Prologue: The Boss

Ella Lattone’s POV

“I swear to God, if he calls me one more time, I’m going to further my study,” I whispered to my friend, Fauna Florenz, as we were eating our lunches. It was not every day that Fauna can join me since she was happily married to the new CEO of Kent Tech.

“Oh, hush you. He knows where you shine the best,” Fauna chided. I arched my eyebrow at her.

“And that is?”

“I cannot say for sure but I hope it is because your insight on those papers and articles have been successful for us,” she said as I sighed. I don’t think my 3 years of working at WWF magazine will reduce to only that.

“I don’t know. It seems that he likes to make it difficult for me. ‘Ella, get me some water,’ ‘Ella, I want this tomorrow morning,’ ‘Ella, this,’ ‘Ella, that,’ I think I am tired of all that,” I said as I was shoving some tacos into my mouth when my boss, a royal in the ass, was calling after me.

“Ella! My office, now!” He shouted across the department. I sighed. Did he have no common sense at all? Was it difficult to ask if I wanted to have one quiet lunch with my friend here?

“You need to look for a university that will accommodate you now, I win the bet,” Fauna said as I growled at her before I made my way to Hayes’ office. I don’t think I will ever address my boss with his Christian name. I just can’t.

“Yes?” I asked as I knocked on the door before he urged me to come here.

“Come, I have something to discuss with you,” Hayes said as I went to take my seat in front of his desk. It was nice to have an office but his attitude toward me was beginning to irritate me.

Once upon a time, I loved to spend my time with him when I was an intern and he was going to be the new editor-in-chief. Then, I learned the truth about why he loved to hang with me. Now I resent spending any time alone with him.

“What about?” I asked coolly as I don’t want my voice to betray me as I will be happy to be in his presence. I will try to fight this attraction.

If only it was that easy.

“I have read the new insight into Cornwall’s Core. It was unnerving and I think you have done a great job with it,” he said as he settled his green eyes on me. I blinked.

“Oh, well, thank you—“

“But of course, you can never do this without my insight. So I will let this one slide and I need you to focus on the other matters that will be a benefit for us all and the scientific community,” he said as he was looking at me. I gulped. What will he ask of me?

“I looked at your degree and I found it was rather lacking. I don’t think I ever pay you any attention before—“

Which is never, I thought.

“—but it will help me and the others if you have any fundamentals of the science that we were in. Natural science,’’ he said as I was gritting my teeth. Damm him for making me feel low opinion on myself.

You don’t even know me!

I smiled as I was trying to control my anger before he arched his eyebrows at me. I sighed before I was rubbing my temples.

“But, sir, it has been 3 years since I am in here, I don’t think that was the case,” I protested before he held his hand.

“My consideration has been approved by the member of the board. Now either you do the science work or you will be fired, your choice,” he said before I was dismissed by him. I was furious one thing and then he just humiliated me that I have a degree that was not Bachelor’s in Science.

Hah! I will show him.

So, I smiled as I got out of the seat before I blinked at him.

“Thank you for the suggestion then. I will take it into my consideration,” I said through my gritted teeth as I went out of the office as I slammed the door. Everyone was looking at me before I went to my cubicle and started to work.

“Ella, what is it that he wants now?” Fauna asked.

“Not in the mood to talk about it,” I said before I went to type on my computer as I was trying to burn those fire inside me for his insensitivity. I will show him and I will show that I can do everything when I set my mind to it.

“And so that’s why I wanted to continue my study, Aunt,” I said as I was holding my phone to my ear, looking out into the shabby place that I called my apartment. It was shabby but it was all mine.

No roommates to think about.

No responsibility to look after.

I sighed as I was rubbing my temple. How can I let that man get to me? This was unprecedented. I need to make sure that he will not control me again.

“So, have you chose which university that you will be going to? Your uncle would be happy to support if you talk with him,” Aunt Lyana said as I was sighing. I don’t know why but me talking to my uncle Edmond was not what I expected when I called aunt Lyana.

“I will try but will you not tell him first? I think I have to make sure that I will be accepted first and then I promise I will tell him,” I said as I was looking out to Seattle’s city lights. It calmed me down whenever my mind was a mess.

“Okay, dear. So, will you come to visit for Christmas?” She asked, changing the dreadful topic immediately when I don’t feel happy to talk about it. I shrugged.

“I don’t know. I will look into it if my budget permits,” I said as I was leaning against the window.

“You know uncle Edmond will cover it, right?”

“I know and that’s why I don’t want to. It was…embarrassing that I have come to America but still depend on him,” I sighed. There was a moment of quiet.

“We missed you,” aunt Lyana said. I sighed again.

“I know. I missed you too. And I miss little Theo, how is he?” I said as I just remember that my cousin has been born 3 years ago.

“If you’re here, you can play with him,” aunt Lyana chided as she still trying to make me come home. I laughed before I sighed.

“I got to go. I have some work to do. Send my kisses to uncle Edmond. Tell him I miss him,” I said as I was gripping the phone.

“Will do. I see you when I see you,”

“Okay, good night,” I said before aunt Lyana chuckled.

“Love, it’s morning,” she said.

“Right, I forgot. Sorry. You should have told me if you want me to stop talking about me pursuing the Master’s that I don’t even know why I wanted it.” I said as I was looking at the city again. Aunt Lyana was chuckling before I was rubbing my neck.

“Anything you want, darling, you can do it. Your uncle will be proud,” she said before I took a deep breath and I sighed.

“Of course. If only he can be as well,” I said before aunt Lyana sighed.

“He’s just looking out for you. Your mother insisted on it,” she said. Now is not the talk about my mother.

“I got to go. I talk to you later,” I said, wanting to end the conversation before it was too late. There was a silence before aunt Lyana sighed.

“Okay, good night. Love you,” she said.

“Love you too,” I said before I hang up the call. I turned to look at the nightless sky when all I wanted was to sleep. But that boss of mine was making my life difficult. I’ll show him.

“Well, it looks like to work now, I guess,” I said when I went to sit in front of my laptop and burned the midnight oil.

I hope someone will appreciate my listless working hours.