章 7: Chapter 7 - He's Way Too Much
Carissa told Daisy all that happened that day and she couldn't help but curse out loud.
"What the fuck. I can't believe he's treating you this way."
Carissa sighed, releasing pent-up emotions. "I didn't want you to know. It's complicated, Daisy. I just need to find a way to navigate through this."
Daisy, now understanding the gravity of the situation, put a comforting hand on Carissa's shoulder. "I'm here for you, no matter what. But seriously, he's a jerk for treating you like that. You don't deserve it."
"I know but… I can't do anything. He owns the damn company," Carissa said and plopped on her bed, whimpering. "I don't know what to do, honestly."
"Come on, you shouldn't do this." Daisy took her hands. "Don't cry."
"I don't want to. I was so happy when I saw him yesterday but the cold shoulders he gave me washed away my happiness."
"Gosh. Just quit. I think he's getting back at you for dumping him back then."
"No." Carissa sniffed. "He doesn't act like that."
"Then what?"
"He just acts indifferent and stiff."
"Don't be a fool by claiming he doesn't recognize you."
Carissa sighed. She recalled David mentioning their past and shook her head. "He recognized me," she stated with a heavy heart.
Daisy twitched her mouth as she stood up, pondering. "So, did you think about telling him?"
Carissa looked up, her forehead squeezing in a daze. "About what?"
"Angelina, of course."
"What? We've not patched things up. Honestly, he is different now."
The door opened and Carissa wiped off her tears properly as she noticed Angelina walking in.
"Momma, are you okay?"
"Yes. Sweetheart, it's quite late. Do go to your bed and I will be there in a jiffy to put you to sleep.
"Okay, but I hope you're okay."
Carissa nodded and Angelina hesitated but left the room.
Daisy, now standing by the door, resumed the conversation. "You need to tell him about Angelina. Maybe he will understand."
Carissa sighed. "I don't know, Daisy. I just want to keep my personal life separate from work."
"But he's your boss, and he's treating you like garbage. Maybe he will change if he knows you have a daughter who depends on you and who's actually…his too."
Carissa rubbed her temples, feeling overwhelmed. "I will think about it. But there's one more thing bothering me. He mentioned reducing my salary because of my inexperience and education level."
"What? That's outrageous! Is he legally allowed to do that?"
Carissa nodded. "Apparently. He said my lack of qualifications justifies it. I feel trapped, Daisy. I don't know how to handle this."
Daisy clenched her fists in frustration. "I can't believe he's getting away with this. It's unfair, Carissa."
Carissa chuckled bitterly. "Life is never fair. I just have to endure and find a way to make things work."
Daisy sat beside Carissa, offering a supportive presence. "We will figure this out together. Maybe there's a way to change his mind or find another solution. You're not alone in this."
Carissa smiled weakly. "Thanks, Daisy. I appreciate your support."
The two friends continued discussing possible strategies and venting their frustrations. Carissa felt a mix of emotions — disappointment, anger, and a lingering sense of vulnerability.
A week later, work seemed to be going well for Carissa, and she felt things were normal until a drastic day came. Carissa went to see David, expecting routine tasks since he personally summoned her. However, he had different plans.
"Carissa, I've got something crucial that needs your attention."
"Sure, what do you need?"
David handed her a thick stack of documents and explained a complex project regarding the company's strategic initiatives.
"I need you to analyze these and draft a comprehensive report by the end of the day."
Carissa hesitated, realizing the complexity and magnitude of the task.
"Me?"
David nodded. "Yes, you. I believe in pushing people beyond their limits. It'll be a great opportunity for you to prove your worth."
"Sir, this is a bit beyond my current scope. I'm not sure I have the expertise for such an assignment. Isn't there someone more experienced for this?"
He leaned back, giving her a cold stare. "This is your chance to show me that you're not just a mediocre employee. Don't disappoint me."
Feeling the pressure, Carissa took a deep breath. "Alright, I will do my best."
Reluctantly, Carissa took the documents and headed to her desk. As she delved into the intricate details, anxiety crept in.
Meanwhile, Louisa, a colleague, noticed Carissa's predicament and came to her.
