Mr. Demonio: The Insufferable Boss

Fake or.. Real?

Second Day of Vacation.

I watched my friends, enviously, as they shouted excitedly while riding the banana boat. I could only watch them from the edge of the beach.

Actually, Kevin offered to stay with me and not join in the fun, but I insisted him to go, saying it was okay. I wasn’t enjoying this vacation, but I wouldn’t ruin their fun.

Hana, ah, if only she were here. Why does that friend of mine always have to be busy? It’s quite annoying. At least if Hana were here, I wouldn’t feel so lonely. Lonely in the midst of a crowd. Yes, the beach is a bit busier now, but I actually feel even more alone.

My eyes stared at the bandage on my left ankle. I let out a long breath. Is this what happens when I initially planned not to participate? God granted my wish by making my ankle sprain like this. I really won’t be able to enjoy this vacation.

“Oi!”

I looked up. Boss was standing in front of me, soaking wet. Yes, if I’m not mistaken, the banana boat he rode flipped over, making everyone on it fall.

But why is Boss calling me?

“Aren’t you going to join the fun?” Boss smiled slightly. From my perspective, it looked like a mocking smile.

“Are you mocking me?” I looked down, going back to drawing in the sand with my fingers.

“I’m just asking.” Boss walked closer and stood beside me. “Did my words just now sound like mockery?”

I didn’t answer. It was obvious they did, why ask? It was like a burning bush asking if it was on fire.

Boss sat down beside me. I didn’t know what he was doing. Seeking sympathy from his subordinate? Ah, if that was the case, he had succeeded. He had already gained sympathy from everyone.

“How’s your ankle?” Boss asked, making my hand stop moving.

I turned to him, squinting my eyes a little. “Are you seriously asking?”

The one being asked stared back. “I know from the beginning you don’t really like me, but I’m still your boss.”

I swallowed, not expecting him to say that. “Feel better.”

Silence. We both sat in silence. Boss was busy watching my friends, who were now happily swimming. I was busy doodling in the sand, uninterested in talking more with him.

I didn’t know; it seemed I was always wrong in judging people. I was too quick to judge. Like what happened yesterday. I thought Boss was genuinely helping me, but it turned out not to be the case. Once again, everything he did was just to gain people’s sympathy.

I still remembered his feigned humble smile when he told the story about his heroic tale of saving me from that snake last night. Also, his story about us getting lost. But he left out the most important part—the part where he left me alone in the forest.

This clever boss of mine even replaced the word “left” with, “I had to find a way out; Elsa said she couldn’t walk anymore, so I thought it was okay to just leave her there for a bit while she rested.”

See? How smart he was to twist the chronology. He clearly just left me there with the last line, “Suit yourself.” Where did he get the idea that he cared about me? I really wanted to interrupt his story, telling him it was all bullshit. But I refrained because that would just be a waste of energy.

“You,”

Boss’s voice made me exhale. I turned to him.

“Since your ankle is only slightly sprained, I don’t think I need to give you extra leave, right?”

I stared at him, not blinking. Trying to digest his words one by one. No extra leave, he said? Oh, of course, Boss. Sure. Even if I were in a coma, you wouldn’t need to give me leave. I would keep coming to work, typing up the damn reports you asked for.

I turned away, holding my hand back from scratching him. “Whatever.”

“El…”

I just muttered something incoherent, feeling lazy to respond. My gaze was directed at my friends, who were happily laughing and playing in the water.

“Elsa!”

“What?!” I replied tersely, turning to him.

Boss looked at me for a moment before finally saying, “Do you want to play?”

“Boss!” I growled in annoyance, couldn’t he stop messing with me?

“Don’t look at me like that, Elsa.” Boss somehow looked offended and added, “I’m seriously asking. If you want to play, I can hold you.”

I stared at him for a few seconds, exhaling. Half annoyed, half incredulous that he said something like that.

“With this condition, what can I even play?” I asked weakly. I wasn’t sure I could ride the banana boat even if he held me.

Boss grinned widely, looking ahead. “That.”

I turned to follow his gaze. Huh? Seriously? A Flying Fish was parked over there.

***

"Ciee, look who’s back from vacation!" Hana greeted me with a warm smile as she opened the door.

It was Sunday afternoon, and I had just returned home from our beach camping trip. My body ached all over.
I managed a weak smile. If only Hana knew what had happened during my vacation.

"Where’s your boss?" she asked.

"He already left."

"Huh? Didn’t he stop by to say hi?"

I sighed. Instead of asking about my vacation, she was inquiring about my boss.

"And why are you just standing there? Aren’t you coming in?" Hana continued, still oblivious to the fact that I was balancing on one foot.

"Could you help me?" I said softly, reaching for the door frame for support.

"Wait..." Hana raised her hand, now scanning me from head to toe. "What happened, El?"

I grinned, showing her my bandaged foot.

Hana sighed after I finished my story, a hint of irritation crossing her face. It was rare to see her annoyed like this; she was usually the most patient one between us.

"I'm surprised you've managed to put up with someone like that all this time." This was her first comment, two minutes after I had finished speaking.

I chuckled. "Aren’t you the one who always tells me to be patient?"

Hana scoffed. "But I didn’t know your boss was truly selfish. He’s narcissistic."

"Well, he is a jerk."

"Not just a jerk. He’s a psychopath."

I laughed again. When Hana was angry, she could be quite intimidating. I grabbed another piece of cheesecake; indulging in my favorite treat always seemed to help ease my frustrations. For now, I decided to forget about that annoying excuse of a boss.

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