Blowing heads off...

ARIANA

"Ariana?"

"Yes!" I answered.

"It's almost time." Mrs Jade reminded me and I took in a huge amount of air.

It's been two weeks since the...you know but here i am again, facing the Chief boss and the management for my departmental speech.

Damn...why am I always so unlucky?

It's happened like this, we were to give a summary of what we've achieved and the goals we are setting for the sales department to the management. All of us couldn't speak so Mrs. Andrew, our sales manager suggested we write the roles in small paper and rolled it into tiny bit.

Unlucky me, picked the speech giver. Imagine! Out of all the roles i could have picked, i picked that sh*t!

"You ready?" Ashley questioned me, sensing my nervousness.

Yep! We've put the past behind us. I made amends a week after the incident and she accepted my apology on a condition of me calling her by her first name.

So no more Miss. Clark

"Hm " I nodded.

"You can do it bae." She squeezed my head reassuringly and I nodded.

"It's time." Mrs. Andrew announced.

"Go blow everyone away."

I nodded, took a calming breath and stepped into the conference room.

As i stepped forward, my gaze dropped and I adjusted the miniature microphone already nestled in my ear. I turned to the screen beside me and looked at my already prepared analysis.

"Erm..Good..." My voice drained and I swallowed nothing as my head darted around the faces I would be speaking to.

My hands trembled when I realized all eyes were on me.

What if I make a mistake? What if....

"Ariana?" I heard SG's voice echoing in my head and i immediately took a deep breath, calming my quivering nerves.

'I can do it.'

"Good morning everyone, my name is Ariana Gwen from the sales department." I started with gaze fixed at the ceiling. "Since the last report was given, we've made...."

*

"Wow!" Mrs Jade acclaimed as she open the bottle of champagne in front of her. "You did it, Ariana."

"Uh huh." I shook my head negatively. "We did it. I didn't write the speech on my own. We wrote it together, as a group." I explained, grinning from ear to ear.

"You don't have to be so humble." Miss. Stefani scoffed with a roll of her eyes but no one paid attention to her words.

She's like everyone's nemesis.

"Glass up." Mrs. Andrew poured champagne into everyone's glass and everyone clicked glasses before taking a sip.

"You gave the speech like a pro. seriously babe, you're the boss!" Ashley screamed, walking to my seat with her glass on her hand.

Mrs. Andrew nodded in agreement. "Exactly! It's been ages since we've gotten this kind of financial support from the management, they always giving us cheap change but you...the way you conducted your speech blew the management off their seat."

Everyone burst into tears of laughter.

"Even Chief boss applauded...damn! That's like a trophy already." Mr. Jeter, the sale consultant added.

"Gosh..." My cheek reddened. "You guys' making me blush."

"You deserve everything." Ashley told me with a large grin.

"Hmmm....mmm...mmm...." I cleared my throat and took a sip from my glass. "Look, let's just pop the champagne and get back to our work before Mr. Dan comes here."

Mr. Dan is our supervisor and that man is damn strict...like seriously!

"Now you sound like Mr. Dan." Mrs. Andrew groaned and everyone burst into laughter.

I shook my head negatively. "Nah. Nah. Nah, i don't."

"Yes, you did." Ashley supported Mrs. Andrew statement. "Mr Dan's always like this 'get back to work' and you just sounded like him."

"Exactly! He's no fun." Mr. Douglas added.

"But i..i am fun." I stuttered, astonished at their allegations.

"You are..." Mrs. Andrew nodded but muttered. "Sometimes."

"Sometimes?" I gasped in shock.

"Yeah. You don't party like we do. The last get-together we had, you weren't even present." Ashley explained.

"But..." I paused and quickly thought of the reason I couldn't attend. "Yeah, i remember! That day was a Sunday and the next day would be a Monday. If i attended, I would definitely have been late to work." I explained.

"Oh please spare me that bullshit." Miss. Stefani intruded into our conversation with a roll of her eyes as she strutted in front of me. "Just say you're don't hang out with misfits like us." She jeered disdainfully.

"Oh God!" I sighed heavily, falling into the closet chair.

Why does this chick always have something against me?

How could i willingly get into hot water, when i just got out of an even hotter water?

I'm very certain if i came late that day, Mr Ross would have fired me without batting an eyelash.

I sighed loudly.

"Knock it off, Gabby!" Ashley rebuked, sticking up for me. "Not everyone shares your delinquency gene."

"What does that mean?" Miss. Stefani sneered, furiously slamming her hands on my desk and but Ashley didn't even flinch an inch.

Damn...this is escalating.

"Oh! You know exactly what i mean." Ashley grinned ignominiously.

"Sorry Gabby, but I'm so idle to spend all day arguing with you. So, I'm outta here."

"Am idle?" Ashley scorned with a smirk on her lips and Miss. Stefani nodded prancing to her seat.

"Everyone knows that." She mumbled as she placed her ass on the chair and reclined like a boss lady.

Finally! Peace...

"Ahhhaahaa...haahahaha....." Ashley cackled uncontrollably. "Says the slothful mistress." Ashley also mumbled and pranced to her seat.

Oh geez! Why did she speak?

