Chapter 2 Some time behind bars

CHAPTER TWO

SOME TIME BEHIND BARS

LAUREN'S POV

'What is this? Wait, this isn't right. I am a victim of his harassment, why am I getting fired instead?'

I stared at the letter in horror, still trying to process everything, Why would I be sacked? I did nothing wrong, there is no valid reason to be sacked.

I heard giggles and murmurs behind causing tears to well up in my eyes, I was being mocked despite the fact I loved every one in this office dearly, and helped them all when they need me, even going as far doing their jobs for them, yet the best thing they could do is to laugh at me and mock me.

'No' I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, I shouldn't cry, I must not cry.

I have to see someone, the Manager, the CEO, anyone. I could not accept this.

Storming out of the office while ignoring the stares I got, i headed towards the stairs with fierce determination in my eyes.

I am a first class student in accounting. I came to this company with a CV and I was admitted out of credit. I earned this job with my merit and didn't have to bribe anyone to get here.

It was specified in the contract I signed that my job here is secured so what exactly does the letter mean?

My hand swung angrily on the door of the manager. Banging really hard. His secretary opened it immediately with a frown on her face on seeing it was me but that isn't my main purpose of being here.

"What the hell..."

But I had stormed past her, brushing my shoulder against her as I marched into the office angrily.

"Mr. Clay I have somethin-" my words stopped immediately there is an additional person in the office apart from the manager, a mysterious man sat the Manager's chair turning only after hearing my voice and it turned out to be Mr Ganes.

"Lauren have you no manners, leave here now," the secretary cautioned with anger in her voice as she grabbed me by the wrist trying to pull me away.

"No, let her talk. She is here already." The sultry voice of the manger halted his secretary movement, I heard her release a sigh before leaving the room, in my opinion, she seemed quite eager to throw me out.

I was still frozen from the shock as my heart suddenly beating so fast and sweat covering my forehead, I am extremely nervous, the person i wanted to report was sitting right there in the office.

"Miss Green, Do you mind explaining why you came in to my office in such a rude manner," that manger asked, crossing his legs. Mr Ganes stared at me too and I felt he was trying to look into my soul, I tore my gaze from him gathering some courage to speak.

"I... I... I came to report M... m," i stuttered playing with my fingers.

'God i'm stuttering, Please help me' I prayed silently, I had to do this in order to keep my job.

"Miss Green, did a cat cut your tongue?" he threw me an intimidating gaze. I felt like I grew smaller almost immediately, I opened my mouth to speak but no words came out from them.

'lauren talk. Talk you, open your mouth.'

My self motivation worked too well, because when I finally spoke, I began to regret why i even came here.

"Mr Ganes molested me and tried to" I blurted out finally letting go of the burden on my chest as i let out held my breath, the two men just stared at me like i was some alien before proceeding to burst into laughter.

My brows scrunched up together watching them laugh like it was a joke, I stared in wondering if i missed something.

"It's not funny," I whispered feeling hurt almost sounding like a child, but instead they laughed harder, with my words having no effect on them.

The sound of their laughter filtered into my ears and tears welled up my eyes as I felt a pang of pain in my chest, this isn't fair.

When they finally stopped laughing, the manager spoke.

"Miss Green, I know you want the Assault Compensation money but coming here to blurt this out immediately we put up the sign- it's a little too cheap don't you think?" the manger spoke with a smile that made her feel like a whore.

'Compensation, I don't know about any such thing, i just want justice.' i said within me gripping the hem of my shirt.

"I am not here because that. I am serious, he really did it, It happened last night, i swear it." I defended my self with my voice quivering at the thought of not being trusted.

The men started laughing instead at my defense.

"This is no reason to be laughing, I'm serious." I clenched my hands together hoping they will take me seriously.

The manger comported himself a little and looked at me.

"Okay, let's say you are right. Is it the first time? do you have any evidence, and witnesses to testify for you?" He asked looking directly at me.

I gulped, there was no such thing, no one was there when it happened, I told no one, and also the office had no surveillance, how will i get them to believe me now?

I lowered my head and muttered

"No."

"But if these things were in place he wouldn't have tried to, I'm telling the truth her." I immediately added hoping my explanation will make sense to the manager but it was hopeless, they both started laughing at me once more, it seems I'm doomed and bound to lose my job this time around.

"Secretary Sharp." The manager called through the telecom sitting on his desk and the lady appeared behind me almost immediately.

"Please escort Mrs. Green out." He ordered and then the lady grabbed my hand dragging me outside when I caught the winning grin on Mr Ganes face.

'Wait, so this is it, I was going to suffer for some one else's crime, just like that?'

My mind went blank, the last thing I remember was throwing the hot coffee on the table at the face of Mr. Ganes face at least to wipe that stupid grin of his face and then the police leading me in cuffs to their car.

For the first time in my life, I was behind the iron gates of prison.

The police kept me there for about an hour before the same manager came and withdrew the charge saying they wouldn't want to hurt a mentally ill girl. I was utterly powerless to even defend my self so I sat in the cellar crying.

Later, a police woman came for me. Banging her bat on the gate.

"Get up little girl, its time to go home."

I looked at her with the tears in my eyes.

"Get up already."

This time around I decided to obey her orders then stood up, She unlocked the gate and lead me out of the station. One of the police cars were already outside waiting for us. She opened the back door for me and entered. She went to the front, started the car.

"Where is your house little one?" She asked looking at me through the mirror.

"28, Nigels." I muttered weakly. I was drained so much I could barely speak.

"Alright," she wheeled into the Road.

"Hey little one. How did you end up in a cellar?" She asked after a while.

"None of your business," I said.

"I guess so," she sounded disappointed but still continued talking.

"You ain't the first girl they brought to the station. And my guess is they wronged you too. Well, the cops can't touch them, talk more of you. I suggest you stay away from them. They are very bad news." Her voice was serious as she warned me, while i listened half heatedly, i don't have any plans on going back anyways.

She parked the car in front of the house and waited for me to get off, before zooming away.

I went to the gate and pressed the button, waiting patiently as the bell rang inside followed with the gate door opening.

A young girl in a blue track suite answered the gate with a bold smile on her face.

Sadly, it wasn't my boss' assault, or the sack letter or my time behind the cellar that brought me all my troubles.

All my problems began when she swung that gate open and I fell into her arms for a hug.