The worst nightmare

Allie's POV

"Allie. Allie! "Mr Austin yelled my name repeatedly.

We are at the shooting scene for our new magazine project. I was the one assigned to the task, but I don't understand why he won't let me focus.

I sighed tiredly and aggressively flung the document on the nearest table before reversing in his direction. I was already stressed at the rate at which I'd been sent on errands the past few days. My boss, Mr Austin has severally caused serious headaches for me and of course, I couldn't complain because I would be laid off, which is something I don't yearn for.

I have been working as a staff at the "Diamond" magazine for the past two years. I loved the job even though the Smiths aren't pleased with my type of company; Mainly because they have their firm "Royals" a brand that is worth billions of dollars on its own. I was offered to be one of their advertisement shooting directors, but I slumped the proposal.

Immediately after I was done with College, I was fortunate enough to find a job that I think suits my taste. I have a passion for taking pictures and videos of scenes, as a shooter.

I was offered a job at a larger firm through the influence of my guardians, but my naive and callow self declined the offer mainly because I wanted to be on my own, find a job, and be successful without easy access.

The Smiths tried their best to convince me that no one would bother me or look down on me since that was also my fear. I had dread for the media to acknowledge or misunderstand that I was their daughter. I had thought otherwise thinking they might trace my connection to them as I also bear the surname, Smith even though I wasn't legally adopted. They are only my guardians since they have taken care of me for many years. They suggested that I should be at least a non-regular worker, but I still defied them and decided to work at a less-popular company in a secluded area which is "Diamond" The pay is ok at least to pay up my bills.

I was grateful for the Smith's love and care for the past years and I promised to be that determined independent woman I had always wanted to be, but at the moment, I regret not accepting their request. My legs hurt due to the heels I was putting on which is a result of roaming about without proper rest, and this had been occurring for weeks.

"Yes, Boss. you summoned me" I answered, panting heavily.

"Don't you think you guys need to reschedule when the shooting for Carlos(a celebrity) should take place? I don't think the set goes with the trend you know... latest styles" he indicated with an irritated glare.

"You told me it was perfect earlier" I muttered, baffled by his sudden change of suggestion.

"I just found out it isn't good enough," Austin claimed, shrugging his shoulders.

"What do you want us to do now? " I asked, screaming inwardly.

"We need to change it" he announced, daring me to complain.

"Oh, my boss! You know how cocky the young star is. He won't oblige, and we might miss this opportunity" I reasoned, feeling disheartened already.

"What if we publish the magazine and his fans refuse to purchase it? " he argued, folding his arms now facing me like he was interested in whatever I had to say next.

"But..but the scenario isn't even bad. I don't understand why you insist we change it" I grumbled.

"I insist you change it. What's wrong with that?!" he argued loudly I shifted backward a bit.

"It's not necessary though" I pouted with puppy eyes hoping he would be convinced, but he shunned me instead.

"So…what you are trying to imply is that I don't know my job, Allie. I noticed that these days you've been all over full of yourself!" he clamoured while pointing his finger at me, gritting his teeth together so that the other staff present wouldn't detect anything.

"No... No that's not what I meant" I clarified, already aware of where the discussion would lead as it had recently become our routine. I had enough of this man whom I silently had feelings for even though he hadn't been his usual self these days.

"Then what do you mean? Make me understand then," he sneered, his eyebrows overlapping in confusion.

"I told you before that isn't what I meant boss," I lamented.

"So it's true that you've been yourself behaving like you are in charge. I guess I caused this. After all, I was the one who initiated our closeness. It is not your fault!" He insulted me and I lowered my head in embarrassment for a few seconds before lifting my head.

I could not hold it anymore as I flared at my boss's harsh outburst and rash judgement. "You're the one who has been acting differently these days. You find fault in everything I do boss, even though I tried to ask you if I had unintentionally offended you " I voiced out in a shaky tone.

"Shut up, Allie! always endeavour to listen to those who are more experienced in this field. I know what is ok and what's not okay" he spurned audibly enough to other staff.

