The Repulsion

"I thought our roots were deep and unmoving.

But it only took one storm.

For our love to be uprooted and ailing.

.............................................

"You are 10 minutes 5 second late. Miss Vivian."

He says, boring holes into my eyes as I look down.

Shifting my weight from one leg to another.

"Eth-...Sir you see what happened was-"

He shows me his hand, asking me to shut it as he focuses on a man standing next to him, seeing the files he was offering.

Ignoring me.

Biting my lip,I try to calm my breath till they engage in this conversation.

My twisted ankle from yesterday is swollen now and walking hurts like sh**.

But he doesn't wish to even hear the truth, thinking it to be an excuse.

Fine with me. He can think whatever he wants to.

15 minutes of ignoring me,he finally dismisses the person.

Folding his fingers,his elbows on the table and placing his chin on his hand.

"So Miss Vivian. Let's get few things straight before we begin."

"First. I hate tardiness. The next time you are even a second late. You will be fired."

"But Eth-"

"Second. I hate people interrupting me. When I speak you listen. And unless I ask you something...keep your mouth shut."

I gulp. Looking down. Damn man he is grown too intimidating with years.

"Third.Nothing personal comes here in this office.What you do after office hours is none of my concern but what you do here, each second is accountable to me."

I gulp again nodding.

"Is that understood?"

I nod to only hear silence in return. I look up to see his gaze hardened at me.

What wrong did I do now?

"I have not hired robots here,have I Miss Vivian?"

"No...no Sir"

"Then I need a verbal response from you every time I ask something."

"Yes Sir. Okay."

"And yes a special rule. Rule no 4 specially for you."

Oh boy this doesn't sound good. Ignore this rule Vivian. His words don't define you.

I look up to see him already staring at me....why does he look so angry with me all the time?

"If I see you flirting or opening your legs for any man in this office Miss Vivian. Trust me I will first fire you to be followed by him."

What does he think of me ? Did he really said that?

"I-"

I wanted to defend myself but he dismissed me by just saying his point.Interrupting me.

"Now get out. Sally outside will explain you your work."

My mouth opened and closed and before I know ,he was busy calling someone.

Disregarding my presence completely.

I just look at his face one last time before turning around to leave.

Opening the door and closing it slowly.

How can he say things like that? He was so sweet back then and now...

"Miss Vivian?"

I see a lady of nearly 45 approaching me with a gentle smile. Returning it ,I nod at her and she asks me to tag along.

"I am Sally. The recruitment manager here. And you are the infamous Secretary of Sir Ethan."

"Infamous..?"

I ask and she just chuckles. Placing her hand behind my back and showing me the way.

"The rumours spread like wildfire here. And what I heard was on the lines of 'The beauty who scored a jackpot""

I look at her confused.

"Don't give me that look! Girls could kill each other for being Sir Ethan's secretary. He has never had a female secretary....Never! '

I look down confused. Never? Then why me?

Because he wishes to get his revenge from you what else?

He hates you Vivian, remember?

"Anyways lucky girl. Let's get the work started. I will explain you the basics and you catch along.Okay?"

I nod and we proceed, with the stares of the employees following.

......................................

I look down at the long list and sigh.

I have to do all this, today itself?

The first task was to edit some document.

And I get started with it,but I was only halfway when the phone next to me rang.

Phone? Who kept the landline here?

I look around to see everyone busy. Not paying heed to the ringing bell.

Why aren't they picking it up?

Was I supposed to?

Gulping I slowly reach for it ,when it stops ringing. Sighing in relief I look back at my work when it rang again.

The thudding in my chest returning.

What if it's a client? What am I supposed to say.....hmmm.."hello. Lockwood industries...how may I help you?"

This sounds fine...You can do it Vivian. Come on...you won't stutter...keep that confidence up. Here you go....

Picking it up,I start.

"Good morning. Lockwood industries here. How may I help you?"

The line is silent on the other side and I narrow my eyes in irritation.

Did I say something wrong? Why is the person not speaking anything.

