“Knock! Knock! Knock!” I tapped on the Editor-In-Chief’s door lightly.
“Come in.” A deep voice replied from inside. I turned the doorknob, stepped in, and closed the door behind me.
In the office, I find him behind his high-marbled desk, patiently going through the letter I wrote. A promising smile spread across his thin lips while he placed the letter before him.
Mr. Steven Benson, my boss, had a burning cigarette held between his left fingers. He loves smoking while sipping his coffee, crushing the butt in the saucer. Once his eyes met mine, my boss gave me a hysterical look and then nodded negatively.
“You can’t quit. You know that, right? There are no holidays for writers.” Mr. Steven said to my face.
While he leaned forward, his hands dropped the letter and cigarette, and he gently clasped them on the table.
Although it was Friday, the space was gloomy and the setting sun seeped through his white, curtained window.
“But it’s Christmas in three days.” I pointed out with hope in my voice. I am aware I don't have a family or a friend I can go back to, however I sincerely need a month off. Just one month away from all this! I’ll be back before you know it.”
Mr. Steven pursed his lips; his forehead wrinkled thoughtfully. He lifted his skinny neck, his boney chin out; then his forehead became smooth again. He adjusted his sit, glanced boringly at his clasped hands.
“Does that mean we should close because you aren’t here? There won’t be enough sales and that would be on you! Pioneer Newspaper needs you right now more than ever. It’s a damn festive season. There are millions of stories to write.”
“I’m not the only journalist here, Mr Steven!”
“But you are the most skilled, most competent-“
“Don’t persuade me, sir... I made my mind up!” My eyes shot him with a glare as I cut him off. “I’ll be gone for a month’s vacation or something. It’s part of my resolution to go on a break, at least once this year!” A soft little smile replaced my harsh tune. My voice suddenly went low and calm. “Henceforth, I will work from home. I just wanted to tell you, so you know, as my boss.”
“Miss Lewis!” Mr Steven called, hoping I’ll have a rethink.
Instead, his voice made me chuckle like a sweet, seductive bird who has finally gained freedom. I faced the door with my purse in hand.
“Good bye now, sir.”
The plastered look on his face made it obvious that he felt ridiculous, exposed, but strangely gratified at the same time.
“And... Merry Christmas. My regards to your family.” I pulled the door open and walked through it.
As I closed the door behind, a heavy sigh of relief heaved out of me. With closed eyes, I stroked my temple and adjusted my dark brunette hair before walking out of the building- a print house.
It’s no use arguing with Mr Steven. It won’t convince him why I need a break and he won’t persuade me to stay, either. Poor man... He wanted to classify that gesture of his as professional, the reassurance of one partner for the other.
Respect, Encouragement, Understanding.
As I slipped into a taxi, my head swam left, then rested on the headstand. I expected Mr Steven to act this way but, it must be a shock to him. I had been his loyal dog all these years, but today I talked back to him.
I barked.
With a mental breakdown, I rubbed my forehead again. ‘Ugh...Who cares?’
I took out my mobile phone from my black envelope purse to see a message from my boyfriend, Kelvin Hexxus. To open the message, I clicked on it.
YOU ARE READING
Six Months In Lostville (ONC 2023)
Terror"You were at the wrong place, at the wrong time, and now you are running for your life." Christabelle Lewis, a young, independent journalist with a dark past, has... a special relationship with the devil, which, naturally, means she'll do anything...
