[Phoebe, stop being stubborn. Just give in a little. Your work is more important.]
I looked at Meg and forced a smile, the kind that squeezes tears out of your eyes.
My stiff fingers tapped on my phone as I typed back, my hands shaking.
[Got it, sir. I’ll remember this lesson. I swear I’ll never order a five-dollar dish again and “waste company resources.” Next company dinner, I’ll just drink water and not touch a single dish.]
A message that looked like an apology dropped into the group chat like water into a pot of hot oil.
On the surface, it sounded obedient, but underneath, it was loud and clear: an employee completely disappointed in her company.
Right after sending it, I logged out of every company system.
Then I seriously “reflected on my misconduct,” just like they wanted.
Cody, who loved saying “if you’re not in that position, don’t try to do that work,” shoved me to a desk next to the restroom.
Every day, I had to endure coworkers walking past—some looking down on me, others pitying me.
Meanwhile, Sadie smugly took over my workstation and started bossing the whole department around.
But my role? Not so easy to fill.