Chapter 2 1. happy working place

Chloe's POV

I stare at the window, looking at the sky outside, noticing sun rays filling the ambience with a calm energy. My entire room glowed, though it was a long day.

'I knew exactly what to do, but in a much more real sense I had no idea what to do.' Michael Scott said. I shifted my eyes to the L.E.D screen taking a deep breath.

"I feel you, man." I said, using the minimal energy my body retained.

You must be wondering how can a woman in her mid-twenties, sit so ideally, doing nothing. Right?

Why aren't you telling us your age?

Bruh, I'm a woman! Maintain some decency. But, I'm not too old, so, I'll tell you, my age. I'm twenty-six.

Ha! Boomer.

Keep your trash opinion to yourself. Well, usually I'm in my office but today I'm at home, getting bored. Let me explain the reason behind that. I got fired for my rude behaviour towards one of my colleagues, Barry Parker. And I am definitely going to point out the fact that he's a fucking asshole.

Of course, a man who is a womanizer, an arrogant human and someone who takes advantage of females at the workplace can never be respected. At least from my perspective. So, just like any typical office day, I was sitting on my desk, reviewing the project proposal file which our company, The Velvet Corporations, recently had signed. It was all fine till 'Barry the asshole' showed up.

"Hey babe! What are your plans for tonight? Want to go on a long drive?" he said with a disgusting smirk plastered on his face. I didn't even spend my energy to look up to his face.

While staring at the file I had in my hand I simply said, trying to avoid making any conversation with him "No, I'm not really interested."

"Feisty huh? Pretty girls like you suit the best with someone who can take care of you." he said.

I chuckled and said "How long did it take you to come up with that one?"

"You think you're slick? Huh?" he said getting annoyed.

"Yes, I am." I said, resuming my eyes towards the sheet.

"Your mom wouldn't think the same. Oh sorry, I forgot you don't have-" he said but wasn't able to complete his sentence.

That was the last thing that came out of his mouth. Not like he instantly stopped talking, but you can say, I shut him up. Picking up the vase and I threw it on his head, trying to practice my skills. And you know what? I'm still a player! The vase directly landed on his head, making him fall on the floor.

Yo! Throw Ball!

A huge hustle could be heard as everyone gathered around the noise of the vase hitting the floor. Luckily it didn't break and I couldn't possibly care less about the man-whore. But the next thing I knew was that I got an invitation for a 'cup of tea' in my boss' office. A 'cup of tea' is just a code word used by all the employees, used when we are invited, with due respect, to listen to the scolding from our boss.

"I never expected this kind of behaviour from you Ms. Cameron. I know you don't like Mr. Barry Parker, but losing your temper up to this level is intolerant." He said with a calm expression.

He looked serene yet it gave me anxiety. My palms were getting sweaty and I knew my intuition this time would not be wrong. Mr. Thompson, my boss, stood up from his seat and came closer to me, giving me an envelope.

"I'm sorry Ms. Cameron but you are fired. I really can't help it as Mr. Parker's father is one of the shareholders of this company. I know what kind of a douchebag he is, but I can't do anything, dear. I'm sorry." he said in a low apologetic tone.

So, this is how I got fired from the job. Even though Mr. Thompson said that if in future Mr. Parker leaves the firm, I would be welcomed to join back. But I personally have no interest there anymore, though I miss my colleagues and friends. And I'm also happy because at least Mr. Thompson knew that I was not wrong on my part. He himself stated that he's a douche!

It's been almost a week to that incident and I really don't regret throwing the vase on that good-for-nothing-unnecessary-piece-of-shit. Honestly, I feel like I'm finally free from that hell. An environment where the radiance and power of being a woman isn't taken into deep consideration, isn't a place to be a part of.

Well, I've applied to several other firms for the job but haven't got a call from any of them. And right now, I am sitting on my bed with a big bowl of chocolate ice-cream binge watching movies and television series.

>>

I was sleeping but I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing. I opened my eyes a little and the bright sunlight almost made me lose my eyesight. Tracing my phone while tapping around the table and bed, I finally found it. But before I could pick up the call, it was already declined. Stretching my arms, I yawned and realized I slept for almost the entire day. But I was completely refreshed, so I didn't actually mind sleeping for that long.

Standing up on my feet, managing to not lose balance, I reached my bathroom, engaging myself into my morning routine. Working for a few years now, I rarely get lazy in the shower, but I felt carefree for once, and ended up spending about forty-five minutes. Half of it dancing in the shower like I'm a professional stripper, but let's not go into details.

That's a special performance is only reserved for my towel, sorry fellas.

While drying up my hair, I checked my phone and found two missed calls from an unknown number. Without thinking much, I redialed the number. After ringing for a few seconds someone picked up the call

"Hello, Valentino Group of Industries, how may I help you?" a lady said in a sweet voice.

"Hey, umm, actually I got a call from this number a few minutes ago, but I couldn't pick it up." I said, moving towards the kitchen

"Oh, wait, let me check." She said.

"Yeah, sure." I said as I continued drying my hair with the towel.

"I am speaking to Chloe Cameron. Right?" The lady asked.

"Yes, I'm Chloe Cameron." I said, falling into the benefit of doubt without trusting my intuition completely, which I usually do.

