Tales of a Single Girl....

Chapter seventeen: Rumours That Fly

The next day I was working quietly at my desk, thinking about everything that had been going on. It had been a weird weekend indeed. I couldn't wait to talk to Judy about everything that had been going on and to finally get to the bottom of everything that had been going on. I then thought of Robert's advice on the best way to deal with Shelley. Though it made perfect sense to ignore the girl as best as I could, I still needed to know what her agenda was behind all her schemes. What was she up to? And where did I fit into all this?

Wearily, I decided to check my emails, since I hadn't had a chance to check them yet. Opening the program, I looked up to see Shelley walk out of Archibald's office. I quickly averted my eyes and pretended to be absorbed in my work. Shifting my gaze from my computer screen to her, I saw her glance in my direction, the hint of a smirk on her face. Looking away, I again pretended to be concentrating on my work. It took every fibre of my being not to jump up and punch her in the face. I was too angry, too disgusted with that person to show her that I cared.

I saw there was an email from Archibald. It stated simply, in the subject line: Eva, please see me in my office immediately.

Raising an eyebrow, I wondered what the urgency could possibly be. He was such a horrible little man, I couldn't help thinking, and the very idea of having to spend any kind of time alone with him made me want to puke. Still, I had to be professional about the whole thing. Getting up, I walked over to his office and knocked on the door. I could see Shelley sitting at her desk, out of the corner of my eye. Was it my imagination, or was she stealing glances my way?

With as much dignity as I could muster, I knocked on the door. I didn't know why but I was feeling very nervous and I could feel my heart hammering in my chest. Taking a deep breath to calm myself down, I heard Archibald call out, "Come in" and entered.

"You wanted to see me, Mr. Archibald?" I asked. I couldn't help it. I felt like I was back in high school and I was being summoned to the principal's office.

"Yes, Eva, please close the door and sit down," Archibald stated, without bothering to look up from his papers.

Any self confidence I may have felt just a few moments ago dissipated and obeying, I walked over to the chair in front of his desk and sat it in it, my hands folded meekly in my lap.

After a few more minutes of reading his papers, Archibald finally put them down and folded his hands on his desk. "Well Eva," he began.

I smiled wanly and waited.

"It has come to my attention that certain rumours have been flying around the office," Archibald continued. "Have you heard anything in particular lately?"

I looked at him, not understanding. "Uh, no," I began.

"Well unfortunately, I have," Archibald said and his voice took on a grave tone. "I can't say I'm very impressed. And before I go any further, I would like to clarify just how disappointed I am in you."

I stared at him, experiencing a sensation similar to one I would have if he'd suddenly slapped me in the face with a wet cold fish.

"I'm sorry, sir," I said to him. "I don't understand the point you're trying to make. Which rumours are you referring to? And why exactly are you disappointed in me?"

"Well the rumours that you have been spreading of course," Archibald said in some surprise and then he seemed disgusted somehow, as if I had committed an unimaginably appalling act. "You have been spreading rumours about staff members' private lives. Hacking into their emails, gleaning whatever information you can find about people and using it against them. And all so you can use it to further your career."