Chapter 2: Comforting the discomfort

AMANDA'S POV

"Today's going be tough, like really tough", said my subconscious after snoozing off the alarm clock for more than 5 minutes. What type of person wakes up after one ring? I belonged to the kind who woke up after 7 snoozes in a row. Also, Apple's standard alarm tone did add up to my grievances. One ring and my entire mind were fucked up.

I brushed my teeth, ironed my yellow t-shirt, and paired it with sky blue denim. I always wore simple and decent dresses in college, as I carried forward the same look in the office. Carrying outfits was a task. I didn't really like to go with casual clothing unless it was an outing.

I took my backpack after gathering my hair into a high ponytail, messaged the group which had me, Gina, and Francis "Left home" and rushed towards the main door after lacing up my white canvas.

"I'm leaving, mom. I'll go straight to work after eating something in college. Love you ", I said in a loud tone, clear enough for mom to hear.

"Love you too, Good luck baby girl. Make the most of this day", Mom shouted back, love and care could be sensed in her words.

I took the nearest cab and instructed the driver for directions, I reached college in approximately 15 minutes and ran towards my class after realizing I was late. I aspired to be on time but lost the battle with my sleep every time. Everyone in my class was aware of my tradition of being 'late'. I always covered up this flaw of mine by smiling pleasantly toward the lecturer.

"May I come in sir", I had my eyeballs placed towards the direction of the ground as I knew I was going to be bashed by the professor.

"Usual Latecomer, Get in", his words were conforming enough today, maybe he was in a real good mood. I rushed and established the only vacant seat which was in the front row.

When Professor Hemsworth was busy teaching, I turned around to inquire about Gina and Francis, I found out that they were busy talking by resting their heads on the desk. I hated it when they talked without me, it felt like I was losing synchronization with so much gossip on this earth.

Francis knew everything about everyone, he was probably in the gossip box. I and Gina were never bored in his company as he filled us with gossip.

I smiled at Mr. Hemsworth, held my head high in a magniloquent way, and proceeded to pay attention to his lecture faking out yes and no every time he looked at me. I usually projected myself as a good girl since class teachers add up to our grades by giving us internal marks. I actually excelled in this field.

When the bell rang, we at once marched towards the canteen. On taking our respected chairs, we discussed our lives. We usually stalked people, our exes, our enemies, etc.

"I'm so hungry", Gina stood up from her seat and the paved way toward the ordering counter. On having our respected meals placed in front of us, "So, what happened yesterday?" Gina questioned, her brows arched in my direction.

"We need every minute detail ", Francis followed her closely and looked around at everyone in the surroundings in an attempt to spot some hot girl. When we talked about judgment it meant that we didn't judge each other but we had all the right to judge people who were not us.

"Oh my hotness, that girl is super sexy. Which one of you is going to bring her number for me?" Francis looked in the direction of the girl.

"No one, grow up" I pinched him on his shoulder.

"Ignore him", Gina sat on the chair looking closely at the menu of the soft drinks.

"Remember the guy I told y'all about, because of whom I came late to Gina's birthday bash?", I broke the silence after completing one whole piece of my heavenly pizza.

"Not that you're an early bird", Gina was basically annoyed more than anyone whenever her twentieth birthday party's topic popped up. She gulped some coke and eyed me throwing daggers.

"Did you break your virginity with him? " Francis had this uncontrollable dirty mind and mouth.

"I'm serious dumb." I looked at Francis, widening my eyes which clearly meant that he should stop his dirty jokes at this very moment. "He's my new boss", I continued in an awfully low voice.

"Whaaaaaaaaaat?" Gina interrogated whilst covering her mouth out of shock. I nodded which was a sign of confirmation.

"Was he threatening you regarding the complaint you filed against him? Why did he give you the job? Did you guys fight on the very day of the interview? Was he a gentleman or a ruthless bastard?"

Questions were flooding from each side, turn by turn. I turned my head on according to their questions. They seemed shocked and perplexed just like me.

"I umm... don't know. I'm confused myself", was the only answer I could give to their innumerable questions. "But I do need this job", I thought for a while and continued "I don't get it, why did he admit me in the first place. I got an appointment letter without applying for one. Is he planning on some revenge?"

Francis's brow furrowed as he took a bite of his burger "There's more to the story. I don't think such a small incident will affect him. Maybe you should dig a little deep. I mean, why would he hate you for saving a dog's life?"

Gina looked at Francis, and replied "Maybe you're stretching the topic and taking it to an irrelevant phase", she turned her attention towards me and consoled "You'll make it through"

"I, yet find his personality shady", Francis interrupted.

"Yeah hopefully", I replied crossing my fingers and ignoring Francis's statement.

I checked my watch and realized that it was 11 am which meant that I yet had time with these idiots. My office was half an hour away from college, Gina made sure that she'll drop me in her car as my office was on her way home.

I pulled Gina out of the college campus as she was not ready to leave yet and I was already late, I made sure to wear my jacket because it was freezing outside. Francis decided to stay in college for a while as he had nothing to do at home rather than play games or with girls.

