Shattered

Hazel (e)

Hazel
12.
I had a fairly good idea of what I was doing. It seemed even with a college hiatus, the information was still there. After finding a small problem in one of Mr. Wright's reports, I was suddenly thankful for all of the business classes I took. I didn't need the computer to remind me of what I didn't know.

It was almost easy to ignore Mr. Wright. With each stack of paper he slammed on my desk and each grumbled order, I found myself jumping in fright a little bit less with the frequented, angry words he spat at me each time he came barging in.

Although we spoke minimally, and I saw Mr. Wright even less throughout the days, I couldn't help but begin to wonder how his secretaries all lasted as long as they did. I had never felt more like a punching bag.

I remembered what Dee told me that first day. How none of the secretaries had lasted, the rumors. Now I understood a little of what she was talking about.

Bitter words that left me feeling cold as I slaved away at the workload that continued to grow taller on my desk with each passing second.

The men and women that came in eyed me sympathetically as I ushered them into Mr. Wright's office. I barely paid them any mind, but there was one that lingered, her hand positioned on the knob of the door.

She was a middle-aged, but classy older woman, with a plaid, blood red business jacket and pencil skirt. There was a hint of curiosity that had me furrowing my brows, awaiting whatever it was she was going to ask.

"Are you the new assistant?" She asks, her sea, green eyes searching my face. I didn't like the scrutinizing gaze she gave me, like being examined under a microscope.

"I am." I responded, forcing a smile on my face.

"Is it...Hazel?" She continued.

Nodding, I said, "Hazel Morgan."

"Aren't you a little too young to be Mr. Wright's secretary, Ms. Morgan?"

"I didn't...I didn't know that there was an...um...age limit."

"Oh, no," the woman said, as if it's obvious. "But I'd watch your back if I were you—you just never know."

I nodded my head as if I understood what the woman was saying, and watched as she slipped out of view. I wrung my hands underneath my desk as my mind spun in circles.

Maybe Dee was right and I wouldn't last long. If the rumors were true, there was only one way to find out. And although it scared me half to death, a part of me was determined to prove Dee wrong. Prove myself wrong. If this could bring me closer to what I wanted, how bad could it get if I stayed?

Hunger presented itself in the silence of my work.  At just the same time the door to my office flew open. Startled, I whipped my head up to find Mr. Wright standing in the doorway. Embarrassment heated my cheeks, wondering if he had heard me. I did my best to hide it as I took in my boss's face.

I didn't know what Carter Wright looked like on a daily basis, but I couldn't help but notice the red-rimmed, green eyes under his long lashes. They flit around the room, once, twice, before landing on my face. I could see dark, scruffy stubble along his cheeks and on his chin.

"Leave."

Mr. Wright's eyes narrowed at me as he said this, as mine widened. I felt something plummet inside of me, trying to search my brain for anything that I might've done wrong. I didn't think it was possible to get any more red.

"W-What?" I stuttered out. I searched Mr. Wright's face for any kind of hint to what he meant, I came up with nothing.

"Are you deaf? I said leave." His green eyes drilled into my face, the corners of his lips curling downward when I didn't move.