Chapter 5 Last straw

Chapter Five

Sarah rushed to Emily's desk, panting heavily. Emily looked up from her computer, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "Who's chasing after you?"

"Haven't you heard?" Sarah replied.

"Heard what?" Emily's curiosity piqued.

"Sir Alex is assigning our project to the other team," Sarah revealed.

Emily's eyes widened in shock. "What are you talking about?" She quickly stood up and marched towards Alex's office without hesitation.

"Why are you giving our project to the other team?" Emily demanded, bursting into Alex's office.

Alex frowned. "Don't you think it's rude to barge in here like that?"

"That's not the issue," Emily countered. "Just answer my question."

"Miss Emily, this is my company, and I make decisions as I see fit," Alex replied.

"Fine, it's your company, and I'm just an employee," Emily acknowledged, "but have you considered how your actions affect us?"

"Are my employees' feelings my problem?" Alex asked sarcastically.

Emily's anger boiled over. "My team and I worked tirelessly on that project even though you never appreciated our efforts, and now you're discarding it like it means nothing. What kind of boss are you, treating employees like trash?"

Alex stood up, his face red. "If the decision I made doesn't sit well with you, Miss Emily, you can leave. There are plenty of people eager to take your job."

Tears welled up in Emily's eyes as she nodded then scoffed. "You're right. I won't tolerate this bullshit anymore,I have had enough, I'm done." She turned and walked out, tears streaming down her face.

As she exited, she bumped into Ethan. He noticed her distress and attempted to ask questions, but Emily apologized and quickly walked away.

Ethan's curiosity piqued, he entered Alex's office to find him fuming.

"What happened with Emily?" Ethan asked.

Alex slammed his hand on the desk. "What she did? That girl is infuriating!"

Ethan was taken aback by Alex's anger. Realizing the tension, he decided to give Alex space to calm down before pressing for details.

*************

"Aren't you taking this too far? Can't we handle this calmly?" Sarah asked, trying to persuade her friend to stay.

"I agree, Emily, you can't just quit," Elsa added.

"I'm sorry, guys, but I can't work with that jerk anymore," Emily said firmly, packing up her belongings.

"Come on, Emily, let it slide like you always do," Sarah pleaded.

"I wish I could, but no. I won't let anyone make me feel worthless. I'd rather work as a waiter and be appreciated," Emily replied.

As Emily tried to leave, Sarah and Elsa held her back.

"What do you expect us to do without you?" Elsa asked.

"Work, of course," Emily said.

"Work will be hell without you, you know that," Sarah said, her voice tinged with sadness.

"I'm sorry, Sarah, but I can't do this anymore," Emily said, gently freeing herself.

"If you leave, don't come back!" Sarah shouted, trying to hide her tears.

"I won't," Emily said with a hint of a smile, knowing Sarah didn't mean it.

"I hate you, Emily!" Sarah exclaimed.

"You should," Emily replied with a wink. "Bye."

Emily walked away, leaving Sarah and Elsa behind.

Emily walked out with her box, hailing a cab by the roadside. Ethan pulled up beside her.

"Ethan!" Emily exclaimed, shocked.

Ethan eyed the box in her hand. "Where are you going?"

"Uh, it's a long story. I'm-"

"Need a ride?" Ethan interrupted, his expression soft.

"Yeah, sure" Emily's surprise turned to gratitude

Ethan took the box and led the way. The ride home was silent, Ethan stealing glances at Emily's somber face.

He pulled out a candy from his pocket. "Have this."

"What's that?" Emily asked, taking the candy.

Ethan smiled. "What does it look like?"

"Thank you," Emily said softly.

"I heard Candy helps when you're sad because It's filled with sweetness," Ethan said, coaxing a soft laugh from Emily.

She unwrapped the candy and savored it. "I guess you're right. It does have a lot of sweetness. I hope it wipes away this bitterness."

Tears streamed down Emily's face. Ethan glanced at her, giving her space to release her emotions.

When they arrived at Emily's apartment building, Ethan's eyes widened in surprise. It was the same building where his boss lived, but he restricted from asking any questions since Emily wasn't really in any mood to answer questions.

"Thanks for the ride. I really appreciate it," Emily said.

"You're welcome," Ethan replied. "I guess my candy did its job, right? Wiped away the bitterness?"

Emily smiled faintly. "Yeah, it did,kinda. " Glad to hear that, Always wear a smile on your face, A sad face doesn't suit you" Ethan told her "i will do that, bye, Don't want you to get in trouble with your boss."

