The Rich don't forgive

Marrissa's point of view 

I tried my best to avoid Morgan all through the day. I only went into his office when I knew he wasn't alone and left immediately. I was done.

And funny, he maintained his lane too. Maybe he got the memo; I wasn't one to be intimidated or messed with.

“Who are you kidding, Marissa?” my inner mind said, but truth be told, I was grateful he didn't bother me, maybe he is a gentleman after all.

By closing hours, I was super excited, I still had my job, and my boss didn't murder me as I expected.

I danced as I got ready to go home. Putting my things together, I began to sing my favorite song. After making sure everything was in order, I walked out of my office, ready to go home.

“Where do you think you are going?” a voice stopped me.

I turned around, and it was Morgan, my boss, he was leaning on a table, looking at me with cold eyes.

“I guess the rich don't forgive after all," I whispered to myself.

“Should I be worried you are going deaf?” Morgan asked.

“No…..not at all sir,” I stammered.

“In my office now,” he said, storming away.

What now? It's closing hours for God's sake, I saw my other colleagues going home and my stomach turned.

“Should I just escape?” I thought.

“Sure Marissa, leave and get your ass fired again by morning,” my inner voice said.

“Marissa,” he screamed my name like he owned it, and I ran to his office.

“Do you realize I am your boss?” Morgan asked. Immediately, I stepped into his office.

“I'm sorry sir,” I said, avoiding eye contact.

He threw some files at me. I barely caught them.

“Starting today, your work schedule changes, you go home only when I permit you, you resume one hour before the resumption time…..”

I didn't let him finish. I couldn't…

“With all due respect sir, I can't stay at work very late as I reside very far away, and because of my bad eyesight….. I also have a sick mother at home who needs my constant attention and I have to give her drugs before 7pm or else she might die…..

Okay Marrissa, that was too much. I'm sorry Mom, I know you will be rolling in your grave out of anger.I just needed to say something that would melt his cold heart, anything.I can't be going home late. I'm so scared of the dark, I thought. 

But, Morgan raised his hand, stopping me.

I paused, thinking he wanted to say something meaningful.

“So, as I was saying before. I was rudely interrupted, I need those files with you first thing tomorrow morning. Go through them, correct them and prepare a presentation on them tomorrow, you may leave.”

I stood still, not understanding all he said or, should I say, not willing to understand.

“Would you like me to change my mind and have you stay here till I'm ready to leave?” he asked angrily.

I threw the files at his face, to hell with your job, you rude, arrogant, ugly looking son of a bitch, you can kiss my ass goodbye, I said, storming out of his office and shutting the door hard.

Well, that might have been a very interesting scene in a Korean movie, but sadly, this is real-life and in real life, people like him don't care about people like me.

And if I'm to survive this cruel world, I'll have to obey the likes of him.

So, I turned towards the door like a humble sheep and slowly walked out. I boarded a bus home and on my way, I forced myself not to cry.

I can't believe my ill fate. How can I go through all these files and come up with a presentation tonight?

Today of all days, today happens to be a fortnight into my monthly cycle, a day I usually take a warm bath, drink warm water and curl up in pain.

I got home, dropped my bag and got right to work, taking the files one after the other. I went through each of them. To say they weren't complicated is an understatement.

Don't get me wrong, I love challenges, but not this kind, definitely not today.

When I felt exhausted and thought I might die from it, I closed my laptop and went to freshen up.

After my warm bath, I went to bed.

As the sun began to peek through the curtains, I reluctantly roused from my slumber, stifling a yawn as I made my way to the bathroom. 

With each splash of water, the sleepiness slowly washed away, replaced by a sense of determination. 

I quickly dressed in my usual, albeit slightly worn, professional shabby gown, eager to beat the morning rush and avoid any more problems with the new CEO at all costs. 

I sat in my office, preparing myself for the presentation.

“Hey Marrissa, the presentation is about to start,” Katty said, popping her head inside my office.

