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CHAPTER EIGHTY-ONE: A STEP TOWARDS FATE.
Last Updated:
2025-01-22 16:53:22
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BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE: THE WEIGHT OF THE DAY.
An alarm rings continuously…..It's 6 am in Inwood, New York City. Laura reluctantly sat up as the alarm blared. She stretched and yawned, fighting the lingering drowsiness that tempted her to stay in bed.She felt exhausted from the previous day at her demanding and frustrating cleaning job, a challenge she had to face with determination every day.Alongside the stress, Laura endured constant hostility from her coworkers and boss, yet with no choices, this cleaning job was her sole means of survival.Laura reluctantly pulled off her cozy duvet, gathering her remaining strength to face yet another exhausting day in her routine.As her feet met the cold wooden floor, she was reminded of the challenges awaiting her at work once again today.“Does life ever get any better?” She murmured in frustration as she struggled to rise from the bed.Laura rushed to the bathroom for a bath in the shower. She was refreshed as the cold water trickled down her body. The scent of her soap filled the ai
Last Updated : 2024-11-20BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER TWO: FRAMED AND FORGOTTEN.
A deep, firm voice suddenly cut through the tense atmosphere, commanding attention and halting the brewing conflict between Laura and her coworkers. It was the CEO of the company.“What’s going on here?” He demanded, his voice stern and unyielding, laced with authority.The troublemakers, caught off guard and sensing the power shift, quickly scrambled to distance themselves from the scene. “Nothing, sir!” they answered in unison, their voices dripped with false innocence, their expressions smug. They couldn't help but feel satisfied by the emotional pain they’d just inflicted on Laura.Still boiling with frustration and anger, Laura felt her control slipping. She wept uncontrollably, a mixture of emotions clouded her composure as she looked her boss in the eye. The disgust and anger she had tried so hard to shield her face from, poured out in an uncontrollable flow of tears. Without answering, she took her cleaning supplies and turned away from the scene, bitterly crushing all the h
Last Updated : 2024-11-20BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER THREE: IN THE GRIP OF HOPE AND DESPAIR.
“Everyone please step aside!”. “She has now regained consciousness,” Laura’s boss ushered the others.It was all disorienting as she gradually rose and noticed that she had passed out in her superior’s office.She used her hands to support herself, but they were shaking partially. When she looked around the room, her colleagues fixed her with such an incredulous look that she almost felt like a ghost.The images of what took place at work not long ago started to come back to her memories just as they began to escalate the fear that was building in her heart.In a fit of rage and disbelief, a contemptuous glare was directed at her boss before Laura stormed out of the room without a second look.Laura, emotionally exhausted and struggling with dizziness, limped to her work section and quietly packed her things.It was almost as if each item she stuffed into her bag was an artifact from her previous ill-treatment in that organization.As heaviness overtook her, Laura walked towards the
Last Updated : 2024-11-20BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER FOUR: DESPERATE MEASURES.
Having come to terms that her tears and worries could not conjure the funds required for the treatment of her ailing mother; Laura was the first to interrupt the unsettling silence with a desperate appeal.“Sir, I don’t have that kind of money at the moment,” she began her sentence shivering. “Please, can you start the treatment? I promise I’ll pay as soon as I can. I just need some time to arrange it.”The doctor’s expression remained stern as he responded, “I’m sorry, Laura, but we can’t begin treatment without the $1,000 payment upfront. Our policy requires it before we can proceed.” His tone left no room for negotiation and signaled his unwillingness to bend the rules.Puzzled, Laura stared at her mother for a while before switching her attention towards the doctor and racking her brain for something to say. A flicker of determination kindled in Laura’s eyes as she sensed a chord tingling in her mind. I think I know what to do, she whispered, almost gingerly under the context of
Last Updated : 2024-11-20BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER FIVE: SHATTERED EGO, NEW BEGINNINGS.
