Chapter 2 WORK BEGINS

Edmund let Sally leave before speaking his mind to his grandmother. "Grandma, why? I do not want her working here."

"Care to tell me why, my boy? She is qualified," Grandma responded.

"She is so annoying, clumsy, and a troublemaker," Edmund replied.

"You speak as if you know her. How long have you two been seeing each other? Is there more to this story that I do not know about, Edmund?" Grandma smiled.

"Don't tease me, Grandmother. She is nothing," Edmund said.

***

Sally returned home to the two-bedroom apartment she shared with her friend Becky. She stormed in with some drinks and pizza.

Becky was home, and Sally was delighted. "Guess who's got a job!"

Becky screamed, "I knew you could do it, girl! You always had it in you."

"You were right, but it was a close call," Sally replied. She proceeded to tell Becky everything that had transpired. Becky burst out laughing.

"It was not funny when it all played out. Do not make fun of me," Sally protested.

"Do not blame me. You spilled coffee on the boss of the Perfect White Group of companies by mistake, and he was your interviewer! Even if you get this job, I think you have bad days ahead. Don't say I didn't warn you. Brace yourself, honey. Now give me a slice of pizza so we can celebrate."

Sally took the pizza and drinks into the other room. "Sometimes I wonder if you are really my friend."

"Come on," Becky said. "Just give me some pizza." Becky followed Sally into the room.

***

The next day, Sally wore a pink dress and a pair of white kitten heels to work. She hoped for the best and wished that what Becky had said would not come true.

She met the secretary, who informed her that her office was located near the boss's office. It was so close that Edmund could slide in whenever he wanted. Sally bit her lower lip, wondering what could be worse than this.

She entered her office and quickly arranged her things, placing a picture of herself and her mother, a water bottle, and some personal items on her table.

Suddenly, only the phone on her desk rang. It was Edmund's voice. "Sally, I want you in my office now!"

Sally bit her lower lip and rose to her feet. She entered Edmund's office and saw him wearing a sky-blue shirt and a black tie. He had rolled up his sleeves, with his eyes focused on the computer screen. "Take those files and go work on them," he said, without indicating which pile he meant. There were several piles on his desk.

Sally hesitated, unsure which pile to pick up when he muttered, "You always act like you're deaf. Why don't you do what you are told? Get your useless self out of my office!"

"I was wondering which pile of files I should pick up, sir," Sally explained.

He sighed impatiently. "The one on the right."

Sally moved to the right side of Edmund's large desk, noticing there were three piles there. She reached for the first.

"No!" he shouted. "Can you not do anything right? You are such a pain."

Sally swallowed her frustration but knew she had to remain professional. "Do you have a shelf, boss?"

"Stupid question," he replied. "Does my office look as impoverished as yours?"

Sally smiled, taking note of the shelves placed perfectly throughout his spacious office. "Indeed, your office is nicely furnished. It is definitely not like mine. However, I suppose you do not know how to use your resources effectively because your desk resembles that of a worker who lacks shelves to keep files organized. I am already confused just by looking at your desk."

Edmund fumed as Sally continued, "Boss, please let me know whenever you want to properly arrange your office. I am here to help you manage your resources. After all, I studied this in school. So, sir, which pile of files exactly am I taking?" Her voice was slow and deliberate, but her tone was strangely pleasant, and a smile remained on her face.

Edmund hated her smile. Without saying a word, he pointed to the files he wanted her to pick up. She took them and left.

Edmund was boiling with rage; he hated being corrected. He was too proud to admit it, priding himself on being one of the best. He was definitely going to avenge this insult.

***

Outside the office, Sally felt like slapping herself. She hurried to her office with the files and gently smacked her lips. "Oh! I did it again! I can't keep my mouth shut. Why? I just got this job after searching for so long, and I really want to keep it." Frowning, she got to work immediately.

At lunchtime, she set her work aside and went to the cafeteria. She ordered a light meal and moved to an empty table to eat. Since she did not know anyone yet and had not made any new friends, she hoped to meet some in the coming days. She noticed a group of ladies staring harshly at her from a distance and wondered why.

A shy young man with glasses walked up to her, a plate of food in his hands. "Hey, mind if I sit here?"

Sally smiled. "Sure."

He sat down and noticed that she was glancing at the women who were staring at her and gossiping harshly.

The man smiled back. "My name is Derick. I work in the finance department. Do not mind them; they are staring and gossiping because they are jealous of you."

"Jealous?" Sally asked.

"Yeah. You came in, and the first thing you got was an office next to the boss, given to you specially by his grandmother. That office was meant for the deputy managing director, and we have not had one since the big argument in this company."

"I see. I want to hear more about it. Tell me everything." Sally was really enjoying the gossip. As Derick shared the details, her delight grew. She had finally made her first friend in the Perfect White Group of Companies.

***

After lunch, Sally headed back to her office, humming a song as she opened the door. She almost stumbled when she saw her boss, Edmund, sitting in her chair.

He noticed her surprise and chuckled. "You did take a while," he said. "Is this how competently you do your job?"