The invitation
~*~
While she was one stop from her workplace and observing the Black Crown Tower from her vehicle, Natacha's desire not to set foot in this building had reached its peak. This company that she had gotten to know and which she had worked for tirelessly for the last three years had become a disgusting place for her, a place riddled with garbage, a place that she now wanted to avoid at all costs. Unfortunately, this so-called garbage was none other than her boss, the influential man who was controlling the entire company. It was therefore impossible for her to denounce him, to move away from him, or to get rid of him. She was at his mercy and there was nothing she could do to change that.
When the light finally turned green, Barnes hesitated for a moment to move her vehicle. She would probably have remained still if not for the intervention of the cars behind her that started honking, forcing her to move. The young woman therefore went forward and found herself in the underground parking lot a few minutes later. As she was walking towards the elevator shafts, Natacha passed in front of Tess' vehicle and then couldn't help but wonder if she too was engaging in obscenities with their boss. Her behavior towards him was very ambiguous and she sometimes gave the impression of wanting to obtain favors.
However, Natacha wasn't sure of anything. This was all speculation. She didn't even know how her colleague behaved outside of their workplace. Maybe her attitude was the same everywhere and she used her shapes to get what she wanted. Nevertheless, it was a thought that she kept in the back of her mind, the idea that Herman Invictus was having an affair with one of her secretaries while he was displaying obscene and Machiavellian behavior with the other one.
Barely exiting the elevator, Natacha was once again welcomed by greetings from her other work colleagues. However, it no longer had the same flavor. Indeed, even if she was displaying her usual smile and was responding favorably to them, the young woman could not help but wonder if one of them was also informed of the true nature of their employer. Maybe that was the case, there were still other women who were working on the same floor as her, women who were as pretty, if not much prettier than her. One of them might have caught the attention of Herman Invictus, and as with her, he would have used his influence to silence her. It was entirely possible.
When she arrived in her office, Natacha immediately noticed Tess’ absence. She then told herself that the latter could only be in their boss' office, bringing him coffee as usual. A few seconds after Barnes placed her things on her workstation, Harlock suddenly appeared.
“Good morning, Natacha,” she retorted when she saw her.
“Good morning, Tess. I guess Mr. Invictus must be enjoying his morning coffee?”
“Enormously. Besides, he asked to see you immediately.”
The moment Natacha heard these words, a shiver ran through her entire body.
“Did he say why he wanted to see me?”
“No, and I didn't ask. He just said to present yourself before him as soon as you arrive.”
Barnes' brain then began to imagine all kinds of scenarios, especially since she didn't know if her boss wanted to see her in a professional setting or if he wanted to make an unusual request. If it was the first possibility, then Natacha didn't have to worry, she would simply carry out the instructions he gave her. However, if her boss were to ask her for a favor like the day before, then it would be extremely complicated. It was mid-morning and the building was full of people. The chances of being caught in the act with him were therefore very high. What would happen to her if this were to happen? Would he consider this a violation of their agreement? Since discovering the true face of this person, Barnes really didn't know what to expect from him.
While Natacha was busy thinking about all these possibilities, Tess, who was still present at her side, pointed out to her that their boss was still waiting for her.
“Oh yes! You’re right,” Natacha retorted.
The young woman finally walked up to her boss' office door and knocked twice before being greeted with a "come in." Natacha then entered the room and found herself face to face with Herman Invictus who was sitting in front of his computer screen.
“Good morning, Sir. I heard you wanted to see me?”
“Miss Barnes, how are you doing this lovely morning? Good, I hope?” he joyfully asked.
Natacha wondered how he dared to ask her such a question. How did he think she was doing after what had happened the previous evening? Did he have any idea of the emotional distress she was in because of him? She was anything but fine. Fine wasn't even a synonym for the list of words one could use to describe how she was doing at that moment.
“Yes, sir. I'm perfectly fine,” she replied, trying to maintain eye contact.
“I expected no less from you, Miss Barnes. If I called on you this morning, it was on one hand to reaffirm the terms of the agreement we concluded yesterday. I therefore dare to hope that it will never occur to you to reveal the details of the said agreement to anyone.”
“No, sir. I would never dare to do such a thing.”