Panic surged through Laura as she fought and screamed, “Leave me alone!” in a burst of self-preservation, she raised her right hand and slapped him as she knocked him away.Fred stood shocked by Laura’s boldness, touched his cheek with his left hand, and stared at her in astonishment.Laura became the first woman to truly stand up to Fred; not only did she resist him, but she also struck back and shattered his ego for all to see.People passing by gazed at Laura as if she were a deity. The cafe’s customers hurried outside, forming a circle around them and watching in stunned silence.“Who do you think you are?” Fred demanded, visibly angry. “I am a woman who refuses to stand by and let herself be harassed by an uncivilized man,” Laura shot back, storming into the cafe in anger and leaving him standing there.Fred immediately followed Laura silently with a sinister grin spreading across his face as he vowed to himself that he would have her in his bed, even if it were the last thing h
Last Updated : 2024-11-28BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER SIX: THE MEETING AT ACADEMY STREET.
The lowering of the fading sun cast a shadowy presence over the towering structures upon the street as Laura scurried on the pavement and her heart thumped and paced.She pressed her palm to her ribs as she gasped and was frantic. Laura reached out with her fingers to grab her handbag, which she knew contained money for a taxi to take her away from Fred and the troubling incident that had her head in confusion.Her hand met nothing but the fabric of her dress, and a sick realization washed over her. She’d left her purse on the counter, right there, right where Fred could still be lingering. Her heart sank like a stone. She couldn’t go back; the idea of facing him again filled her with dread. She looked around, feeling trapped as shadows crept across the sidewalks, swallowing the street in a dim, unsettling haze.In a hurry, she rushed to the sidewalk’s border and settled herself into a battered wooden stool placed outside a shut shop. Clutching the edges of her head, she attempted t
Last Updated : 2024-11-29BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER SEVEN: THREADS OF TENSION.
Fred looked from Laura to Jerry, suspicion darkening his expression as he took in the scene. Laura’s breath caught in her throat and, without thinking, she pressed herself against Jerry, her trembling hands clutching her bag.“Laura?” He asked the question while stepping slightly forward, but a tone of mockery laced his voice. As Laura looked up at him and watched him take a step closer, she gripped on her bag so hard to avoid falling off, she felt like a prey being hunted, and wished the ground would open up and swallow her.“Back to upset me, I see,” Fred’s drawl oozed mischief as he moved forward, a smug grin spreading across his face. “Are you following me everywhere now?”.Laura took a small, instinctive step back, her pulse racing. The depth of his gaze was penetrating and almost teasing which made her feel uneasy.“Why are you in my house?” He demanded as he looked at her with surprising amusement.“Your...your house?” She repeated in a voice so low that only her thoughts c
Last Updated : 2024-11-30BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER EIGHT: A DANGEROUS WELCOME.
As much as she would like to shake off the persistence of the terrible feeling of fear she felt, Laura assuredly looked calm on the outside. Determined, she gritted her teeth, looked up at Fred, and equally bore the gaze of Fred’s eyes at her, refusing to be intimidated. She would not let him see how scared he made her.Fred broke the silence, his tone casual but his smile unsettling. “At least you could be polite enough to say hi, my lady.” He said as he tilted his head and studied her as though waiting for her to respond with something more than silence.Laura clenched her jaw, pushing down the urge to recoil. She forced herself to respond, her voice tinged with disgust. “What do you want from me, Fred? And how did you even know I was here?”.Fred’s smile deepened a glint of mischief in his eyes. “Walls have ears, darling,” he replied smoothly. “A little bird told me.”His gaze swept over her, lingering as though assessing every detail. “The dress suits you, though,” he added, r
Last Updated : 2024-12-01
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BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER EIGHTY-ONE: A STEP TOWARDS FATE.
