That Coffee Accident

Chapter 2 - I Quit

    Kathy was wailing like a dying whale.

    I sighed and stopped organizing some papers while I stared at the frosted glass that was dividing my small table from her working space. She was crying for hours now. I felt that my ears will fall from her excessive cursing at Dwayne. 

    Yes, she's mad at the great Dwayne, our CEO for not choosing her for the promotion that she's eyeing since the start of the year. 

    And another yes, because Calvin got it. 

    I still remember how he lifted me after that dreadful meeting with Dwayne. I was sitting at the floor to massage my legs. I've been standing the whole day to get the damn Americanos for them. It was about thirty minutes when the door of the conference room.

    I swallowed when I saw Dwayne made his way out of the door. He has this serious face that you cannot even determine if he's happy, sad, mad or hungry. He's like a freaking statue, just walking. He slightly made an eye-contact with me as I tried to get up gracefully. 

    My eyes widened and about to open my mouth to greet but he just passed me. I watched him leave and got back to my senses when a warm hand touched my shoulder. Calvin was smiling from ear to ear.

        "Hey—"

I was cut off by a swift lifting. I squealed when Calvin lifted me up and turned in circles like we are in a cliché movie. 

        "C-Calvin! Hey! Put me down." I pinched his arms. 

    Oh, that toned arms that I longed to be embraced by.

    He chuckled and put me down. I felt my cheeks heated. I flashed a small smile and looked him into his eyes. 

       "I got it, Elle! I got it! Damn!" He squealed.

    My eyes got wider than before and held my mouth to stop myself from shouting. 

        "Oh my! Congratulations, Cal." I cannot stop myself but to hug him tight. 

    He hugged me back. I enjoyed the tight hug and got all the time I can to inhale his scent. He broke the hug and tucked my hair to my ears.

        "You're my lucky charm, Elle." He said softly. 

    I felt the monsters in my stomach was at its peak, expressing my joy upon hearing those words. I swallowed hard and tried to not break our eyes. But I never expected the next words he uttered. 

        "Thank you for being my bestfriend, Eleanor. I don't know what to do without you." He finished. 

    In a snap, the monsters in my stomach died like it was a poisonous acid poured into them. I tried to smile and showed him that I'm really happy. I raised my thumb ang showed it to him. 

        "You owe me, Cal. It is my coffee that made Dwayne give that promotion to you." I joked.

    Calvin laughed and ruffled my hair. He snaked his arm on my shoulder and pulled me closer. 

        "Steak? Are you cool with steak dinner, my lucky charm?" He asked.

    I smiled. I don't even know if it looked like a smile or was I looking like a constipated woman. I don't even know. I just felt like the world around me collapsed. Like Calvin having romantic feelings for me will just be a dream I won't ever experience.

                                                                        ****

        "Die you f*****g asshole!" 

    I flinched when I heard a louder scream from Kathy. It gained attention from the people walking from the hallways as it was followed by a loud shattering sound. I stood up and rushed to check on Kathy. I saw her shattered glass nameplate.

    She was devastated. Her mascara's were not waterproof so it practically smudged and created dark circles under her eyes. She glared at me like I'm a prey she's about to pounce at. 

        "What are you looking at?" She screamed. 

    I was taken aback by her glare. I stopped mid-way and looked for words on my mind.

         "A-Are you okay?" I looked at the droplets of blood coming from her palm.

        "Does it looked like I am f*****g okay? God, stupid Eleanor!" she screamed again.

        "You are bleeding, Kathy. We have to call the clinic—"

    I went to her to check on her palm but she pushed me. I stifled a moan when I felt an excruciating pain on my legs. I looked at the glass debris pierced on my skin. From that moment, the door opened and there, we saw Dwayne entered our location. On his back, I saw his secretary and some of his bodyguards.

    He's wearing his usual outfit, his hair is damp like he's fresh off the shower. He looked at us with dissatisfaction. One of the bodyguard rushed to me to help me get up the floor.

        "What the hell is happening here, Kathy?" His serious, cold voice echoed to the room. 

    Kathy just looked at him without any remorse. She even smirked. 

        "I should be the one asking that, Dwayne! Why the hell is Calvin promoted? Your mother was clear when she said that I will be the one to get that damn position!" She asked.

    Dwayne's face darkened. His jaw was tightly closed and he closed his hand. 

        "My mother has nothing to do with it. This is my company, Kathy. I can do whatever I want and no one, even my mother can dictate me. It's my decision to give the promotion to Calvin. You'll get you chance when you time comes." He said. 

    Kathy laughed insultingly. I felt the rising tension from them. Everyone knows that Kathy is the daughter of a business tycoon just like Dwayne's father and they were pretty close when they were younger. I tried my best to stand up though I felt the sting of the deep cuts. Seems like no one noticed of my bleeding leg because of this. 

        "You forgot everything I've done to help you, Dwayne. Too bad. It seemed like when that Ivana came into the picture you took me for granted. Get over it, Dwayne! That b***h cheated on you! Not once but—"

    Kathy was cut off by a loud crashing sound. I squealed when Dwayne threw the computer monitor to the glass wall. It crushed into pieces. 

    Kathy's eyes widened. Everyone was shock aside from his bodyguards and secretary. I tightened my hold to the one who's been holding me.

        "Shut up, Kathy. I never asked you to f*****g help me. It was your choice. Now, grow the f**k up or the next time, you'll be fired." Dwayne said. 

    Kathy sobbed. She wiped her tears and tried to stop it.

        "You don't have to fire me, Dwayne..." she said bravely. 

        " I f*****g quit." She said and grabbed her purse. 

    I was shocked the whole time. Dwayne pursed his lips and closed his eyes tightly like it frustrated him. I swallowed hard. Kathy's gonna quit... no one will b***h me around. 

    But who will be my boss, then?

        "You," Dwayne voice thundered as he called me. 

    I looked at him like a scared cat. His brows furrowed and motioned me to come near him. I sighed and pointed at myself to confirm if he's talking to me. Not in this world, I expected to be near him. I wouldn't dare, and I don't want to. 

        "Do not make me say it twice. Come here." He said coldly, 

    It was adrenaline that made me come near him. He looked at my eyes, then my neck. I stood straight as I saw his dominating eyes drifted om my legs. I wore a decent pencil skirt but with his stares, I felt like I was wearing nothing. 

        "Make sure to get yourself to the hospital. Your cuts seems deep and in need of stitches. My secretary will accompany you." He nodded at his secretary and stormed out of the room, without looking at me again.