When Stephanie left, Mike stood from his chair and asked me to follow him. I thought he was going to take me to somewhere I could rest because I was already tired of standing, but he told me to wait outside his office. By the door, while in goes to talk to Stephanie.
In normal circumstances, I would be able to stand longer than that but the whole situation, I mean what was going on now made me felt the need to relax and calm my mind. By the way, what exactly was wrong with Stephanie that she didn't want to oblige? She was, actually very stubborn.
I watched as the rest of the staff kept working on their computer systems in their workspaces. I loved how dedicated they were, they didn't even care about my presence nor were they reluctant in discharging their duties. If all of them were like Stephanie, the whole department would have turned into a mess.
Stephanie wasn't only stubborn, she was self-centered and had this pride that made her to think she could do whatever she like as the assistant head of the department. I never really like the position, I even thought about stepping down to normal staff soon but with the way Stephanie displayed her attitude, I just couldn't help but to embrace the idea of welcoming the position with two open arms.
People like Stephanie needs aren't supposed to lead, because a leader is expect to be good to his people, to know their problems and how to fix it, to guide and defend them were necessary, but what wasshe doing? Bullying new staff and probably taking advantage of her position to suppress the other ones.
While waiting for Mike to return, I began hearing some noises coming from the other side of the floor. And when I checked, I found out it was Mike trying to calm Stephanie down. The rest of the staff were forced to look at the scene as the two heads engaged in hot argument. However, none of them cared to leave their workspace, they were probably scared of interfering.
Somehow, I felt the need to interfere and calm them down even the I was the main reason for everything. When I walked over to them, Stephanie pointed at me and called me a coward and a whore.
"A coward and a what?" I was hurt by her words but I wasn't surprised, she had already showed how crazy she was.
"A whore, that's what you are. You probably opened your legs for him, he enjoyed you and now he's replacing you with me" she scoffed, "It's fine if that's how he wants it, but know that sooner or later he would meet someone more yummy than you and he would replace you with her!" she scoffed, trying to hide her pains. She was already running mad, obviously. I was hurt by her words but I tried as much as I could to compose myself. As long as I know I wasn't what she thought I was, then fine. But I would make sure I clear my name later to the other staff because they were all watching the whole thing.
"Stephanie!" Mike chimed in, "Stephanie you are going far, I may not be able to help you again if you don't calm down!" he warned her.
"I don't need your help as I am leaving, I am leaving this damn company for good. I can't stay and work until this..." Before she could insult me further, I bellowed and told her to stop overreacting.
"Frank didn't fire you, he only asked Mike to replace you with me. That's all. And talking about me being a whore or offering my body for this position, I am virgin! I've never even dated before, and I am still single. If you think I am lying, I don't owe you any explanation as this is my life. But I know, I am not as bad as you think or say I am. If that's what you are, then know that we are two different people. I really thought you would be kind enough to welcome me with two arms but even while in Mike's office, you accused him of sleeping with me. And now you are accusing me of sleeping with the person that got me this job? You should check yourself, I think what you are running away from is the fact that you are returning back to the rest of the staff, to work with them like the normal staff you were before being promoted. And that's what you don't like, and I am sure it's because you don't have a good record as a head, that's why you are trying to run away!" I finally decided to stop there, breathing as if I did a fifth-kilometer race before coming. And my heart kept beating fast against my ribcage.
"Whatever, fuck you!" she said while holding a box filled with her personal belongings and began heading towards the exit. Mike was somehow fed up by her too as he didn't even my chasing her or trying to stop her. When she reached the exit, she turned and glanced at practically everyone in the floor, "Now you can enjoy all your life as the real bitch is gone!" she rolled her eyes and left.
As soon as she left, the whole floor was saturated by the noise of people clapping. They were obviously clapping at me and they looked very happy. "I think they like you" Mike whispered into one of my ears, "You should introduce yourself to them" he added.
"Okay," I uttered and cleared my throat. As soon as they acknowledged I had something to say, they stopped clapping and listened to me. Hence, I humbly introduced myself to them. After the introduction, they clapped again and then introduced themselves to me one after another.