"Hello?"

I hung up the phone irritated. I start to type again when the phone rings again.

"Hello?"

I say to again hear nothing. Is someone playing a prank on me?

Slamming down the receiver,I was feeling really irritated.

I have so much to do ,yet this collar keeps on irritating me.

Few seconds passed and the phone rings again, determined to teach this intruder a lesson. I start screaming picking up the receiver.

"What the fu** is your problem man! Don't you have any other sh** to do other than irritating me!"

I breathe heavily, letting out my frustration. When the person speaks making my heart to stop in my chest.

"A very nice way to introduce us to our clients miss Vivian."

No...no.noooo not him! Sh**! Sh"*! I am dead!

"Sir? Yo..u?"

"Yes it's me Miss Vivian. Report to my office.....NOW!"

My face lost it's colour as he spoke the last word. Oh boy did he sounded angry?

Gulping I answer, nearly banging my head on my table.

"Yes Sir!I...will- "

He didn't let me complete. Hanging up the call. While I curse my stupid self.

Taking in a deep breath...I get up adjusting my hair out of my face and straightening my back.

We will explain it to him...no need to worry.

I knock on his door to hear enter from inside. Pushing the door open ,I see him busy with some papers.

Not looking up at me.

I try to walk towards him , without limping and standing in front of him.

"Sir...you called?"

He looks up , throwing a file at me.

"We have a meeting in 5 minutes. This is an introduction to it. You are required to assist me and make minutes of it."

Minutes? I know what they are but I haven't made one before. If only he could give me a sample of previous minutes...I could follow the pattern.

"Sir...can I get a sam-"

His phone rings and he gets up , adjusting the cell between his shoulder and ear.

Picking up his jacket from behind and walking past me.

My mouth opens and closes. Not knowing what to do or say.

Staring at the file and his retreats back.

I follow him , trying not to put weight on my swollen ankle.

He was faster...and I struggled.

He enters the elevator...still busy with the call.

Not caring if I was following him or not.

Before I could reach him the door to the elevator closed and I cursed my ankle.

Cleaning the sweat on my forehead,I stared at the floors.

To know on white floor was the meeting being held

54 th

Taking the other lift I finally reach to floor to see people shaking hands and entering.

I was late! Hurry Vivian!

Catching my breath ,I enter to see most of the men already seated. Busy in discussions.

Thank god they didn't took notice of me.

Pulling a chair,I get seated and used my hair to shield my face.

I just hope everyone ignores me.

Opening the file I rush through the names and agenda when suddenly.

The room goes silent and it felt like my mind was playing games with me.

What happened? Why so silent?

I look up to see 12 pairs of eyes  staring at me.

Blood rushes to my cheek and anxiety hits me.

I hate stares...it makes me conscious.

What did I do now? Managing to smile at them ,I raise my eyebrow.

When they just continue to stare.

What the hell is their problem now?

My question is answered when I hear a breath hit the nape of my neck and I freeze.

The pen drops from my hand and my eyes widen.

"That's my seat you are sitting on miss Vivian."

I bolt up in shock , bringing down the glass placed on the table, making water to run over my papers.

"Oh sh**! I am sorry! Sh**!"

I scream in horror picking up the papers and the glass. My scared eyes look around to see people snickering while others just had a look of irritation.

"I am so sorry! "

I say again turning around to look at his stone cold face. A nerve tricking on his forehead and eyes closed.

Like he was trying to control himself.

"Sir I...-"

"Just move aside Miss Vivian. We don't have time for this."

And I do lowering my head and stepping back from his seat.

Standing behind him like a fool not knowing what to do.

He looks at the person standing  near the door and motions to get his table cleared.

The person nods, coming back with the supplies and cleaning the water on the table.

While I stand there like a statue. Embarrassed at my own self.

But what could I have done? He was so close to me...his breath on my neck gave me next level anxiety.

"Gentlemen. Shall we proceed?"

He asks and that's when the meeting started.

