I Have Been Chosen

Oliver 25

Tuesday 3rd March

"We want to talk about your performance as of late, Ollie," said Oliver's boss.

Oliver didn't know why he said 'we' when it was just the two of them in his office. "Yes, sir," Oliver successfully managed to muster.

"Now, there's nothing wrong at all with your ability nor your work ethic," explained his boss. "No, you have been absolutely perfect in those areas."

Oliver remained silent, having a feeling where this was going. It was always this issue.

His boss cleared his throat, straightening in his seat. "We've noticed that you seem... a bit off lately and was wondering if something was happening outside of work... or inside work... well, Ollie?" He paused, awaiting an answer, then added, "is something going on? Is there anything we can do to help you? Are you feeling particularly stressed at all, Ollie?"

"Oliver," Oliver corrected.

"Pardon?"

"I prefer to be called Oliver. I don't like being called Ollie."

His boss frowned. "Oh, but everyone's been calling you Ollie all this time? You've been going by Ollie for over a month now." He chuckled. "Why didn't you say anything?"

Oliver gripped his knees under the desk.

"Well, if that is what has been bothering you, then I'll ensure everyone starts calling you Oliver from now on." Again, he chuckled as if the issue was childish, though perhaps it was. It was just a name, and Oliver felt so silly, having been so worked up about it yet letting it continue for two months.

"Is there anything else?" his boss asked softly, his hand reaching over the desk, resting in front of Oliver. He perhaps would have touched if Oliver hadn't instinctively retreated back. "Are you happy here, Oliver?" he asked, stressing the correct name with an insipid smile.

"Yes," Oliver replied flatly.

"Now, I don't believe that!" His boss waved his finger and shook his head. "Where's that smile?"

Oliver stared at him blankly. "I am happy working here," he said; though he was genuine, his monotonous tone and pensive expression could never portray that.

"Come on, Oliver... what's wrong?" His boss waited for an answer again, but once again, Oliver was unresponsive. "Actually, I would say something must have been bothering you ever since you joined us. I know starting a new job can be quite scary and overwhelming, however, after two months, I would have thought you would have relaxed by now, gotten more comfortable, but I would say that you have just gotten stiffer and quieter than you were to begin with! "

There was a reason for that, though it was not because of recent events. Whenever Oliver began a new job, he tried his best to put on a more friendly attitude, learn names and faces, and then slowly allow his real self to be more in front, no longer putting on the facade. He had experienced a job before where they let him go due to his apparently cold demeanour in the early stages of working there, despite his incredible work ethic and what he managed to do in those two weeks. So, Oliver always made an effort now in those first weeks, and then once the probation period ended, he could be himself, and his work would speak for itself as to why he should stay hired. Oliver didn't know why it was such a big deal; he wasn't the one speaking to clients or customers, so why should he be all smiles and sunshine? Why should he be insincere?

"You barely interact with anyone else outside of work matters; you need to be a bit more involved in the office," his boss continued. "You see, we're like a family here."

Oliver wanted to throw up.

"And at the moment, you seem more like a distant second cousin." His boss put his hands together, fingers weaved. "Do you know what I'm saying, Oliver?" Again, he stressed the name. "We would like you to be more involved in the office."