living without hope

I was surprised Beth hadn't fired a nasty text at me, given I wasn't in the office for 8 o'clock sharp. When we entered the office, it looked like we were the first there. It was only as we approached Beth's office that we could see the light was on and hear voices coming from inside.

After conferring with Nicola, we decided to speak to Beth together and get it out of the way before anyone else arrived. We could then get the hell out of dodge soon after. As such, we approached the door, and I knocked.

The voices inside continued for about another five minutes before the door opened. As we went to walk in, Yuki came rushing out in a stream of tears, looking utterly distraught. I was tempted to ask her if she was okay, but she ran past me so quickly that I never had the chance. I looked at Nicola, who said, "Let's go in and get this done. I am feeling sick with worry now."

As we entered the office, Beth was in her customary position at her desk with her shoes on top. She looked calm and relaxed, dressed in a black designer dress with red trim on the armless shoulders and bottom where it met her knees. She had on a pair of red designer shoes that I had bought her and red pantyhose contrasting with the black. She looked both smart and formidable. Her aura and confidence flooded the atmosphere, creating a claustrophobic and daunting feeling in the room.

She looked directly at us as we entered, her eyes narrowed and introspective like she was still in deep thought and picking us apart. Once we were in the centre of the room, Nicola and I stopped, and I addressed Beth. "We would like to discuss something important with you, Beth. Unfortunately, it cannot wait."

"Well, if it isn't the happy couple," Beth said sarcastically. "And you are presuming to call me Beth. You must be full of confidence and self-assuredness to make such a bold opening statement whilst facing me."

Beth was already playing power games, which caused me to stutter. Beth smirked, seeing she already had me reeling, and it was only when Nicola stepped in we continued. "It's to do with our roles here, Beth."

"Ahh, now the little traitorous bitch speaks. Having gone behind my back and stolen my Slave, you have the nerve to come into my office and request my attention?" Beth hissed.

Nicola was now also thrown off course. Beth was making this very difficult, sensing what we were up to and what we were about to say. I took over from Nicola, "We have come to tell you we are resigning with immediate effect, Beth. There is nothing you can say to change our minds. We are fully committed to this decision. We just ask that you let us go and don't try to stop us."

Beth started laughing, which confused us both. "Young love, so blind, so optimistic, SO FUCKING STUPID!"

Beth picked up some papers from her desk and threw them on the floor beneath us. We both looked down at them, not quite knowing what was happening. "Well fucking read them then, you idiots!"

I bent down, picked up several papers, and put them back in order. When I got to a headed letter with red writing, I started reading through it. As I went through the details, I started referencing the other documents. I was utterly mortified by what I was reading.

Seeing the look on my face, Nicola said, "What's wrong, Chris?"

I looked at Beth and said, "This is a bunch of horseshit. There is no way you can make this stick."

Now very concerned, Nicola repeated her question, "Chris, please tell me what is happening."

Beth started laughing again, looking at my face sink in the realisation that what she had was watertight and damning. "It's a legal declaration that the company will begin proceedings against you for embezzlement, fraud and bringing the business into disrepute," I replied as the words hollowed me out.