The One Vacation (Book 2 Of 'The One' Series)

Prologue- Hannah

Hannah

A month later

London

"You're fired."

I must have heard wrong. I should have heard wrong.

Surely, those weren't the words my arsehole boss of four years just said to me. It couldn't have been.

"I'm not sure I heard you right, sir. " My voice sounds put together more than I expected, which is surprising considering I cry at the littlest inconvenience.

Mr. Hanks relaxes in his seat, letting out a heavy breath, making his stomach look two times bigger in size, reminding me of bald headed, round men whose limits of power stop at the position of the authority they were on. Their office always giving a depressing vibe with the dull colours and the strained air usually surrounding the room.

Getting fired by that type of person was something I've always dreaded.

-"The company's losing investors and in order to save face, we can't keep all of our staff anymore , so we have to let go of the weak links. You're one of them- prompting you getting fired. " The fake- haired, wig wearing man has the audacity to say to me, making it sound like a plausible explanation, whereas everything he had said was a lie.

ifth"I am one of the most hardworking staff at this company, and since my third year a working here, I have brought in more profit more than any of my colleagues, Mr. Hanks. I should not be getting fired. I deserve a promotion. "

He points a finger at me, shaking his head, and all I can think of is that wig falling off his head, so at least I can laugh at the horrified look on his face before leaving for good.

"That. That is why you're getting fired. That attitude. The sense of entitlement. You don't get to demand for a promotion Hannah. I grant you one. And no matter the profits you claim to have brought in, you're still a weak link. Should've thought of your eyes before choosing to work here. Did you really think that working here for a long time was going to make a difference for people like you?"

I have always suspected that the reason for my stagnant position at this company was because I was Asian. Every of my other colleagues who were white, have been promoted over the years but there was always something delaying my promotion. I suspected it had to do with something of my race. Mr. Hanks has never been open about it. He showed it but never spoke about it and now that he's finally mentioned it, I should've expected this and not be affected greatly... but I was.

I was getting fired because I was Asian. I was a different race.

"I have earned getting a promotion here Mr. Hanks. It has nothing to do with my race and yet, you give me that as an explanation for me losing my job. " I hate that my voice cracked and that he noticed because the foolish man has the audacity to smirk at my demise.

"I never said that was the main reason. You're a weak link. That is the main reason. And you being Asian is the source of that. You can't blame me. The company wants who they want and you're not one of them. "

My chest feels tight, like something was tugging strongly at it. I wanted to yell and scream at him for being this wicked.

I was just human, like every other person. Why did my race have to affect my work?

"You're nothing other than a piece of shit." I said to him, my chin high, not allowing any tear escape. The excuse of a man didn't deserve to see me shed a tear. His eyes immediately furrow, glaring at me, shocked at what I just said.

"What did you just say?-"

"I called you a piece of shit. I'm not speaking to you as a staff here anymore. I am fired, aren't I?" I don't wait to hear whatever load of bull he's brewing in his mind as a comeback and leave the office. My fingers biting into my palms as I tried to hold back from breaking down in the middle of the office.