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CHAPTER ONE: THE WEIGHT OF THE DAY.
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2024-11-20 00:50:27An 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 air and ensured that all that was in her felt good to go ahead of the day.
She moved out of the shower, wiped her body dry in seconds, and anticipated what else she was prepared to do next.
“Laura! … Laura!” a young boy called from outside her room, knocking frantically. It was her little brother.
“What do you want?” Laura replied, her voice firm and tired.
“Can I come in, sis?” He asked again as he continued to knock.
This annoyed Laura, and she asked once more, “I said, what do you want?” Her face pressed against the door. “I’m trying to rush for work, so we can talk when I get back.”
Laura gazed at her wardrobe, deciding what to wear for the day while awaiting any response from her little brother. The sudden silence is a relief, he doesn’t answer. She quickly selected a freshly ironed blouse and skirt and slipped them on.
She grabbed her wide-toothed comb from the table, and hurriedly combed through her long, shiny black hair, tucked it behind her ears as her eyes were fixed on the mirror to ensure she was doing it right.
She applied her favorite chocolatey, musky cologne, finding a sense of calm in its familiar scent. Now ready for the challenges of the day, she grabbed her handbag, put her phone inside, and headed for the door.
“Good morning, mom! I’ll see you when I’m back!” she called out as she grabbed her wedge shoes and rushed out the door. She quickly slipped into her shoes and stepped outside.
As she looked up to search for a taxi, she spotted a yellow cab parked nearby.
“Wait, please! Wait!” Laura shouted as she waved her hands to signal the driver. “24 Cooper Street,” she indicated as she opened the back door and hurriedly climbed in.
“That’ll be 50 bucks, ma’am,” the driver replied, his eyes fixed on the road, ready to go.
“Alright, just go,” Laura responded nervously as she hurriedly sat in the vehicle, pointed down the road, and signaled him to start moving.
As the cab moved, Laura gazed out the window at the sky and road, her mind raced with thoughts, while the fresh air of the morning filled the car, preparing her for whatever the day may bring.
“I just want a peaceful day at work for once,” she muttered to herself.
“Need anything, ma’am?” The driver asked, thinking she was speaking to him.
“Oh, no, I was just thinking out loud,” she replied with a forced smile as they continued on their way.
***
Tires screech and the vehicle stops….
“Oh, we’re here already?” Laura asked in surprise as the vehicle pulled up in front of the company gate.
The noise of the vehicle's brake suddenly reminded her of her surroundings which she had been daydreaming about the entire ride.
“Thank you, here’s your money,” Laura said in a composed voice and reached out for her purse. She pulled out a few bills, and gave them to the driver.
Without wasting a moment, she swung the door open and climbed down fixing her eyes on the gate of the company that was ahead.
As she opened the gate and walked through it, the security guard gave her an unpleasant look while she approached. Confused, Laura wondered why he was staring at her that way.
“Good morning, miss,” he said as she neared. “I just wanted to warn you to be careful,” he continued, his tone serious. “Walls have ears, and I’ve heard enough about you. You’re not wanted here, and they’re planning to make your life even harder.” He then stepped back to his post.
In shock, Laura closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to process the words. What could have sparked such hatred from them?.
She opened her eyes, forced a smile, and walked straight toward the entrance.
From the reception, voices whispered, “There she goes again, little miss Perfect. I wonder who she thinks she’s trying to impress. I wish she’d just leave.”
Anger made Laura's pulse quicken, but she did her best to suppress the feeling even though it was impossible to ignore.
She walked into the storage room containing her cleaning equipment, closed the door and rested against it with her eyes shut.
She summoned all her strength to look for the appropriate words, but the voices of the warning first by the guard, followed by her colleagues, went round in circles inside her head.
As she tried to relax, knocks began to sound from the door. And not just from one person, it sounded like a lot of people.
Laura quickly grabbed her cleaning tools, removed her handbag from her shoulder, hung it on a nail as she did every day, and opened the door.
“Are you deaf? Didn’t you hear us knock?” Came the sharp voice from the trio of women who always seemed to want trouble with her.
“I was getting my cleaning tools for today,” Laura answered nervously, her voice tinged with frustration. The women stared at her, exchanging looks as if planning their next move.
“Can you just leave me alone?” Laura pleaded, her tone more desperate. “I just want to focus on my work.
"I don't want any problems," Laura said as she attempted to leave the scene.
"Hey! Where do you think you’re going?" The lady in the middle asked as she held Laura’s hand and pulled her backward.
Fear flickered in Laura’s eyes as she realized they were looking for a confrontation.
“Please, just let me go”. "Stop! I'm begging you. Don't come near me. I don't want any trouble," she said as her voice shook with fear and she tried to walk away once again.
