Unintentionally Found

A Writer's Curse

"Charlie, I must say, this book is quite captivating," the male hinted as he turned the next page. He turned his eyes to the young female glancing down at the desk, a small smile slowly fading from her features. A bookmark was placed between the two new pages before the male closed the book and set it next to a small notepad on the desk. His right hand extended to grab a pencil from the collection of multi-colored number two pencils in his pencil holder, twiddling the black stained wood between his fingers before breaking the silence in the room, "Now, I know it's been ten years since your claimed "incident" (he formed quotation marks with his hand before setting his arms back on the desk), but I and many other people would like to hear the truth!" His right arm jabbed the black pencil into the desk, causing the applied pressure to break the writer's tool instantly. The blonde jumped at the sudden action, continously staring down at the desk as the shock in her eyes returned back to their dull state.

She slowly raised her head to make eye contact with the furious male in front of her, taking a deep sigh before placing her hands on the desk. "Mr. Burner, I will not tell you anything different from what you want to hear. What I have conveyed to my readers comes from my own personal experience, not fiction. I understand your concern for the company's credibility, along with the many rules us employees are expected to follow. No such rules have been broken, sir, for I have not intended to mislead the public from the company's image. I have simply done what is expected of me as a writer and as your employee." Her gaze never left Mr.Burner's brown eyes, ensuring both her annoyance and solemnity towards the matter.

Mr. Burner reluctantly sat up and learned forward until they were met at eye level, his hands now clenching the edge of his desk. Charlie refused to break her cold eyes away from him. "Don't give me any of that company guidelines bullshit talk! The story you wrote is nearly impossible to destinguish as nonfiction, let alone be logically possible to occur without having already obtained any personal information on the man beforehand. His records have demolished any claims you have made about him, along with the side personality he was given in your story. There is no evidence, no witnesses, no nothing to convey otherwise. I suggest you cut the bullcrap and start spitting facts before this little book of yours ends your writing career!"

Charlie's eyes widened at the remark from her boss, his tone filled with disgust towards his newest employee's behavior. Mr. Burner held his position, waiting to hear another bullshit comment from the lady.

"D-Did you talk to him?" Charlie questioned, her eyes widening with fear as she took her hands off the desk, taking a step back while resting her gaze on her boss. Mr. Burner raised a brow at the blonde's sudden change in attitude, scoffing at the bland question while returning to an upright position and crossing his arms. "If I didn't consider this matter seriously, I wouldn't have dared spoken a word to the man. He would be behind bars as we speak, but thanks to your selfish actions, we are dealing with as uproar from some very unhappy constumers. Former students, along with some friends and family members of his, have all clarified his portrayal to be a false accusation of a beloved human being. Not one other person has said otherwise, except you," he finished, pointing a finger at the young lady before crossng his arms again.

Silence passed between the two, neither's gaze meeting the other. A soft shudder escaped from Charlie's lips, her eyes dangling up at her boss before they jolted to a file slammed down in front of her. "With the shit you spouted earlier I'd doubt you'd take my word for it. All the details are stated here about the fellow. Give it a good look and then tell me if this is the same guy you claim him to be!" Mr. Burner then reluctantly sat back in his chair, his arms still crossed while annoyling watching Charlie sit down. She kept her eyes on the document while slowly opening the folder, turning to a citizen record containing the usual information. That plastered cheshire smile stained through the photo, a small chill working its way down Charlie's spine. Charlie continued to flip through the various news articles, school records, social media posts, interviews (one with Mr. Burner of course), and various other pieces of information pertaining to the individual before closing the folder, looking down at the floor again. "That's not him."