Chapter 2 Her office

Amelia always travelled by bus to her workplace. But today she was short of money, so she walked for 4-5 kms till the next bus- stand so that the travel would cost her less fare. She would get her salary paycheck today and most of it would be gone to pay bills, rent and her brother's tution fees.

As soon as she reached her office, she sat down to work immediately as Lucas wanted the designs ready before 11 am. After completing her work, she hurriedly entered Lucas' cabin at 11:15 to submit the designs.

Lucas pointed his finger at her by bending his elbow and his wrist keeping his hand close to his body. "You have no basic manners of knocking the door before entering I believe?". He was a skinny man in his mid-forties who had an effeminate way of communicating with others.

"The door was open and I am sorry. I hurried up so that I can hand over the files before 11." Amelia was still gasping for her breath.

Lucas narrowed his eyes after shifting his gaze to the clock behind her.

"Have you seen the time? Its 11:15. You are 15 mins late. What more can be expected from a lazy ass like you". Amelia had so far got used to this undignified language her boss used with her for the past one year. She had never raised her voice against his atrocious behaviour; truth to be told she had never misbehaved or fought with anyone in her life, her parents and the rich lifestyle had also cocooned her from such bullies and her mothers teaching to also give love and not hate to others was diligently followed by her. It was only after her fathers death that she had understood that the world around is treacherous and cold but still she tried to dissipate her warmth to others.

Amelia looked down at the floor not responding back to his comments.

"Do you even take a shower before coming to the office. You look as if you have worked manually like a labourer under the sun before coming."

Amelia didn't complain. Her boss was indeed right this time. She had that exhausted look on the face after walking for an hour and half; while other girls would rush to the restroom to adjust their hair and make-up, she would prefer to complete her never ending work before deadlines, to avoid her boss' harsh remarks. She also never had a make up kit in the first place.

"And look at your clothes. You look like a homeless beggar in those rags. You should be given a janitor's job instead of making my assistant." Amelia heard giggling behind her. She turned her head to see Stacey and Laura, her colleagues laughing at her.

"Now get out. And you have more files to complete. They are on the other desk. Get out of my office quickly, I don't want to see a dirtbag like you in front of me spreading your stink in this room." Lucas removed a room freshener from his drawer and started spraying it all over while crunching his nose and holding a tissue in front of it.

Amelia quickly collected the files and left the place. The humiliation that she suffered everyday was getting on her nerves but having no option in front of her, she had to endure the insults without complaining.

She was working on her files when Stacey and Laura approached her desk and handed her two more.

"You have to complete this too. This is our work." They smirked looking at her face which was plain livid considering the fact that she was already bombarded with ten times more work than them.

"Try and understand. I am already full with these files. You have no work at all. I am even taking some of these files home so that I can finish the before tomorrow. I am not getting paid any extra for it."

"A beggar like you should be happy that people with status like us are even considering talking with low standards like you. You are so fortunate to be communicating with us. Be quick or else.....". Even without completing the sentence Stacey threatened Amelia. She was often bullied by these girls who would complain to Lucas falsely if Amelia refused. It happened once that after receiving their fake complaints, Lucas who treated her horribly went to the extent to get her fired from the company. She had to plead and beg before Lucas on that day to stop him from kicking her out of her job. The other girls only earned marginally higher than her salary but never stopped calling her with insulting names.

Amelia had to skip her lunch to finish her work. Seeing her pathetic state as usual, her colleague Jared interrupted her work. "Miss workaholic, mind if I take a minute of yours."

Amelia turned her head upwards and a genuine smile hit her lips. "So nice to see you after such a long time. Are you permanently shifted here again."

Jared was a blonde handsome young fellow who never bullied her. On the contrary he always sided her and fought with the others. But unfortunately, the company transferred him to sales department 6 months back leaving her all alone with the monsters around.

"you forget, I have to report the previous sales in the first week of every month."

"Seeing you brightens my mood so much that I forget everything, hoping ythat you will be transferred back permanently. I am so happy that at least we get to meet once a month."

"If you wish, we can meet more often". Jared winked and his lips curled around. Jared liked Amelia romantically and never missed an opportunity to flirt with her.

"Come on Amy. Lets go to the pub tonight. Or maybe to a restaurant. Or a movie. Whatever you wish. Be my date for once." Jared pouted like a child making Amelia smile again.

"Listen to me Jared; Tonight is impossible. I am taking these files home for completion which I don't think would be done before midnight. I have to be very careful with my work or else the boss would be hurling abuses at me. Additionally I will get my paycheck today; I have to withdraw money from the ATM to pay my bills."

Work wasn't the only reason to refuse Jared's request. Amelia had been unfortunate in dating the right people in the past that had left her emotionally wounded. Also, she had no beautiful dresses to wear for the pub, buying new clothes wasn't in her list of 'to do' events. She was exhausted in paying bills and Dino's fees that she never pursued activities for leisure. She had also argued with Dino once who wanted to work part-time to earn money to help her with the financial burden but Amelia sternly objected asking him to focus on his academics alone.

"Have you heard of online transactions, internet banking?" Jared narrowed his eyes while being sarcastic.

"Some crash in my online system. I have to manually collect and send it."

"You have 101 ways to refuse handsome men. Are you sure Amelia that you are straight because your behaviour seems otherwise."

Amelia laughed and threw a crumpled paper ball at him. Jared enjoyed pulling her leg and he always made sure that she laughs when he is around. He didn't mind being her 'friend' only because her presence and her smile always had a calming effect. Jared had a difficult past and her innocent smile also made him forget his grief; he couldn't explain the positivity Amelia carried around her. So he always wished to spend more time with her; requesting her for dates.

"I see what is happening. Office is not meant for your jokes and fun. And I wonder how busy people get delayed to submit their work on time." Lucas was standing at a metre's distance from them with his penetrating gaze directed towards Amelia. This wasn't the first time that her boss had interrupted her friendly conversations with Jared. Her boss would manage to throw insults at her every time she chatted with Jared and surprisingly, he would be present in no time when they had a good time together.

'Does he spy on me all the time. He doesn't catch me when I am bullied by the girls but when I am laughing with Jared he lands up immediately in front of us'.

All Amelia could do was look down and hear the nasty comments from him. She took a leave early carrying the remaining work home.