Chapter 15

Cleo was riled up enough for all three of us. I ate my lunch in silence at my desk. It was almost 4pm when Damian’s voice rose through his closed door. It was unclear what he was saying, but it was clear something had him riled up.

“ERIN!” He shouted my name as he swung the door open.

“Shit,” I jumped.

I looked over and his face was pure anger.

“Surely, he’s not calling me for my one to one now?” I asked Prue.

She shrugged her shoulders at me, uncertainty on her face. I looked back at Cleo, who looked sorry for me.

“ERIN!” He shouted again, “I won’t ask again.” He snapped.

I quickly rose to my feet and headed over to the office. All eyes were on me as I walked over.

“Close the door.” His voice stern as I stepped in.

I closed the door, ensuring it closed fully and was not ajar at all. I took a seat opposite his desk. I felt like I had been called into the headteachers' office and was in trouble. He looked at his screen, seemingly reading some information before picking up some papers in front of him. I sat in silence watching his movements. He flicked through the papers and then began.

“You’ve been here longer than anyone else in the office. Is that correct?” His voice was still stern.

“Y..Yes.” I replied.

My hands fumbled in my lap, fingers entwining and releasing. I fidgeted in the chair, unable to settle and find a comfy way to sit.

“In that time, you have worked your way through many roles with the company.” He stated.

“Yes.” I replied.

He closed the papers and looked directly at me, “Why are you still here?”

His words hit me like a train. The tone in his voice caught me off guard.

“I...” I struggled to answer or find words, “I don’t understand the question?”

“Why are you still here. Most people leave a job role after 3-5 years. You have been here for over 10 years. Why are you still here?” He asked again.

“As you said, I have had many roles within that time. I have been an account handler for 3 years now. But before that I worked my way through the machines into this position. I guess thinking back now, each role has been around 2-4 years in each position. I love what I do and the people I work with. That is why I am still here.”

He seemed to ponder my words for a moment before continuing.

“What is your goal?” He asked.

There was something about the way he was watching me. His gaze was like it was staring into my soul. I fidgeted some more. He made me uncomfortable.

“I don’t know. I guess it was to win a big contract but now that has happened, I'm not sure.”

“Have you thought about progressing into management?”

His questions confused me. They were not what I expected. I wasn't entirely sure, to be honest, what I expected, but it wasn’t this.

“I guess, being a leader to Cleo and Prue was enough for me. I never really thought about anything more than that.”

“I see.” He sat back studying me for a moment. “Very well. That is all for now.”

“Aren’t you forgetting something?” I asked quickly.

He tilted his head, intrigued. “And what might that be?”

“You don’t want me working on the contract I just won?” I replied.

I felt frustration starting to build inside. Was this just a game for him? Was he trying to play us off against each other to see who would throw others under the bus?

“I never said that I didn’t want you to work on the account. I believe my words were, I had other plans for you.”

“Fine,” I spat, “What are your plans for me then?” I snapped.

“Hmm, feisty. Not what I expected.”

There was an air of seduction in his tone that caught me off guard. He lifted from his seat and moved around his desk. He leant back against his desk in front of me.

“I worked my ass off to land that contract and you pull it from me. I have full faith in Cleo and Prue but what did I do to deserve you pulling it?” I snapped.

“Nothing. As I said, I have other plans for you Miss Williams.” He smiled.

In frustration of not getting a straight answer, I walked out.