I Need to Forget The CEO!!

Chapter 3 - Crossing Lines

"Hello Ms. Beau, let me formally introduce myself. My name is Enzo Maddox. I will be working with you." He stuck out his hand for me to shake it.

I consented and introduced myself as well. "I'm Lyric Beau. Nice to meet you."

Enzo stared at me with an empty gaze. He wasn't being anything particularly negative, but acted with a strange manner. I'm sure he noticed the awkward silence as much as I did when he began to shuffle through his drawer. He pulled out a cellphone, tablet, and an envelope.

Handing me all three, he said,"This is now your property. The phone is already activated and will be under my control. It contains only my phone number and it will be used to reach me and make business calls. This tablet is going to be your organizer for the duties you will be given. Inside the envelope is $500, as my welcome gift to you. I understand that this type of work will be taxing."

I was shocked at his generosity, "Gosh, thank you, sir. This is a lot."

With another blank look on his face, he stated, "It's nothing, just a sign-on bonus."

My joy level lowered a bit with his low energy. "Oh, well thank you anyway."

He paused for a moment then stood up, motioning his hands towards the door.

"Please exit my office," he demanded,"there should be a desk on the right of the door. It's separated from your coworkers but close enough to communicate with them. I can arrange for another cubicle if that is an issue for you."

I shook my head and waved my hands, "No, no! It's fine, I prefer being alone!"

He smiled and stood up, directing me to the door. "Thank you for cooperating, I'm easy on you now but it will be rougher in the next week. I will assign you a task shortly."
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Meeting Mr.Maddox was less frightening than I thought it would be. Overall, he seemed rather hesitant and shy.

The desk he provided me with was a decent size, larger than the others in Administration. It wasn't too far from my neighbors, but not close enough to be gossiped to and harassed at. Perfect, seeing how the employees here tend to behave.

Although Mr. Maddox has been in and out of his office consulting with the workers in Administration, he hasn't assigned me any work. In fact, I was quite bored. I couldn't use my phone as much to text Margaret because of how many people were in Administration. There were too many people watching, and it didn't help that my desk was right outside Mr.Maddox's door.

I observed the way he spoke with his employees. It was gentle, but quite assertive. He knew exactly what he wanted and what met his demands. I also noticed the chasing eyes of the employees in admin. There was a specific girl with blonde hair and blue eyes (and the movie star-type face) that couldn't keep her eyes off of him. She couldn't keep her eyes off of me either. It looked like she was actually glaring at me.

I sat up straight when I noticed a man in a white suit approach me with a stack of papers.

"Miss, I need you to sort these by date and tell me how many there are in the year 2013." He gently placed the papers on my desk in the only free spot it had.

I stared at them with much animosity and said, "Okay... Will do."

He smiled and displayed a over the top happy act. "Thank you! Call me Bryan, I'm the Pennsburg Head Secretary."

I really hate the stupid status introductions.

"Nice to meet you Mr.Bryan." I rolled my eyes and picked up the stack of papers to sort through.

He walked away as if a boulder fell off his shoulder.

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I finally picked up the last page that needed to be sorted. It's 11:30 now, and everyone already left for the night. I can't believe it took that long to sort through them. Why did Bryan even need me to sort through paperwork from the 2010's.

"Finally done!!" I stretched my arms out and stacked the papers up in number order, leaving out the stack of 35 pages from 2010.

Now, I can finally leave. After turning my computer off, I stood up, straighted up my desk a little, then returned the papers to Bryan's cubicle.

Uh-oh.

The lights just went off. I really, really hate the dark. I grabbed my phone out of my pants pocket and turned on my flashlight. I put my stuff in my drawer then quickly headed towards the Admin doors.

Uh.oh.

I heard a door shut behind me. Footsteps. Lots of footsteps.

One, two, three...

I ran to the nearest table and hid underneath it. My heart was beating so fast It could pop out of my chest. I turned my flashlight off immediately and tried to stay as quiet as possible.

...four, five, six....

I am so scared right now. I thought I was the only one here. It wouldn't make sense to turn off the lights without checking, so it can't possibly be and employee. I'm sure everyone left.

...seven, eight-

Eight!!??

Where is nine? Why did they stop walking?! I can kind of make out a pair of shoes by the admin doors... Why didn't they exit? Did they see me??!

...nine, ten, eleven...

Phew, there they go-

"Hello? Who's in here?" The person called out.

Shit, shit, shit!!!! Am I seriously gonna die this soon?!!! Just don't reply they won't know, right?!

I heard the footsteps again, and I saw the man's shoes approaching my area. My heart is beating so fast. Don't cry don't cry don't cry don't cry...

"I'm going to ask one more time, who's under the table?"

Shit!!!!