Chapter 1: Losing a job

With one swift move, he lifted her up onto the drawer without a word. Her back bumped the wall, making her gasp softly, but there was no time to speak...... no time to breathe.

Even while she sat on the edge, his tall, muscular body framed her, making her more petite and trapped in the best kind of way. Their masks came nose to nose, they could feel each other’s breath, and the air felt warmer. . And then, in the blink of an eye, his lips crashed into hers deep, intense, and desperate.

Her mouth moved with his, drowning in the kiss she didn’t see coming. His hands roamed up her sides, firm and sure, squeezing her breasts like he already knew every inch of her. She moaned softly into his mouth, arching into his touch.

…...

"Elena! Elena!" Sienna called out as she barged into the room and found her friend in a very awkward sleeping position.

With barely opened eyes, Elena groaned.

“Another wet dream?” Sienna teased as Elena blinked up at her.

Elena gave a small, embarrassed nod and quickly sat up straight.

"You two must be married by now in that dream episode of yours," Sienna muttered with a chuckle, walking over to the dresser to fix her hair in the mirror.

"Work today?" she asked, glancing back at her.

“Yeppp,” Elena mumbled as she climbed out of bed, her hair all messy and tangled.

"When are they coming to your workplace?" Sienna asked, still fiddling with her bun.

“Today, Sienna. At this point, I could just take a waitress job instead,” Elena muttered as she started brushing her teeth in the bathroom.

"I feel you. No way they keep using you like that," Sienna said with a sigh. “Alright, catch you later...... I’ve got a meeting at seven.”

She grabbed her bag and rushed out before Elena could even reply.

“Sure. Stay safe,” Elena called out faintly, but Sienna was already gone......

............................

“Congratulations on your promotion, Mana,” a woman in a fitted office suit said, standing among a group of coworkers gathered in celebration.

At the center of the group stood Anna.. dressed in a tight, seductive office outfit, radiating fake humility.

“Thank you all,” Anna replied as she flipped her hair to the side as if the news had caught her completely off guard.

Elena walked in just then, her eyes scanning the scene. She paused by the door, watching silently as the laughter and chatter circled around Anna.

The moment Anna saw her, she smiled slyly. “Excuse me, ladies. I need to thank the person who made this all possible,” she said with a mischievous grin, making her way straight toward Elena.

“Senior,” Anna greeted with a slight bow and an exaggerated smile. “Though, I guess I shouldn’t call you that anymore since I’m technically senior to you now.”

Elena frowned with confused in her face. “Excuse me?” she said with a steady voice.

“Oh, you might not have seen it yet,” Anna replied, her grin widening as she glanced back at the others.

“She got promoted to PR,” one of the women chimed in with a smirk. “So I guess you’re done acting the PR role now”

The group burst into laughter.

“It’s all thanks to you,” Anna added sweetly. “Thank you for teaching me so well.”

Without waiting for a response, she pulled Elena into a hug... a mocking and insincere one then walked away like a victory march

.........

“Elena Rivera, good to see you this morning,” Mr. Jorge said casually, lounging comfortably in his chair.

“What the hell am I hearing?” Elena snapped, slamming her hand on the desk. The sound echoed sharply in the office which made him flinch slightly.

“What are you talking about?” he asked, though the smirk creeping onto his face said otherwise. Then, as if suddenly remembering, he added, “Ah… I guess you mean the PR position.”

“Why do you keep doing this to me?” Elena’s voice cracked with anger.

“Oh, come on, Elena,” he muttered, leaning back. “You never wanted it anyway. So why are you making a fuss now?”

Elena’s eyes widened. “What was I supposed to expect? Every time, you ask me to train someone new and every damn time, that person ends up getting the job I’ve been killing myself for. And me? I stay stuck right where I am.”

Her hands moved wildly with frustration. “How do you expect me to just smile and say, 'Sure, I’ll train them,’ while secretly hoping this time it’s different only for you to crush it all over again?”

He sighed, brushing off her words. “Stop with the emotions, Elena. Honestly… I realized you’re only good at teaching. That’s where you shine.”

She stared at him for a long time. Her eyes were shiny with tears she hadn’t cried yet, but her voice was quiet now.

“Are you for real?” she whispered.

You’ve got to stop thinking like a lead character in some motivational drama,” he added with a smirk. “This is the real world. You’re a good helper, Elena. Don’t confuse that with being leadership material...

Elena’s eyes burned as she stared him down. “You know what? I’m done. I’m done with this company.”

Mr. Jorge gave a small, bitter smile as he slowly walked around his desk. “Don’t even think about making that mistake, Elena. You won’t get better treatment anywhere else.” He leaned in slightly,looking proud of himself.. “Better change your mind. Let’s see where I might put you in the next two years.”

She scoffed. “Two years? You mean another two more years of being used, ignored, and passed over? No thanks.”

Just then, the door creaked open.

“Good morning,” a young man said as he stepped inside confidently.

“You must be Dave,” Jorge said, smiling as he walked back to his seat. “Welcome.”

“Yes, sir,” Dave replied, stepping fully into the office.

Mr. Jorge turned to Elena, like nothing had just happened. “Oh, this is Elena,” he said casually. “She’s going to train you in the OPM position.”

Elena froze,too shock to speak. Her chest rose and fell with quiet fury.

“I’m done here,” she said sharply and finally. Then, without another word, she turned and stormed out of the office....

...........

“Whattttttttt?! What the helly.... what the actual hell?!”

Sienna’s voice practically exploded through the phone.

“If I was standing in front of that girl, I swear I would’ve knocked her out with one blow! And your boss? He’d be missing a front tooth for life just so he never forgets how to treat people with respect. Rubbish of a human being!”

Elena let out a long, exhausted sigh as she held the phone to her ear. Her voice was low and weary.

“I’m so done with that company, Sienna. They treat me like absolute shit. No promotion, not even a raise…despite taking on every damn role they throw at me.”

“I feel you, Elena… Honestly, I would’ve left years ago if I were you.” Sienna huffed. “You've done so well to walk out of there without flipping desks and starting a riot. My God, if it were me? I’d have made headlines for months.”

They both laughed softly.... It was a tired, sad laugh, but it helped her feel a little bit better.