"What did you just say? FYI, I'm not lazy neither am I a mistress." Miss. Stefani stated with a smirk. "So I won't argue with you."

"Oh!" Ashley feigned bewilderment. "Am sorry, I forget...you're only idle but also a cheap mistress." Ashley gasped before bursting into laughter.

"Hey! Watch your language, lady." Miss. Stefani sneered and rose from seat hastily.

"That's enough for t..." Mrs. Andrew tried intervening but was cut off politely by Ashley.

"Please Mrs. Andrew, I need to put to this cheap chick in her place." Ashley gave Mrs. Andrew a smile before she spun back to her nemesis. "Why should i? I'm just tryna to be truthful"

"How dare you, bitch?" Miss. Stefani cursed, glaring daggers at Ashley.

"Ashley please..." I pleaded with my eyes but Ashley didn't even spare me a glance.

"That exactly what you are, a bitch, a call girl."

"What did you just say?" Miss Gabby gritted her teeth angrily.

"Stop!" Mrs. Andrew yelled. "You guys should stop this."

"I should stop?" Miss. Stefani yelled back at Mrs Andrew. "After she called me a call girl. Uh? No, answer me!"

"I didn't ask you to try seducing Mr Ramos, you know, he's my cousin." She blunted and everyone gasped.

Wow! I didn't know she was related to someone in the company.

'you know nothing' my subconscious reminded me.

"And.." She continued. "He told me how you, a jezebel, came to him and told him how good you could make him feel..."

"Liar!" Miss Gabby retorted. "Why would I have ever talk to that idiot? He's like below my standard."

"Oh! I remember, after he turned you down, you increased your wretched standard to Mr. Dan. I saw you trying to seduce him, just the same you tried to seduce Mr. Jeffery Ross."

Damn...

Everyone gasped loudly, finding it hard to believe.

"Do you know why she got demoted from being Mr. Jeffery's secretary cuz she tried undressing...."

"Ashley!" Miss. Stefani screamed, shutting her up. "Am gonna kill you." Her entire body shivered in great wrath.

"Wait... I didn't know your p*ssy was also capable of killing, i thought it only like Rich man's big c*ck...."

""Oh gawd!" Miss. Stefani dashed towards Ashley, alarm etched on her face. She tackled Ashley, yanking her hair violently.

"Ow! Get off!" Ashley shrieked, struggling to shake Miss. Stefani off. "Let go!" She retaliated, clutching Miss. Stefani's hair.

"Crap!" I muttered under my breath. "This is all my fault." I rushed to joined the separating squad.

"What's going on?" A strong, resonant voice thundered.

All heads swiveled towards the voice and we all became frozen

"They're so f**kind dead..." I muttered.

"I asked a question." Mr. Dan added and Mrs. Andrew immediately ran up to him and explained or cooked a story up.

I don't know which of them she did.

"Follow me Miss. Clark and Miss. Stefani." He called out immediately Mrs. Andrew lips halted movement. He turned to leave but abruptly halted. "And you too, Miss. Gwen." He added and walked out of the office, followed by the people he called.

Did I hear him properly?

"Wait...what? Me..me too?" My eyes dilated and promptly, I walked up to Mrs. Andrew giving her a questioning look.

"I didn't mention your name!" She shouted unexpectedly, raising her hands up. "I just told him what happened."

"So? So why me?"

"That's left for you to find out. That's not on me." She told me.

"It's can't be something bad." Mr. Douglas assured me. "Don't worry! Yah a wonderful staff."

I nodded slowly and trudged grumpily to Mr Dan's office.

What have I done?

As I tried to knock on Mr. Dan's office door but it pushed open and Miss. Stefani stepped out, followed by Ashley and they don't look happy, at all.

It's time for me to meet my own fate.

"Come in." Mr Dan's voice snapped me out of my daze.

I nodded and sauntered to his front. I stared at his face, trying to read his expression but I got nothing.

"You may be seated." He said and I took my seat in front of him.

"Good afternoon sir." I greeted. "You called for me."

"Yes!" He nodded and lifted his intense gaze on me while I tapped my legs nervously with my face lowered to the ground. "I just wanted to felicitate you for your hard work."

"My hard work?" I questioned confusedly without lifting my gaze to him.

"Yes!" He answered and i gave him a quick glance to see his expression...maybe he's kidding me buh nah, he looked dead serious. "Your diligent practice towards your speech, beautiful." He said sycophantically.

"But sir, I only read what I was given. It was a joint work." I explained, wanting no glory meant for everyone.

"No, it wasn't. I read the booklet given to you and it was total bullshit, it was even absolutely different from what you said."

"It wasn't actually bullshit, sir." I stated defending my team. "I just added and subtracted somethings, every other things were the same, sir!"

"Relax." He whispered with a mischievous tone and I immediately felt awkward. "Is it so bad to recognize your efforts?"

"It is sir, when you speak badly of my team." I explained.

"Okay!" He surrendered. "Well-done. Keep up the good work."

I only nodded and said without hesitation. "Can I go now?"

His presence cringes me.

"Calm down baby girl. Why're you such in a hurry?"

Baby girl??

