Workplace Bullying

The next day, Rose felt a little uncomfortable to face Miller again in the office. But what she was not expecting was the sneers and taunts that she started facing the moment she stepped out of the elevator.

"She is a senior software developer. That's why she thinks she is above everyone. Look at her ill-fitting clothes and those thick glasses that are covering half of her face. She looks more like a witch. Mr. Miller deserves someone better than her" one of her colleagues sneered at the intention that Rose should hear her taunt.

Rose frowned with discomfort. She was not expecting this. She doesn't need glasses to see. Her eyesight is perfect. But she still wore them, thinking that they would hide her pain from everyone. She buys her clothes on sale. Initially, She used to pick up whatever comes cheap. Usually, only the plus-size clothes are under sale, so she buys them. After a while, she started buying loose clothes intentionally. And she stopped wearing any traces of makeup. They are helping her to avoid gaining attention. She lost interest in looking pretty. If not for Kairo, she doesn't want anyone's attention on her. So she never bothered about dressing herself to impress others. And she is starting to think that it will never change.

Rose ignored the taunt and quietly moved toward her desk. But the taunting did not stop.

"Witch"

"Look at how she looks. She gives me nightmares"

"Oh my god, look at her hair. It's frizzy and sticks at every angle possible"

And they became worse as the day passed by. Her colleagues intentionally blocked her path several times and even pushed her from behind, making her stumble and even fall on her butt once. All the time, she didn't say a word. She is the quietest one in the department. She only ever spoke a little with Miller, whom she thought was a friend.

"Rose, what the hell is this? Clients are complaining that there are so many bugs in this software we offered them. They are demanding a refund and the boss is not happy" Miller's voice rang loudly as he snapped at her.

His features which once used to make her feel comfortable are now twisted into a sneer. His voice is a couple of octaves louder than necessary. She began to understand that this was his way of getting back at her for refusing his proposal.

"Mr. Miller, I checked that software twice. But there were no bugs. I think there must have been some mistake while installing the software" she suggested calmly.

Miller slammed his palm on her desk, making her jump with fright.

"Mistake? You know what Rose? I can see what you are trying to do. You are trying to make it hard for me because I proposed to you last night. That was personal and this is a profession. I never thought you would combine both and push me into a corner like this" he pushed all the blame onto her, making her look like the bad person here.

Rose became pale. She never saw this side of him. His back is facing everyone while his front is facing her. She saw the flicker of a nasty smirk that appeared on his face for a second before it disappeared completely. But she saw it. And she started to feel glad that she decided to quit. She already sent her resignation to the HR department.

"You know I developed this software a week ago. How can you link the incident that happened last night with this?" she questioned. Her voice is still soft. She doesn't have it in her to yell to make a point like others. She is the kind of person who would like to walk out if she doesn't like something rather than argue.

Miller leaned closer to her, invading her personal space. She moved her head behind as far as it would stretch. He is intimidating her, and it's working. Her heart is pounding with fear. She is not new to violence. She was with Kairo for a few months. But she is still scared of people who look half crazy like Miller is looking now.

"You mean to say that I am a liar?" he sneered.

Rose held her breath. He is making her feel uncomfortable.

"Mr. Miller, the big boss wants to have a word with Ms. Rose" the CEO's assistant came to the software department in search of Rose.

Miller immediately pulled away from Rose and gave the assistant his best smile.

"Yes, sure. Here she is. I was just telling her that she messed up the software" he explained.

But the assistant ignored Miller and looked at Rose, who looked uncomfortable. The assistant is none other than Naim. His face was blank when he was speaking with Miller, but once he saw Rose, a small smile stretched across his face, which he hid quickly.

Rose was so shaken, that she quickly followed after Naim and did not even bother to look at his face. She is breathing rapidly as if she is trying to compensate for the lack of breath when Miller cornered her. Her gaze was downcast as she kept thinking about why the big boss wanted to see her. She only met him once when he called for her to appreciate for the new software she had developed, and it garnered them profits. He is a middle-aged man with grey hair peppered all near his temples and laugh lines near the corner of his eyes and mouth.

'Is he upset that I messed up the software? But it was fine when I tested it. What went wrong now?' she was wondering. She simply followed the feet of the man who was walking ahead of her.

"Please go inside" Naim opened the cabin door and moved aside so that Rose could walk in. As soon as she stepped inside, he closed the door after her.

"I hope my boss can woo his wife quickly," Naim thought with a grin.