I nodded my head and took my laptop, as I walked towards the conference room, my mind raced with many thoughts.

Something felt odd as I walked down the hall, but I couldn't place my mind on it.

I walked into the conference room absentminded.

Everyone was ready, including Morgan.

“Marrissa, you would be the first to present,” Morgan said.

Katty tapped me. I looked up and saw everyone staring at me.

Morgan gestured towards the stand.

He had this weird smile on his face, like he was expecting me to embarrass myself or something.

“Me, the first presenter, shouldn't I be the last person? I just got these files yesterday,” I thought.

I looked at Morgan and his wicked smile broadened.

I summoned courage and stood up, walking to the stand carrying my laptop.

I paused for a while, looking at everyone. They stared back at me, especially Morgan, he was so relaxed, expecting me to disgrace myself.

“Well, I won't give you that satisfaction you crave," I whispered, smiling back at him.

I did the best I could and when I was done I was surprised to hear the sound of clapping.

“Thank you, Ms. Cooper," Morgan said, his voice neutral and collected. 

“But, I have some questions to ask if you don't mind,” he said, his wicked smile returning.

“The devil will never give up, will he?” I whispered.

“Go ahead sir,’ I managed to say.

“Thank you,” he said, and he opened his mouth to voice out so many words I wasn't even listening to.

“Miss Marrissa,” he called, taking me back to the conference room.

‘Oh, I'm sorry sir, could you repeat the question please?”

He looked at me, his eyes darker, he repeated the question.

“Okay sir, I'll come up with an answer before the end of the presentation," I said, carrying my laptop and leaving the stand.

Everyone looked at me surprised.I didn't care, I would not allow anyone to make me go mad.

The next presenter began their presentation. I took my seat, trying to focus on the presentation.

Morgan left looking at me with a frown on his face. 

The last presenter ended and Morgan looked at me, raising his eyebrows.

I got the clue and walked up to the stand for the second time that day.

I gave an answer to his question and other questions he shot my way.

I maintained my steez and composure, adding spice to the way I spoke and even walked.

I could see him shifting on his seat,I knew my answers were burning him up.

“Any other questions' sir?” I asked, hands on my hip, eyes wide open, basking in my victory.

“You can take your seat,” he said, his voice stern, and so the presentation ended.

The room erupted into chatter as everyone began to disperse. I gathered my stuff in an attempt to hurry and escape, but Morgan's voice stopped me.  

"Ms. Cooper, can I see you for a moment?” 

I froze, struggling to regain my composure. 

“Oh God!” 

“Yes sir.” I stammered. 

“Ms Cooper” 

He called out, his gaze fixed on me. 

“Sir” 

My voice sounded better than I had expected. I looked at him as he kept gazing into my eyes for some minutes, like he was searching for something. 

I muttered a silent word while staring at the floor. 

“Isn't there something you would like to tell me?” He asked, looking straight into my eyes.

I became confused.

“Thank you sir…., I'm sorry sir…..what else is there to say,” I thought.

He continued looking at me for a while, expecting me to say something, but I really didn't know what to say. 

“I called you back to work; something I never thought I would do. Shouldn't you be thankful?”

His voice was cold, and I shuddered a bit. 

“Oh, didn't your dad call me back and not you? Besides, haven't I said thank you like a thousand times already?” I asked.

His eyes got darker, I knew I would have been shot dead if he had a gun with him.

“Thank you, sir,” I whispered. 

He stood up from his seat and took a few strides, inching closer to me, and I took a step back. 

“Can you not come any closer? You're invading my personal space,” I said, and he let out a chuckle.

“You didn't have a problem with it when you were...” he stopped with his words, and I had no idea what he was about to say, nor did I give any expression for that. He stared at me for some minutes without saying a word as he went back to his seat. 

"You may take your leave, Ms. Marissa," he said coldly as he went back to his seat staring at his laptop.  

I stepped out of his office, wondering about what he had wanted to say earlier. 

“Weirdo,” I whispered.