Trust Issues and Abuse

Austin Cane

She scrambled after me. I stepped aside so she could enter the lift. I looked up at the mirror on the side of the wall to observe the new hire.

The girl is nervous. She's fidgeting with the corner of her top.

"Stop squirming so much. You weren't this shy yesterday." She nods in acquiescence. Takes a deep breath and lifts up her chin.

As if an automatic switch has been flipped, she straightens her posture right before my eyes. Her wavy dark hair sways down to her hip. She clutches her small notebook.

I exit the lift before I notice more things about the new girl.

"This side is Cane Constructions Inc. I'm expecting you to know this already since you've had an orientation regarding the companies under Cane Industries." I don't wait for a response.

Entering the HR department and going straight to the manager's room, I level the woman seated at her desk with a look.

"Evelyn."

"Yes Mr. Cane, sir?" The HR head looks up from her laptop. Startled at my sudden appearance.

Evelyn Myers was one of the pioneers of this company. I started Cane Constructions because of my Engineering background and formed a team with an Architectural and Construction forte. She handles the finances of this company and the trust I've placed in her is immense. She is practically a second mother to me.

"I had the accounting department double-check the corporate billings last quarter. Evelyn, it's not looking good. You have the rest of the day to provide evidence you weren't stealing from me before I hand this over to legal."

"Ms. Blake here will be the point person to investigate the matter. And Evelyn, do not test me."

I saw her ashen face and the worry in her eyes. Whereas before I gave her the benefit of the doubt, that right there is the answer, right in front of me.

She did it. There's a swooping sensation in my stomach.

I can count on a single hand the times when the rug has been pulled under my feet. This one is the latest and the most painful for me.

She was there when I started this company. She witnessed how I clawed my way to the top and created Cane Constructions. There were times when I considered her family my own. I personally know her husband. I have her kids' names, ages, and even their favorite toys memorized from the number of times I spent at their house.

I've given her all the opportunities and chances for growth in this company because I believe in her. I even gave her family a car. I'm financing her kids' education, for fuck's sake! I believed that she was genuine. I know now that my trust was misplaced.

There is no point in bestowing trust on anyone.

Hope is a weakness. Disappointment is always inevitable.

----

I clutched my head. Massaging my temples. I'm willing my body to put the stress away, wanting to be numb. I pour myself a glass of whiskey from my mini bar. The drink settles the uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach.

The new girl steals worried looks across my open door. I reached her in quick strides.

"Ms. Blake, I'm giving you 3 days to acquire evidence and prove Evelyn's guilt. I don't care how you do it. If you can't, don't bother showing up on your 3rd day." I slammed the door on her shocked face.

I'm not fond of people seeing my weaknesses and being in pain is definitely one.

I finished another glass of whiskey before deciding to take my work home.

Home. Is it home when it's the penthouse of your company building? It started as just the room I slept in when I was exhausted and couldn't drive to my family's estate uptown. As Cane Constructions grew, I spent most of my time there.

I can work 24/7 if I also live in the same company building. Nonetheless, there are times such as this weekend when Mother forces me to show up at our estate to socialize with the city's elite.

I flip the light switch in my kitchen, grab frozen meat, and start grilling a steak.

Searing the beef keeps my mind occupied for a few short minutes.

My worries return. If Father hears about Evelyn's betrayal and theft by someone from my own team, the issue will definitely escalate. Cane Constructions will be in danger. The image of the company determines stock prices and its brand reputation will directly influence Cane Industries as a whole.

I need a plan to downplay the gravity of the issue until it dies down.

Leaving my kitchen, I grab my boxing gloves and put on my trainers.

I need to burn the pent-up energy from my frustrations or I will be firing another assistant in a few days. The punching bag in my gym gets the brunt of my excessive emotions and my mind calms once again.

The new girl's shocked face flashed into my mind. It's not my fault she was in the wrong place at the wrong time earlier. That's on her if she doesn't mind her own business.

I will admit that the bike accident was entirely my fault. I can't help but notice the scratches on her arm and her limp every time I see her.

It's annoying that I notice such inconsequential things. I have too much on my mind for these useless observations.

I will not apologize. Canes do not apologize. It was still stupid of her to ride a bike in such a busy area and where the hell was her helmet?

Sending Ronnie to drive her was the only logical choice. It lessens my accountability.

It was not for her sake.

I do not care about her nor will I ever feel guilty about what happened.

It's my fault, but I will never apologize to that stupid girl.

----

"Get your stuff. You're coming with me." New girl was clearly surprised by my abrupt exit a while ago and my subsequent return only to ask her to follow me.

I led her to my car. "Where do you live?"

"Mr.Cane, what are you...?"

"Where do you live?" I cut her off. "Do you have hearing problems? Do not make me repeat myself. I asked you a question."

"But I saw you down 2 glasses of whiskey earlier and you wanna drive?"

"Do you want to get fired right now?" That shuts her up.

She doesn't need to know I burned off the alcohol during my workout and wolfed down a whole steak after.

"Address. Now."

----

In the corner of my eye, I saw the new girl's uninjured foot shaking. She starts to fidget with her hands and take noticeable deep breaths.

I don't know what to say so I just observe her whenever I can. This girl is weird.

Good thing that we got to her house since I thought she was about to pass out.

She jumps out of the car. I haven't even hit the brakes yet. No wonder she gets into so many accidents.

She runs to a dilapidated house at the end of the street. Yanking the wooden screen door, the girl almost flies inside the house.

The neighborhood is not a good one. I can see in the distance trailer parks and old rundown houses. I spotted a malnourished cat with scabies lying flat on the street.

Reversing the car, something caught my eye. I watched from the rearview mirror, New Girl was rushing out of the back door of the house, followed by a man throwing bottles in her direction.

She's evidently crying given the tears flowing out of her red eyes, but the most disturbing sight is her fresh split lip.

I don't think about it, her face just springs me into action. I opened my door and got out of my car.

Ready to go do something… What it is, I have no idea.

Before I can take another step forward, she crosses into a side street and vanishes from my view.

The old man kicks one of the plastic chairs outside in a rage. It smashes against the wooden gate, chipping one of the slats. He screamed out.

He catches sight of me standing on the street. He sneers at me and goes back inside.

What the fuck was that?