After completing her bath quickly, Laura checked the wall clock to make sure she wouldn't be late for her interview. She hurriedly put on the sharp shirt and pants Jerry had picked out for her and picked up her phone and purse. She muttered, "My shoes," as she knelt down to get her wedges from beneath the table, where she had kept them safe ever since she got to Fred Walker's house. After a quick spray of her favorite cologne, Laura hurried from her room to the living room to see Jerry before she left.Jerry heard her loud footsteps approaching, and his heart began to rush. Knowing that their friendship might never be the same after this day made them uneasy. Laura was not aware of a secret Jerry had long withheld from her, which added weight to the interview at Fred's workplace. Jerry stood up anxiously as she emerged, his gaze fixed on Laura. He was astounded by her attractiveness, which was increased by her attire. He was momentarily engrossed in her beauty. “How do I look?” La
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER EIGHTY: A PROMISE TO KEEP.
Laura felt as though a million irreparable pieces had been blasted from her universe. Mr. Tim, who had always seemed to understand her and with whom she had felt safe, now spoke to her as if he were a complete stranger. Although she wanted to be upset, she was unable to place the blame on him. All he was doing was what he thought was required to safeguard his company and its expansion. Nevertheless, Laura was unable to control her emotions as the pain of his words persisted. As she sobbed hysterically, they poured freely down her cheeks, heavy and hot. Feeling stuck, she had to decide between two unfeasible options: staying at her low-paying job as a waitress at the cafe or accepting the secretarial post at the clothes firm which she hadn't even applied for, but now desperately needed.She had little choice because of her mother's deteriorating health. Her only way to pay for the medical care her mother needed was to work as a secretary, which paid more. But she was troubled by the u
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER SEVENTY-NINE: WHEN HELP BACKFIRES.
After a long drive to Beekman Street, where Maggie lived, the vehicle came to a stop. Maggie held out her hand to direct the driver to her door while her gaze swept the road. Jack, meanwhile, became worried when he saw the car following them. His piercing eyes lingered on it, attempting to make sense of it. Maggie was too preoccupied with getting home and relaxing to see the danger that was right outside her. As the vehicle pulled to a stop, she pointed to her home and said, "Here." Jack's heart raced in increasing alarm. He gently tapped Maggie's shoulder as he leaned in closer. He muttered, "Mom," in an attempt to get her attention.Maggie, however, disregarded Jack's uneasiness since she was not aware of the tightness in his voice. She reached inside her bag and took out some money to give to the driver. "I understand that you're hungry, Jack. I am, too”. She led him out of the car while keeping her eyes on her front door. "Let's head in, and I'll look something up before we ca
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER SEVENTY-EIGHT: HIDDEN MOTIVES.
With his hands slipping into his pockets, the Sheriff moved with purpose toward Rose, his eyes unwavering and steady. The deep hush was broken by his strong yet low voice. "I'm really disappointed in you," he replied quietly, the calm tone hardly concealing the rage inside. Slowly, as though driven by some unseen power, Rose turned. She breathed unevenly, her hands shaking as she clasped her fingers together. She avoided looking, trying to regain her balance. "You pretended not to recognize me even though you knew I was Linda's father. Why?” With his arms folded across his chest and his eyes narrowed, he demanded a response in a sharp voice.Rose closed her eyes for a second and let out a long breath. "I apologize, sir," she said in a guilty tone. "I wasn't prepared to discuss Linda and myself. All that took place was horrific. I'm not proud of it, and I stayed away from anything that reminded me of those times. The sheriff examined her closely, evaluating the authenticity of her s
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER SEVENTY-SEVEN: THE PRICE OF DECEIT.
Mary was clearly enjoying the chaos as her scathing and taunting laughter reverberated throughout the room. She flourished in chaos, particularly when Laura was in sight. Mary looked at Rose and smiled mischievously. “So, Rose,” she said, her tone full of derision. "You're also a concubine of Fred Walker?" Mary got up from her chair and gave Rose a sharp look in a tone that was equal parts disdain and laughter. Everyone in the room grew silent as the realization weighed heavily on them. The sheriff remained motionless as his mind raced to comprehend the network of lies that was being revealed to him.But Sarah was unable to control her anger. She jumped up, her cheeks flushed, her hands clenched, prepared to meet Rose. She cried, her voice shaking with fury and betrayal, "How could you, Rose?".Mary took Sarah's arm and held her back before she could do anything. Mary snarled, trying to manage the growing tension with a tight grasp, "Calm down." Rose's voice cracked as she spoke, h
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER SEVENTY-SIX: THE RECKONING AT NASSAU STATION.