Whoosh! A slap came from nowhere and struck her across the face.
Laura was shocked, fear washed over her as tears forced to come down her cheeks. She trembled in surprise as she rubbed her cheek.
“What are you looking at? Want to fight me?” The woman sneered as she moved closer to Laura with a menacing look.
Bab terkait
BEHIND 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-01BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER NINE: A CRY IN THE CROWD.
Laura and Jerry ran outside the cafe and looked for the cause of turmoil that had broken loose minutes ago.Pandemonium reigned in the street with a rise of voices, and even in that frenzy, Laura fixated on something across the road that was distressing.Across the street, within the mob stood a victim, no older than she predicted to be sixteen years. He looked beaten and helpless, he was their captive.This boy’s oppositional face was both dirty and frightened; Laura winced at the pure horror reflected in his eyes.“Do you see this?” Laura gasped, her voice tight with horror. She turned to Jerry, the disbelief and disgust clear on her face. Violence had never been something she could tolerate, no matter the circumstances. She felt her pulse quicken with an urge to intervene.“I’m going to stop them,” she said firmly, her gaze locked on the boy, empathy welling in her eyes. She took a step forward.“No, hold on. Don’t rush in,” Jerry cautioned, catching her by the hand. His grip was
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-02
Bab terbaru
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER NINETY-EIGHT: THE SILENCE BEFORE THE STORM.
Laura and Maggie hurried into the reception area, looking around the room to see what was causing the disturbance. Ben was positioned squarely in front of a man in the middle of everything, his arms outstretched as though he were preventing him from going inside. His posture was defensive and stiff. Maggie moved forward and touched Ben's shoulder tenderly before yanking him back a little. "Wait, Ben. What does he want, and who is he?” Her eyes shifted to the man as she asked.Laura abruptly met the stranger's eyes as she followed Maggie's movements. Her face flashed with recognition, and her demeanor changed instantaneously. She rushed forward and pleaded, "Oh, please, let him in." "He's part of the maintenance and cleaning team." With a worried expression, she stepped closer to the man. She clasped her hands together in a begging motion and said, "I'm so sorry for the misunderstanding." Maggie scowled with perplexity. "Do you know him?" She asked.Laura gave a nod. “He's here to
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER NINETY-SEVEN: A PAWN IN HIS GAME.
Laura's whole body shook with anger and rage as she clenched the paper in her trembling fists. The day in the cafe, the day that everything changed, flashed through her head in a flurry of recollections. In her haste, she had abandoned her purse and fled into the streets without thinking to avoid Fred Walker. She could still hear him calling after her in a low, frantic voice. "Wait, Laura!".Fred had stormed out of the restroom, fumbling with his trousers as he rushed in her direction. His expression was strained, a mix of remorse and desperation. Laura, however, had already retreated a few paces and held out a quivering finger to prevent him from approaching. Her pulse was pounding, her breath ragged."Stop! Just stop there!” Her voice was rough with emotion as she screamed. "Don’t you dare come close to me." Her whole body tense, she backed away toward the exit, her vision obscured by tears. She felt disgusted by the sight of Fred. Laura didn't wait for Fred to take a step forw
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER NINETY-SIX: A TIP AND A TRUTH.
Fred ushered them into his office, took a seat, and pointed to the two chairs facing him. "Please sit, Maggie and Laura. Let's get things done quickly before a customer arrives”. They sat down, Maggie and Laura watching him intently, waiting to hear his thoughts on the anniversary celebration. Fred spoke to Maggie first, leaning forward a little and folding his hands on the desk. “You're used to this, Maggie. We do it annually to honor this organization's accomplishments”. Maggie smiled at him and nodded. As usual, she was too preoccupied with ogling his face to pay much attention to what he was saying.Fred turned to look at Laura. "This will be the company's eleventh anniversary celebration, Laura. I only want a few friends, our employees, and a few customers, not a large crowd”. Laura listened carefully and replied, "That sounds amazing." Fred went on, going back to Maggie, "Going on." "Show me the expenses, refreshments, event coordinators, and anything else that needs money.
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER NINETY-FIVE: TANGLED WEBS.
As the tension in the room increased, Laura experienced a feeling of unease. She demanded, unable to contain herself any longer, "What's going on?". She protected Diana behind her and automatically drew her away from Fred's rage. Jerry turned to Diana, his words filled with fear and bewilderment, and his heartbeat raced. "Diana, talk to me. What's happening? Do you know my cousin?” He looked for answers in her eyes. Fred became enraged before Diana could reply. He spat, "Of course she does!". “One night, I took her home. This thief took my watch after we were both intoxicated and made out! Ten thousand dollars was its value”.Helen, intrigued by the noise coming from the kitchen, crept over to the doorway of the living room. Diana's heart was racing as she stood motionless. That night, she hadn't recognized it as Fred's house. Believing that the past would never catch up with her, she had stolen from him. She had no way out now, though. She cried out, overcome with shame, "Yes! I
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER NINETY-FOUR: A NIGHT OF SURPRISES.
