The Woman He Wanted Gone

I muttered, my voice shaking, "Oh... you work here too?" The question sounded foolish the moment it left my lips. His presence screamed authority, and a shiver of fear ran down my spine for reasons I couldn't quite explain. I hadn't even noticed the elevator had stopped moving.

Then, he spoke, his voice sharp as a knife. "What the hell are you doing in my company?" he demanded. "And how dare you use my personal elevator?" I froze, my heart racing like a wild animal.

"Are y-you... Mr. Reed?" I whispered, my voice barely audible. He didn't answer. Instead, he grabbed my wrist tightly and dragged me out of the elevator, his grip rough enough to make me stumble.

"Don't let me ever see you in this company again," he snapped, his words cold and menacing. "You ruined my outfit the other day - I let that go. Now you're in my company, inside my elevator, acting innocent?" His grip tightened, like a vice. "Is that the new trick you gold diggers use to trap rich men?" Tears spilled down my cheeks, and I felt a wave of humiliation wash over me.

Workers passing by slowed down, whispering and staring, but he didn't notice them. All his attention was on me, his eyes blazing with anger. "I-I j-just got h-hired, s-sir," I stammered, wiping my tears away.

He laughed, a cold, mocking sound. "Where's your résumé?" he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I haven't even started hiring, yet you magically got employed? Anyone can tell you're new - you even had the audacity to ask if I worked here." His eyes darkened, like a stormy night. "So tell me - who the hell hired you?"

"I did," a voice said from my right. I turned, and my eyes widened in surprise. Mrs. Reed stood there, her eyes blazing with anger.

"I'm the one who hired her," she said firmly, her voice like steel. "And you will not fire her." Mr. Reed's expression turned icy. "Mom? What are you doing here? And why would you hire someone like her - someone with no potential?"

Mrs. Reed's expression hardened, her eyes flashing with anger. "Don't you ever call her that," she said, her voice cold. "I hired her because I saw potential in her - something you fail to see when you fill this company with empty-headed women who dress inappropriately for work." She turned to me, her expression softening instantly. "My dear, come with me. Don't mind my son."

I stood there, stunned, as they glared at each other. Then, I forced myself to move and followed her. Soon, I was standing inside my office - my office. It was spacious, elegant, and beautifully designed, with wooden accents lining the walls and a calm, refined interior. The glass windows revealed a breathtaking view of the city, and there were about ten workers in the department.

Mrs. Reed introduced me briefly to everyone, then left for another engagement, reminding me to settle in. The office slowly returned to its quiet rhythm - or so I thought. I focused on my system, working on a design to show the team my skill. I was so engrossed that I didn't notice someone behind me.

"Well, well, well," a voice sneered. "Isn't this the low-class girl everyone's talking about?" I turned to see Jenna, the team lead, her eyes inspecting my screen. "No wonder the CEO said you had no potential," she continued. "Because I'm not seeing any potential either."

Others gathered around, their faces a blur of curiosity and contempt. "This looks childish," Mia laughed. "Like a cartoon drawing. Is that all you've got?" Some of them joined in laughing, and I felt my face burn with embarrassment.

But then, a male voice spoke up, calm and reassuring. "I don't see anything wrong with it," Chris said. "She's still in the early stage. The final design could be impressive." Riele agreed, "I thought the same. It has structure."

Gratitude swelled in my chest, and I looked up at Chris, feeling a sense of thanks. But Jenna scoffed, her voice like a knife. "Don't try to make her feel special. She's just a nobody. Mrs. Reed bringing her in doesn't change that."

I lowered my head, feeling a pang of sadness, as they walked away for lunch. Chris and Riele invited me to join them, but I politely declined, telling them I'd brought my own food.

The day passed slowly, painfully. By the time I got home, exhaustion hit me like a ton of bricks. I locked my apartment door, leaned against it, and sighed deeply. My first day at work... and I already felt like I didn't belong. But I had no idea this was only the beginning.