a deal that had gone wrong or an upcoming meeting that stressed him.
"Emily…" he said after a moment, glancing over his shoulder. "Did you finish that report?"
"Yes, I just completed it," she replied, her voice steady. "I'll send it to you right now."
"Good," he grunted, not taking his eyes off his work. Emily's stomach tightened again. It was incredibly challenging to work for someone who rarely acknowledged her efforts. She often wondered if he even remembered her name, let alone all the long hours she put in.
After emailing the report, she stood up to get the coffee he requested, hoping the warm drink would ease some of the tension in the air. She walked toward the small kitchen, pouring steaming coffee into a paper cup, her mind racing with thoughts.
"Just one more year," she reminded herself. "Then I can find a job where I feel happy and valued."
But in the back of her mind, she couldn't shake the voice that sometimes spoke to her. It whispered to her when she felt most defeated, promising her a fortune of comfort and freedom—that if she could just endure, riches would come her way. She had brushed it aside for a long time, convincing herself it was only her imagination. But as another long day wore on, she couldn't help but wonder if maybe it had some truth.
With the coffee in hand, Emily returned to Marcus's office. He barely glanced up as she placed the cup on his desk. The silence hung heavy in the air; she wanted to say something, anything to break through that thick, dark atmosphere. But she knew better than to cross that line. Instead, she returned to her desk and let the stillness wash over her, the shadows deepening around them.
As she finished her last tasks for the day, Emily thought about her dreams. One day, she would escape the tangled shadows of her current life. One day, she would step out into the bright light of a new beginning. It was just a matter of time.