The sound of keyboards was heard all throughout the room. The summer is coming in fast and the days are getting busier. Pages of paper lay sprawled on my desk consisting of proposals and plans that was needed today. It was only 6:00 am and I still have long way to go. My job was hard and the ringing of telephones and shuffling feet weren't doing me any good. I have no office of my own because I can't think properly when I'm on an enclosed space. I also don't intend to complain because I know all of us are going through the same ordeal. I sighed and slumped on my seat. The day had just started but I am already close to collapsing. I was about to reach for my pen when the doors of the elevator opened.
A woman stepped out. All noises seized. A whip couldn't have done better to silence the room. The only sound that was heard was her shoes colliding with the marble floor. It was Merrylia Selene Desilvia, my boss. In every step she took, fear and awe made the room go still. Her dark eyes swept over the office and men and women alike threw themselves into their work, terrified of that haunting abyss that stared deep into their weak selves. She made her way to my desk and I instantly held my breath.
I have huge respect for women, mostly because all of my siblings are members of the fairer sex, leaving me and my father as the only men in the house. But my boss is the epitome of intimidation, she did not only crave for respect but also terror. She made sure to embed it on my head on the very first day she hired me. I immediately stood upright, ignoring the pain on my back.
"Good morning, Ms. Desilvia." I greeted her. She nodded in response.
"What is my schedule for today?"
"Here Ma'am," I said as I handed her the piece of paper. "The CEO of the Wilfred enterprises also asked me to give you this invitation for their coming Anniversary celebration." I handed her the blue invitation card. She took it from my hands proceeded to her office, reading the invitation. She was already at her door when stopped and called me.
"Mr. Loward, please come into my office."
I stood up and walked to her, trying to act as calm as possible. I was about to open the door for her when she held the knob and went in by herself. She settled herself on her leather chair and looked at me. I froze on my spot.
"This event will happen three days from now, am I correct?"
"Yes, Ma'am." She furrowed her brows a little, attracting my gaze to her eyes. She took a deep breath and looked at me in the eye, causing me to flinch. She leaned towards her desk, steepling her fingers as if in a deep thought.
"Do you have something important to do on that day?" She asked monotonously.
"No Ma'am, I don't."
"Well then, you should come with me." The moment those words left her mouth, my eyes went wide with shock. My throat dried and my lips parted. I felt my legs stiffen and my body straightened even more. Goliath couldn't have moved me from my position.
"Excuse me Ma'am, c—could you repeat what you just said?" Despite being flabbergasted, I was able to force the words from my lips. Slowly, she stretched her lips into lopsided smile. It didn't look very kind.
"I want you to come with me. You're observant, you will be able to keep an eye on my business rivals. An innocent—looking man like you won't be suspected of doing anything out of the ordinary." She said, sending chills down my spine.
"But Ma'am, that event is a celebration, these acts—"
"In the world of business, even a church could be a place of war. Mr. Wilfred and I do not have anything in between us. Not even so much as a colleague. We have nothing in common except the fact that we run the same business. This world is filled with opportunist and manipulative people. Just because I'm a woman doesn't mean I can't be the same as them. After all, how can i join in if I don't play the same game as them. The devil had once been an angel, Mr. Loward. Don't be fooled by bright smiles and friendly conversations. They are all jackals hunting everywhere not minding which territory they step on. Let's hope they know how it feels to be hunted."
Suddenly my reluctance was replaced by excitement. I'm about to put my abilities to the test.
"As you wish, Ma'am. Is there anything else?"
"Yes. Tell Mr. Marcus to come up here. We have some matters to discuss." I nodded my head politely and headed out to the door.
On the way to the lobby, I met Jenna on the way. She flashed a smile at me and I returned it. I turned away quickly, knowing she would strike a conversation I might end up struggling to get out of without offending her. She has the habit of prolonging a topic when I have so much to do, wasting my much needed time. Merrylia wasn't one to appreciate tardiness and procrastination, and I had no intention of revealing how much of an understatement it is.
I reached the elevator and once I was inside, I closed the door immediately. When the door parted, the lobby came into view and I spotted Mr. Marcus near the bathroom. I went over to him and patted his shoulder.
"Mr. Marcus." He turned to me and gave a bright smile that brightened his face, almost making the scar that ran on his cheek unnoticeable.
"Mr. Loward! Good morning. What brings you here?" His pale blue eyes was filled with lightness as he spoke politely, a trait most maintenance guy do not posses. He also moved with grace, his back ram—rod straight and his chin up, making him quite an eye catcher for the older employees.
"Ms. Desilvia requests your presence in her office." I informed him, mirroring the politeness he displayed.
He chuckled lightly and nodded, setting aside the large tool box he was carrying.
"Very well then, I should get going; the boss is not a fan of tardiness." He gave me a knowing smile and went upstairs.