Sapphire P.O.V.
I was rushing to get ready for work, as I straighten my blouse and skirt. I was running a little behind time because I accidentally set my alarm at the wrong time. Once that was done, I quickly grab my handbag, work bag, and house key and scurried out the front door barely managing to lock the door before rushing to my Volkswagen car.
I didn't want to be late and give my boss the opportunity to call me to his office to harass me again. This has been going on ever since I made a little mistake on a project he gave me. His punishment for was to sexually harass me and I can't do anything about it because he threatens to fire me if anybody finds out.
You're probably thinking 'why not quit?'
You see this is the only job that I was able to get that was enough to pay my house rent and my daily necessity. As I have move out of my parent's house and living by myself in Los Angeles after I graduated from college and got my first job. My hometown is small town on the countryside that is a few hours away from Los Angeles. So, it takes a while to go home so that's one of the reasons I have not been visiting my parents as often as I should since I moved out.
But thankfully I found a new job offer as a secretary at this big international company. Though more like my best friend Bethany helped me to get an interview with that international company. She's such a sweetheart that any girl is lucky to have her as a best friend. I can't do much without her help. So, I am hoping I land the job as I felt the interview went well. I reach the building with five minutes to spare, and I breathe a sigh of relief as technically I wasn't late.
I promptly park the car at the employee parking lot and got out reaching for my stuff from the passenger seat beside me and hurriedly went inside the building. I walk past the security guard at the entrance while exchanging a quick morning greeting and hurried to the elevator.
"Wait" I said loudly to the person inside the elevator. She heard me and held the elevator door until I got inside. "Thank you" I say to her gratefully. " Running a little late?" she asked. "Yeah" I replied sheepishly. Now that I look properly, I recognize her, she is one of my colleagues her name is Natasha. She is one of the nicer persons out of all my colleagues. We made small talk as we waited for the elevator to reach our floor.
'Ding' the elevator rang as it reaches my floor and the door slowly open as if to mock me. I got out as fast as I can without tripping and said a quick goodbye to Natasha. I reach my desk and quickly open my computer to sign in for the day and to check if I have any important mail I need to reply to. Before I knew it a few hours goes by while I finish the work that was left unfinished yesterday and it was lunch time, so I stretch to get rid of my stiff muscles then grab my wallet and phone and went to the cute little cafe near the office to have lunch.
I like going to this café as it has a calming atmosphere with how they decorated this place and as a bonus their drinks and food is also good. My favourite food is their spaghetti Bolognese, so I ordered that for today's lunch as well as my favourite iced lemon tea. After I paid at the cash register, I sat down at one of the most secluded spots and read a novel on my phone while I wait for the food.
The food came within 15 minutes, and it was steaming hot. "Be careful the food is hot" warned the waitress as she sets the plate on the table. "Here are your spaghetti Bolognese and iced lemon tea. Enjoy". "Thank you" I smiled as she left after placing my food and drink on the table.
I was enjoying the spaghetti in peace and quiet when my phone suddenly rang. I was a little irritated. I checked my phone and Bethany's name popped on the screen, so I answer the phone nonchalantly. "Hey! What did you call me for?"
"Is that the tone you use to talk to someone who has good news for you," Bethany answered with a fake hurt voice. I rolled my eyes "sorry! did I hurt your feelings" I teased her. "Whoa! someone woke up on the wrong side of bed today" she teased back.
"If you must know I am having a nice and quiet meal when you disturb me. You better have something important to say and please let it be not about a blind date again" I say exasperatedly. The last one she set up was so terrible that I didn't want a repeat of. "Oh, come on, it wasn't that bad. Your exaggerating" she says nonchalantly.
"Not bad! The guy you set me up with was a self-absorb guy that talk about himself throughout the whole meeting! He didn't even give me a chance to talk about myself and acted like it would be an honor for me to date someone like him."
"Okay! Okay! It was my bad but to my defense he looked decent when I met him." I was just about to reply that she should be more careful next time, but she quickly said "I can assure you that it is not why I call you for. I called to let you know that you passed the interview and that you will be starting next month." I squeal with joy my previous irritation gone. "Are you sure?! How did you know? I didn't get an email from them yet" I asked needing her to be 100% sure that I got the job.