We reached my office at 5 to 12, Gina was a safe driver. I never took up the driver's seat as huge vehicles scared the shit out of me.

"I'll pick you up at 7 pm for the fresher's party, okay?" Gina sounded really excited. She paused for a while and later continued, "Dress your best. Always remember: Pretty people turn heads, I and my fag's break necks."

"Oh My God, Definitely yes", I exclaimed out of excitement. I totally forgot about the fresher's party. Thinking about it made me grin. Some unknowns looked at me while I did so. I'm pretty sure they considered me an idiot.

I hugged Gina and waved her goodbye from afar as she looked at me through the rearview mirror. I stood there until she was out of sight, only then did I start walking towards the office.

On hearing someone sob, I took gradual steps towards that voice, I saw an elderly woman sobbing. I went towards her and realized that she was the receptionist I met the day before. Her face looked like a wreck, her eyes were red and so was her face.

"Need a tissue?" I questioned removing one from my bag.

"Thanks, love", the woman took it from my hands and adjusted her wrecked face with it, wiping off the tears which rolled from her eyes. She sniffed and tucked away all the baby hair from her forehead.

"You okay, madam?" I interrogated repeating the same question I asked earlier, in my mind.

"I no longer have this job. I've been expelled by Mr. Reynolds.", she sobbed for a while and then continued, "He said that a woman of my age is no longer capable of this job. I've given 25 years of my life to this company. I've seen him grow from a toddler to such a young man."

"Don't give on your abilities Madam. You'll definitely find a better job soon", no matter how much I wanted to question his past out of curiosity, I couldn't. Ma'am was in a condition where she deserved to be solaced and not to be questioned. Maybe she needed this job and the money acquainted with it so as to satiate her daily needs.

"I need to hurry. Take care", I hugged her and said a quick goodbye. "You'll do fine Ma'am

"Yeah! Thank you", she smiled looking at me whilst I waved her goodbye.

I took longer steps than before as I knew I was late. I pushed the door with all my strength but then the door didn't even move slightly, I later read the "PULL" tag over it. I hit myself playfully with my hand on the head and pulled the door realizing how clumsy I actually was.

I went towards the reception to check in. The receptionist now hired was young. She seemed to be in her mid 20's. She looked really focused and dedicated to the work. She had a big plastic smile plastered all over her face which could be easily seen. She had pale white skin with freckles all over and dark brown hair.

"Amanda Waters!" I said my name aloud at her desk.

"Oh, hi madam" Here's this file for you which contains all the clauses. We mailed it to you but we assumed you did not open it as we did not get any reply. Read it carefully before signing over the contract papers", she explained everything nicely to me.

"Yes! Definitely yes", I grabbed the file from her hand and mimicked the same plastic smile as hers.

"Go to the 7th floor. Your cabin is at the right corner of it. Just 1 cabin away from Mr. Reynolds", she instructed me, again.

"Why on the seventh floor? Can't I have it on any other floor?" I knew that this question only had a negative answer but my mind expected an assertive answer 'Please-say-yes-please-say-yes.'

"No madam as you have opted for the job of the secretary. You have to be closer to Mr. Reynolds's cabin", she gave out the most expected answer and I knew somewhere that this job was not going to be easy at all for me.

I took the elevator and marched towards my cabin. One good thing about this company was every individual had a different cabin.

I obviously had to pass through My Boss' cabin. On my way, I peeked a bit. I saw him doing something on his laptop. I sighed in relief as he did not see me. I don't know why but I felt really uncomfortable in front of this man. No, I wasn't scared. Why would I be? He cannot swallow me up and even if he could I'd poison myself so that when I die, he dies too.

I kept my bag on the table systematically and opened the file which defined the clauses of my contract.

I read each one, one by one. They were written in a precise yet, simple language and were highly technical.

Clause No 1 - Once admitted the contractee has no choice rather than serving the company for 6 whole months. The power of resignation would only be accessible after 6 months of serving the company or at the discretion of the employer. If the employee thus further wishes to no longer continue before the stipulated period of the 6 months time, he/she would be obliged to pay a sum, no lesser than his/ her 3x monthly pay to get the employment terminated.

Clause No 2 - The contractee has to be present whenever the company needs him/her. He / She cannot make any excuses at the end moment. If the condition is as critical as sickness or bereavement, then the contracted would be given the power to rest but the supporting documents would be needed to be submitted at once as the operational normalcy resumes. The company may require the contractee at any time, He / She has to obey and agree to the company's requirements.

Clause No 3 – He / She has to keep the company's interests over individual interests.

Clause No 4 - Amendments in any clause OR Breaking of it would be subject to penalty.

I then read all the 20 clauses one by one. I closed the file hard and exclaimed "Bullshit, all bullshit".

I had a small plan of doing this job, being financially stable, and starting something on a small scale by myself. I could at least bare Mr. Reynolds for 6 months, that's what I felt.

