Good News Or Bad News

Jane's head pressed against her palms as she took deep ragged breaths like she had been submerged in ice. She sank her head to her knees like she wanted the world to swallow her whole. Tears brimmed in her eyes.

Why just why, first Marcus and now this? Ah…it’s official, I’m done for.

Nancy and Heather exchanged anxious looks, unable to understand what was going on, and they each took turns to calm her down.

“Jane, what’s wrong? Take deep breaths, in then out, in then out. That’s it.” Nancy held onto Jane, trying her best to comfort her as Heather shielded them from the confused and mocking looks of other workers leaving the conference room.

“Heather, you head back to the office. If any news comes up, text me and if anyone asks about Jane, especially Marcus? Say a puppy died or something. Oh, and get my makeup from my purse.”

“Got it,” Heather said, saluting.

“Phew, now that you’ve calmed down a bit, we should leave. We can’t be the last ones here, especially when you’re like this.”

Nancy whispered, her hands still holding onto Jane as she led her to the restroom. 

“I know this isn’t the time or place for such discussions, but care to explain why you had a breakdown over there out of nowhere?” 

Jane opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out, only a deep sigh.

“Not yet, huh? Fine, why did you say you might lose your job?”

Jane stiffened, then hurriedly checked all the stalls.

“Sigh, you remember the rant text I sent about the hot and annoying guy in the elevator, right?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“That was him…”

“I don’t follow, who?” Nancy raised a brow.

“Joshua Vance! The new CEO.”

Jane paced around, biting her nails. “Nancy, I’m doomed for good. My life is officially over.”

Nancy stared wide-eyed at Jane, watching her pace back and forth.

“I have just one question; did you say anything rude to him?” Nancy’s question caught her off guard. “Not really? But, in my defence, he was very nosy.”

“Ok, that doesn’t sound so bad if he was just asking questions. Ok, new strategy. We pretend as if nothing happened and go about our day, and avoid him as best as we can.”

“Nancy, that’s a dumb idea.”

“Well, do you have a better one? You can’t just approach him and say, ‘I am sorry for being rude to you, please don’t fire me.’ Can you?”

“No,” Jane mumbled.

“So, we go with-” Nancy’s phone rang out on the sink, grabbing their attention.

“Hello? What is it?” Nancy asked on the phone, eyes darting to Jane.

“Both of you need to hurry yourselves here now. The supervisor is asking for Jane.” Heather leaned towards her desk, whispering.

“Oh…we’ll be right there.” Nancy ran her palm over her face as she hung up

Yup, it’s really over for me. Jane slid to the floor, her eyes now focused on the ceiling lights. 

“Don’t you think you’re being overly dramatic?” Nancy clapped her hands in front of Jane, drawing her out of her thoughts. “If you’re going to sit here and mope, just know that isn’t going to solve your problems.”

Jane rolled her eyes as she sank deeper to her knees.

“For now, I think you should face the situation head-on. You never know, it might not be that bad.” Nancy squatted beside Jane, her back resting on the wall.

“It’s times like this I love you and hate you.” Jane raised her hands as she urged Nancy to lift her.

“That’s just your common sense telling you I’m right.” Nancy stood up while helping Jane.

“Before we leave, promise me one thing, don’t tell Heather about what I told you, no matter what. Think of something else to tell her, ok?”

“I promise. Nothing is leaving this place.” Nancy made a show of zipping her lips and throwing the key. “And you say I’m dramatic.”

Believe me, you won’t say that if you knew what I went through last week. I have enough on my plate as it is.

“Thank you.” Jane smiled and hugged her tightly.

Jane went straight to the supervisor’s office as soon as they got to their department.

Jane knocked on the door “Mrs Lin? It’s Jane.”

“Come in.” Lin’s calm voice sounded through the door. The silence in the office was oddly deafening except for the sound of pen on paper. 

“Sit.” Lin pointed to the chair opposite her. Her gaze remained fixed on the documents. “I hope I don’t ask this question again. What did you do?”

“Pardon? What do you mean?” Jane’s voice shook. She rubbed her sweaty palms on her slacks.

Lin sighed as she took off her glasses.” Have you had any contact with the new CEO before?”

“What?” Jane’s eyes wavered. Did someone see us together somewhere? Why is she asking? 

“Since you can’t answer properly right now, I suggest you respond to your summons”. Lin crossed her arms, her gaze now on Jane.

“Summons? What summons?” Jane asked, tilting her head, who could be calling for me, especially after this morning's news bomb 

“The CEO has called you in. So, get moving.” Lin waved her hand dismissively as she spoke.

The chair screeched as Jane sprang up. “What? Why am I being called by him?”

“That’s what I should be asking you. Unfortunately, we don’t have enough time for that conversation.” Lin pointed to the clock in her office. “It would be terrible if he were kept for too long, you know.” Lin silently watched Jane bolt out the door.

----

Jane’s heels clicked as she made her way to the CEO’s office, her hair grew slightly dishevelled from the rush. Alright, Jane, you can do this. Don’t fret. Take deep breaths.

Jane subtly fixed her appearance as she slowly approached the secretary. “Hello, I’m Jane Carter. I have been called to his office.” The man lifted his head. ”Ah, yes, I’ll inform him of your presence. Wait a moment.”

Jane stood in the empty space. Her eyes darted from place to place as she took in the interior. The reception area had clean walls of light beige. A comfy brown sofa sat in a corner beneath a cityscape artwork.

The secretary murmured while on the call. “…Jane Carter, she’s here now…understood, sir.”

He hung up and turned to her. “Mr Vance will see you now, just go through those doors.”

Jane froze in front of the door, her heart thumped so loud she could hear it. The thought of another problem gave her a headache. The wooden doors loomed over her like they were the gates of hell that awaited her.

She forced her feet forward, and her hand was sweaty as she wrapped it around the cool steel handle. The door opened silently.

Vance’s office was cold. The floor-to-ceiling windows framed the Manhattan city view like a perfect picture. The morning sunlight graced his high cheekbones, and his cold green eyes looked warmer under it.  

Joshua didn’t look up when she entered. His attention remained fixed on his laptop, his face expressionless. Jane counted the seconds she had been standing in the centre of his office since she got in. Until he spoke, not shifting his gaze, “Sit.”

Jane walked to the chair, and she perched herself on the edge like a prey ready to flee at any moment. She watched him read, his gaze darting from the documents on the desk to his laptop.

He closed his laptop with a soft click. He lifted his head, his eyes now on her.

He leaned back against his chair, the leather creaking softly under his weight. Jane forgot how to breathe under his gaze, with nowhere to escape to. She sat upright.

“It’s nice seeing you again. I’m sure you’re wondering why you are here.” His tone was flat and not like his casual tone from last time. She nodded.

A corner of his lips twitched. “I’ve reviewed your personnel file, and I also investigated your work performance.” He paused. “You’re clearly efficient and meticulous. Here efficiency is valuable, exactly what I need.” Jane didn’t know if she was being praised or tested. “Thank you”

He rose from his chair smoothly and moved to the windows, his back facing her. “I don’t tolerate inefficiency, Miss Carter.” The way he said her name made her shiver.

“But I am interested in your skills, so I’ll make you an offer. Join my project.” The word hung in the air. Her mind raced, but all she could hear was static.

And Jane realized, that whatever she said next would determine her fate.