New Teammates.

Desdra stormed into the office with that raging temper of hers and went straight to a medium height guy with sharp eyes that looked bolder with his sunshades on.

"Michael Brooks! You fool, what did I say about hiring that good for nothing idiot, Clarissa?. Huh!" Her eyes looked like they would spew out fire.

Michael turned his seat to face her, taking his shades off. "And good morning to you too, Desdra Santiago--"

"--oh shut the fuck up!" Desdra barked. "I made it clear not to hire her. Why is she here now??"

Michael got up coolly. A sigh escaped his lips. "Dear Desdra, like I said, I'm not the boss. The hiring manager--"

"--fuck you, fuck the hiring manager." She needed to calm down but her whole body was shaking now. Why would Clarissa be in the same company as her?? "Clarissa, I know her. She's not good for the company. She has bad luck surrounding her, okay? My brother just barely escaped her ill luck, same as me. But now, you've just brought her back to corrupt me with her filth!"

"Listen, I had no say in this. You already know that. I do what I can, give you slots and infos, but the final say is not in my hands." Michael tried to explain.

"Is she that terrible?" One of the ladies beside Desdra, the one with the short hair said.

"She is worse than I can explain, Tania. She is far worse than that." Desdra replied without glancing at her friend. "Which was why I explained to this furbrain over here not to hire her. But look at the mess he's made now."

Orange hair girl, Maria jumped forward and grabbed Desdra's shoulders firmly, ignoring her stern cold look. "Don't worry, Desdra. We will protect you. You don't have to worry about her or anyone. That's what friends do, alright?"

Desdra pushed Maria off her and the lady crashed hitting her butt on the floor as winced in pain. She always hated both ladies following her about like a bee, but she still needed them to run errands for her.

"Oh sorry, dear. Did I push you too much?" Desdra pretended. "By the way, Michael, this girl has to go. It's not a wish, it's a command."

Michael got up now, slowly and calmly. Desdra hated the way he acted now. A couple of months back, she pulled some strings that promoted him to the assistant hiring manager. 

He walked over to her, his height matching hers, though Desdra stood a bit taller. "Last I remember, you're not the boss of me."

Maria had gotten up now and hurried to shout at Michael but he easily pushed her away with one hand again, his gaze not leaving Desdra's.

"So you've suddenly forgotten?" Desdra scoffed. "I made you who you are now. And I can take it all away, you moron."

Michael wasn't holding back. "Oh love, I'd love to see you try. By the way, I need your sorry asses out of my office now. My boss, Tony, will be back soon."

"So now you're cowering under his feet like the pussy you are?" Desdra said. Maria and Tania were behind her now.

"Maybe you once mattered, but now, you're nothing to me, Desdra. Look around." He spread his arms out like wings. "Have you seen how hot Clarissa is? Plus, she must be smart too. And have the higher ups backing her. Now, wouldn't it be nice if I got closer to someone like that? You're old and have expired.  Look for somebody new to kiss your ass because I'm done. Literally."

Desdra's face reddened, first from embarrassment and then anger. She slapped Michael hard on the cheeks.  

"You watch that damn tongue of yours." She warned.

"Whatever you say, la Chica." Michael smirked. The truth was that Desdra had been a sweet lady when they first met, though he was beginning to think she had always been a great pretender. They used to have a secret only sex relationship outside of work but he was already in love with her. 

*

*

Clarissa was led towards a huge space where she would be meeting her teammates. She couldn't deny it but excitement filled her lungs. So that was it. After Desdra's attempts to turn her into a jobless woman, she would become a staff of Smithons at last. Her dream company! 

With a determined face, she walked in. She would save up a lot and become as rich as her friends have been. Clarissa was no longer the poor useless orphan Jared had mistaken her for. She would show him now that she could...

"Hello everyone, here's Clarissa Hart. Your new member." The guy that led her to the office announced like he had been doing that a hundred times and was bored. He was even glaring at his phone without raising his head up.

Clarissa stood up high, ready to meet her teammates. But then...

"You? Wow, you even followed me here." Liam remarked, hands in his pockets as his brows furrowed. 

Clarissa nearly dropped her tongue in surprise. What was he doing here!

"Are you okay? You seem to be limping. I noticed earlier too." Liam asked. He was walking closer to her but Clarissa took a big step back. 

"I'm fine!" She screeched. What was this man doing here with his handsome face? Clarissa frowned hard. She had to be strong and focused if she wanted to achieve her goals here. No distractions at all. 

The guy who brought her in turned and left. Clarissa had to take in a minute to gather herself. "Hello everyone, it's an honor to work with you. I'm Clarissa Hart, and I will do my best--"

"--princess, it's just me in here." Liam cut her off with a smothering look. 

Clarissa looked around and saw that it had only been Liam! The seats were empty, arranged in the center of the wide office. A total of four, facing desks that accumulated piles of documents. Maybe it was the coats hanging on the chair she saw, or...was she just stupid?

She cleared her throat. "Sorry. I mean, well, nice to officially meet you. And I, um,"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk," Liam shook his head. "I get it. You're excited. But trust me, you'll give up soon. You want some?" He was raising up a bottle of something that looked like tiny sweets. "They're called Chin Chin, a dessert from Nigeria, Google it. See, I know a guy."

The door opened before Clarissa could even start to wrap her brain around what he'd just said, and a man walked in alongside a woman. She looked beautiful with her long black hair spilling down her back. The man was certainly familiar. He blinked as he saw her.

"Oh, you. I offered you help, lady. But you rejected my offer and went ahead with this playboy over here. Just because what? I'm not young and rich as him?"

The woman beside him folded her hands beneath her breast and smiled. "Try this. Because you're not half as handsome as Liam is. And smart too."

The older man gritted his teeth. Liam stepped forward. "Clarissa, this is Mrs Stella Bray, and Mr. Denis Hunter. Mrs Stella is the team leader."

Clarissa stood up straight, making her voice bold as she could. "Hello everyone. I'm Clarissa Hart, and um, pleasure working with you all!" She tried to sound as excited, but also normal as possible. If only they could hear how loud her heart was pounding with excitement. 

Their phone beeped and Stella frowned. "There's a meeting." She announced. 

Clarissa noticed they all checked their phones. "We should add you to the group soon, Clarissa." Stella said to her.

"A meeting?" Clarissa repeated. 

Liam groaned out in detest. "I hope it's not this dumb ass CEO?"

"Stop it, Liam. Why'd you even hate him this much?" Stella frowned. 

"Technically, there's nothing to like about him." Denis stepped forward. 

The way they both frowned made Clarissa wonder just who the CEO was?