“I hope so for you, Miss Barnes. You know what would happen if this affair became known. You wouldn't want everyone around you to suddenly find themselves without prospects for the future,” he said with a smirk.
Seeing him smile like that, the young woman couldn't help but place her hands behind her back and tightly clench one of her fists. She was so angry at this man before her. He was so proud to show off his influence and superiority over people. For Natacha, he was just a piece of shit who didn't deserve to live, and because of that, she didn't intend to give in so easily. She was determined to overcome all the trials he had planned for her, and above all she was ready to protect the people who mattered to her.
“Now that things have been clarified on this point, we can address the real reason that pushed me to call on you this morning. Miss Barnes, do you have any plans for this weekend?”
“Not really, sir.”
“Perfect. I'm organizing a small event with some acquaintances of mine and I'd like to invite you.”
“An event with acquaintances of yours?”
“Indeed. Let’s say it’s more of a small tasting session, nothing extravagant. It is a distinguished event with very important guests. In any case, your presence is required. A car will be waiting for you next Saturday morning at 9 a.m. in the underground parking lot.”
“But, I didn't even accept.”
Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.
“You did it from the moment you told me you had no plans for this Saturday.”
Natacha Barnes was speechless. Not only had her boss taken the liberty of assuming that she would indeed have nothing to do during the next weekend, but he was also forcing her hand, not giving her the possibility of refusing. In addition, this invitation meant nothing good to her, which made her question the true nature of the event which she had just been invited to.
“Miss Barnes, have I made myself clear?”
“Yes, Sir. Saturday morning at 9 a.m. in the underground parking lot,” she replied.
“Excellent. I hardly need to remind you that this must obviously remain confidential.”
“No, Sir. You don't need to remind me.”
“Good. You can now go back to your office. Also, don't forget to send me the reports relating to the development of our new products, and contact the head of the marketing department as well. Tell him to come to my office as soon as possible.”
“Is that all, Sir?” the young woman asked.
“Yes, for the moment. The other activities can wait until the end of the day,” he replied, returning his gaze to his computer screen.
Natacha having obtained her new instructions, she headed towards the exit door without knowing that her boss' gaze was at that moment on her buttocks. The young woman took a seat at her desk and immediately grabbed the landline phone in front of her and began her work day, all under the gaze of Tess who was wondering what she had discussed with their boss.
*
A short time later in a room on the floor where she worked, Natacha stood in front of a photocopier machine and was printing out numerous copies of important documents. While the process was underway, the young woman was standing still with a completely blank look. Once again, she was present without really being there. Barnes was now immersed in a sea of thoughts and questions, the main ones concerning what her boss had told her a few minutes ago. What was this tasting session really about? And why did he want her in it? For the young woman, it was clear that this was not a simple event, there must be something else behind it.
While she was focused on her thoughts, Barnes did not notice the presence of another one of her co-workers who had just entered the room. He called out to her on numerous occasions, but it was only when he delicately placed his hand on her shoulder that she reacted.
“Sorry. I didn't intend to scare you, but I called you several times and you didn't answer,” the man said after Natacha's slight startle.
“You don't have to apologize, it's not your fault. It's me who should be apologizing for not hearing you. My mind was a little elsewhere.”
“I see. Anyway, are you done with the printer? I have documents to collect.”
Upon hearing this, Barnes realized that the documents in front of her were not hers, but rather those of her colleague. She had been so focused on her thoughts that she hadn't noticed that her files had finished printing several minutes ago. She apologized once more to her colleague, collected her things, and left the room – all under the gaze of this man who thought that something was definitively wrong with her.
The incident that had just occurred in front of the photocopier machine was unfortunately not the only one to mark Natacha's day. However, the one that had a greater impact on the young woman took place during her lunch break. Indeed, while she was in the middle of a discussion with Fatima – one of the few friends she had at her workplace – Barnes once again had a moment of absence. Her interlocutor, seeing that she was no longer following the conversation, then had no other choice but to question her.
“Natacha! Natacha, are you listening to me?” she retorted.
“What?! What, what did you say?”
“How can you ignore me when I’m talking to you about something so important?”
“Something important? What important thing?”
“See? You absolutely weren't listening to what I was telling you.”
“I’m very sorry, Fatima. Since this morning, I've had some difficulty staying focused,” she justified herself.
