3. Who is Mr boorish?

★JENNIE★

The bright Monday sun held high in the cloudless blue sky. Flashing in rays through the slightly parted curtains on my closed eyelids. 

Bring!

With a drawn-out moan, I pulled myself to a sitting position and switched off my alarm. The moment I realized today is Monday and I have a new boss coming in, I scurried out of the bed to my feet. 

Without a second thought, I dashed out of my room to check on my little sister, Joanna. Every day felt like a blessing to see her hale and hearty, without an attack. 

Alas, ma'am Evelyn was busy dressing her up for school. Feeling grateful, I greeted her with a warm smile. 

"Good morning, ma'am Evelyn."

"Good morning, Jennie." She returned the smile. "How was your night?"

"It was splendid and yours?"

"A little cold but perfect." She replied, returning her attention to Joanna. "Go and get ready for work. I have prepared her meal and yours too."

"You're the best!" I squealed happily then I ran into my room to get ready for work. I wouldn't want the new CEO to fire me on the first day of work.

Walking into the bathroom, I closed the door firmly shut behind me and took a quick shower. A few moments later, I sauntered out with a towel draped around my naked torso. 

I towel dry my body and applied a moisturizer to my skin. Afterward, I opened my closet and picked out the best combination that piqued my interest, and slipped it on.

Trying to confirm my appearance, I took a quick survey in front of the mirror. A tailored white shirt, pleated blue skirt, and white stilettos were enough to make me look stunning. I smiled satisfactorily at myself and then, I picked up my handbag and tossed my cell phone, office files, purse, and my car key into it. 

Afterward, I applied light makeup and walked out of my room in a hurry. 

"Aunty Jennie!" Joanna squealed as soon as she laid her eyes on me. "You pretty."

I beamed a smile at her and comb my fingers through her hair. "Alright you're done, let's go."

Ma'am Evelyn lifted her to the ground from her lap after spoon-feeding her a small cup of cornflakes. 

Joanna laced her around mine and we waved at Ma'am Evelyn as we made our way out of the house. "Please take Dad for his check-up today." I plead with her. 

"Of course!" She said after me. "That's a must."

Having heard that, I closed the door softly behind me and opened the car door for Joanna. Before rounding up to the corner into the driver's seat. Then I ignited the engine. Almost at once, the car skidded off our driveway into the main tarred road.

★

By the time, I dropped Joanna at her school, I arrived at my work twenty minutes later. A part of me kept on praying the new boss does not come in before me. I just can't imagine the dreadful glare he would toss at me, the moment I walk into the office, late. 

Tucking a few strands of my hair behind my ears, I made my way into the building. I heaved a sigh as I pressed the elevator button and waited for the door to open.

A man joined beside me. Casting a sideways glance at him, I observed that; He was five feet tall, dressed in an all-black suit, and holding a briefcase. 

"Good morning." I greeted them with a warm smile. 

If he heard me, I did not know because he made no effort to respond to my greeting. Instead, he cleared his throat and walked into the elevator that was now open.

Some people are just too boorish, aren't they?

Struggling not to roll my eyes at him, I walked into the elevator calmly and readjusted my handbag on my arm. 

As soon as the elevator door was about to close, a few more people hurriedly dashed into it to join us. But Mr boorish here, ordered them out in a very condescending way. He said it was too stuffy and he couldn't take the heat. 

My gaze narrowed into mere slits. 

What kind of human is this? 

Humbly, they all walked out without uttering a single word. It was against our company policy to get into a heated argument, unsolicited fights, and hurling shitty words against one another. Perhaps, that was why no one bothered to give Mr boorish a taste of his own medicine. 

Yet, I couldn't help but wonder why he didn't order me out alongside.

"You know... " I started. "I don't know who you are, but you have no fucking right to talk to people that way."

No answer.

I tilted my head to cast him a glare. "Excuse me, I am talking to you."

Still, no answer. 

Wondering if he was listening and pretending not to, I spun around to stand in front of him. "Even the managing director of this company doesn't order people out in a very mannerless way." I blurted out loud. "But I guess shitty people would always exist." 

Having said that, I crept back to my corner to mind my business. I was satisfied to have told him my mind. You don't go about talking to people rudely, even if you're the president!

Swallowing hard, I pulled out my phone when I heard a beep. My eyes widened in shock when I saw that Joanna had an attack. But fortunately for me, her teacher sent a message just in time, saying she was fine. 

I clutched my chest and heaved a sigh of relief. 

"Thank goodness, she is fine," I muttered under my breath. Then I tossed my phone back into my handbag. The elevator dinged again and soon, the door parted open. Without further ado, I walked out and sauntered across the long passageway into my office. 

A few seconds later, Mr boorish walked in and my brows laced in confusion. Preparing to ask why he was following me, he cast me a cursory glance and walked past me into the CEO's office. 

My pupils dilated in shock and my mouth dropped to the floor. 

Did I just talk to my new boss that way? 

Pressing my fingers against my lips. I schooled myself for not having a filtered mouth. I should have just ignored him as those people did. Why do I have to put him out in the first place? 

Panic surged through my vein and I face-palmed myself for being stupid. I contemplated whether I should walk into his office to apologize for my behavior or rather, I should just pretend nothing  

After a while, I went with my best option. I dropped my handbag on my desk and picked up a piece of rag. Then I inhaled deeply and exhaled afterward then I did the sign of the cross, praying silently to God to help me out in this situation. Thereafter, I walked into his office with my heart in my hand. 

"Good morning sir." I greeted him with a warm smile this time. "I am your Secretary, my name is Jenn-"

He tossed a finger in the air to cut me off and my breath hitched. 

What do I do if he says I'm fired? I asked myself repeatedly. 

"-I do not need to know your damn name!" He bellowed. "Do your fucking job or get the hell out of my sight!" He raised his tone against mine and I flinched. 

Biting into my lower lip, I walked over to his desk and wiped off the dust splayed on the surface. I could feel his heated gaze as it bore into the depth of my bones, sending a cold shiver surging through my spine. But I struggled to maintain my poise and not falter. 

When I was done with cleansing, I returned to stand in front of his desk. He had now taken his seat and he buried his gaze in the pages of the files on his desk. I cleared my throat, hoping to get his attention. But if he heard me, he showed no sign of it. 

I cleared my throat again. "I am deeply sorry for the way I spoke to you earlier, sir....."

Studying his face, something struck familiar about him. But I was unable to pinpoint where I have seen this face before. Truth be told, the man was gorgeous. He had brown constellation eyes that were swept with a pair of languid eyelashes. His thin lip ran across his face in a fine line. And his brown hair was slicked back in a smooth European cut. He looked so gorgeous and expensive. How come I did not see that in the first place?

Snapping out of my random thought, I swallowed hard and continued. "I hope you can find a place in your heart to forgive me."

He tossed the file on his desk and his cold icy brown eyes met my black ones. "Miss-"

"-Jennie," I added quickly. 

He entwined his fingers together and placed his hand neatly on the desk. "Miss Jennie. Get. Out. Of. My. Sight." He sneered.