Big Corp Inc. (G/T)

Part 10: Quid Pro Quo

Candy didn't see the boss for the remainder of the day. He apparently didn't bother to come back to the office at all, much to her relief. Without him breathing down her neck, she was able to power through her work. Gradually, she was becoming more effective at interfacing with the oversized computer, and subsequently increased her efficiency in processing the invoices and spreadsheets. The labor helped her block the nightmarish event from that morning out of her mind. The rest of the day was blessedly uneventful.

When she returned home for the evening, she made sure to wash her work clothes so she wouldn't get in trouble again. The coffee stain didn't come out of her blouse, dyeing the entire garment brown, but at least it didn't smell like coffee or spit. The skirt was already black so it didn't really matter. The shoes were going to be a problem. The wounds on her feet prevented her from wearing the heels. She would never make it to the office in shoes unfit for walking. Candy would have to discuss the matter with her boss, an undertaking she dreaded. She would have to be brave.

The next morning, she suited up in her brown blouse, her skirt, and her sneakers. She took a backpack with her and packed her lunch as well as her high heels inside the bag. She had the idea that perhaps she could walk to work in her comfortable shoes, and then wear the heels despite the pain they caused on the third floor. That way, she wouldn't have to confront her boss, and she'd still be in compliance with his rules. She wasn't sure if she could manage wearing the heels for the entire duration of the workday, but she would have to try. After some consideration, she decided she might still attempt to reason with him to allow her to wear her sneakers, but she wouldn't dare wear them without his permission. She did not want to be eaten, or even face an empty threat of being eaten. The thought terrified her.

Her commute, and her ascension to the third floor in the elevator, went smoothly. She kept a sharp eye out for the boss as she snuck over to her desk, still wearing her sneakers. Once she made it into her cubicle without being seen, she changed into her heels and stashed her bag. Her next step would be to confront her Giant boss. She attempted to will herself to move, but her legs were rooted to the floor with fear. Her limbs quivered uncontrollably. She balled her hands into fists, digging her nails into her palms. She had to do this.

She felt the familiar tremors of Giant footsteps approaching and prepared herself. The Giant who rounded the corner was not the boss, however, but rather Ronny, carrying his signature coffee mug. Candy ducked behind the wall of her cubicle, hoping the behemoth didn't spot her. The last thing she needed today was Ronny tormenting her when she was struggling to be courageous.

More quakes shook the ground and before she knew it Mr. Hardon was at his office door. He glanced over at Candy's desk, searching for her, but failed to see her poking her head out all the way on the floor far below. As he searched for his key in his pocket to unlock his office door, Candy felt her throat close up in terror. Despite her becoming accustomed to sharing space with Giants, she hadn't considered how much bigger and scarier he appeared from the ground, when she didn't even reach the top of his gargantuan shoe. She was about to confront a living skyscraper of a man. She swallowed hard and stepped forward.

"Mr. Hardon!" she yelled up at him to get his attention. "Excuse me, sir!" He turned around and stared down at her coldly, his normal jocular demeanor gone. Candy forgot her words, forgot how to speak, as she stared up at the colossus stretching up an impossible distance above her. All she could remember was his threat to devour her yesterday, and she felt like she was going to pass out.

"What is it?" he rumbled with his resonant, deep voice. Candy opened her mouth but failed to form anything coherent. Seeing her fear, he smirked and dropped to his knees above her. "Candy, I think you and I need to have a chat." He gripped her waist between his finger and thumb and lifted her high into the air. Candy managed to restrain herself from yelping out loud for once at his rough handling.