Answer Lies on the Same Page

Chapter 3

"Based on the performance chart and attendance for the last three months, the following names are only those who will get to keep their jobs," Philip announced in front of his employees. Then he took the paper which Gabe prepared and started calling names. "For the Marketing and Financial department. Gabe Wilson, Jenny Ador, Lilia Wells, and Trevor Hanes."

After hearing those names, Gabe couldn't help but feel his heart sink. He let his gaze fall down on the floor as he contemplated if he made the right decision erasing those other names yesterday night. Those other 23 names.

"Tenant and Occupancy department, Penelope Shore, Ysabelle Penn, Carl Jackson, Houston Rhodes..."

Gabe knew that if they find out that he's the one who made the call and picked those names, they will forever hate him. Am I ready for that? Am I ready to be responsible for their downfall? Those were the thoughts that tirelessly run through his mind while his boss continues to read the names out loud.

Flipping through the next page, Philip cleared his throat. He briefly looked at Gabe and saw him zoning out.

"For the Facility Management department we have Henry Watson, Lowery Jackson, and Emma Rivera," Philip continued to call his employees names.

"Sir? What about us?" a female worker asked. "There are still 12 of us in the FM department."

"I'm sorry Tina, but your productivity percent doesn't match the requirement," Philip answered.

"Productivity? For the last 3 months?" she asked. "What about what we did for the company for the past years?"

"I know that this is too much to take in," Philip answered. "And as I've said, I really appreciate all of your efforts to make this company prosper. But it just won't cut it now that we're in a crisis."

"So you're just going to throw everything away, sir?" she continued to ask.

When his boss looked at him for the second time today, Gabe finally gave up. He can't bear hearing all of their complaints, knowing that they are also bleeding along with the company because of this decision. So Gabe walked out of the office in order to relieve himself before he broke down in tears.

He headed to the fire exit at the end of the hall and there he decided to let go. His head is still clouded with tens and thousands of thoughts. What if they don't find new jobs? What about their family? How can they pay the bills? What kind of monster have I become? Fresh tears kept on rolling down his already dampened cheeks.

With his hand against his mouth, he tried his best to suppress any sound from escaping his lips in fear that someone might hear him. However, as he did so, his knees started to buckle down as his heart felt heavier and heavier every passing second.

"I was just thinking about saving the company," Gabe cried. He let himself fall down on his knees after his hand found the steel railing of the stairs.

At this moment his hearing had decreased and his eyesight had become blurry. He was a complete crying mess just there sitting on the cold floor. He eventually was reduced to a sob after a few minutes, but his chest continued to hurt, his mind went blank, and he continued to stare at nothing but thin air.

"I knew it was you, all along."

Upon hearing another voice, Gabe slowly turned around and saw Henry standing on the top staircase. He had his hand in his pocket while he stared at Gabe. He received no answer from the latter even after he turned his gaze away.

"I didn't mean to sound mean to you," Henry continued as he decided to go down the stairs and sit beside Gabe.

"I was only thinking about the company, Henry," Gabe said in a volume just above a whisper. "What did I do wrong?"