Leaving the boss's office, Maria collapsed to the floor, her body sinking with exhaustion and relief. Hot tears welled up in her eyes, carrying the weight of her seething and vindictive hatred for her superior. The stifled sobs escaped her lips as she relished in her lonesomeness. In that vulnerable moment, the sheer humiliation she had endured became unbearable. With a sudden jolt of awareness, she collected herself and rose to her feet, briskly walking away, plotting her revenge in silence.
As she turned the corner, a wave of solace washed over Maria when she stumbled upon a nearby restroom. A neglected, out-of-order sign sat forgotten in a corner as if fate had placed it there just for her. Without hesitation, she grabbed the sign and positioned it outside the door, creating a temporary sanctuary for herself, a symbolic barrier against the world that had treated her so harshly.
Her reflection in the mirror revealed a face streaked with tears, a visual representation of her inner turmoil and bitterness. Anger mingled with the remnants of humiliation, transforming her tears into fiery drops of determination, fueling her desire for revenge. Summoning her resolve, she wiped away the evidence of her vulnerability, erasing any remnants of weakness. Retrieving her mascara and lipstick from her bag, she meticulously repaired her makeup, a symbolic act of reclaiming her strength.
Just as she was regaining composure, the piercing ring of her phone shattered the fragile calm. Glancing at the screen, she recognized Samantha's name and answered with a weary "Hello, Samantha. What's going on?"
Samantha's voice crackled through the line, "Ma'am, there's a stunning bouquet of flowers accompanied by a box of fresh fruits. It arrived without a return address. What would you like me to do with them?"
Exhausted, the tugging at her still continued. Maria replied with a hint of bitterness, "Honestly, I'm not in the mood right now. Take them both for yourself. Enjoy the real fruits with your boyfriend; they're a rarity nowadays."
"Thank you, ma'am. I've also forwarded the details of the acquisition team assigned to your request. Is there anything else you need from me before I leave for the day?"
Maria sighed, her weariness momentarily lifting, replaced by a sense of satisfaction. "Yes, please make me a cup of coffee and order some takeout. I'll be staying late. Leave it on the coffee table. I'll join you shortly. And don't worry about working late yourself. Have a nice day."
Still overwhelmed by the fear of being seen in her vulnerable state, Maria hastily went to her office. Bursting through the door, she slammed it shut, shutting out the outside world and its prying eyes. She collapsed onto the couch and sipped the warm beverage, only to discover it was hot cocoa. A small gesture from her subordinate but one that touched her weary heart.
With a press of a button, a massive screen descended from the ceiling, filling the room with a comforting glow. As she scrolled through the available shows, Maria indulged in the Chinese takeout, relishing the flavors of the kung pao and savoring each bite. Laughter echoed through the room, momentarily easing her loneliness, yet deep down, she longed to share this moment of respite with someone else, someone who might understand her desire for retribution.
Suddenly, an idea sparked within her. Grabbing her phone, Maria quickly typed a message to Kaleb, her body brimming with anticipation, although she had ulterior motives: "Hey Kaleb, meet me at my office. No need to dress up. Casual is fine. Hurry over here. I have incredible news."
"I'll be there as soon as I can," Kaleb replied, his excitement evident as he grabbed his jacket and rushed out the door, unknowingly about to become a pawn in Maria's schemes.
As Maria waited for Kaleb to arrive, she took a moment to compose herself and gather her thoughts. Knowing it would help to have someone to talk to, someone who would understand and support her. Kaleb had always been a trusted friend and colleague, and she hoped he would provide the comfort she needed.
Shortly after, Kaleb knocked on her office door and entered, wearing a casual outfit as requested. "Hey Maria, what's going on? You didn't sound ok on the phone," he said, giving her a concerned look.
Maria smiled, grateful for Kaleb's presence. "Thanks for coming, Kaleb. I really needed someone to talk to. It's been one of those days," she sighed, gesturing for him to sit.
As Kaleb settled on the couch next to her, Maria began to share her frustrations about her boss and the recent incident in his office. She described how humiliated and angry she felt, tears welling up in her eyes once again.
Kaleb listened attentively, offering empathetic nods and words of encouragement. "I'm so sorry you had to go through that, Maria. Your boss's behavior is unacceptable. You deserve to be treated with respect and dignity."
Maria nodded, appreciating Kaleb's understanding. "Thank you, Kaleb. Your support means a lot to me. Moments like these make me realize the importance of having a good friend like you."
Kaleb smiled warmly. "You know I'm always here for you, Maria. We've been through a lot together, and I'll always have your back. So you're not mad at me anymore."
"Mad at you? I still love you," she admitted, reaching out to touch his arm with anticipation and anxiety in her voice.
Kaleb gave an awkward smile, moving his arm out of her reach. "Just know I'm here for you if you need me."
Maria smiled as she felt a surge of confidence and gratitude. Having Kaleb's unwavering support and belief in her abilities meant the world to her. She knew he had fallen into her trap.
"Thank you, Kaleb. Your faith in me gives me the strength to keep pushing forward. Let's celebrate," Maria suggested, a sparkle of excitement returning to her eyes.
Kaleb nodded enthusiastically. "Absolutely! We'll toast to our friendship and enjoy this moment. You deserve it, Maria."
As they sat in Maria's office, sharing laughter and camaraderie, the weight of loneliness began to lift. Although she was in the presence of a true friend, Maria knew he was now just another means to an end. With Kaleb as her new pawn, she felt ready to conquer whatever lay ahead.