Chapter 6: RICHARD
My phone has been buzzing for five minutes now. Vera just doesn’t know how to give up. "Maybe it’s about time I fire her ass" I thought as the phone kept ringing.
Vera was my secretary and she ought to know that if I don’t pick up when she’s calling, certainly I must be busy. And yet, she kept calling again and again.
"God damnit! Just answer the fucking phone, man. I can’t take it anymore" Chad said.
Sliding the ring icon to the green bar, I began in a voice I didn’t bother to mask the rage layering underneath, "I swear this had better be very crucial, Vera. If not better leave your resignation letter on my desk before I get in"
"Truly sorry, Sir. I just got worried when you didn’t pick up the first time as you usually do. I thought something bad had happened, that’s why I kept calling. And also, it’s 10 am already and you are yet to be here with no calls about the delay, which is very unlike you. Claire was also here, she came to drop off your salad and was worried when she didn’t see you, but I assured her that everything was fine. That you just had an errand to run. But honestly Sir, where are you? The interview applicants are already murmuring and I’m running out of excuses..."
Running a palm on forehead in frustration, I listened as she rattled on and on. I had almost forgotten how loquacious she can be, especially when stressed. We had a history and though I’ve moved on, she clearly hasn’t.
I would have fired her ass long ago, mostly after I grew tired of her. But she was the daughter of my mother’s friend and Claire considered her a daughter, so she stayed.
I was glad I wasn’t there to meet Claire, after the way I spoke to her before leaving the house. She must have come to apologize and I hated feeling guilty. Not to mention the salad. I truly appreciate her motherly care and everything, but she was doing too much.
Everyday she prepares this salad and brings it herself to the office. I hated it. How can someone stick to just fruits and vegetables as a meal?
And more annoying, she stays to make sure I get a few spoons in before leaving. I get that she was worried about my health, but she had to back off. And Lord knows what she meant by "Besides, I’m already planning something." I doubt it would be something good.