Chapter 4 Episode Four

Chapter Four

First Person's Perspective

_Marie_

Here I am, another day at work still being mistreated like never before, but I couldn't complain, I was the one who needed the money after all and I also needed to take good care of my kids, so bearing this shit shouldn't feel too wrong. I texted the MD's secretary, informing him about the cancellation and began to Walk away, making sure to stomp my feet really hard as I did

That earned me stares but I was used to it already by now. Before I made it to the huge double door exit, A voice called out. Pulling me to an abrupt stop

"Hello Miss Marie, may I have a minute with you?" the voice said and I turned towards the direction. The obvious question in my eyes. This was my first time in this company. And the last time I checked, I was not a celebrity so how did he know my name? Or who I was?

"I am Brandon," He said, stretching out his palm for a handshake. He said that as though it was supposed to ring a bell or something. I was skeptic and reluctant about the handshake, but still took it anyway

"From the look on your face, I take it that you do not know who I am?" He asked and I gave a half smile while nodding. I did it cautiously to not look rude. He laughed and gestured that we kept moving. That was fine by me. We left the reception and out into the vicinity of the organization, I was headed for the gate while he went for the parking lot. We stopped midway. "I am Brandon," he said again. "I think I already know that by now" I responded playfully and we both laughed

"Yeah... We met at the little coffee shop down the street of Shadowville about two weeks ago. Remember?" He asked and I squinted. It took a few minutes but I recalled. "Oh! You are the nice man who stood up for me when that jerk was trying to harass me" I said and he smiled. I nodded. " Wow! What a small world. What are you doing here?" I asked and he shrugged

"That question should be for you cause I work here. And I know I would definitely not forget this face if I've seen it around here before" he said and I smiled. He sure did know how to flatter a woman. "Oh well, I was waiting on my boss" I responded and he nodded. There was an awkward silence before he spoke again

"I just came out of the elevator when I saw you on a call, you looked and sounded pretty upset. I know it's none of my business, but I just wanted to know if everything was alright. And of course, I also wanted to know who the unfortunate being getting on the nerves of such a beautiful woman as yourself is" Oh right. I had almost forgotten about being angry.

"It's no one...Just someone rude" I waved it off

" I take it that your boss didn't show up, hence the reason you're leaving?" What a smart observation. *Rolls eyes*

"Yeah. He just called to cancel" he nodded and there was silence again. I didn't know how to walk away without coming off rude and disrespectful. I mean, this conversation wasn't really necessary. It felt forced

"I'm so sorry that you had to wait in vain. I had a lot of meetings today and information got to my office some hours ago that they all canceled" I cocked a brow at that. He said something else, but I wasn't paying much attention. If he got the information hours ago, that only meant that Mr. Lazarus had canceled the meeting himself long before now without informing me about it.

Oh my God! I was so mad, I could burst any moment. Where had I gone wrong to deserve being treated like this

"Miss Marie, you look zoned out, is everything alright?" Brandon's voice resonated, pulling me out of my thoughts. I shook my head. "I'm fine...I should get going. Thanks for the little chit chat. I hope to see you soon" I responded and made to walk away but he held my arm.

"Oh no! Please stay, let me treat you to a drink" he offered

"Thanks for your kind offer, but I'll have to decline. I really have to be at home now" I politely said and he whined a little. "I insist Marie. You're clearly upset about something. Let me cheer you up. Besides, I really want to get to know you" he said. I stared at him for some time. A drink wouldn't hurt now, would it? Besides, I really needed to get my mind off work and the things my boss did to me. But then again,

"I really don't want to be an inconvenience to you Brandon" I politely declined again, but he wasn't having any of it (Not in a bad way)

"I insist, please" at this point, if I didn't want to be rude, I had no choice but to accept his offer and so I did. It was really fun talking to him and I enjoyed every bit of it. He dropped me off at I spent the rest of my day with the kids

The next day at the office, Mr Lazarus seemed to be in a rather sour mood. He always was actually, but this time, it was different. I didn't pay much attention to it or him and just continued with my work.

Sometime during the afternoon, he called me into his office. I walked in and found him buried in paperworks as usual. He sure as hell knew I was already in there but decided to keep me waiting AND standing, for some reason. "Ahem! You called for me sir" I spoke. It took him three solid minutes before raising his head. "Where were you at yesterday?" He asked.

It was abrupt and sudden. I didn't know where it was coming from nor where it was headed. " Excuse me?" I said. He didn't repeat himself nor move a muscle. He didn't need to. I already got the message

"After you called to cancel, I bumped into an acquaintance, and we spent the rest of the day together...." I explained, even though I didn't know why I was doing so. He didn't respond and just continued with what he was doing

"Is anything the problem sir?" I asked. "Weren't you supposed to go home?" He asked, not looking . I scrunched up my face in confusion. "I was but then I met someone and decided to spend the day with him" He paused for a split second

"You shouldn't be doing that" If I was confused before, then I don't know if there is an English word to describe the state I was in at that moment. "I'm a little confused right now Sir. Shouldn't be doing wha..." I didn't complete my statement when he cut in

"Hanging out with other m... people" I rolled my eyes inwardly. Lord knows how much I wanted to slap that fucking authority out of him. "I'm Sorry Sir, but that is my personal life. You don't have a say in that. Just Because I work for you doesn't mean...."

"Shut the fuck up Ms Marie" Wow! Disrespecting me in a polite way. How mannerful. "If you want your Job, then you'll do exactly as I say, whether it affects your personal life or work life" I raised a brow. What! What level of toxicity is this?

"Sir I don't mean to come off rude, but you really can't be saying that. Threatening me with my job doesn't really speak well of your..."

"Get out" He didn't yell. It was calm and collected. But dangerous and impatient. He didn't need to say it twice, I scampered off immediatel

y and spent the rest of the day being angry. AGAIN