Elevator 143

SIX

Things seemed quite calm in the ELLE office when Cassie entered. A little too calm, as if it was silent before a storm. Cassie had written five reviews the night before and placed them on Sandra's table before heading to her table. 

"Something seems... Off today," Leslie muttered, as she entered the office. Richie, who was following behind her, nodded and looked around the office suspiciously. Cassie looked at them  and gulped, her anxiety increasing by the minute. 

"Cassie! My office," Sandra suddenly called out, causing the three of them to jump. They looked at each other in concern. 

"Did something go wrong yesterday?" Richie whispered to Cassie, who took in a deep breath but didn't say anything. She got up and walked over to Sandra's office. Upon entering, she saw Amy Lee sitting across her team head, who turned towards Cassie as she entered. One look at her and Cassie knew she was in trouble. 

"Yes, Ms. Sandra?"

"Cassie, do tell me something. I understand that you're new and you wish to gain some appreciation and credit for the work that you do but this is not how things are done here," Sandra stated, her voice firm and expression very stern. Cassie furrowed her brows. 

"I'm sorry, Ma'am, but I don't follow. What is it that I've done?" she asked, looking between Amy and Sandra. Amy looked extremely calm and surprisingly sober, considering her intake of alcohol the day before. Joshua had taken the day off with an excuse of 'a headache and an upset stomach'.

"Amy told me about yesterday," Sandra replied, causing Cassie to raise her eyebrows, "You went with a team, Cassie, and yet you took all the pictures and notes by yourself, when only the pictures were your job. You even had the nerve to interview some celebrities when it was Joshua's job. What is it that you're trying to pull here?" her team lead added, her voice increasing with each word. Cassie's eyes widened as she turned to Amy. 

"Ma'am, with all due respect, that is not what happened. Amy, what did you tell her?" she stated, her voice increasing with anger, too.

"Cassie, I will not hear you talking in this tone with your senior in front of your team head, do you hear me?" Sandra exclaimed loudly, "Might I remind you that you are still on probation and I can ask you to leave right now if I wanted to." What is going on? Cassie thought to herself.

"But Ma'am I---"

"Amy told me you were busy mingling with a male in between shows instead of recording the event," Sandra said angrily, causing Cassie to sigh in frustration.

"What male?"

"The one in blue denim. He even gave you his jacket to wear and both of you left the venue together after the show had ended," Amy stated quickly, pointing an accusing finger at Cassie, whose mouth fell open. When had Amy seen me with Lawrence? Cassie thought to herself.

"Is she wrong, Cassie?" Sandra asked, looking between the two women. 

"No, but I--"

"Cassie, when I told you to make connections in the industry, I meant professional connections, not infatuations," her team head stated, disappointment clear in her eyes. Cassie couldn't breathe.

"Ma'am, I am not infatuated with him. He's---" she started, trying to defend herself. 

"Enough!" Sandra barked, standing in her seat. It suddenly grew quiet in the office. Cassie was red in the face, trying to control her breathing while Amy was trying to stay expressionless but clearly looked pleased with the outcome. 

"This content that you submitted to me earlier today is not acceptable. It's very different from the way you've written your previous articles and you clearly got some help in writing them. Maybe from your friend from yesterday. Therefore--" Sandra added, tearing the reviews in front of Cassie, causing her eyes to widened. What on earth?