"The proposal is apt but the budget needs to be standardised a bit. If the volumes surge-"

I was zooming out of their boring conversation

My ankle was hurting like sh** again, standing for so long.

I look down to see it was swelling..can I sit somewhere?

It was all full. The seats were all occupied and no one seemed distracted, unlike me.

Focussing my attention back on their boring conversation,I hold the clipboard in my grip and scribbled to note down what all I considered important.

Wasn't minutes about this only?

They all were speaking too fast,I can't write down everything anyways.

The torture finally ended.

The clock read 2:20 and I can feel my stomach protesting.

Majority left , shaking hands and bidding farewell with Ethan while few were still discussing something with him.

I finally get to sit down and remove my heels which were killing me.

When I hear his voice. Making me look up at him in full alert.

"Miss Vivian. I want the minutes in 10 minutes in my office."

With this he gets up and leaves and the men follow his lead.

Heaving a long sigh ,I just lay down my head on the table and curse my luck.

Here goes my lunch!

.

.

.

12 minutes later.

I rush into his office, my heels replaced by a spare piece of flats I carried.

"Sir the minutes!"

I say offering him the folder and he takes it. Without looking up.

Taking away his gaze from the document he was just signing ,his eyes move over my typed words.

His grip on my folder tightening.

"What the hell is this miss Vivian?"

He says ,nearly throwing the folder at the floor.

My heart thudding rapidly in my chest.

I step back flinching away from his cold stare.

"The minutes...sir"

"Oh really? Thank you for enlightening me miss Vivian but this thing is bullsh**! Make it again!"

I bend down to pick up the folder,my face morphed with a painful look because of my ankle pain but I turn my back hiding it from him.

5 times

I made the minutes 5 times for him to be satisfied.

Well to be honest I don't think he did it intentionally.... because there were mistakes in it.

It wasn't perfect.

Done it was 4:50 now and I just wanted to have some food and sleep.

But who said I was getting it anytime soon.

Sally approaches my table,a concerned look on her face.

"Vivian dear! Something really bad happened. FW Financers needs these samples urgently and I am preoccupied with our directors. Can you please take these to them?"

I look at her unsure.But she looked really tensed.

Can I help her? But..

"It's a 1 hour 45 minutes drive from here. Here...these are the samples..."

"I..."

"Please Vivian. It is really important and I am really busy or I wouldn't have told you...."

"Fine but-"

"Thank you so much! I owe you big time. Now here this is our latest beauty product and these are the samples. Deliver them today itself. Okay?"

I merely nod , taking the bag from her.

My eyes already dropping with fatigue.

Getting up I limp downstairs. Looking at the address on the papers.

It was in the outskirts, somewhere out of the city.

Stopping a taxi I just sit inside, giving him the address and leaning my back on the seat.

Atleast I will get some rest on my way.

Looking at the trees and skyscrapers passing by,I don't realise when my eyes felt heavy and I fall asleep.

....................................................

"Miss...excuse me?'

I wake up to the taxi driver calling me.

Looking around I see myself in the taxi with him looking at me in worry.

"What happened? Are were here?"

I say rubbing my eyes to look around at the vast green fields.

"I am sorry madam but the car just broke...I tried calling a mechanic but the signal is really weak here."

Not this now! Why all the universe is against me in this?

Is my luck dead or what?

"What do you mean it broke? Don't you check it before staring the ignition dammit! "

He looks at me with a sorry look.

And I run my hands through my hair.

It was 6:40 now and the sun was setting.

How will I reach there now?

The road is almost deserted and the signal is dead.

Isn't it amazing?

"How much more from here? And what's wrong in the car?"

"It's still 15 minutes drive from here...around 5 miles. The car's battery is down ma'am. But I can try stopping someone and asking for help."

I just sigh. Asking him to do whatever he can.

While walking down the deserted road.

"Pick me up on the way....if the car starts."

"Okay ma'am but it's dangerous to go alone-"

I just ignore him walking down the deserted street.

The eerie silence was refreshing and the mild winds were making me feel alive.

But the stress,the tension of submitting the samples were all there.