“And what’s this due to? If it’s not too indiscreet.”
Unable to reveal to her the real cause of her repeated absences, the young woman simply told her that she had some problems in her relationship.
“What did Michael do?”
“Nothing very serious. He just didn’t really pay attention to some things. Anyway, what exactly were you talking to me about?” Barnes said.
“I was asking you if you were aware of the rumor that was circulating around at this moment,” Fatima retorted excitedly.
“A rumor? What is it about?”
At this moment, Natacha was somewhat nervous. She was afraid to hear that a rumor about her was circulating in the company. She had done her best not to be seen after what happened in Herman's office the day before. However, upon hearing her friend talk about a certain rumor spreading like wildfire in their workplace, the young woman feared that someone had actually seen her when she had returned to her vehicle.
“It seems that Daniel from HR is having an affair with Ivy from accounting,” Fatima whispered after beckoning Natacha to approach.
Barnes was at that moment relieved to know that the gossip circulating around had nothing to do with her. She didn't even know how she would have handled such a situation if it had come up.
“Daniel, Daniel. Wait a minute, you're not talking about Daniel Ramea, are you?”
“You know another Daniel who’s working in HR?” Fatima retorted in a sarcastic tone.
“But I thought he was married?”
“That’s indeed the case.”
“Ouch! I wonder how his wife will react when she finds out about this.”
“Who knows? All I can tell you is that this story won’t end well.”
At that moment, Natacha couldn't help but think about her own situation and also wondered if her relationship with Michael was going to end badly. Certainly, she loved him immensely and that was reciprocal, but the recent activities she was carrying out were anything but beneficial for her relationship. She was therefore perfectly aware that if her man were to learn the truth, it would undoubtedly mark the end of everything she had built with him, something she absolutely did not want. It was therefore imperative for her that he never discover the truth.
The lunch break for all company employees finally came to an end. Everyone, including Natacha and her friend, Fatima, then found themselves obliged to return to their workstation and continue their professional tasks.
*
Many hours passed and it was time for the Herman Invictus’ employees to go home. The Black Crown premises were gradually emptied, leaving very few people behind, including Barnes and Harlock who were still working on writing their report.
“Done!” Tess happily exclaimed a few minutes later. “Now, all that remains is to send everything to Mr. Invictus. There you go!”
Having just finished with her report, Harlock hastened to shut down her computer and put her things away, under the slightly frustrated gaze of her colleague who was still working on hers.
“Happy for you, Tess. Now, shut the fuck up, that would be good for everyone,” Natacha thought at that moment.
“Well, it's time to go and wish Mr. Invictus a good evening.”
While Tess was inside their employer's office, Natacha once again couldn't help but wonder if the two were in a relationship. Her colleague's recent behavior made her believe that. Not only did she bring him coffee every morning, which wasn't a problem in itself, but she did it happily. Many people in the working world displayed this same attitude towards one or more of their colleagues. No, where it became very suspicious was that Herman Invictus was neither her friend nor her colleague, but their employer, the person who signed their paycheck at the end of each month. If at least it had been an official task, Barnes might have understood, but Tess willingly brought him coffee every morning.
And it didn't stop there. In fact, she also had to go say goodbye to him before leaving the company premises, every day. For Natacha, there was no doubt that the two had an affair, and from the attitude she had towards him, it was clear that it was completely different from hers, if you could call her situation an affair.
A few minutes later, Tess finally came out of Herman's office. She then wished Natacha a good evening before heading out. Barnes was now alone and she knew it was only a matter of time before she received the fateful order. Nevertheless, she did her best not to think about it, still having her report to finish writing. Unfortunately for her, things took a very unpleasant turn very quickly. Indeed, about five minutes after the departure of her work colleague, the young woman's landline phone suddenly began to ring. Knowing exactly who was on the other end of the line, she reluctantly picked it up.
“Yes, sir.” she said.
“In my office, right now.”
The young woman knew perfectly well why he called her so abruptly. She didn't want to go, but unfortunately she had no choice. It was therefore with great hesitation and a growing desire to flee as far as possible that Barnes got up from her seat and left in the direction of Herman Invictus' office.
To be continued...
Read more on amethystwriters.com