Present Day
I had the courtesy not to interrupt when I became aware that Julian, the director of human resources, was on the phone. He was seated behind his desk with his head back and laughing. I softly closed the door and moved cautiously towards him. I still had my documents and phone in hand.
After around three minutes, Julian finally hung up the phone. I had no idea who he was talking to, but it was clear it was a personal call by the way he laughed.
"See who's stopped by to call? You said you'd never come in here, did you?"
I gave him a furious glare.
"Sit down," he ushered me into a chair.
"Rickie told you that you wanted to meet with me, but why was I not notified of the time change of the meeting?"
"This new product was actually my brainchild. The board was impressed and approved it because they were smitten with the vision, and I've worked back-to-back on this product. Why the devil's fire wasn't I notified of the meeting?"
"Have a seat, Bonnie."
"Cut that crap, Julian. I would have sat if I wanted to."
"Still feisty and stubborn. I see."
"Just answer me! Why wasn't I notified?"
"I would have loved to take this the easy way, but since you want it the hard way, then no problem."
"What the hell do you mean?"
The board decided and I was told to provide you with this." He got up from behind his desk and moved towards the white envelope on it and handed it to me.
I stared at Julian, at the paper, and then back at Julian, wondering what the hell the paper had inside it or whether he was just playing tricks with my mind by refusing to respond to my queries.
My fingers are getting weary, woman!" I puffed. I placed the documents in my hand on the table, approached him, took up the envelope, and opened it immediately, drawing out the paper inside.
On the company's letterhead was a termination letter addressed to Miss Bonnie Shawn. I stood stock still, my gaze fixed on the letter. My heart pounded in my chest as I read the letter, attempting to decipher what in the world was going on.
Shaken from my reverie, I snapped my gaze back to Julian. "This prank costs way too much."
He laughed, "You think I'm pranking you?"
"This is probably just another one of your tricks to get me to go out with you, despite the fact that I already told you I'm not interested."
Julian laughed, "You're full of yourself. Aren't you?"
"Then this doesn't make sense to me!"
Not that I am going to brag or anything, but I'm literally one of the most hardworking employees in this company. I do my work well, I keep to myself, and I get along with everyone. Why the hell would I deserve a termination letter?"
Julian chuckled, "You sure you get along with everyone? The Boss asked me to write the termination letter."
"What? J'onn?"
He nodded.
No, that can't be!\" I shook my head, trying to chase away all that Julian was saying.
"Why? Because you're f*cking him?"
My heart stopped.
"Please don't give me that look. You think nobody's ever gonna find out?"
"You play the saint by not dating me, now look at you?"
By this time, my eyes were watery, but I tried my best to hold back my tears.
"You know nothing about me, and I will ask you to close your mouth first before serving up absurd accusations at my face."
Julian shrugged, "Whatever it takes to keep you sleeping well at night, dear. The Boss gave the command. You're really fired."
"How is that possible? The letter did not state the reason why I was fired."
"You sure? You did not see the reasons of misconduct there?"
"What misbehavior? I've literally given my whole life to this company. I work my a** off each time too?"
"F*cking the Boss?"
"You're just a piece of sh*t!"
"For someone just who got fired, you're got some balls!"
I gave him a furious glare, didn't even bother to pick up the document I left on his desk, and left.
If you had said Yes to me, I would have tried to negotiate with the boss to see… He hadn't even finished speaking before I slammed the door.
I extricated myself from outside Julian's office with tears in my eyes, opened my phone, and dialed J'onn. I laid the phone on my ear and waited expectantly for him to answer. My call went to voicemail, but that did not deter me from calling him again. This time he hung up the call from his end. I called him once more and got the same treatment.
Oh my God!" I sniffled, attempting to compose myself. I was so damn worried but did not want to appear so.
Assuming he was not answering my call, I decided to check for him in his office.
"Is Mr. Condex in the office?" I asked Rickie as soon as I got back to my floor.
"No ma'am. He wasn't at work today."
"Are you sure? What about his assistants?
"They are not here, either."
Now that I knew that was not like J'onn, I once again opened my phone and called him.
"There they are, ma'am." I looked at the entrance of the floor, and as a matter of fact, I could spot J'onn. He literally just came out of the elevator, and as always, his two assistants and bodyguards were following behind him. Beside him was a light-skinned woman. She was the kind of woman who was plucked out of a model magazine. Not only did she have flawless skin, but she was actually pretty, her hair was nicely done, and she wore one of those designer dresses that cost an arm and a leg.
My heart fell the moment I spotted her laughing with J'onn as they walked in like they owned the firm.
I was never one to like being in the limelight or even care about it, but I needed answers then. Without giving a f*ck, I did what my heart told me to do.
I approached them, making J'onn and the gorgeous woman stop in their tracks.
"How may I help you?" J'onn icily asked.
Tears suddenly filled my eyes. I did not know what hurt me more—the fact that he spoke to me so callously or the fact that J'onn addressed me so curtly in public, something he had not done before and never had he shouted at me.
I swallowed hard, trying to find some courage. "Julian presented me with a termination notice."
"So?" he glared at me, speaking without any compassion.
"Then?" My voice broke. I recognized he was coarse in disposition, but he had never ever been coarse with me.
"You're going to listen or do you need me to call the securities to take you out?"
Tears filled my eyes and dripped down my face. I was beyond caring now to swipe them away.
"Let's go, Babe." He put his arm around the beautiful lady's waist and walked out.
"O....car!!!" I yelled by his first name, which I wished to go and catch up with him, but one of his assistants stopped me. "You should leave, ma'am."
"Why? I didn't do anything?"
"I'll have no choice but to call the security."
"If everyone's being unfair to me, not you too." I cried, paying no attention to the fact that people were gawking, some of the staff members on the floor who came out to see what was going on.
"I care about you, Miss Bonnie, and that's why I want you to leave."
"No…no…I need answers." I cried even harder.
"Mr. Condex instructed that you be let go."
"Why? I didn't do anything to harm him."
"I don't know. He's moved on, and you should too. That is his fiancée, and they are marrying this weekend."
"What????!" I glared at J'onn's assistant in shock.
"I hope you vanish for good!" He smiled to himself before heading toward J'onn's office.