I loved how welcoming they were. After the introduction I was taken to Stephanie's office by Mike, "This is your office now," he said and then took his time to explain how things were run and how they work. He also oriented me about my duties and obligations, before summoning some staff to replace some of Stephanie's official belongings with new ones that I could use.
After everything, and while alone in my office, I heaved a sigh recalling every single thing that had happened to me, right from the first day I met Frank till now. And when I reached where Stephanie insulted me and called me a whole, tears rolled down my cheeks.
Even though I had explained everything to other staff, the ones she tried tarnishing my image in their presence, I still felt like some of them would have this bad thinking about me sleeping with someone to get this position. Meanwhile, I didn't even ask for such a high position from Frank. I only wanted a job, a decent job so I could start earning my own money and taking care of my basic needs.
So sad I had to go through all those things I encountered, the defaming and even the stress to prove I am free from all the accusations brought against me. But all in all, I was glad that I was given the opportunity to start from the top, than from the bottom. And I hoped that this is the beginning of an unending success, and a gateway to different other achievements in my life.
Few hours after being posted to my office, I had already started signing papers and authorizing transactions. Things were practically electronics, and I loved how I fast I was starting to adapt. I could use a computer system of course, but there were a lot I didn't know about in terms of finance. However, I was beginning to be acquainted.
Frank later came to check on me, he smiled and told me what he heard from one of his intels. That I did really great cubbing the situation in my department. At first I thought he was talking about the works I had been through but later I realized he was talking about what happened between Stephanie and I.
"You don't have to feel bad for her," he continued, "I deliberately replaced her with you because she isn't fit for the job and I had beem longing to humiliate her. I heard a lot from my intels about her nonchalant attitude and foul languages, and how she used to overburden and humiliate junior staff. I just couldn't bring it up to her because doing that would prompt her to start hunting for my intels" he giggled.
"She called me a whore, and accused me of sleeping with someone to get this... position" I said, trying all my best to control myself.
"I heard that, but as long as you know for sure that's not true, you don't have to worry about it. People will always say what they like even without proof, and Stephanie is known in this department as the dumbest lady she was. People don't usually believe in the words that comes out of her mouth, hence nobody will ever believe this too. So, don't you worry. Okay?"
"Okay" I nodded my head in acknowledgement.
"Good!" he said and then asked if I was hungry. Well, after everything that had happened I kind of lost my appetite. But in order not to appear weak or sound like I allowed Stephanie's craziness to get into me, I answered in affirmative.
"Yes, do you have cafeteria around?" I asked.
"Of course yes, it's in the first floor. Let's go" he said.
"Alright" I heaved a sigh and stood to my feet. Thus, I trailed behind him as he led the way out of my office.
As we walked together, heading towards the elevator, I looked around to see if the staff had their eyes on us. But guess what? None of them even cared to give us a glance, they were all busy.
The only person that glanced at us was Mike, he was supervising some of the activities. He quickly turned his face away and continued what he was doing. That was good for him, I love it when people mind their business.
As soon as we stepped into the elevator, Frank told me his parents' flight had been delayed further. That means, they wouldn't be coming back any time sooner. And that also means, they company was partially under his control. A burden he practically didn't like to take.
I didn't know when I huffed and told him, as long as he's alive one day the company would be under his full control, hence it would be better for him to start learning how to take care of things right from now. "Nobody can run your company better than you" I quoted.
"Did you got that from, Vilary Squad?" he asked.
"Vintage Squad?" I wrinkled a brow at him, I didn't really know what exactly he was talking about. Vintage Squad, what does that supposed to mean? I wondered.
"Yes, Vintage Squad, or didn't you watch the movie?" he said.
So it was a movie, huh? "I never heard of it" I muttered, I actually never heard of it. Not even from box office movies adverts.
"Wow, anyways it's a wonderful film. It's all about business, politics, and so on. I watched it three years ago, and what you quoted earlier about only a business owner can run his business better, well that was a quote from the movie by Albert Drake, the movie star" he explained.
"Oh, I never knew!" I choked, "I actually used to hear people saying around, I learned from them"
"Well, now you know where the words come from" he sarcastically said and quickly stepped out of the elevator the moment it reached the first floor.
"Yeah!" I muttered and followed him gently, while looking around the building. I was still amazed by it, and every time I think about it I would imagine the money spent.
