Lennox stepped into his office, stopping in his tracks as he noticed that everything had been cleaned and arranged. A strawberry smoothie graced the center of his, with an energy bar. The review of the financial reports was placed neatly on his desk, she had highlighted all the important details making it a lot easier. He looked around for the phone he had smashed, searching the waste bin but coming up with nothing.
He stepped towards his desk, picking up the paper underneath the smoothie.
Dear sir.
Don't worry about the phone, I already got a new one. The smoothie is to make your day brighter and enjoy the additional snack. I already reviewed the report, so that's cleared off your schedule for today. Have a nice day sir Lennox Ray".
Your assistant.
Lennox read and read it again, remembering the day before, how he'd shouted at her and smashed her phone. He felt horrible, even tho he'd been at breaking point, his head on the verge of exploding, he shouldn't have taken his anger out on the girl. She was just trying to do her job, and everything had been so hectic that she might've forgotten to mute her phone. He didn't know why his temper always flared up at the littlest thing she did. He took a deep breath, running his hands through his hair, even the chamomile tea hadn't been helping his sleep, not when nightmares plagued all his sleeping hours. He sat down taking up the report, reading through the simplified version of what would have been a rigorous hour of studying. Fine, I'll let her take care of this. Just this. He muttered to himself, the worried line on his forehead disappearing.
******
The workers walked in, noticing that Sophia was already at her desk. Kyle was the first to approach her, dropping a chocolate bar on her desk.
"Hey badass, hang in there ok. You can do this". He whispered, smiling brightly. Sophia nodded, picking up the offering.
"I'll make sure to enjoy this... Thanks".
Kyle nodded, walking back to his seat and almost colliding with Tzuyu who was also on her way to Sophia's desk. They greeted each other awkwardly, before proceeding to their destination.
Tzuyu dropped a cup of coffee on Sophia's desk, looking anywhere but her.
"Have that and work harder. If Mr. Lennox screams at you again, just scream back ok". She walked off before Sophia could offer her thanks.
Sophia watched Tzuyu go, a glow spreading through her making her feel good. Tzuyu loved to act like she didn't care, she also got a nasty attitude, but Sophia's figured that it was just her coping mechanism, a part of who she was. She lived to protect herself.
Sophia shrugged, printing up the files that they would for the meeting they had by midday. Her eyes strayed onto the red buzzer on her desk, waiting for it to make a sound, but nothing happened. Was he seriously going to be a jerk and not apologize? She watched him through the glass that separated the office, the binds were drawn up. He was busy typing on his computer, sipping on the smoothie.
"Gosh, that freaking jerk". She turned back to her task with a vengeance, glaring at the computer like it was the culprit.
*******
Sana parked her hair up, tying it in a knot, as she stared at the long line of people waiting to buy the new gold watches that had been produced recently by Diego Franco, the game developer. The watches that got to their region were just five, so everyone had rushed to the only store that had it, 'everyone' meaning, the game addicts. Sana craned her neck as she watched the campers who were waiting, eager to be the ones to get their hands on the watches. She didn't care about how many days they'd had to camp out to get their hands on it because she had to have one of those watches, come rain or shine. One of those watches will be mine_ for my boss, plainly saying. She craned her neck, counting those ahead of her on her fingers... They were too much. She needed to reduce the line before the store opened. Sana took out her phone, calling her accomplice.
"Lyka, where the heck are you, we have just an hour left, and I'm number fifteen. You won't get your pay if I don't get that watch got it". She warned, listening to Lyka's suffering sigh.
"Calm down. I'm just around the corner. I just need to get the rest of the stuff".
"Well hurry. The sun is going to burn soon".
"Fine. I'll be there, stop making such a fuss, I'm trying to help you". She ended the call.
Sana didn't wait for long as Lyka appeared, disguised as a lady distributing snacks for taste, with a little made-up story that it was for her small-scale business. The people standing were hungry, so they eagerly took what was offered, except for Sana who winked at Lyka when she passed her. Lyka left after she was through. Sana watched them, counting the remaining minutes it would take for the store to open. She got nervous when everyone remained where they were. She was just going to give up when they all started rushing out of line to the toilet. By the time the store opened, she was the only one standing. She smiled, walking in like a queen. She got in, and pointed to one of the watches, presenting her boss card.
She walked out of the store with a smile on her face, as the others struggled past her like zombies to get in.
*********
LC.
Oliver gushed over the watch, kissing every edge. Sana watched with a frown. He turned to face her, a blinding grin on his face, his deep dimples more prominent.
"You're just the best Sana, this is the ultimate treasure. I'm going to add it to my collection later, it will take its rightful place amidst all my artifacts."
Sana cleared her throat. "I'm glad you like it, sir Oliver, do you need me to get you anything else".
"I'll search on the internet". He paid her no attention, as he inspected the watch.
"And what about the competition?". She asked. The question seemed to sour his mood. He dropped the watch carelessly, making Sana flinch.
"Fuck that competition, we always lose in everything so why should we even try at all".
Sana prayed internally for strength. "But if we lose, we're done. Mr. Lennox is going to replace you". She got out calmly.
Oliver shrugged non-committal. " Then I guess he should start looking for a replacement, cause I hate working for that asshole anyway, nothing ever pleases him, aish, it's so suffocating".
Sana's heart thumped in her ears from her rising anger, but she managed to quell it as she took in a deep breath.
"You do realize how lame you sound right now sir Oliver" she gritted out, fighting a losing battle.
Oliver raised an eyebrow. "I give you too much liberty Sana, you're starting to get disrespectful". His voice was amused, which made Sana's temper snap.
"I get you everything you need, anytime you need it with no fuss, I'm the only one who can tolerate your childish behavior, and your obsession with video games, so can you just stop being selfish for once and help us win this competition, you might not want to work with Mr. Lennox, but I do, I need that money, sir Oliver". She rushed out, her voice rising. Oliver looked somber, seating up quickly.
"Geez, Sana. Can you calm down, when you shout and rush your words like that, I do not catch anything, but I see you're upset".
"Of course I'm upset... Can you just let us work together for once" she begged. Oliver seemed to consider.
"Fine. On one condition". Sana nodded quickly. "You have to get me something". He said, his face serious.
"Well I've gotten you everything you needed so far, what more can you possibly want that I can't give you".
He deadpans. "A girlfriend".
Sana's head throbbed. "A what... I've gotten you a lot of girlfriends already, but when you break their hearts because you're such a dick, it's me they come after, and it's usually life-threatening, I almost got killed by your ex just two months back".
"Sob story Sana. If you want me to help you and me get promoted, you have to give me what I want".
"You're going to make me do all the work either way and now you're threatening me". She asked unbelievably.
"As I said, I'm ready to get fired, you're not, which is not my problem".
Sana clenched her pad, wrinkling the pages.
"Fine. I'll get you a girlfriend, but you'll have to play your part in the competition... You'll have to do what I say".
He cocked his head, grinning. "Yes boss" he teased, but Sana just glared at him. "You're no fun. I've just been lonely these past months, everything feels boring, you know how that feels right?". He asked, making puppy eyes.
"Yeah". She got out tightly. I hope you stay lonely forever for what you're doing to me. She thought as she walked towards her desk. It was just her luck to be stuck with a temper throwing, item hoarding, and plain childish boss who needed to grow the fuck up.