Don't Give Up On Me - Unedited

Chapter 1 - Edited

She sat unguarded on the floor of Hunter Enterprises scolding herself for her ridiculous spray of grace. It was another common day at the office for the young twenty-five year old. Never a socialable person, she liked to keep herself to herself and that was the way she liked to live her life. Invisible. Forget relationships, this girl treated friendships as an interruption to her daily life, so she never bothered to have any social reactions to anyone. Her brother, Owen and the twenty-six year old receptionist, Fiona were the only people she liked to interact with. She looked around the vast inhabited open area office, praying she could work her way up to be something more than an inferior Personal Assistant.

Her name being repeatedly voiced, brought her out of her wishful daydreams.

"Charley!"

"Charley!"

"Oh, I'm sorry Mr Jackson. What can I do for you sir?". She spoke politely with a hopeful pleasant smile on her face, when really she wanted nothing more to do than bare her teeth to the annoying asshole she had to work for.

"You can stop daydreaming for a start and prepare the conference room for 'The Eco' meeting. You were meant to do that twenty minutes ago. The clients will be here in less than an hour's time and if there's not even so much as a cup of coffee in that room you can consider yourself fired!" His bellow echoed around the room, causing a tremble of shivers from his rude outburst to reflex through her body.

Mr Jackson was a small fat man with black hair and silver streaks passing as the salt and pepper look. He could easily pass as Danny DeVito except for the wig that remained glued to his head. She took some humor in her thoughts picturing a blind bird had tried to assemble a nest and reside there. A playful smile graced her lips.

"Do you find amusement in your lack of professionalism?This is a big deal to this company and I will not put up with your incompetence if you cannot arrange the refreshments for such an important client."

"Of course not sir. The caterers should be here within the next ten minutes."

"I will hold you personally responsible for any mishaps if that meeting room is not to an exemplary fashion."

"Yes Mr Jackson." In a blur, he stomped and turned to retreat to his own desk and prepare his documents and graphs for his minority involvement in the meeting.

Charley was no fool. She knew when to keep quiet or speak up, agree or disagree. For an easy way of life she learned to smile and take whatever the bastard through at her with a pinch of salt. Her hatred for her boss grew with each passing day. He barked the orders and she complied, running his errands. It was boring when she knew she had so much more to offer to the company but the salary was very reasonable . Her monthly payments on her apartment and standard living expenses were always paid and still there was a substantial amount leftover each month to be put away for a rainy day.

Mr Jackson had never been so hard or cold towards the young woman. She used to praise the man for being so warm and welcoming when she first arrived. His effort to break her out of her shell was encouraging. He often wondered how such a quiet person could get a post in the great Hunter Enterprises. Regardless, his small talk and words of encouragement did help the woman. Although she still lingers in the background, he couldn't deny how efficient and hard working she is.