Fired

Riele's POV

I was just about done with the paperwork for today. I stopped to rub my eyes. 'I need coffee', I thought as I dialled my secretary's office number on the telephone.

She picked up almost instantly "Yes Ma'am?" she replied almost instantly, making me titter.

 "Can I get a cup of coffee please?" I tried to hide the sound of exhaustion from my voice but failed miserably. Looking at one of the many paintings hanging on the white painted walls, I couldn't help but admire it the more. It was a painting of a cat, one that I had found when I was on my way to shop for some supplies. I didn't know why I chose it out of other paintings there, but I guess it was an invisible force of attraction. 

It was a drawing of a weird cat with a colourful background. People thought I was crazy when I bought it. Truth be told, it was quite ugly but I guess I just liked it.

El hadn't called yet and I was beginning to worry. She had become a part of my life since we were little. For her not to have called, seems like she got called to design some dresses for someone really important.

My eyes widened in realisation as a thought crossed my mind. I still hadn't saved the guy's number from the mall. I closed my eyes, reminiscing back to when we had met.

He had dashing brown hair that I would like to run my hands through. I was sure if he was out in the day his hair would glint and shimmer from the action of incident rays on it.

His brown eyes were beautiful as well; They looked so soft, tender and innocent, I could get lost in them for days. I guess I didn't pay attention last time. He had tone muscles that were threatening to burst out of the shirt he wore that day. His lips, gosh his lips were full and....the door opened snapping me from my train of thought. 

Stephanie came in with a cup in her hands and I breathed out, heat rising in my cheek. "Here you go" she said, placing a cup of coffee on my desk. If she did saw my rosy cheeks, she concealed it well.

"T-thanks" I faltered.

"Are you OK Riele?" she asked, concern filling her warm brown eyes. I choked on my coffee but managed to raise a thumb.

"Y-yeah I am. Thank you." Why did today have to be like this? I can't even talk straight with my secretary. Damn you, cute guy at the mall.

"Alright." The suspicious tone still lingering on her tongue. What should I do? What do I do?

"Could you get Alice for me?" I asked, getting uncomfortable with the way she was staring at me.

"OK" she said, but her eyes didn't stop studying me, it was getting creepy, to be honest. I cleared my throat. "U-umm, yeah. I'll just go" she said, embarrassed a little before she bundled herself out of the room as I breathe out in relief.

'You have to focus' I thought to myself, shaking my head before taking a sip of the coffee. This time I tried not to choke on it. The hot liquid slid down my throat, burning a little but it was alright. Minutes later, Stephanie came in with Alice just behind her; Fortunately, she had the box I asked for.

"Here's the box you asked for." Stephanie said, confusion lacing her voice as she handed it to me. 

"Thank you." I said to her, smiling.

I turned to Alice. "Well since you've excellently justified the fact that you don't need this job-"

"No, of course, I do. It was all a misunderstanding." Alice said with pleading eyes.

I glared at her, ignoring her comment "-rather than caring about it. I'm sorry, but you are fired." Stephanie gasped in shock beside her. Alice wasn't an old staff nor was she new and her lack of competency had been brewing long before this day. Besides, most of the staff were imitating her.

It's better to remove the rotten egg from the good egg and...no, it is better to remove the good egg from the rotten egg and leave the...just forget it.

I handed her the box, "Pack your belongings in here and out you go." I said pointing at the company's gate which was visible through the glass windows behind me. I took a seat before sipping the coffee in my cup while waiting for her to get out.

In pure shock, she turned to face me with tear-soaked cheeks and bloodshot eyes but I wasn't falling for that this time. "You'll regret this." she whispered, turning around to exit the room.

I shook my head in disappointment. "Can you get someone to put up a vacancy sign outside?" I turned to Stephanie.

"Alright." She looked petrified. It took her some seconds before she knew the way out of the office.

A light bulb suddenly lit up in my head; 'I can hire Lizzy'. Since she was always at home most of the time because of her lack of a stable job. She would be elated and eager to get this. I pulled my phone out of my handbag before dialling her number.

"Hey, Riele." Lizzy said from the other end of the call.

"Hey girl. Wow, is it just me or has it been long since we last spoke to each other?" I questioned.

"I know. Yeah, it has. You've been hanging out with Ella for a while now that you completely forgot about me like I never existed" she replied, offended.

"I'm so sorry. And you know I'll never forget you no matter how busy I am. You and Ella both." It's mostly because I was busy but she doesn't have to know that.

"No problem, love." She said with enthusiasm in her tone this time.

"Did Ella inform you about our Spa day next Saturday?"I asked her while leaning back against my chair, twirling slightly on it.

"Screamed it at my face is the word. She couldn't keep her excitement bottled." I could almost feel her rolling her eyes, making me snicker.

"Been there. When did she call you?" 

"She called me around 2 am this morning. That girl is crazy, I tell you" She replied with a yawn accompanying it.

"Oh my gosh, she called me around 12:30 am this morning. She's insane." I said, laughing.

"Yes, she is. She also told me about your new boyfriend. I know we've not been hanging out lately but at least you should have told me about him. I'll be able to figure out if he's worthy of the most amazing woman in the world." She said teasingly.

I groaned, not again. His face flashed in my head and I had to slam my head on the table to get myself in control. "He is not my boyfriend, I just-"

She cut me off "Yeah, he might not be your boyfriend now, but I know he'll become something else soon. Same thing you said about Williams. He was actually a cute guy but trying to hit on me while dating you wasn't the right thing. I know I'm hot but still, you've got to respect my friend." she said and I could almost see her flip her hair.

Lizzy was the hottest of us three. Her hourglass shape was something to die for.

"Oh My Goodness. Lizzy, please, just shut up." Lizzy and I had a history that was way back. I blushed at the thought of what we did together when we were teens.

"Of course, but tell me, why are you blushing?" she said.

"How did you kn- am I even supposed to ask??" I facepalmed as my cheeks got redder. I was definitely gonna explode.

"Please, I know you and Ella like the back of my hands." she responded proudly.

"Whatever." I rolled my eyes playfully, knowing she was correct.

"Just be careful I have a bad feeling about this boyfriend of yours." she warned. 

'Ugh, he is not my boyfriend. Who I'm I kidding? She'll never listen' I thought. "Yes, ma'am" I replied.

"Oh! Before I forget. I wanted to ask if you'd like to become my receptionist?" I asked.

"What happened to the one you have? What's her name again?" she asked uncertainly.

"It's Alice, and I fired her" I responded nonchalantly. 

She gasped, "Why?"

"Well, for starters, she's a slut" I spat out, disgusted.

"True" Lizzy agreed.

"And I also think she doesn't want the job because she has always been rude and she acts like she doesn't care about her job. So why not fire her and let others who are willing to work come in?" I reasoned, shrugging my shoulders.

"I guess you're right. I'll do it then" she said.

"Alright, you'll start working tomorrow by 9 am sharp." I said authoritatively.

"Will do, ma'am." she squealed excitedly. "Thank you so much." She replied before hanging up.

"You're welcome" I breathed out as I ended the call.