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.

A Foolish Man

I gave her a look that said she had room temperature IQ. I meant that in Fahrenheit. "Are you expecting me to enter the conference hall when my access card privileges are revoked? Perhaps you might have to see a doctor. That new brain of yours isn't working as well as you think it is."

"Do not try to mock me! That is no reason to go against company rules!"

Anthony showed up with a big fat grin on his face. He praised Queenie for her earnest work. "Ever the earnest employee, Queenie. That's what a company needs to get better."

Queenie smiled smugly and gave me a challenging glance. Anthony turned his attention to me. "Forget the reflection, Christina. It's a waste of time, anyway. Still, you abused company funds, and that will cost you three months' worth of pay. But you've worked hard. Yes, it meant nothing, but I can't deny your hard work. Apologize to Queenie, and this is water under the bridge. No next time, though."

That was ridiculous. "You hear justice in your judgment, but I hear the goddess of justice weeping in shame. Save your punishment, Anthony. I quit!"

That riled Queenie up. "Don't push your luck, Christina! Mr. Shawlesque is helping you out here!"

I did not dignify that with a response. My eyes were still on Anthony. "We're done, Anthony. With you. With this company."

I swiveled and left. That night, I held a farewell party at a restaurant. The coworkers I got along with attended. I thanked them for the help and assistance they gave me during my employment.

Everyone talked about the days we worked together for the company. The air was filled with laughter.

"Things won't be the same without you, Christina."

"Yeah. No one can clean up our mess better than you."

I told them things would be alright. "Everything must come to an end, eventually. But you can call me if you need anything. I'll see if I can help."

We were just having fun, but then, through the corner of my eye, I saw Anthony coming in with Queenie. That was surprising. These two came uninvited.

Still, Queenie took the main spot and looked at me like I was beneath her. "Come on, apologize already, Christina. What are you waiting for?"

This woman was unbelievable. I was going to snap at her, but Anthony spoke up first.

"Finally, you did something I like, Christina. You reserved this whole space. Now all you have to do is apologize to Queenie, and this will all be over."

Well, that was confusing. I checked my phone, and my question was answered. I set Anthony to Do Not Disturb, so I did not notice his message. He told me to reserve a room and apologize to Queenie in front of everyone.

All I had to give was a sneer. Then, I turned my eyes to them. "Someone's getting high on power. I don't have the time to play with you. This act is yours, not mine. I gave everything to the company, and in the end, I was insulted over a bottle of cheap water. And now you think you can make me apologize? Preposterous!"

My coworkers exchanged looks of disbelief and indignation. Most of them had worked for the company for years. They too gave time and effort for the company. My situation acted as a warning for them. Today, it was me. Next time, it could be them.

Anthony's face fell. "Don't push it, Christina. This is your last chance."

I sneered. "Pity I don't need that kind of chance."

Bad Situation

Furious, Queenie jabbed a finger in my face. "You're nothing without the company! Don't give me that smug look!"

"Really? I don't think so." I took my seat again and turned back to my coworkers. "Where were we? Come on, don't let these clowns get in the way of the party."

My coworkers nodded, and the air was slowly filling up with laughter again. Anthony and Queenie were ignored.

Anthony was irate, and now he was the one jabbing a finger at me. "If you keep this up any longer, I'm canceling our engagement, Christina! Riveropolis will have no place for you!"

I shot him a quick look. "You're still here? What are the guards doing? Guards! I reserved this place. I need you to kick the uninvited guests out."

A group of guards stepped into the room. Queenie was nearly screaming with rage. She cursed and raised her hand against me. "You can't do this to Mr. Shawlesque, you bitch!"

A guard grabbed her hand before it could land, and she could not move an inch. Queenie immediately put on a mask of pain and wriggled her wrist. "You're breaking my hand!" she screamed.

Anthony felt her pain. "This isn't over, Christina! I'm suing these guards for assault! You're going to apologize to Queenie or else!"

I sneered again. Anthony could shout until his face turned blue, but I could not care less.

My disinterest got through to Anthony. He threw a scathing glare at me and left in a hurry with Queenie. He did not want her to get hurt again.

I went to the company the next day to pack my stuff up.

One of my coworkers came up to me and whispered, "Queenie took over your office first thing in the morning, Christina. This is bad."

A frown creased my forehead, but I went to my office anyway. There was no one inside. I heaved a sigh of relief and started packing up my stuff.

Halfway through, Queenie came in with a group of guards. "This is my office, Christina! You're trespassing! You're a thief!"

I stopped packing for a moment and looked at her coldly. "This is my office. I'm packing my stuff. I'm not stealing anything."

She sneered and came up to me, staring me straight in the eye. "Don't try to argue with me! You're fired, so this is now my office!"

I pointed at my belongings sitting on the desk. "I might be fired, but I have a right to my personal laptop and documents."

She was ready for this. "That's not personal! The company's top secrets are inside! You can't take them away!"

I laughed mirthlessly. "Guess we'll have to involve the cops, then."

That wiped the smile off her face. She would not dare call the cops, but she was not going to let me embarrass her. Queenie started scanning the office.

Then she noticed something. "You stole top-secret files belonging to the company! I bet you're trying to sell them off, aren't you?"

The commotion caught a lot of people's attention, including Anthony's. He came to the office in a hurry. First, he scanned the scene, then he looked at Queenie, and finally, he turned to me.

"What do you have to say for yourself, Christina?"

For the first time in my life, I felt like I did not know this man. He was a joke.

"You bought that bullshit story?"

Anthony was about to say something, but Queenie was faster. "I saw it with my own eyes, Mr. Shawlesque! I bet she's going to sell the secrets to our competitor! The Prosper Co. deal is coming to us very soon! We can't let anything leak!"