The Anonymous Caller

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Joanne

Today was no different than any other. I thought to myself as I typed away on my computer.
"Jo! Call Antoine and see if he can come by after lunch... I need him to run a few errands for me" My boss Veronica hollered from her office even though my desk was right outside her door.
"Right away Mrs.Fawn" I replied with a slight cringe. I'll never get used addressing her so formally. We're the same age.. in fact I'm two weeks older than she is, but that's a story for a different day.

I mumbled something to myself as I called her Ex Antoine. It's become apart of my routine, and everyday she has a new reason for him to come by. She's a great liar.

Just as I was about to hang up
"Hello?" I paused a bit before responding then a burst of giggles erupted in the background.
"Oh hey Antoine it's Joanne... Veronica says she needs you to stop by her office after lunch.. she needs you to run a few errands for her" I said dryly as I traced my finger around the rim of my "Sleep is for the weak" mug
"Tara I'm on the phone!" He laughed before clearing his voice "Uhhh tell her I won't be able to make it today, but I'll be there first thing tomorrow morning"
I raised my eyebrows in shock. He's never turned her down before. There goes my peaceful day. "Uhm.. okay.. thanks" I responded quickly hanging up the phone

I got up and wiped the smirk off my face as I knocked on her door. She looked up at me with a straight face.
"What do you need?" She questioned taking her glasses off.
"Antoine said he won't be able to make it, but he will definitely be here first thing in the morning" I said putting emphasis on definitely. I looked over at her her brand new white couch she just had put in her office. Imagining how wonderful a nap would be right about now. My little daydream was cut short by her slamming her palms on her desk, causing me to snap my head in her direction. "Ugh! He's probably with that prostitute Tara!! Just like a dog!" I watched a few papers fly off her desk as she threw her little temper tantrum. In my mind I saying how much karma is a bitch but, I kept my facial expression plain.

"Would you like me to call Ronald" I asked just to add some fuel to her fire. If looks could kill.. I'd be six feet under right now. "Why the HELL would I tell you to call Ronalds punk ass" she snarled as if his name disgusted her. Which it totally did.
"I mean... he is your h-" I cut myself off remembering that she IS my boss, and this isn't the old days when we would joke around.

She shot me a long glare "that is all Joanne" she put her glasses back on dismissing me with her silence.

I walked back to my desk as I mocked her temper tantrum. I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss the old Veronica. She's turned into a money hungry snob, but she'll never know that's what I think of her now. Just as I sat down the phone rang.

"Fawn incorporated this is Joanne speaking ho-" I was cut off by a low chuckle on the other line
"Yes I know who you are... I need you to do me a favor.... open the second drawer on your desk" I listened to the man speak and looked down at the drawer he wanted me to open
"Excuse m-" he cut me off once again
"That's not important Joann-" As soon as he said my name I hung the phone up. To say I wasn't alarmed would be a bold faced lie!

I was about to unplug the phone as it began to ring again. It kept ringing while I just stared at it. I figured it would be okay just to let it ring. Then I heard Veronica yelling "I don't pay you to ignore calls.. I do that well on my own!"

I rolled my eyes at her comment. I started to pick up the phone when it stopped ringing. I sighed in relief thinking he had gotten the point. Then.

It rang again.

I picked it up, and he started from where he left off. "Open the drawer and take the flash drive on top of those papers to Veronica. Tell her it's Twelve O'clock" he spoke in the same calm manner.

My mind began to clutter with so many questions... but the only one I could get out before he hung up was "Who are you??" With that the line went dead.

I thought it may have been one of my co-workers playing a childish prank on me. As I scanned the office everyone seemed to be hard at work. I furrowed my eyebrows as I opened the drawer cautiously, and sure enough there was the flash drive. I gasped silently picking it up. I examined it a bit. Then I noticed the port on my desk top for flash drives. I bit my lip as I battled myself.... just when I reached to put in the drive the phone rang again. Scaring the hell out of me.

"Thats what you get" I said to myself as I answered the phone.

Before I could even speak He said "I gave you specific directions Joanne"

The whole situation was freaking me out, but this really bothered me. He knew my name but he kept neglecting to tell me his or how he knows who I am. I started to look around for cameras. Thats sensible right?

"Not until you tell me who you are" I protested quietly, so that I wouldn't get wondering eyes and ears.

"Veronica's desk. Twelve O'clock" he said totally ignoring my demands. His voice was low but it had a more demanding tone to it. Then he hung up.

I tapped my nails on my desk while I tried to figure out if I was going to give Veronica this flash drive. I pushed my stubbornness aside and gulped the big lump that was sitting in my throat. I got up from my desk and walked into Veronica's office. I kept my composure the best I could. Being as though we were clearly being watched. She looked up at me with annoyance written all over her face. As bad as I wanted to return the attitude I sided with a small smile as I put the flash drive on her desk. All the color seemed to drop from her face once she saw why I came into her office unannounced.

To be completely honest I had mixed emotions. A part of me was obviously concerned about the fact that I was being watched by some strange man, and the other part of me was bursting with anxiety and curiosity. I just had to know what was on this flash drive and who this man was. He didn't come off as bad news on the phone...for me that is. Then again the whole office might be bugged, and he knows me by my first name. Lord only knows what else he knows about me.

"Its Twelve O'clock" I said as I smoothed the sides of my pencil skirt down. After relaying my message I just stood there because I wanted to stay and watch what was on the flash drive.

Before she could even say anything my phone rang. I quickly exited her office picking the phone up.

"Job well done.. I'll be calling the same time tomorrow." There was some type of excitement in his voice differentiating it from the tone he had before.

"I-Is Veronica in some type of trouble?" I asked beginning to grow worried.

"Don't worry about that Joanne. This is all just business, that will be handled very soon. Enjoy your day" I felt a shiver going up my spine from the way my name rolled off his tongue.

I stared straight into the camera on my computer, and for an instance.... it felt like someone was staring back.

"What the hell has Veronica gotten herself into?" Was all I could think about.