RACHEL

TEN

The next day I woke up went through my normal routine before rushing off to work. Maria the Latino who was the receptionist smiled at me weakly, she never spoke to me. It was like she was ashamed of having me there, it seldom bothered me though.

I walked into my office and found my boss Mr Miles waiting for me.
"Good morning Mr Miles" I said as soon as I walked into the office.
He looked up at me, then looked me over "Rachel" he simply said.

He went over and sat on my seat, I stared at him. "Sit" he said motioning to the chair that was made for visitors. I obeyed.

"You called in sick yesterday and today you look beaten, what's going on?" He said stiffly.
"I'm good now thank You" I replied, bending my head. The last thing I wanted now was for someone to remind me of what happened throughout yesterday.
"That's the problem" he spat "I didn't ask if you're alright, I asked what the problem is"
I looked up to face him "it's just personal stuff that comes up now and then Sir, I'm fine now" I nearly snapped.

He tapped on my table "I have close to three hundred people applying for your position. You know what that means? Three hundred people praying that somehow you would be thrown out and somehow they would be shown in" he said seriously "your name plate won't be difficult to change Rachel"

I felt goosebumps on my skin "Mr Miles?"
"You're the best brain we have here but no one is irreplaceable" then he stood up "it would be wise to stop messing around, especially with a job that pays well" with that he walked over and patted me on my back, then walked out.

"Hey Rachel" Lucy called cheerfully as she rushed into my office carrying two cups of coffee. I didn't need anyone to tell me that one was mine, she did that every day, i mean brought coffee for me everyday and was the only friend I really had at work.
I turned to face her and rubbed my hand on my temple "hey Lucy"
She looked around to make sure Mr Miles wasn't behind her before she took a seat.

"Well?" She inquired.
I shrugged "I think he was pretty angry" I stated. "Well he still is"
She handed me my cup of coffee. I thanked her.

I tasted my coffee, it tasted great as usual "mmm" I said
"You forgot right?" She asked staring at me.
I looked up at her "what?"
She shook her head "poor girl you are Rachel. The Min Joos came here yesterday for the presentation you were meant to give"
My eyes popped out in horror. I had really forgotten. Min Joo was a Wealthy South Korean who owned one of the wealthiest business Groups in Seoul and Mr Miles wanted us to impress him so that he would join in ours or more still buy shares from us or more.

Mr Miles and told me three months ago to make it worth the while...the presentation. He had also mentioned it three days ago, but I had completely forgotten.
"Oh my God!" I exclaimed "what later happened? We didn't loose them right! Please don't..."
She waved at me "calm down Rachel! We didn't" she said "it happened that the Koreans are really nice people. They agreed that it would be done tomorrow"
I breathed a sigh of relief "well Good, thank God" I said.

"Are you okay?" She asked worriedly "Okay. Yea, I'm good" I said hurriedly.
"Well you're not" she said sipping her coffee. "Your eyes are red and you have bags under your eyes. What's going on?"

I took my seat "well just issues and issues and issues"
"Personal? Or you want to talk?"
I blew a breath "it's about Ken"
"What the hell! You guys back?" She asked, her eyes already on fire.
"Oh no" I said startled "I'll never do that. Its just that Anna is pregnant for Ken"
She dropped her cup "now that's some real shit"
I nodded "if they both get married, I will never be able to make up with my sister"
She took my hand "things will sort themselves out, just let it take the normal course"
I nodded "I guess I will" I smiled "thinking much about it won't do me any good"
She gave me the high five "good, let's get this done. You mustn't ever get sick tomorrow, its very important" she stood up.
I winked at her "you are a Darling Lucy and I love you"
She smiled "I love you too dear"