I took the paper and signed on to the "CONTRACTOR'S SIGNATURE" column. I turned the pages one by one and signed on each of them. After that, I rechecked to make sure I hadn't left out any page.

I took the contract papers and went to Mr. Reynolds's office to submit them. I first straightened my t-shirt and carefully parted all the small strands of my hair behind my ears so as to look presentable.

I knocked on the door just once. After a while I heard the low voice, "Come in"

I opened the door and walked carefully over the marble flooring as I knew I was clumsy, I always walked on the road like I'd been high on alcohol for days whilst taking support from either Gina or Francis. THE least I wanted was to make a joke out of myself.

"Here are the contract papers, I've read each and every clause and I would try my best to do justice with them", I broke the silence.

"The question of injustice does not arise as you have a penalty imposed upon you whenever there is a breach of the contract", Mr. Reynolds moved his hand through his dark blonde hair which was a shade of brown.

I approached him to commit the contract papers. I could sense the amazing cologne he was wearing. Each step closer was like surrendering myself, to a vampire who could bite my neck anytime and make me his slave.

I was about to hand away from the papers in his hand so that he could cross-check when suddenly, my leg slipped because of the extra slippery flooring. I could not help but fall over the giants' gigantic arms. My face collapsed in his chest, I could hear his heart beating at a normal rate creating rhythm in my ears. I tried to ease the situation by not making eye contact with him.

I then took the support of his shoulders with my hands to get away but I guess fate had a different plan anyway, a plan in which I could be murdered because my hair was intertwined in his shirt's button. I tried unlocking it with my sixth sense, as I did not have a clear vision of the situation.

All I could see was his black shirt and after narrowing my eyes I got a vision of his coat above it too. Moving even an inch away from his chest hurt me so much. I could not really break all of my hair at the cost of Richie rich's anger. Richie Rich? Yes, Richie rich

"Let me get a pair of scissors", He finally spoke interrupting the silence.

"Scissors?, No way! You cannot cut my hair. There's nothing like cutting the contractee's hair in the clause. I've read it twice and I'm sure about it", I felt so helpless.

He maintained a firm grip on me through my back. I refused to move, he pushed me anyways. He did not care at all that his actions were hurting me. He started walking backward and I had to obviously move in sync with him.

He then opened the desk and removed a big and ugly pair of scissors.

"Please don't do this sir! I'm sorry for everything. I'm sorry for bashing you, for lodging a complaint against you. I'm sorry for today and for tomorrow.

No doubt I was cursing Richie rich from the inside with every bad and abusive word I've ever learned or heard since kindergarten.

He caught the scissors firmly with his right hand and brought them closer to me. My eyes started watering as now I'd abandoned the option to leave the company too as I already agreed over the contract.

And suddenly I hear a tuck. A tuck is a kind of noise that comes when you work with a pair of scissors. I knew he had successfully invaded the mission of cutting the middle portion of my hair turning me into a saint.

I refused to look at my hair, which was most probably on the floor by now. My eyes were closed and I was crying continuously. Then, with all my willpower, I opened my eyes and looked thoroughly down. There was no hair, not even a strand of it.

Richie rich had a button in his hand which was ditched in the bin lately by him. I now understood the whole ironic situation. He did not cut my hair but his button instead.

In this situation, I hardly heard his voice. I guess the monster talks less. Like, much less.

"Thank you for not turning me into a saint", I wiped away my tears with my hands.

I placed the contract file carefully on the table. I hated my clumsiness more than anything in this world. I could not make eye contact with Mr. Richie rich because obviously, I was embarrassed.

"I'm extremely sorry", I apologized without expecting an answer.

"Today our company completed 25 years. There's a big ceremony on the ballroom downstairs. You'll get a mail with the list of guests who are to be invited. The invitation should be very immaculate and simple. Make sure they come, as they all are beneficial to our company in some or the other way", He explained to me my work for today.

"Dress decently and be on time. The function starts at 9 pm sharp. Be present here till 8:30 pm", he continued

"Okay, sir. I won't upset you"

"You can leave now Miss Waters "

I left the cabin and I was yet embarrassed. My mind could not help but replay the whole situation again and again.

I went to my cabin and checked over my emails first. Suddenly there was a pop-up notification of "new mail message", I refreshed the page and checked over the lists of the guests. There were around 500's of them.

Before starting with my work, I checked my phone and saw 112 unread group messages of us (FAG). I read them one by one. They were continuously discussing tonight's fresher's party.

Oh shit, I totally forgot I had a fresher's party tonight too which will start by 7 and continue all night. How could I not think about this when Mr. Richie Rich was explaining to me, about the function. I'd given my word of being present by 8:30 sharp to Mr. Richie Rich's and I promised Gina too.

I was in a dilemma. I had to take down one plan. But maybe I could set my time, prepare a limit, and attend both of the events. But, I was scared of the consequences.

"NO, no, no Ammie baby. Be positive, stay positive, and think positive." I consoled myself.