In Just One Night

Assholes

"Thank you." Yasmine paid the driver and rushed into the company building. He did his best to pass through traffic as fast as he could and luckily she managed to make it just in the nick of time. "I'm coming in!" She stuck her hand through the elevator before it completely closed off.

It was awkward. Standing in that small elevator, panting like a dog with sweat dripping down her forehead, surrounded by coworkers who gave her dirty looks was as awkward as awkward gets. She was used to it anyway, to the point where it didn't bother her when people spoke behind her back, or in this case, right in front of her.

"She was probably with another one of her sugar daddies this morning, no wonder she's late."

"If only she kept that much energy in being likable."

Yasmine heard what they were saying about her, it wasn't like they put in any effort so she wouldn't. Both men and women alike all joined hands when it came to judging and looking down on her. The one time mankind is united is to bring down a woman, an act done by fellow women, how ironic.

"If only you kept as much energy in getting your work done as you do in yapping and gossiping you might have gotten a promotion by now." Yasmine clapped back at them, making sure to look them right in the eye when doing so.

"You've got guts talking about doing your job properly for someone who slept her way here."

"Why, are you mad you didn't find someone to sleep with?" Yasmine cocked her head, daring them to keep talking.

"Ha! If I want someone to sleep with I can get one anytime I please, I'm prettier than you anyways."

Yasmine burst out laughing. The confidence packed in that statement alone made her amused. "Have you looked in the mirror, Tasha? Newsflash, no one likes a girl with three pounds of makeup for beauty and a bitchy personality. This is a workplace and we're all adults here so stop complaining about your problems like a seventeen-year-old going through puberty. I worked my ass off to get here, I deserve the position I have and even more, and if you want to cry about not reaching my level, be my guest, but do it in the comfort of your home and not in the office. This isn't high school where you can bully anyone just because they're better than you. Fuck off and while you're at it, get a life of your own. It's embarrassing obsessing over mine."

After putting them in their place, Yasmine walked out with her head high and shoulders square. She wasn't going to let herself eat insults without putting up a fight. Her bestie didn't raise no bitch who cowers away at the first sign of danger.

"Fucking assholes!" She cursed, loud enough for her ears alone.

"I take it you're not having a good morning."

Yasmine nearly jumped out of her skin on hearing that voice. "S-sir, I was just-"

"It's okay, no need to explain, we all need a reason to curse sometimes. See you in the office, Miss Palmer."

"Y-yes, Sir."

Yasmine nearly cursed out at that moment. Clearly, she wasn't as good at whispering as she thought since everyone seemed to be hearing everything she said as if it was being broadcast on a loudspeaker.

"Hold on," She stopped dead in her tracks realizing the man who just spoke to her was her boss. He didn't seem like someone ready to fire her for what happened the previous Friday if anything, he looked like he didn't give a shit. "What the?"

"Something isn't right here." She walked to her office in a daze, unsure of how to interpret James's statement. "Is he going to fire me when I get into his office? Or is it after I finish today's work?" 

Her feet felt heavy as she made her way to his office. It was as if a stone was tied to her ankles and she was dragging it around. "Deep breaths." She calmed herself and opened the door, steeling herself for what was going to happen.

"You're late, Miss Palmer." James didn't bother to lift his head from the stack of papers he was reading.

"My apologies, Sir. I was getting settled in the office." Yasmine kept her voice clear and back straight, showing no signs of the fear she was feeling.

James didn't say anything else for a full three minutes and Yasmine just stood there anxiously, nearly shitting herself from the wait.

'He's definitely gonna fire me.' She yelled in her head, not making the mistake of voicing her worries out.

"I see." James neatly arranged the stack of papers he was reading and pushed them toward her. "Go through these files and send me a reviewed version of it by the end of the day."

"Yes, Sir." Yasmine confusedly made her way closer to his table and took the papers before taking three steps back.

"How about the project I gave you last Friday, is it done?" He asked, staring her down through his thick glasses like he was reading her soul.

"Yes. I was able to go through it and tweak a few details that needed my attention."

"Good, send it to me via email as soon as possible."

"Yes, Sir."

"Are there any meetings scheduled for today?" James asked, leaning back in his seat and expelling severe main character energy.

"You have a meeting with Mr. Paul in the next two hours and one with Mr. Daniel at 4 pm."

"I see... Send me the agenda for today and don't forget the project. You may take your leave."

Yasmine nodded and hurried to the door as fast as she could without making it too obvious that she was skedaddling out of there but just as she was about to step out of the door, James called her back.

"Miss Palmer?"