"In the Dark"

Chapter 13: Beneath the Facade

I was lounging on my couch, surrounded by books and papers, enjoying a rare day off from work. My phone rang, breaking the silence, and I smiled as I saw Tara's name on the screen. We hadn't seen each other in a while, and I was excited to catch up with my cousin.

"Hey, cuz!" Tara's voice was warm and cheerful, just what I needed to brighten up my day.

"Hey, Tara! Oh, I've missed you so much!" I exclaimed, feeling a surge of happiness.

"I've missed you too, Lena! I was thinking, since it's August break, I'd come visit you for a bit. I've got some time off from the hospital, and I could use a break from the chaos."

My heart skipped a beat. "That sounds amazing! I'd love to have you here. When were you thinking of coming?"

"How about in three days? Would that work for you?"

I nodded, even though she couldn't see me. "Absolutely. I'll make sure to take some time off work. We can catch up and talk all night, just like old times."

Tara laughed. "Sounds like a plan. And don't forget to cook your famous jollof rice for me, okay?"

I chuckled. "Of course, I wouldn't dare disappoint you. And hey, bring that yellow sundress I love so much. It's perfect for summer."

"Will do," Tara said. "And make sure you take it easy, okay? No overworking yourself while I'm there."

We both laughed, and I felt a pang of sadness. I wished I could take her advice, but work had been overwhelming lately.

After we hung up, I couldn't help but think about how tight my schedule was. I had so much to do before Tara arrived, and I knew I wouldn't be able to take as much time off as I wanted. But I pushed the thoughts aside and focused on the excitement of seeing my cousin soon.

I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. I was excited to see Tara, but also anxious about how I would manage work and spending time with her. Mr. Alexander's words kept echoing in my mind - "Meet the deadline, Lena. This project is crucial."

I pushed the thoughts aside and focused on the present moment. I had three days to prepare for Tara's arrival, and I wanted to make the most of it. I started making a mental list of all the things I needed to do - clean the house, cook some of Tara's favorite dishes, and maybe even squeeze in some shopping for new decorations.

As I busied myself with preparations, I couldn't help but think about how much I needed this break. Work had been consuming me lately, and I felt like I was losing myself in the process. Tara's visit was just what I needed to remind me of what was truly important - relationships, love, and laughter.

Lydia who was working alongside me in the hub, leaned against the doorframe, curiosity getting the better of her. "So, what's the plan for your cousin's visit?"

I grinned mischievously. "Well, first things first, we're going to eat all the jollof rice and fried plantains I can cook. Then, we'll dance the night away to our favorite childhood songs."

Lydia laughed. "Sounds like a solid plan to me! You two are going to have so much fun."

I nodded, already imagining the laughter and memories we'd create. "I need this break, Lydia. Work has been sucking the life out of me."

Lydia nodded sympathetically. "I feel for you. Mr. Alexander's been breathing down our necks nonstop. But hey, at least we have each other to vent to."

I smiled, grateful for our friendship. "Exactly! And speaking of venting, want to grab lunch together today? My treat."

Lydia's face lit up. "Always down for free food! Let's grab that new sandwich place downstairs."

I giggled, feeling a surge of excitement. "Can't wait to eat something tasty. I barely eat well these days." I added.

I stood outside Mrs. Johnson's office, my heart racing with anticipation. I could feel the weight of my colleagues' gazes upon me, their whispers and murmurs growing louder as I approached the door. I felt like I was walking into a trap, with no escape.

As I entered the office, Mrs. Johnson's stern expression made my stomach twist into knots. She's always been tough on me, but this was different. This felt personal.

"Lena, I've called you in here today to discuss your recent project that was submitted to the client," she said, her voice firm but laced with disappointment. "Specifically the errors and inconsistencies that were found throughout the document"

My mind raced as I tried to think of what she was talking about. I had worked on the project but I knew I hadn't made those mistakes. And then it hit me - Emily had done the final edits, not me.

"I... I don't understand" I stammered, "I didn't edit the last document, Emily did."

Mrs. Johnson raised an eyebrow. "That's not what the file history shows Lena. It says you were the last one to edit the document."

I felt a surge of panic. This wasn't fair. I knew I hadn't made those mistakes. "I....I must have forgotten to save it before Emily edited it." I tried to explain but it seemed I she wasn't ready to hear anything from my end.

Mrs. Johnson sighed. "I don't know what's going on here, but I do know that the client is not happy. And neither am I. I expect more from you."

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. Underwhelming? That's not fair. I've worked so hard on this project, poured my heart and soul into it. But Mrs. Johnson's expression told me that my excuses wouldn't be tolerated.

As I tried to explain, I caught glimpses of my colleagues through the office window. They were all staring, their faces filled with a mix of curiosity and schadenfreude. Lucas, my friend and teammate, looked concerned, but quickly looked away. I felt like I was on trial, with everyone watching my every move.

The petty gossip and speculation were suffocating me. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of unspoken criticism. I tried to focus on Mrs. Johnson's words, but the tension in the room was crushing me.

I couldn't shake off the feeling that Mrs. Johnson's disapproval went beyond just the project. It seemed like she had a personal vendetta against me. I wondered if it was because I had recently received praise from Dr. Quinn and other department heads, who saw me as a rising star in the company. Maybe Mrs. Johnson felt threatened by my growing reputation, or resented the fact that I was being considered for leadership roles. Or perhaps it was simply because I didn't fit into her mold of what a "good" employee should be. Whatever the reason, it was clear that Mrs. Johnson had already made up her mind about me, and I felt like I was constantly swimming upstream to prove myself to her, no matter how hard I worked or how well I performed.

I clutched the documents tightly in my hand, the papers trembling slightly as I struggled to maintain my composure. Mrs. Johnson's words still stung, her tone and expression etched in my mind like a fresh wound. I felt a lump form in my throat as I turned to leave, my eyes scanning the room to avoid meeting anyone's gaze.

As I walked out of the office, I could feel the tears pricking at the corners of my eyes, hot and boiling like a pot about to overflow. I bit my lip, desperate to hold them back, but it was no use. I could feel my vision blurring, my breath catching in my throat.

I hurried past Lucas, who looked up from his work with a concerned expression, but I didn't dare meet his eye. I couldn't let him see me like this, couldn't let anyone see me vulnerable.

I made a beeline for the restroom, my feet carrying me on autopilot as I fought to keep my emotions in check. I pushed open the door and stepped inside, locking myself in a stall as the tears finally broke free.

I let out a sob, the sound echoing off the cold tile walls as I leaned against the door, the documents still clutched in my hand. I felt like I was pouring down an ocean, the tears streaming down my face like a torrent, unstoppable and unrelenting. I let myself cry, finally allowing the emotions to wash over me, as I wondered how things had gone so wrong.