Laura wanted desperately to stifle Fred's inflated ego, even only once. She had grown weary of losing every argument to his uncivilized haughtiness. She inhaled deeply, braced herself, and clenched her hands before answering calmly and purposefully. Fred, nobody is envious. Could we just have dinner and head to bed?.Jerry's eyes got bigger. He knew Laura who usually stormed off in tears, defeated, but this was not her. Her calm answer confused him. Laura resisted the need to cry or become angry for the first time. Even though Fred had previously made fun of him and Diana, Jerry couldn't help but respect her newfound fortitude.Laura's eyes changed to Jerry's, showing something fresh, acceptance, instead of rage or surrender. She had no more energy for pointless disputes as she started to understand the tension dynamics of Fred Walker's household. As they ate in reluctant silence, a thick hush fell over the room. Helen whispered softly from the door of the dining room, "Goodnight,
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER SEVENTY-FIVE: A COLLISION OF EMOTIONS.
However, the moment was short. Their intimacy was cut short by the sound of approaching footsteps, and then the delicate mood between them was broken by a playful laugh. The warmth of their shared moment dissipated into anxiety as they automatically separated in surprise. A playful voice chimed from the doorway, piercing the tension like a dagger, "Dinner's ready, lovebirds." Their assumption that they had been overheard was confirmed when the lighthearted comment landed heavily. Once brimming with unsaid emotions and vulnerability, the space now brimmed with awkwardness. Laura and Jerry exchanged a quick, agitated look and then turned their heads away, both fighting the flush that was starting to appear on their cheeks. Words failed them, and the weight of what had just happened hung heavy in the air.Helen laughed once again. Evidently, she had overheard enough of their talk to put the pieces together. Jerry and Laura were unaware that their voices had penetrated farther than th
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER SEVENTY-FOUR: WHAT THE HEART WANTS.
Jerry stumbled, his voice cutting through the heavy tension in the room, "I - I… um, Laura, I'm sorry." He quickly retreated from Laura's hold while averting his eyes. Not just yet. He couldn't look into her sharp eyes. They were in charge of him and constantly made him feel insignificant, exposed, and unprepared. Laura struggled to maintain her composure while she stumbled over her words. With a voice full of feelings she was unable to control, she asked, "Um, what are you doing here?"."Please give me a chance, Laura”. Jerry murmured, "Let's talk," in an imploring tone as he gingerly extended his hand to take hers. He could sense her anger radiating from her, and he proceeded cautiously, caught between his need to make amends and his dread of being rejected. Laura noted the twitch of his hand as their gazes locked. She paused, uncertain whether to draw away or remain motionless. Something deep inside her was awakened by that brief interaction. Her determination softened as the r
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREE: TORN APART.
Laura's hasty footsteps reverberated around the cafe, becoming more audible as she hurried to the bathroom. Her thinking was as rapid as her legs, and every breath made her chest tighten. She was desperate to get out because she felt suffocated. It was intolerable to be around Jerry. This was not what she had anticipated happening. Jerry followed hard behind her, his right arm outstretched in a fruitless effort to halt her. His lips were shaking, and he was unable to speak clearly, but his eyes were on her, silently begging. "Laura, hold on!" he said, his voice cracking with urgency. "Please!” Allow me to explain. He accelerated in the hopes of catching her before she vanished into the bathroom.She said, "Leave me alone!" in a piercing, agonized voice. She quickly locked the bathroom door after pushing it open and slamming it behind her. Jerry froze, staring at the door in helplessness. No matter how serious the situation appeared to be, he was unable to pursue her because it was