"Good morning, Ms. Cameron. Your resume for the position of 'Personal Assistant' has been approved. So, you're requested to come for the interview, other details regarding the same are forwarded to your email." She said and it's safe to exaggerate I almost dropped my phone.

I could feel a sudden rush all over my body and my mind thinking about what I could wear. A very woman instinct, I know.

"Thank you so much ma'am." I replied happily.

"Have a nice day dear." she said very softly.

I slowly placed my phone on the counter and looked around to see if it's a dream. Lightly pinching myself, a winning smile evaded my face. An unimaginable trail of thoughts indulged my mind and I had to share it with my family. The only person who still gave me rights to use the word 'family' even though, I am an orphan. My heart beat was quick and blood rushed to my ears, my hands quickly dialed a number I never forget. Probably the only number I have memorised, other than my own.

"CLAIRE! GUESS WHAT?" I screamed when she picked up.

"Good morning, Ms. Cameron. Ms. Grey is coming downstairs, just a minute." I heard Jeremy, Claire's assistant's, voice from the other side of the phone.

"Oh! Jere! How have you been?" I said smiling.

I have known Jeremy for about three years now. He joined Claire's firm when he was a novice with no experience. Surprisingly, Claire hired him because Jeremy shared his name with one of Claire's exes. Claire enjoyed scolding Jeremy when he made little mistakes, because he was a rookie. But slowly she managed to uproot a diamond in the rough, out of him.

Claire's way of dealing might be burdensome to understand by most people she comes across, but she's a successful businesswoman for a reason. Well, because I always saved Jeremy from Claire, he ended up developing a huge crush on me. He never confessed, but made it pretty obvious and him being younger than me made it even cuter. This is why it is never a bad decision to talk to him. I might sound mean, but making him fluster is something I thoroughly enjoy.

"I am good, Ms. Cameron. Thank you." He said, in his meek voice.

"I have told you to not address me so formally! Are we not friends?" I asked chuckling, imagining how he must be blushing so hard.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Cameron, I just respect you a lot, I can't-" he said and I interrupted.

"Oh, come on Jere! Please call me Chloe, I would prefer that." I said, knowing very well he won't.

"I will try." I just am always in awe, seeing how well-mannered he is.

"Very good!" I said smiling.

"Stop flirting with the kid Cameron." I heard Claire and I pursed my lips rolling my eyes.

"You wish." I said, walking towards the couch, with my coffee mug entangled with my fingers.

"More like, he wishes." She said and laughed.

"Jeez, why are you so mean?" I said laughing with her.

"What? I'm just stating facts girl." She said, being the carefree asshole, she is. I love her.

Time passes a little too quickly with Claire, its almost fascinating to see how admirable our connection is. Maybe it's the level of comfort that has created this unbreakable nexus between us. If fate is something truly real, I am probably the luckiest girl on earth. I found a gem without even putting into consideration how important her presence is in my life.

I have known Claire since I was nineteen years old. My parents were divorced and my mother ended up becoming a drug addict, keeping in mind her drug addiction was a major reason for the divorce. The level was extreme that she almost sold me out one day. Sounds like a crime, doesn't it? I still have no idea how I escaped alive from that drug dealer's house. Some relationships are questionable, even after my mother barely treated me like anything but a commodity, I never hated her, I rather blamed the situation she was in.

'But would you do the same to your daughter if you ever fall in a situation like that?'

Claire's question always makes me fall into self-doubt. But, well, for the most part, I just never really had the guts or heart to loathe my mother. Her overdose didn't let her survive for too long, within a few months her condition deteriorated and she died. My dad did take the responsibility of becoming my official guardian but his wife didn't approve of another child being a part of their household. I respected their decision and didn't intervene much in their life. My father did help me completing my education though, which is the biggest help he could do. He still is my official guardian even though Claire always insists on her being my official guardian.

'I should just adopt you.' She always says whenever I talk about my family to lighten the mood. She makes me smile when I'm on the verge of falling into the deep ends of anxiety. Yet, a huge part of me feels empty, is it because I overthink scenarios? I honestly don't know, but I would really love for it all to end someday.

"So, you're going to work at the Valentino corporations? " She asked as I heard minor mumbling from behind. I knew she was probably busy. In my defense, she never tells me and talks to me, regardless wherever she is.

I'm not the one to blame entirely.

"Yeah. They seem good." I said reading the description of them firm online.

"They are one of the few multinational information technology companies in the country who has earned the most profit even in the stock market this year. Their CEO has been winning the award for the best businessman consecutively for two years now. I hate that guy, he's too good." I heard the competitive Claire; she sounds intimidating when she talks about business. My favourite trait about her.

"I will be working as your rival Ms. Grey." I said, chuckling.

"Yeah, right, that company can only steal you as their employee not as my best friend." She said, making me laugh.

"Yes ma'am." I said hearing her softly chuckle.

"I just hope you find good people there. Not jerks like in your previous job." I nodded to what she said.

Me giving way heavy input on this matter will result in Barry being wiped off of the face of this industry. Claire doesn't know what exactly happened because I know if she does, the demons in her head won't let Barry survive. I didn't want further tension so, I decided to rather take my feet out the mud. I just want a happy and safe place to live and work in, that matters the most.