AllyahHabitica01-21-2021

Written by: Allyah

Finish the Story - I had a conference call in five minutes. Marcy had my meeting papers laid out along with some fresh pens, Post-its, and a notepad all ready for me. At least until I walked in and spilled my Starbuck’s down my white blouse and all over my desk, papers, and keyboard. Who would have thought that a grande covered so much horizontal space. This was my moment to shine and…

I just had to walk in like an Anastasia Steele knock-off. That would not be the story of my life. I needed this promotion. I’ve been in the same position for 10 years now meaning I was 5 years late on where I wanted to be. A brown-stained blouse hardly screams “capable”. But I had an idea.

“Lily!” I yell. Lily opens the door within seconds. She must have scrambled. She’s learning. “Take off your shirt.”

“Uhhhm… what?”

Maybe not.

“Take. Off. Your. Shirt.”

“Um, okay.” Still hesitant but at least I have the answer I want.

“Hey! Not in here! Get in the closet!”

“Oh, sorry.” The bewilderment in her voice is more present than ever. Not very bright this one. That, or she somehow managed to miss the stain covering half of my shirt.

“Quickly.”

While she dashes to the coat closet, I start using my coat to mop up whatever coffee I can on the keyboard wincing in the process. This coat wasn’t cheap. If I get this promotion, though, I’ll be able to buy 50 of them. It’ll all be worth the gamble. I’m sure of it. It has to be. I’ve spent too many years cultivating connections for it to all fall apart now.

“Um, it’s off.”

“Hold it out,” I say while throwing the soaked coat in the corner of the room and striding towards the closet.

I grab the shirt and button it up as I cut across the room towards my desk. I won’t have my notes but I can wing it. I’ve done it before. Coffee is still dripping off the edge of the desk and I feel it dripping on my legs. At least it has cooled from blistering to merely slightly scalding.

I turn on the application, take a deep breath, and exhale a, “Ready!” just before the video conference video clicks on.

---

One and a half hours later

The conference call is disconnected and I breathe a sigh of relief.

“It’s done.”

“Congratulations, boss.”

“Thanks,” I reply as I crack the closet and hand her the shirt back.

I take a glance at my watch once I’ve finished buttoning my shirt. I’ve got another appointment in 20 minutes. I turn around when I reach the door and see Lily has found her way out of the closet.

“By the way, Lily.”

“Yes?”

“I no longer need your services.” I don’t bother to look at her face as the door shuts behind me.

Category:Stories from 01-2021

Category:Stories from 2021