I furrowed her eyebrows and slightly bowed down, obviously and greatly embarrassed as I bit my lips in dread.

"I am so sorry" I apologized feeling remorseful.

"You know what? I am out of here," he stomped out slamming the giant door of the building.

I skimmed my eyes around the room and most of them were giving me a farce expression. I ignored them, raised my chin, and moved towards them to announce the sudden change.

Not only that, but I walked into Carlo's dressing room to tell him also. His manager quibbles non-stop, but he has no choice since he had already signed the contract with us which makes it easier for me to convince him.

7:25 pm

I was moving toward the space I parked my car ready to go home, but I still reminisced about what happened earlier.

I was surprised and embarrassed by his action, but still, I tried to cover up for him with the thought that I was at fault. I shouldn't have talked back.

Maybe I was too rude, and perhaps I was cocky and arrogant. I thought sadly, entered the car, and settled in.

"But we do talk informally most of the time," I proceeded with my self-argument raising my eyebrows even though I was the only one in the car.

I recalled that we had both gone to a housewarming, and I was the one he picked as his date. Why did he show interest in me in the first place? Now that I figured out I am in love with him, boom! he starts behaving weirdly.

Oh crap!

My body system was in turmoil as I kept thinking of answers that could solve the whole situation.

"Guess it was not more than boss and worker relationship" I huffed, flinging my heels to the back seat.

"Oh good Lord just because he snapped at you doesn't mean he dislikes you. Get your shit together!" I encouraged myself with a loud frustrating groan as I grabbed a full portion of my hair hoping it would make me focus.

"I will apologize to him tomorrow," I concluded before igniting the car to zoom off to my condo.

~~~~~~~~

The next morning, I woke up to the rays of sunlight reflecting through my room windows. I glanced at the wall clock, and it was 7:59 am. I sprang up panicking at the realisation that I was late.

"Oh God, I'm late!" I exclaimed, rushing to the bathroom and careful enough not to slip over the floor. In the next few minutes, I was already dressed, my hair tied in a rough bun, and ready for work.

I zoomed off, hoping my cranky boss would look over my lateness. I was silently wishing there wouldn't be traffic today. Luck wasn't on my side as the road was already clogged up in heavy traffic. I intentionally hit my forehead on the steering wheel as I was already fed up. I also refused to pick up my ringing phone.

45 minutes passed before I was able to get through the traffic. Surprisingly, Mr Austin wasn't in the office when I arrived at my workplace. The junior retinues and interns were throwing weird stares at me because of how I was sneaking into the staff room, but I was rather not bothered.

Relieved that I was able to scale through, a satisfied smile appeared on my face. I was ready to sit when I shivered at the loud voice of someone.

"Look who finally decided to show up!" Becky sneered.

"I am not ready for your unnecessary tantrums Becky. As you can see, I am busy" I replied, sincerely and pretended to arrange my desk.

"Busy doing what? wait, don't tell me you don't know we were supposed to have a meeting today" Becky scoffed with eyeball glowing from being trapped with surprise.

"Just so you know, every one of us was in the meeting room including the boss. We are done after all, but you were supposed to be his business confidante right?" she mocked.

I felt ashamed because truly, if we had a meeting Austin usually informed me first.

"You were in.. the...meeting room?" I panicked inwardly but refused to let it be observable.

I guess I did not notice their absence when I came in. How can I be so stupid!? " I whispered to myself while trying so hard not to suffocate.

"Miss Allie!" the other staff exclaimed coming inside one after the other surprised that I was in the staff office all this while.

"I called you close to five times this morning, is everything ok?" Layla, the only friend I was close with at work inquired with concern laced in her voice.

I nodded and scurried out to the meeting room as I realized that truly, they had a meeting since a majority of them were back discussing in the staff room.

I dust up my frock anxiously, then pressed the knob to the meeting room door to meet Mr Austin. It didn't take long before I was welcomed with the words I dreaded the most.