Fined Thousands for Water

I just closed a deal worth 50 million. The room did its job, so I went to the reception to check out, and I got myself a bottle of water worth 2 dollars.

That very same day, I got an email from the company accusing me of misusing company funds. They canceled three months' worth of KPI from my records and fined me 5,000 dollars. I ignored that, thinking that it was a mistake some new guy in finance made.

When I went to work the next day, my access card was denied. It was canceled. I couldn't even get into the building.

Furious, I called my CEO fiance, but his secretary took the call instead. "How many times do I have to tell you to follow the rules when it comes to money? Did you tell finance about that bottle of water? No? Then that's against the rules! Everyone else follows the rules, so why can't you? You're a veteran!"

The CEO chimed in, "Christina, you're a veteran of the company. You must be an example. You're not allowed back to work until you finish your 8000-word reflection and read it out loud at the all-employee meeting!"

They tossed the phone aside, and a moment later, moans of delight and passion traveled through the air.

Stone-faced, I hung up and called our competitor's CEO. "I've got a 50-million-dollar deal and a sales manager who just got fired for you. Are you taking that deal?"

Good Offer

"Yes, of course I'm taking that deal! In fact, if you work for the company, you can have my job! I'll be your assistant!"

Liam Ferguson's excitement was oozing through the screen. I could imagine him jumping with joy as we spoke.

A smile curled my lips. "I'll triple your company's value in a year. Ferguson Group will overtake Shawlesque Group as Riveropolis' top pharmaceutical company."

"Hold on, Christina. I need to confirm this. You're sure this isn't a round of Truth or Dare you lost?" Liam asked.

"You're hopelessly in love with Anthony. The whole city knows you simp for him hard. You're practically famous for that. If you hadn't single-handedly saved his company, he'd be broke at this point."

That wiped the smile off my face. It was replaced by something colder, something that froze even my heart.

Anthony Shawlesque was my childhood friend. We were each other's first love. He might be cold and aloof and loved to embarrass me right in front of everyone, but I tolerated him. I thought love mattered most.

Three years ago, his company fell into dire straits. Insolvency was looming. I did everything I could to help Anthony without him even asking. I spent money, effort, and connections to bring his company back from the brink.

Everyone told me that Anthony was indebted to me his whole life and then some. Then here came the twist.

Anthony did not think his company survived all thanks to me. He insisted that it was all his own hard work. Once he hired Queenie Simpson and made her his secretary, he lost his last sliver of love for me.

Queenie was my enemy, and he always took her side, ordering me around like I was some sort of servant. I was one of his company's veterans.

All I did was get a bottle of water, and he wanted me to read an 8000-word reflection right in front of the whole company. He knew Queenie was humiliating me, but he let her. I saw no reason to hold back for old times' sake now.

"Just make sure my office is ready. I'll be going over tomorrow."

I hung up and turned around, only to be met with Queenie strutting up to me. "You made private calls at work when you should be reading your reflection out loud. That will cost you 150 dollars!"

She was loud enough to turn everyone's heads toward us.