"Carissa, is everything okay? You seem stressed."
Carissa explained the unexpected task given by David, expressing her concerns.
"This task is huge and you shouldn't be doing this. Why would he assign it to you?"
Carissa shrugged. "I don't know."
"Gosh, the boss can be a hard nut to crack sometimes. Anyway, don't worry, I've dealt with similar projects before. Let me help you navigate through this."
Louisa shared her insights, guiding Carissa through the complex analysis. Together, they collaborated to meet the challenging deadline. As they worked tirelessly, Carissa found unexpected support and mentorship in Louisa and was happy she offered to help.
After Carissa was done after noon, she went to David's office to submit it.
"Who did this?" He asked, scrutinizing it.
She gulped and answered, "It's me."
He lifted his gaze to her and leaned forward to his desk. "Really?"
"I used the help of Louisa though."
"I see, but I asked you to work it out yourself."
"I'm sorry, sir. I don't remember you emphasizing on me doing it myself."
He smirked and nodded. "I think you're only going to learn better through punishment."
"What?"
"Go get me coffee." He turned to face the cabinet behind him and pretended to be looking for something.
"Sir, you said…"
"Go get me coffee, now!" He yelled. "And it should be the same."
Not letting his last sentence sink into her head, Carissa left, startled.
Carissa went to the coffee room. She let out her frustration through a tight scream. She thought of making him an ordinary coffee but remembered how he used to enjoy the special coffee she made for him back then.
"...it should be the same," she recalled the words of David and forced a smile before proceeding to make the coffee.
Carissa reluctantly prepared the coffee, aiming to recreate the special blend David once enjoyed. She took a deep breath to calm herself, reminding herself that maintaining professionalism was crucial.
As she entered his office with the steaming cup, she cautiously handed it to him. David glanced at her, and she couldn't help but notice the lingering hint of a smirk on his face.
"Thanks," he said curtly, taking a sip. His eyes studied her reaction.
Carissa hesitated, then finally asked, "Is there anything else, sir?"
He remained silent for a moment, seemingly enjoying the discomfort he caused. "No, you can leave."
As she exited the room, Carissa couldn't shake off the frustration and confusion. David's behavior continued to puzzle her, leaving her uncertain about what to expect in the unpredictable dynamics of her role as his personal assistant.
Later in the day, Carissa received a call from David through her desk telephone and he asked her to make him coffee and make sure it was better than the previous one.
She felt exhausted but managed to go get the coffee. While she was heading to her office, she lost her balance and stumbled to the floor, causing the coffee to spill.
David walked out of his office and his eyes caught the trailing spilled coffee. It trailed it back to the foot of Carissa and locked gaze with her.
She straightened up and quickly apologized. "I'm sorry, sir. I didn't do this intentionally."
His face squeezed and a deep frown appeared. "I don't fucking need your apology. You know what you're going to do? You're going to get a mop and clean this hallway down till the end with your hands and you better do it well. And do the same thing to the two floors beneath this one."
"Huh?!" Carissa's eyes popped out in disbelief. He has to be joking about giving her such a strenuous job.
"If you don't do it properly, you will get fired." With that, he returned to his office, slamming the door shut. She sighed as she looked down the hallway with a pang of anguish.
Carissa, burdened by the unreasonable demands of her boss, reluctantly grabbed a mop and started cleaning the spilled coffee in the hallway. The repetitive motion added to her frustration, but she reminded herself of the importance of keeping the job for her daughter and family.
As she approached David's office door, a sudden surge of anger prompted her to confront him. She raised her hand to knock but hesitated, considering the consequences of standing up against the powerful CEO. The welfare of her family flashed in her mind, and she sighed, deciding against the confrontation.
Instead, she focused on the task at hand, efficiently cleaning the hallway and the two floors below. The physical strain intensified her resentment, but she persevered with the hope that her efforts would secure her position.
After hours of labor, Carissa returned to her desk, exhausted and emotionally drained. She hoped for a moment of respite but was interrupted by a call from David.
"Bring me another cup of coffee. Make sure it's perfect this time," he demanded through the phone.
What an inconsiderate jerk!
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