My head lifted up sequentially as those words fell from his mouth.

A small smile was lurking at the corner of his lips. "I got your message, sweetheart." He added.

I gloared in confusion. Message??

"What message?" I questioned.

And why the heck is he calling me those names? I thought they said he was so rigid and he loathes any form of formality...

"You know exactly what I mean, love." He uttered endearingly and rose to his feet.

"Sir, I don't get y...."

"Shhh...." He shushed me and sauntered closer to me. "You don't need to pretend bae, no one's here."

He plopped down on his desk, right in front of me, and stared down at me, making me feel super awkward. I attempted to create distance by shifting my chair backwards, but he swiftly grasped it and pulled the chair with me on it, closer to him.

What's this man saying?

"Your behavior around me speaks volumes." He muttered staring into my eyes while I tried processing all the bollocks falling from his lips.

"I'm confused sir. I'd appreciate of you could explain yourself, sir? And could you please give me some space, sir."

"Never mind. Just know that I see right through it." He grinned.

Has this man being high before in his past life?

"I know you've been trying to get my attention since you got into this company...."

Wait...did I just hear the word 'his attention'? Maybe he's talking about something else.

"Did you just say I'm trying get your attention, sir?" I asked in confirmation.

"From the moment you stepped into my office, I knew you were interested."

"That's absurd! You completely misread the situation"

"I don't think so. Your action speaks louder than words, love."

"That's sexual harassment! I'm reporting this."

"Who would you report to? The police? The CEO? Who?"

"This is wrong. I need to leave, sir." I attempted to stand but he pushed me back to the chair.

"You don't need to pretend."

I burst into laughter...this people, in this company, never cease to amaze me. First, the rules. Now, this...

"You're so hilarious." I guffawed, clapping my hands together dramatically.

"I know. Isn't that why you've been trying to make me yours?"

"That's enough!" I thundered, my expression switching immediately to a furious one.

"Move!" I dropped all the honorific and glared daggers into his eyes.

How dare he? How dare he think that I...I, Ariana would ever try to seduce him? God forbid!

"What if I don't?" He grinned annoyingly and moved even more closer to me, licking his ugly lips.

"I warned you." I mouthed, raising my knee to his joystick and immediately, he cried and hurriedly moved backward, glaring at me with pain in his eyes.

I warned him.

With his face twisted in pain and discomfort, he glared. "How dare you?"

"How dare me?" I yelled furiously, slamming my hand on the desk and he flinched. "You, Dan's pretty funny. I should ask you that question." I rose from the chair and he shifted backward.

I glared at him, disgust etched on my face. "Get out of your delusional world." My voice dripped with malice. "You think you're worthy of my attention? Ridiculous!" I spat to his stupid face and stood upright.

His face contorted in amusement. "You don't have to pretend, I know you tried sending Chief boss but got rejected, but now you're after me."

I chuckled darkly at his stupid excuse. "You're so delusional! You're not even worthy of my attention."

He charged towards me and I retreated, heart racing. Fear trembled through me.

"I'll have you." He declared and my hands shook, betraying my calm but I immediately hid then behind and steeled myself.

I marched towards him, my face twisted in anger and he recoiled, startled but quickly stood his ground. "I don't bloody care! Next time you try this rubbish, you'll regret it." A sinister grin spread across my face.

I strode to the door, head held high. As i tried to pull the door open, he yelled. "I'll make your life miserable! I always get what I want."

I turned around and giggled malevolently. "Bring it on."

As I exited his office, I glared at him with contempt dripping from my eyes.

As soon as I slammed the door, my wall of defense came crashing down mightily on the floor and I staggered, losing my balance. My back hit the wall and my body quivered in fright, my concealed tears erupted from my eyes in great speed.

"Owwwahhh..." I cried, pressing my lips together. "Ca...ca..calm down...you're s..safe now Ari...Ari...calm....breath...." Trying to control my uneven breath, I mumbled to myself.

"Ca...l...m....." I took in a heavy breath. "Nothing gonna happen." I told myself and cleaned my tears. "You're strong." I nodded and walked straight to the elevator with my downcast head.

"He can't do nothing." I muttered to myself.

As the elevator doors slid open, I trudged in, my gaze fixed on the ground. "Gonna be fine, right?" I mumbled to myself.

I stepped deeper into the elevator, seeking solace. But my peace was short-lived as I sensed someone standing close to me.

I thought I was alone. Can't I just be alone for a second?

Sighing heavily, I turned to whosoever it was. "Am s...." I started but my words fell back into my oesophagus and I swallowed nothing, my eyes dilating in great shock.

"I apologized sir, I didn't realize you were here." I stepped back, scrunching up my face and shutting my eyes with my head hung.

Why me?

He let out a disdainful snort. "You didn't know, huh?" His voice sent chills down my spine, just like the first time.

"Yes sir, I didn't."

"Indeed" Mr Jeffery muttered and I swallowed nothing.

I remained in that same position, even when the elevator opened and he stepped out.

"Cut the act, harlot." He muttered underneath but my ears caught his words.

His harsh word stirred me and I jerked my head up.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I shot back, storming out of the elevator.