Page 16 of Ravaged For You

I’ve got to stay positive. I smile at my boss, trying not to show how I’m practically freaking out inside. “They were good learning exercises,” I continue. “I’ve been through all the reports and the analysis. I know what I have to do in the future now to avoid those mistakes. I can go into the future knowing what works best and what doesn’t.”

“You sure about that?”

“Yes. I learn quickly. I may have made some novice errors, but I’m dedicated. I really like this job, Winston. I really like it. I really want to show you what I can do. I can do better.”

My boss shuffles his papers again. “I like you, Maddie,” he starts. “I really do. You’ve got grit and you work hard. You’re smart and a perfectionist. Always on time. You don’t gossip. You put your head down and just get on with the task.”

“I’m glad you can see that. I really do try and make myself an asset to the team. I can show you what I’m capable of, I’m sure of it.”

There, standing up for myself.

My boss purses his lips together and pauses, leaving me in dreadful suspense.

My stomach churns, both on account of the lingering thudding hangover from last night and my fluttering nerves.

I really don’t want to get fired. I really can’t get fired, especially not after that threatening email from my landlord.

How the hell am I going to live with no job and no condo?

I did not plan for any of this when I ventured to this city dreaming of a better life.

Eventually, my boss speaks again.

“You want to show me what you can do? Well, we have some potential new clients coming in today, and I’ll like you to accompany me to the meeting with them. There’ll be no need for you to say or do anything, just be in the room. Observe. Take notes.”

“Oh, okay.”

I can’t believe this. Is this Winston giving me a second chance? I can’t let this slip out of my grasp.

“They would be incredibly big and lucrative clients if we manage to snare them,” Winston continues. “Enough for you and me to rest easy in our jobs for the foreseeable future.”

“That would be great.”

“The higher-ups are pressuring me to make some cuts.”

Oh, crap.

“Yeah?”

“I don’t want to cut you, Maddie. I haven’t cut you. Like I said, you’re a good worker.”

“Thank you, Winston. For this opportunity as well. I promise I won’t let you down.”

“It’s just a meeting today, but hopefully it’ll lead to good things.”

“So, who are these clients, then?” I ask, but before Winston can answer, his phone beeps with an incoming message. He checks it, frowning.

“Speaking of the clients,” he says. “They’re actually here now. That was the receptionist pinging me to say they’re making their way up.”

“Really?”

“To be honest, I was expecting them, with their reputation, to be late,” Winston says. “I spent all night watching their material. Of course, I’ve heard of them before, but I’m not a fourteen year old girl, so I’m not exactly their target demographic. I once had a career in music. Did you know that?”

I blink.

Where’s he going with this?

“I didn’t know.”