Ms. Mallory." I stand up straight, plastering a fake but collected smile on my face.
"There was dirt on the floor. I was cleaning it." I add, laughing nervously, while hoping she makes no comment about why I'm holding my bag vertically against my body or why I'm
blatantly lying to her face.
She gives me an unimpressed look that can rival the one of my sixth-grade teacher successfully and I have to tell you that woman was a terrifying witch.
"Dave wants you in his office."
I tense.
My manager? For what?
As a PR officer on the lowest rung of administrative level, I have learnt to be invisible, so what does Dave want with me?
"Dave d-- does?" I clear my throat hoping my shaky voice didn't convey my fear.
"It's been over 10 minutes he's asked for you, so if I were you, I'd think of something better than dirt on the floor as my excuse and get to his office." She giggles and saunters away.
I groan inwardly, Raven Mallory and I must have been enemies in our past lives because she takes every opportunity to bully me.
And I have no idea why?! I mean, she's better paid than I am, has a better work title, work descriptions and me, I'm just here.
I rush to the cubicle I share with Sophie - a lady with beautiful big eyes but with snarky comments aimed at me every time.
"Hey. What's with your shirt? Decided your life was boring so you chose to make it interesting by playing in the mud?"
"Hi Sophie" I reply ignoring her question.
"You're late." she says, continuing to stare at my shirt.
"Well done, Captain Obvious." I say under my breath.
"You're sure Dave's not going to fire you today?"
I take a deep breath in, "May I borrow your jacket?" I stretch my hand to her jean jacket hanging on her chair.
Sophie laughs awkwardly, "Nah. It's not mine, you know. It's my niece's and she's already pissed I took it today, so if I give you, she'll be even more angry."
I bite my lips, fighting the urge to scream, "How would she know, Sophie? I just want to use it to get to Dave's office and back."
"Maybe you can borrow a scarf from someone to cover up the stain." Sophie contorts her face in annoyance.
"No-one's going to have a scarf readily available in summer." I reply.
"Same for a jacket." she smiles at me in a contortingly sweet manner and take the jacket off her chair, stuffing it into her bag.
I sigh again, 'is it really that hard to borrow me a jacket? Or am I just having a more terrible morning courtesy of that coffee spilling jerk?'
I stare at my shirt, the conspicuous brown color against the white shirt so noticeable that I can't hope Dave wouldn't see it.
"Hazel, you haven't gone to see Dave yet?"
I turn my head to see Raven headed towards me, a Starbucks cup in her hand.
"I'm heading there now." I say to her and grab a couple of papers from my desk holding it close to my chest as a last minute resort to hide the coffee stain.
I stand in front of Dave's door, the plaque on the door reading 'PR MANAGER' a pretty white color on black creating a contrast that brightens it.
I should hope that Dave will be nice to me this morning, but I've already had a shitty morning and hoping has not been going well for me this morning so I just raise my hand and knock.
Tap. Tap.
I hear a distant voice saying,"Come in."
"Good morning Dave." I say to the Brown haired man furiously typing something on his laptop.
"Hazel?" he calls out, not looking up from his laptop.
"Yes sir?"
"I hear you assisted Raven with the MAPO conference emailing."
Well, I did it all by myself after Raven dumped it on me but Dave doesn't have to know that.
"Yes, I did." I say.
"Well, that failed. Raven could do better without your help. Don't badger her that you want to learn. We don't have the resources to make up for your mistakes on important occasions."
My mouth opens gaping like a fish.
I have no idea what to focus on right now. The fact that Raven set me up to take the fall or that the work I put my complete energy into failed.
I swallow tightly, ignoring the tight knot forming in my chest.
"That will be all." Dave dismisses me.
" How did the S.E.A.M perform?"
"Quite well. Leave Raven to handle her projects next time. She's experienced and advanced than you are."
I blink, letting a soft chuckle excape my lips.
"Is there a problem Hazel?"
"Nothing." I begin, "-- Just that Raven had me assist' her with the MAPO project because I did S.E.A.M project alone and it was excellent." I complete raising my fingers to make air quotes.
For the first time since I entered the office, Dave raises his head to look at me, "The S.E.A.M project was your work?"
"From the idea to the execution, it was mine, yes sir." I reply.
I know my answer might land me in a worse position with Raven Mallory but I don't care at the moment.
Sorry. Not sorry.
My self-destruct button is in play already. I'm fucking frustrated.
Dave presses a button on the intercom and speaks into it,"Get Mallory into my office now please."
He regards me with curious eyes while we wait for Raven to come in which doesn't take long at all.
"You sent for me?" She asks with a smile as soon as she comes in.
"Hazel says the S.E.A.M project was hers. What do you say?"
Raven stares at me shocked, and I stare right back at her.
Naturally, I wouldn't dare to do this, but my self-destruct button is in play now.
I don't give a fuck about anybody right now.
"Raven? I am so disappointed in you for stealing another worker's successful idea and trying to pass it off as yours." Dave says.
"I apologize sir but it was the only way to get the project recognized to get the okay for take-off." Raven says.
"I'll tell you what I tell my sixteen-year old daughter. No excuses cover up your mistake. Own up to it and figure how to rectify it." He shakes his head and turns to me, "You can go Hazel."
"Wait, are those documents for me?" Dave looks at me with anticipation.
"Ermm--" I laugh awkwardly clutching the papers closer to my chest to cover up the coffee stain.
"Why did you come late to work toda
y Hazel?" Raven asks me turning Dave's attention to me while smirking and watching as my eyes widen with frantic fear.
What a bitch