“What next?” I groan.
“She needs to see you in her office now.”
What now? I walk into her office, not knowing what to expect, because you can never tell with her. She looks up at me from the magazine she's looking through.
“I’ve decided the tile sample you picked is all wrong for the look we're going for. Start again and find me something better,” she scoffs with a wave of her hand. She hasn't even bothered to look up from her magazine.
“But it was from your shortlist?” I protest, now getting really agitated with her.
“Yes, and I have now decided it's wrong." She looks up at me, her icy gaze chilling me to the core. "Go find me something better, Elena.” She dismisses me again with that flick of the hand.
I have to bite my tongue. So many thoughts come to mind. All the things I want to say to her right now. I want to rip into her. Tell her to shove her job where the sun don't shine. But that's just a fun scene I play over in my head. I haven't got the guts. So, I turn and walk out of her office, head down, shoulders slumped, defeated.
I start again with the list of suppliers from earlier, trying to come up with something different.
An hour's past and I’m happy with my progress. These new samples that have just arrived in my inbox are going to be perfect. One of them is fresh from the designer, not even been released in the shops yet. So our show will be first to use it in the country. Can't get any fresher than that!
Janie stands in front of my desk, just back from the Dragon's den, looking like she's about to burst into tears.
“What's wrong, Janie? Has she started breathing fire?"
“It's going to be a late night, Elly. She wants the whole job planned today because she's going to be out of the office tomorrow with beauty appointments in preparation for the show,” Janie whimpers, dumping all the magazines and samples on my desk.
“What do you mean? We have all week!”
“She wants it done today so she doesn't have to stress this week. She said her viewers can tell from her face when she's stressed, and she wants to look perfect for the show.”
For the first time in five years, I see red. I’ve had enough. I can't deal with this bitch anymore. I push out from my desk like a raging bull. Ready to fight to the death. The matador has been waving a red flag all day, tormenting me... and I've hit my limit.
“I’m done with this!” I get up and storm into her office. Janie grabs my arm as I stomp past her.
“Don’t do anything you're going to regret, Elly. We’ll get it all done, we always do.” Her eyes plead with me to calm down, but it's too late. I can't hear reason anymore.
“I can't work with her for another day. She's not going to do a thing for this project, then next week, once the show airs, she’ll be on social media telling everyone how wonderful she is,” I almost yell as I pull out of Janie’s grip.
“It’s your funeral,” she calls as I storm off.
I push open the heavy door to the Dragon’s den and storm in. She’s at her desk, filing her nails. Are you fucking kidding me!
“What is it, Elena? I’m very busy.”
“Yeah, it looks like it!”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” she hisses at me.
“You're in here doing your nails, while Janie and I do all the work. I’m not staying back tonight to get this job done. So you can have your beauty appointments tomorrow. Do them after work like the rest of us have to.”
“Do you think you have a choice, my dear? I’m your boss and I can do what I like. You can either fall into place and do as you are told... or leave. There are plenty of other girls lining up to take your place. You're nothing special, you know.” Her expression unfazed by my anger. Surely she can see the steam coming from my ears. My body is tense and I can feel how hot my face is. Did she really just say I'm replaceable? She would be screwed without me.
My mouth is moving before I have time to filter the words from my brain. “Good luck finding someone with my experience at such short notice. I’m done,” I yell. I turn and storm off. I've got to get out of this place before my tears start flowing.
“You walk out that door and you're done in this industry. I'll drag your name through the mud.”
I keep walking. I'm not giving her the satisfaction of seeing how upset I am. I'm walking out of here with my head held high and some dignity.
I pack up my desk quickly, shoving the few personal items I have in my bag. Janie’s by my side.
“What did you do, Elly?”
“I quit. I'm sorry if it leaves you with all the work, but I can’t work with her anymore.” A tear escapes down my cheek as regret kicks in. I swipe it away; I'm not crying here.
Janie wraps her arms around me. “It's going to be okay, Elly. I’m sure you’ve got a plan, haven’t you?”
I shake my head. “Nope, no plan. I wasn’t expecting to do that!" I hug her back. "See you, Janie, good luck with the Dragon.” I grab my bag, the potted plant, and the photo of my family from last Christmas, the only personal items I had here. I hold my head up high and power walk straight for the elevator. I can't believe I just did that. Jessie’s going to kill me. With the wedding in just three months, we need all the money we can get. Fuck, Elena, why did you do that!
My heart is racing as I stand