Laura's lips moved as she mumbled the words to herself, squinting as she read the message on the screen. “Hello, Jerry, are you available tomorrow so we can see?” A beat skipped across her heart. "Diana is asking to meet Jerry tomorrow." Her voice was hardly more than a whisper when she whispered. As she attempted to digest the information, a mixture of confusion and uneasiness settled in her chest. Jerry's voice came from the hallway before she could finish thinking, and she heard his footsteps getting louder as he hurried toward the living room. "Laura! I'll be there now! Are you prepared for the moment of greatness?”.Laura was startled, and her eyes widened in fear. "Oh no!" she mumbled to herself. She crossed her legs and threw the phone onto the chair in a single motion, trying to look calm as though she hadn't seen anything. "Yes, Jerry! I'm prepared!” Just as he walked in, she gave him a fake smile in return.Jerry smiled, bowed playfully, and stepped forward, his right han
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER NINETY-THREE: TORN BETWEEN TWO.
Fred stood motionless, staring at Laura while his fingers made soft strokes across her hair. Slowly and deliberately, as if committing every strand to memory, he touched, relishing the moment. He whispered, "You're... you're so beautiful, I must confess," in a deep, appreciative voice. His thumb delicately caressed her skin as his hand moved from her hair to her fingers. Laura's body shivered at the unexpected feeling, and she saw a strange weakness settling over her. One part of her tried to resist the allure of his presence, while the other part yearned to give in to the warmth of his touch.She could now see why so many women felt helpless in Fred Walker's presence. He exuded a seductive charisma that made it simple to get swept up in his charms. It took a strong-willed woman with sufficient self-control and determination to avoid adding her name to his lengthy list of victories. Laura, on the other hand, was not going to be another win for him. "Thank you," she said hastily, try
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER NINETY-TWO: THE FIRE OF POSSESSION.
Laura had already taken a seat in Fred's office, waiting for their chat to start with her fingers gripped together. She didn't know why, but there was tension in the air between them. Every few seconds, Fred's gaze shifted toward the entrance as though anticipating a distraction. Then footsteps reverberated down the corridor, loud and determined. Laura's heart beat in time with the footsteps that were approaching. Her stomach churned as she and Fred looked at each other uneasily, both of them automatically turning to face the entrance. Maggie suddenly burst through the door, pushing it open until it struck the wall behind her. She paced like an animal in a cage as she stomped deeper into the office, her eyes wild and her face enraged.“Seriously Fred?” Maggie spat, anger leaking into her voice. After glancing back and forth between them, she called out to both of them with a finger. “No one should enter your office until you're finished! I think that was an instruction?”. Tension
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER NINETY-ONE: A RIVALRY BEGINS.
As he shut off the engine, Fred's deep rumbling faded, and he pulled up in front of his companions. The fresh morning air was accompanied by the faint murmur of city life. Laura paused for a second before continuing. As she carefully slid open the car door, she whispered quietly, "Thank you for the ride." She walked out, waiting for him to follow, her eyes still on the classy car. Ever self-assured, Fred opened his door and stepped out, leaving the sound of the door slamming reverberating over the silent parking lot. As he walked toward her with a knowing sneer on his lips, his ego was clearly visible. In a silky, quiet voice, he whispered, "You're welcome, Laura," before giving her a playful wink.Ben, the security officer, saw them from afar and came running over. He said, "Good morning, sir," as he extended his hand to grab Fred's work bag. His motions were quick and well-practiced, an unwritten habit. Fred Walker was fun for Ben to be around. He occasionally gave him large grat
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER NINETY: CHASING FORGIVENESS.
With his work bag firmly grasped in his hand, Jerry proceeded directly to Laura's seat. His resolve was clear as his gaze never left her. Unaware of the tension, Fred kept eating his cookie and drinking his juice while idly observing Jerry. Laura sensed Jerry standing next to her, and her face flushed. His presence was intolerable to her because of the rage she still carried from the recent revelation. She wasn't prepared to talk to him, much less confront him. After hesitating, Jerry slowly extended his hand and touched her shoulder. She shivered at the comforting warmth of his touch. She leaped out of her chair, startled, and knocked the table a little.Fred felt the abrupt change in the air and cut down on his juice. He was still unaware that he was the cause of Laura's aloof behavior toward Jerry. Jerry's voice broke as his emotions overflowed. "Please, Laura, I... I apologize." Laura suddenly turned to face Fred. "I'll see you at work tomorrow”. She hurried away after saying