"Of course, I'm sure or else I wouldn't have called you silly! I got the news from my boss and the confirmation email will be sent in the next few days" she squeals. Then we both squeal and started talking about what I needed for my new job and we both agreed that I needed to do a little shopping.
When I look up people at the cafe was staring at me, I guess it was because I was too loud. I lower my head while saying a quiet "thank you" to her for the good news. "You better quit that job today" she says sternly.
She's the only one who I told about my boss harassing me at work that's why she is so determined to get me a new job and away from the pervert. "Of course! In fact, I will quit right after I finish my lunch" I say cheerfully. "Good. Call me once you got home. I'll come over so that we can celebrate!" she says just as happy as I am. "I will! see you soon!" then I end the phone call and continue to eat my spaghetti my mood lifted.
After I finish my food, I piled up the plates and cup so that it will be easier for the waitress to clean the table and then I got up to head back to the office building. I arrived at my desk about 10 minutes later. A few hours after that my name is called to go the boss's office. I roll my eyes thinking 'what did I do now'. Whatever I need to talk to him anyway this is perfect. I got out of my chair and walk to the boss's office.
Ignoring the glares I got from the other women. I mean come on he's freaking old enough to be my father for God sakes! I guess there is a lot of women you want to marry a rich husband. Once I reach his door I knock "Mr. Jason, it's me Secretary Sapphire. You asked to see me". "Come in" Mr. Jason instructed. I open the door and there he was sitting on his leather chair like he owns the world.
I suppressed the snort at my thoughts. "You wanted to see me sir" hating that I had to be polite to him, but I must, at least for a little longer. "Ah yes! Miss Sapphire, come in have a seat" he points to the chair in front of him. I walked in and sat on the cushion chair. His office is nothing to brag about it was quite plain actually consist of an olden style bookshelf that was filled with books and files on the right, a brown side table to your left and finally the big wooden office table in the middle of the room.
He cleared his throat got up from his chair and walk around his desk so that he was in front of me. "How is the task that I gave before fairing?" he asked politely but I didn't buy it, he looks like he was up to something. He is never this nice unless he wants something from you. I've learnt that from experience. "Fine" I answered short and clip.
He was staring at me like he was trying to mentally undress me. I shivered at that thought. He smiles. "May I ask for what reason have you called for me?" I ask having a bad feeling about this.
"Short tempered as always. I just call you here to tell you that I am picking you up at 7 from your house tonight for dinner. Be sure to dress in elegant dress" he says like it was normal to tell your employee that you're taking them to dinner without asking their permission. "Bu-but you didn't even ask me!" I said outrage that he could even think to take me anywhere especially without asking me first.
"I don't need to. If you don't do as I say I can make your life at work miserable" he smirks smugly and leaning forward to caress my face with his fingers and pushing a strand of my hair behind my ears. I smack his hand away and stood up abruptly from the chair. "I don't care what you planned to do anymore, as there is no way I am going with you for dinner" I said to him with disgust in my tone.
He was surprised at my sudden outburst. "Your job-" I cut him off "you can't threaten me anymore. I have been waiting for a while to say this".
I took a deep breath. "I quit!"
I storm out of his office leaving him shocked with his mouth hanging open as I slam his door. Serves him right with that thought I went to my desk with a genuine smile on my face. Finally, after a whole year of suffering from him his harassment I'm finally free.
I quickly pack all my stuff from the desk double checking if I missed anything. After I was sure I got everything, I made my way to the elevator once again ignoring all the stares and whispers I was receiving from my colleagues. It took a minute for the elevator to arrive, and I got in pressed the ground floor button and waited. Thankfully there was not a lot of people and I reach the ground floor in a minute. I said my last goodbye to the security guard that I have been greeting every morning for the past year and headed to my car. I put my stuff in the car boot and drove to my house.
By the time I reach home it was about 5pm. I was so ready to just relax and watch a movie. I switch off the car got out and went to the car boot to get all my stuff. I live in an apartment but thankfully I am on the lower floor, so it didn't take me long to reach my house door. I was about to insert the key when the door suddenly open with someone shouting "Surprise!!"