"Bye. Take care," Ethan said, driving off as Emily headed to her apartment. Emily got to her door step and made her way inside the apartment and it felt so quiet, she heave down a sigh then head to her room she dropped her box and without pulling off her clothes she jumped onto her bed then lean in to take a nap.

*************

"So we're just gonna let her go like that?" Ethan questioned. Alex, focused on work, asked, "Were you expecting me to chase after her?"

"I never said that," Ethan replied.

"Then what?" Alex said in an unbothered tone. "She decided to leave herself."

"You actually made her leave," Ethan countered, prompting Alex to look up.

"What?" Alex exclaimed softly.

"If you'd discussed this issue with her, she wouldn't have left," Ethan explained.

Alex raised an eyebrow. "Wow, whose side are you on?"

"This isn't about taking sides; it's about making you see your fault."Ethan clarified

Alex smirked. "You like her, don't you?"

Ethan rolled his eyes. "That's irrelevant."

"You do, don't you?" Alex pressed. "You even drove her home."

"Driving her home was just a favor," Ethan said. "By the way, you two live in the same apartment, right?"

Alex remained silent, focusing on his work.

"Are you ignoring me now?" as he glared at his boss. Ethan asked

Alex's silence was palpable.

Ethan scoffed. "Gosh, I can't believe you. Whatever." He walked out.

*************

Mrs. Adam walked into her husband's office with a warm smile. "Are you busy?" she asked.

Mr. Adam looked up from his work. "Not really, what's on your mind, darling?"

"Nothing much," she replied. "Have you heard from Alex lately?"

Mr. Adam's expression turned thoughtful. "Not recently, but I'm sure he's fine."

Mrs. Adam's brow furrowed in concern. "You think so?"

"I'm certain," Mr. Adam reassured her, his voice gentle. "He's a capable person."

Mrs. Adam nodded, though her eyes still held worry. "Okay then." She said With a gentle smile, she left his office and headed to her room.

*************

Emily's mom walked into the apartment, surprised to find her daughter already home. "Hey darling," she called softly.

Emily emerged from the kitchen with a cup of coffee, her eyes cast down. "Hi, Mom."

"You're home early. No much work today?" her mom asked, noticing the unusual hours.

"Not really," Emily replied, tracing the rim of her cup with her finger.

Her mom's gaze locked onto Emily's face, concern etched on her own. She walked closer, gently taking Emily's arm. "Are you okay, darling?"

Emily's voice cracked. "Yeah, just tired." Tears began to fall.

"Hey, baby, come here," her mom said, enveloping Emily in a warm hug as she cried.

After listening to Emily's explanation, her mom's expression turned fiery. "How could he do that? Your boss is such a jerk!"

Emily nodded, her face gloomy. "I know, right?"

Miss Tessa's anger simmered, remembering how hard Emily had prepared for the interview and her joy when she landed the job. Now, her daughter was jobless due to her boss's rash decision.

"He could have at least spoken to you about it before taking action," Miss Tessa fumed, standing up. "Wait here, I have business with your boss."

Before Emily could stop her, Miss Tessa strode out, determination in her step. Emily felt a sense of anxiety but was grateful for her mom's support

****************

Alex sat on his couch, swamped in work, when a loud knock on the door interrupted him. He felt frustrated and stood up to answer it.

"Who is-?" Alex started, but Mrs. Tessa cut him off.

"What kind of boss are you? How can you treat your staff with no respect?" she demanded, her anger palpable.

Alex was taken aback, unsure how to respond as Mrs. Tessa continued to vent.

"Don't you think discussing issues with your staff before making decisions is the best approach? Has no one ever told you that?"

Alex finally found his voice. "Is that all you have to say?"

Mrs. Tessa was shocked by his nonchalance. "Wow, that's all you have to say? My daughter is in pain because of you, and that's all you can muster?"

"I'm not the reason for your daughter's pain. She quit herself."Alex defended himself.

Mrs. Tessa's voice rose. "You made her quit! You took away her project. Do you know how hard she worked on those ideas?"

"It's my company, and my decisions are for its benefit. You don't know how hard I worked to get where I am today."Alex stood firm. Mrs. Tessa's tone turned cold.

"If that's all you have to say, then good night. I have more important matters to attend to." Alex told her then shut the door before she could respond.

"Geez, that boy is rude," Mrs. Tessa muttered, walking away.

Alex fumed, "I can't believe this. Like mother, like daughter. Why does everyone accuse me? She quit herself; I'm not at fault."

He tried to return to work but couldn't concentrate. "Oh gosh, they're so annoying," Alex said, frustrated, leaning back onto the couch.