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“Sweetie, you’re back!” Jake yelled at me the moment I stepped into the
office.
Boy, was it good to be back! Not that I was a workaholic, but I really
treasured my job and I got along well with most of my coworkers.
With my
mind still on the sandy beaches and the blue skies, I walked towards my
desk and dumped my handbag and the goodies I bought from the trip.
I was dismayed to find that Suzie, the temporary staff who covered my
duties while I was away had moved my computer and my telephone. I
sighed. I did understand that some people had their own preferences but
at least she should be considerate enough to shift them back to their
original places, especially knowing that I would be back from my
vacation. Oh well, never mind.
It was at this moment that Suzie walked towards my desk, with a cup of
hot coffee in her hands.
“Hi, you’re back! If you don’t mind, could you please take this cup of
coffee to Jim? He’s expecting it and moreover, he wants to speak with
you.” She smiled warmly.
“Sure.” I took the cup from her and knocked on my boss’s door.
“Come in.” Jim’s voice boomed behind the closed door.
“Jim, I’m back from my vacation! It’s good to see you again. I hope
everything went well during my absence.” I gushed the moment I opened
the door.
Jim looked up from his papers and gestured me for a seat. “Good, I’m
glad you’re back. I’ve something to tell you.”
I looked at him expectantly. Perhaps he had come to realize that he
couldn’t work without me and that he was going to give me a pay rise.
He cleared his throat. “Hmm….well, how many years have you been working
with us?”
My heart raced. Here it goes.
“Eight years.” I told him proudly.
“Eight. That’s quite some time you’ve been with us, isn’t it?” He
shifted in his armchair.
I nodded, still smiling away. Couldn’t he just get to the point?
Jim cleared his throat. “The thing is, while you were away, I find that
Suzie’s a very capable lady and she handles your duties very well.”
So what? She was just a temporary staff but now I was back.
“So, I told her she’ll be taking over your duties from now on.” He
continued.
I was amazed that I didn’t faint after hearing his remark. What had
happened? I was just away for two weeks and now I was out of job!
“Jim, but you approved my leave and that you never warned me of such
consequences!” I wanted to raise my voice but I kept my tone down. It
was no use to scream at him under these circumstances.
“Samantha, listen to me. You’re good, but Suzie is better. She really
knows her job and she’s coping very well.” Jim tried to explain to me
but I refused to listen.
Then someone knocked on the door and opened it. It was Suzie.
She stared at us nervously before asking, “Jim, could I speak with
Samantha for a moment? I promise that it wouldn’t be long.”
I wouldn’t want anything to do with her at that moment, but she was firm
and assured me that she had something important to talk to me. Well, I
thought there was nothing more important than losing my job!
Jim appeared relieved that he was interrupted. It was written all over
his face.
Suzie and I walked to “our” desk. It was no wonder that she dared to
move my stuff. After all, Jim must have told her what would happen once
I was back.
“I know that you’re being asked to go. But don’t worry, it won’t be
long.” She whispered.
I stared at her. Was she mad? Who did she think she was? The CEO of the
company? And why was she whispering anyway?
Before I could say anything, she continued, “Michael Woods is my father,
and he asked me to spy on Jim.”
I felt I was being struck by lightning. Michael Woods! Why, he was the
CEO of the company!
“So, you don’t have to worry about your job. I can assure you that you
can have your job back once my task is accomplished. In the meantime,
you can pretend to pack your things and leave.” Suzie said without
blinking her eyes.
I was astonished. So I was not fired after all.
“And if you think that this is all a joke, it isn’t. You may check with
Carmen if you want. And please stay mum. You do want this job back,
don’t you?” She smiled with twinkling eyes.
So that was what I did. I rang up Carmen, who was our Human Resource
Manager and she confirmed what Suzie had said. Suzie was indeed Michael
Woods’ daughter. Carmen even wanted me to sign a letter of
confidentiality, so that I wouldn’t leak the secret.
I heaved a sigh of relief. I never expected Jim to be the biggest fool
after all. I couldn’t help it. I laughed.
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