Heartbeat

F I V E

《Tue. July. 13, 2016》

"Marcello, how could you do something like that and not consult me?" My father shouted.

I was sitting inside of my father's office, the plush leather couch underneath me suddenly felt uncomfortable as I further stared at the mahogany tiled floor while my father was shouting at me.

"I don't understand why you're so mad about this."

The wrath of my father bubbled up in his face making my skin prickle. "You can't fire people without telling me first, and definitely not for stupid reasons."

I can never understand this man, "I did not fire Isabella for a stupid reason. Fired her because of dumb ass rules."

"What? Why?"

"She has a chronic condition."

My father sighed as if finally comprehending what happened. "Don't tell me you fired her because of this!"

I furrowed my eyebrows, "Well, yes. I did. You don't hire people with chronic conditions."

He shook his head in apparent disapproval, "We do hire them! If they're qualified enough we do! And Isabella is a very talented and exceptionally smart person when it comes to her job, and she's trustworthy as well. That's why I hired her, and not to mention the fact that I put her to a month of internship."

I stood there dumbfounded staring at this man in front of me. "Since when? You never told me about this exception."

"This is something I've expected you to know on your own since it's the only logical thing."

I huffed a breath of air, but still nodded my head, "So now what? I made a mistake. What's my retribution?"

"There's no retribution. I just want you to get Isabella back to work."

"Like she'll agree." I snorted in low voice not envisaging my father to hear.

"What do you mean Marcel? Why wouldn't she want to get back to work?"

I looked away from his questioning gaze. I already feel stupid and guilty enough for even thinking that way about my father and Isabella. "Never mind about it dad I'll figure it out."

"No Marcello. You have to tell me what happened. Did you say anything to offend her?"

Spot on Dad. Spot on.

"I wasn't very nice to her."

"What did you say? And don't lie Marcello; I'll know."

With my eyes locked on an ornament on my father's desk, I said, "I told her that she got the job by... through... a low method."

I assumed he caught on to what I meant by his livid expression, but then nothing happened. I expected him to scream and shout, however, I did not fathom his calmness. He remained seated, but looked at me with a sad, disappointed expression, which inevitably made my guilt run deeper.

"Marcello that only happened one time and it was long ago. I never thought you'd hold it against me forever, but I guess I can't blame you. Nevertheless, Isabella is innocent. She's way too innocent for you to accuse her of something as shameful and awful as that. It's not her fault that you hate me and don't trust me. Go apologize to her, and get her back to work."

"Dad I'm..." he cut me off, "No Marcello, just go son."

I walked out of my father's with a heavy feeling on my shoulders. Damn me and my overthinking.

***

Monday mornings are pretty much the worst times of the week for me. I can never go by a Monday morning without at least three cups of coffee, but for my bad luck, today I woke up late, and only had time for one. That's why I'm feeling extremely peevish today. On my way work, fortunately, I saw a nice looking café which grabbed my attention. I told Carlos my driver to park the car then I entered.