But I couldn't do anything.

Could I?

5 miles he said?

I just hope I cover 2 atleast on foot ,till someone decides to come down this road.

......30 minutes later......

It was dark now and even the street lights were not working.

I decide to sit down on a rock, holding my swollen ankle.

Looking at the road.

Why isn't anyone coming?

Is this road cursed or what?

I stare at my phone, looking for any signals but nothing.

Throwing it back into my purse I again get up.

Determined to reach this place on foot only if I had to.

I will not die of walking will I?

Just 20 minutes of more walking and my head was killing me.

And that's when I remember I have skipped my breakfast and lunch entirely.

To make it worse dark clouds cover the sky and I just felt like laughing at it

Bad omen? Is the albatross hanging around neck or what.

What the hell is going on?

When I thought nothing worse can happen I was again proved wrong.

A sharp pain hits my calf and and I curse holding it tightly. What was it?

I take another step to only falter and land on the road.

A shrill scream leaving my lips as I see my leg shaking.

The swelling...it was worsening and now I couldn't even move my leg.

Tears leave my eyes and I breathe heavily.

Looking up at the twinkling stars, could it be....no..not again...it was healed entirely...the doctors told me it was fine now.

Then what happened now?

Another sharp pain hits my calf muscle and I lay my head on the cobbled road. My hands trembling.

You are such a fool Vivian!

Knowing your history yet you ignored your sprained ankle.

You brought yourself to this and now  suffer the bad times.

I lay still looking at the sky , trying to hold my breath.

I don't know for how long....minutes ...hours ..I don't know.

The clouds were  veiling the sky now and I can feel raindrops hitting my face.

Washing away the trails of my teardrops.

No one was going to come to save me.

My phone was not working and this place is deserted.

Will I die here?

I question and my mind mocked me.

Oh come on Vivian ,what are you afraid of?

You have seen it from very close,this was nothing compared with it.

Was I going crazy talking to myself.

Atleast it was better than cursing my fate.

The water droplets hit my face like piercing needles and I take deep breaths closing my eyes.

I felt calm surrounded by the storm.

The lightning making me appreciate its beauty in this dark night.

And then laying in the piercing rain , with an almost broken leg,my thoughts are interrupted by the intensity of the rain.

I hear the voice of a car engine coming down the road.

I almost feel elated.

It's floodlight hit my face and I expected it to slow down,but dread filled me when I realised it was not stopping.

Coming my way at full throttle.

What the hell? Is this man blind or what?

I move my hands, trying to gain the drivers attention but nothing.

Panic covers my features aand I try getting up, pushing myself out of its way.

Sharp pain hits me and more tears leave my eyes.

A scream leaving my lips.

Sh**!

I couldn't move....my arms were loosing strength and I was seeing dark spots covering my vision.

Another lightning illuminated the sky and this time I saw the black car clearly.

Speeding up ,ready to run over me

What is this man doing?

Why is he not pressing on the breaks?

Just few inches back...come on you can do it Vivian!

And I did... finally succeeding but ignorant of the fact that I was escaping one hell to only drop into another.

Like literally

There was a big sink hole behind me .Covered in leaves that I couldn't see.

And next I know,I was rolling back into the depths of the muddy hole.

Screaming in pain and agony.

Isn't my luck great?

Well ,now surely I am dead.

...................................................

When I said I knew my best friend, scratch it guys.

Because I don't know this Ethan anymore.

My best friend was loving ,sweet and would never hurt anyone intentionally.

But this snobbish ceo was anything but that.

If I would have been there,I would have smacked that pretty face of yours Ethan,and have tried to put some sense into it.

For my Vivian doesn't deserve this,and I just hope you don't hurt her to the extent you regret.

Because trust me it is the worst feeling in the world.

And no one know it better than your dearest best friend, Sophie Rogers

I.e . Me.

.................................................

"We all are broken pieces of glass.

While some let these pieces bleed and pierce their hearts.

Others use it to draw a beautiful piece of craft ."

- ©Suzangill

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