Mean for No Reason

TINA

“So, nothing interesting happened during the event?” I asked Kelly after taking a sip of water. “Just awareness and something something?”

We were by the water carrier and it was break time. It was Monday again, which to nobody’s surprise came fast.

“Yeah, you didn’t miss much,” Kelly replied. “Just the usual boring speech later on partnership, donations, and other self-important posturing stuff that those rich tycoons talk about.”

I rolled my eyes. Big surprise. “What were we even supposed to be aware of? Did they say that?”

She laughed. “Something something. I think we’re all just aware that they needed to look good. I think that’s what they achieved.”

“And our CEO?” I asked.

“Eh, he never came back.” Kelly shrugged. “I guess he used the opportunity to take you home to bail out. I don’t think he wanted to be at the event just like us.”

True.

“Count yourself lucky that you left,” Kelly said.

“I would say lucky and unlucky,” I replied. “Speaking of unlucky, what happened to the woman who soiled my dress?”

I put the cup of water to my lips.

“That bitch?” Kelly snorted. “She became even more obnoxious after you left. Whining and complaining about everything like a cow in heat.”

I nearly spilled out the water I just swallowed.

“I don’t know how our CEO manages to be with someone like her,” Kelly muttered. “Spoiled, arrogant, and bitchy.”

“Should that surprise you?” I tilted my head sideways. “Maybe that’s what he likes.”

Kelly stared at me. “Point taken.”

“Miss Campbell.”

I heard a timid voice behind me. We spun round as a young man walked toward us with a file.

“Here are the documents you asked for,” he handed them over to me.

“Thank you, Tim,” I accepted them.

Timothy “Tim” Barry was a young intern recently recruited around the same time I was employed. A young man in his early twenties, he was about my height with brown hair, brown eyes, and freckles on his nose. A nerd, if I could be more direct.

It was obvious to even the blind that he had a crush on me, but I just saw him as more of a little brother. He was way too young for me. And besides, I still wasn’t keen on relationships at the moment after the Mike fiasco.

“So if there’s anything you need,” Tim said, and I saw him flush pink, “let me know.”

“Okay,” I said.

Tim stood there not moving. Kelly and I stared at him expectantly.

“Mr. Barry.”

The three of us jolted as we heard the deep Hispanic accent. Alejandro was walking toward us.

“I believe you are supposed to be by your desk,” he said.

“Sorry, sir,” Tim said and scrambled off.

I frowned at Alejandro.

In response, he adjusted his suit and walked into the elevator.

“Who peed in his tacos?” Kelly asked as the elevator closed.

“Don’t know,” I replied.

But I intended to find out. That was not the same Alejandro who dropped me off the other night. That guy was almost sweet.

And I owed it to my little pal Tim to stick up for him.

***

I knocked on his door minutes later.

“Come in,” he said. I detected a bit of hesitation in his voice, and I smiled. I opened the door and walked in. He looked up from his computer.

“Miss Campbell?” He raised his eyebrows. “What are you doing here?”

Miss Campbell. So it was back to formality again? Someone ~had~ peed in his tacos.

“Just had one quick question.” I walked toward him and leaned by his table.

Alejandro stared at me like I had some nuts loose.

“Hey, Sebastian.” I waved to his pet goldfish.

The little orange creature just swam about without a care in the world.

“Miss Campbell, you’re not supposed to be here now.” Alejandro rubbed his forehead, shutting his eyes.

“The executive chambers are only for the higher-ranked staff.”

I waved a hand carelessly. “Yeah, yeah, I know that.”

His eyes snapped open and his jaw clenched. I didn’t care, though. He had been an asshole earlier that morning. And that was ridiculous, even for him. If all of those words he spilled in his speeches about integrity and partnership meant anything, he shouldn’t get away with being mean for no reason.

“You were hard on the young man earlier this morning,” I said.

“Is this what you came all the way here to tell me?” Alejandro deadpanned.

I raised my eyebrows and folded my arms in response.

“Miss Campbell, this is not a daycare center. This is work. He’s here to learn how to work and grow—both as a businessman and as a person,” he said.

“For Pete’s sake, he was delivering me a file.” I raised my hand. “And besides, we were on break.”

“He was looking at you like some kind of meat.” Alejandro raised an eyebrow.

Okay, that was a big fat lie. Tim wouldn’t even know how to look at a woman like a piece of meat.

“So that’s what this was about?” I said.

I leaned toward him, and a smirk formed on my lips.

“Mr. Gonzalez,” I said. “Do I detect a twinge of jealousy?”

Alejandro’s eyes narrowed immediately, and I recoiled a bit. Big mistake?

“I have a meeting in the next hour.” He gestured to the door. “Shut the door on your way out, Miss Campbell.”

That was a tone of dismissal. I sighed and walked toward the door. Well, I should count myself lucky. Any other person would have been fired on the spot for that comment I made. Maybe I should stop speaking my mind so often. It would probably get me in trouble, and I needed this job.

Stepping out, I caught his eyes quickly move to the screen. Was he staring at me as I was leaving? That had to be my imagination. Well, one thing was certain, though.

The asshole I knew and disliked was back.