16 Choice

I have been working in the Firm for almost 5 years now, 3 years of that from being Alexanders assistant.

And the changes was very clear to me.

The whispers, murmurs, and the sudden head turn if I look at them. My colleagues looked at me as if I did something so awful to them. Some are just curious, but some glares at me as if their incompetence is because of me. I could hear them gossips loudly, as if I'm not their.

After Alexander talked to me, our boss, Mr. Finn called me to his office.

After knocking on his door, I heard his voice outside;

"Come in."

"Good Afternoon Mr. Finn, you called for me?" I said while coming in.

"Yes, I did Emma. Sit. I need to talk to you", he pointed at the chairs in front of his desk then he sat opposite of me.

He started talking;

"Emma, you have been a good asset of this company, that I am very thankful to you."

"Its my pleasure sir, I love this Firm." I answered with sincerity.

"I know you do Emma, you have shown that to us for the last 2 years now. You have been very driven and your work has impress a lot of clients.... But, there are things that cannot be avoided in every work place. And because of that I have to let you go." He said while looking at me seriously.

"Your firing me Sir?!" I said almost shouting with a shocked face. 'No! this cant be happening!' I thought while looking at Mr. Finn.

Then he shook his head and said, "Of course not Emma, you overthinking things. I am not firing you."

"But you said your letting me go?" I asked nervously.

"What I meant is, I cant keep you in here Emma, this is the headquarters of F&B and I dont have full control over this office. Mr. Buchanan have shared of his displeasure about you."

"But Sir, you have never shown me impartial favors. What I achieved was because I worked for it. I even look for clients myself on my own just to have projects. And all of those are small ones not big projects. I did not receive big projects from the firm. I'm just a Junior Architect...…" As I continue my rumbling, Mr. Finn interrupted me;

"Emma, I know what you did. How you strive to improve your work. The effort you put into it. The result is great, amazing even, but people tend to get jealous and envy that, specially if they see someone thrive more than them, like you." He continue;

"And they look for reasons to blame on your success, to cover their incompetence. And because of you relationship with Alexander, they used that as a reason to put dirt in your name. Emma, this is the real world. And most of them are well connected to Mr. Buchanan. And I would have gladly helped you, but as I have said before, I don't have full control over this office."

I just nod while listening to him with a sadden face.

"I cant help you here Emma, If I give you a promotion a year from now it would be very justified, your projects have been very successful. But I cant give you that Emma, Mr. Buchanan would never allow it. And I cant do anything about it."

"As I see it, if you stay here, It would take 8 - 10 years before I can give you anything, and even I'm still not sure if I can give you that. But if you go and join a branch firm, base on you track record you can be a senior architect within 2-3 years. This is the only thing I can offer you Emma."

"You have a choice, if you want to stay you can, but it will limit and constrict your improvement Emma. Or, you can join any branch. You can choose anywhere. There's Washington, Chicago, New York, Florida, and Louisiana. Its you pick Emma. Whatever you choose."

"Can I come back to you on than Sir?" I said hesitantly. I don't really know what to do. I'm so confuse!

"Of course, just come to my office if you have decided. I hope you choose wisely."

I left his office full of doubt.