6. FREAK OUT

Whoever the person that went out of the door was, I knew not but the chance of the person hearing the conversation between I and Stanley was high. It wouldn’t do me any good to have this kind of rumor spread in the office so I prayed a little prayer that the person would never hear of what we discussed.

He left me at the office to deal with my work that he instructed to be on his table by seven in the morning the next day.

“How can my first day in office be this hectic? Is this how I will continue?” I murmured to myself, sitting in front of my computer to start my work.

The loud ticking of the clock made me realize how silent the whole building had become. I was the only one in the office as I worked away, accompanied with the clicking sounds of the keyboard. Finally, I got my work done some minutes to five in the morning and printed them out, submitted it and went to the employee’s break room to have some rest before everyone troops in only to sleep off totally.

The sun was already high in the sky by the time I managed to wake up.

I glanced at my watch. “Shit” I quickly got down and rushed to the restroom where I washed my face and finally entered the office to see everyone already seated and carrying out their various tasks.

I noticed everyone was looking at me weirdly before one of them threw a question at me.

“You didn’t go home yesterday?”

A quick scan at myself made me remember that I didn’t change my clothes because I never planned for a sleep over at the office.

With a quick nod, I answered “I couldn’t”

I was about to explain how the work took so long than expected when a voice cut me off from behind.

“Your attention is needed at the boss’s office” Tina, the general chief editor signaled to me and I rushed there to see what it was about.

Immediately I entered the office, the report came flying at my feet. The moment made me so confused and flustered at the same time, I never expected something like that from Stanley but I guess I will continue to see him unravel several sides as long as I keep working here.

The problem now is that I don’t know if this is how he treats other employee or he’s just picking on me exclusively.

“Is there a problem this time around, sir?” I comported myself as I tried my best to ask without exploding.

My body couldn’t contain the rudeness, this was a report I spent all night trying to put together. He should at least have an ounce of respect towards the effort I put into the report.

He stood up and approached me after the question, I didn’t even flinch or move from where I was standing because I was already boiling inside.

“Miss Petals, I think I told you yesterday that you should submit something worthy and up to standard. This is nothing different from all that you have submitted earlier. Is this how you will lead your team? Do you not understand what it means to be a team leader?” he growled at me but I was not interested in anything he was saying anymore.

I just wanted him to rant and take my leave which he finally finished doing after five minutes. I didn’t even touch the report after throwing it on my desk, I went straight to have a good sleep before my phone rang with my sister as the caller.

“What is it again this time?” I almost yelled at her, my frustration taking the best of me.

Mei knew I wouldn’t raise my voice for no reason so she ignored the rudeness in my voice.

“I am the first floor of your company, how about you come down for a bit?” she gently said and I jumped down to go see her.

She had brought a new pair of clothes and even packed me some food because I didn’t show up at home the previous day so she figured that things must have been hectic at work.

“Things are indeed hectic, my boss is an a*shole” I grumbled but she only released a tiny grin before making her way out of the company, leaving me to my fate.

I went back to work after changing out of the previous clothes and tried fixing the articles once again. I was still on it when he suddenly barged into the room and clapped for our attention.

“Since everyone has been working hard all this while, I am thinking of taking you all out for lunch today” he announced and they all rushed up from their seats in happiness.

I wasn’t even moved by his offer for lunch since I know he might be playing the carrot and stick game. He has been keeping me in a bad mood ever since I took on this job so he can go to hell with his lunch offer.

“Are you not going?” one of them asked me as she noticed I didn’t stand up from my seat

I was about answering her that I would not be going with them since I am still busy when Tina cut in.

“She has a lot on her plate and she haven’t even done that much. This lunch is for people who have worked hard” Tina jeered and her minions snorted

I was so irritated by their rudeness but what could a newbie like me do? Also I wasn’t hungry a bit because I had just devoured the food Mei brought few minutes ago.

“I was previously feeling bad that I ate alone but at this point, I think I made the right decision” I mumbled to myself as they trooped out.

The same time happened after submission, it was rejected and that was my breaking point. I went up to the balcony to have a crying session. The frustration mixed with anger that I was feeling was too immeasurable.

“I should just quit this hellish place. How can he be so consistent in bullying me to the point of frustration? Well it wasn’t his fault, I was pushed into this absurd deal because of my helplessness” I lashed out angrily on the balcony and threw a fit, not minding the fact that some people could see me.

I turned to visit his office and pour out my mind but the debt of five thousand dollars he had paid in advance didn’t let me, at the remembrance of such a huge amount, my legs paused.

“I hope you burn in hell” I cursed under my breath and returned to work.

After staring at what could be the problem for hours, I decided to check the former team leader’s work to see if there was a particular style he wanted. Upon flipping through some of her works, I finally saw where I was missing it and proceeded to write it in the format. I already gave up on the articles and just submitted it while waiting for him to call me for chewing out later.

“Miss Petals” I heard his voice and jumped out of my seat.

My sweaty palms kept draping off my skirt where I tried to put it for comfort while waiting for him to criticize me once again.

“Now this is what I wanted all this while. You should have done this sooner” he complimented to my surprise.

My neck flew up in surprise, it wasn’t what I was expecting at all. I mean I had hopes that he might accept it since I changed the style but I wasn’t expecting his voice to be this calm.

“Thank you” I muttered, trying not to show my happiness.

“You can take the rest of the day off and resume fully on Monday. Welcome to YK news, Team Leader Petals” he congratulated with a smile

Even though I was mad angry few seconds ago, I couldn’t believe a smile curved out of my lips. I was so happy at the way he included team leader in front of my name. Never in my life did I think I would be having that title in years.

“Thank you sir” I almost shouted but cautioned the pitch of my voice

He nodded and waved a goodbye signal to me before I finally went to my desk to pack off for the day. On getting home, I slept all day and didn’t wake up at all that night until the following morning.

With a loud yawn, I shouted “What a good day to sweat it all out” as I got out of bed and dressed up for the gym at the other side of my house.

The gym had been there for a few years but I didn’t see the need for applying since my last job was always hectic. I was used uselessly and not even compensated properly but this new job had a time limit and I feel like I will enjoy myself better.

“I really should take care of myself now” I declared, staring into the mirror to see my tired face before moving out to the gym.

I was still talking with the gym instructor about the plan when the person I least expected walked in dramatically.

“What is that blockhead doing here?” I gasped in surprise.

The gym instructor was still wondering about the person I called blockhead when Stanley turned to my direction.

“Fck! He mustn’t see me here” I freaked out and disappeared into one of the rooms where I hid myself in a locker.