I was preparing to head home, after another grueling day at work. I had stayed behind late, past closing time, to complete some extra assignments; and had assumed that I was the only one still left inside the company.

...I was wrong.

I don’t know what possessed me that day, but I wanted to loosen my legs a little, after being forced to sit on a chair for so damn long. So, I decided to take a little stroll. But, instead of doing it outside (like a normal person). I decided that the ‘smart’ thing to do, was to casually walk around the office building.

Unfortunately, that was how I happened to stumble upon a very scandalous scene. Near the bathroom stall, Melissa (of all people) was passionately exchanging tongues with a tall middle-aged man in a grey business suit. That man was none other than the CEO of Highrise, Dane Goodman. The man who brought me on to the company, and my benefactor.

My former boss was man I truly admired. From starting his own business, when he was just 20, to now heading the number one financing corporation in the country. He is someone who could even shake hands with the president, and I owed that kind of man a great debt. Because he was the one who found and took me, an 18-year-old high school dropout with no indiscernible skills or future, into his company.

And that man, at that moment, in front of my wide disbelieving eyes was making out with the one person that I despised most in the world. Despite, the fact that he himself is a married man, with three kids.

I remember at that time, underneath all the shock and disgust, an emotion hidden deep in my heart that I did not want to acknowledge, was slowly starting to bubble its way unto the surface.

A profound sense of helplessness had inexplicably pierced through my chest. Because, I knew than and there that I had already lost her. The reason Melisa was treated like a princess in the company, and why the higher-ups never punished her. It all became crystal clear.

I left the scene quietly, feeling completely dejected.

It could be said that incident was the catalysis, the point where everything started to quickly spiraled downwards for me. A week after that episode, I was called into Mr. Goodman’s office. Standing by his side was Melisa looking at me, with her usual cold and contempt filled eyes.

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The moment I sat down to face him, Mr. Goodman dropped the bombshell that he was letting me go, after ten years of service, He tried to kindly explain that the fault did not lie with me, the company was simply downsizing, and he hoped that... Honestly, I had stopped paying attention, a few minutes into his rehearsed speech. The entire world became deadly silent, and all my attention was focused on the short blonde hair woman with the smug expression, standing quietly beside him.

My head felt heavy, like it was about to split open from the inside, and at that moment the veins in my eyes turned red; as an unspeakable amount of rage ran over my heart.

At that instant I lunged at her, without even thinking, I immediately tried to punch her. Sadly, I didn’t get the chance to, Mr. Goodman (as if he were expecting such a reaction), quickly stepped in the way; and as easily as swatting a baby’s hand away, intercepted my punch.

It was over.

My heart sank into my stomach. Not only because of the fact that I didn’t get to mutilate that c***. But, because of the way Mr. Goodman had stared at me then, with sad disappointment painted on all over his wizened face. Releasing my outstretched hand, he said he would quietly forget about attempted assault, but I had to immediately pack up; and never step foot into his company again.

I left the company with my head low, filled with bitter shame and resentment.

And now I’m out here, on the streets, drinking piss poor alcohol.

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“It’s all that she-dogs fault.” I murmured.

I’m not so foolish enough to believe that it was complete coincidence that just after a week, when I spotted them making out, I was called over into his office. Melisa probably learned that I had found out about their adulterous little secret, and she coaxed Mr. Goodman into firing me.

The worst part of it all was that I never had any intention of exposing their deeds to the public. In the first place, Mr. Goodman was my idol. I mean sure, I had some mixed feelings about his secret affair with Melisa. However, even if he is a cheater with poor taste in women...who just coldly fired me — probably his most loyal employee — I still held a great amount of respect for him.

“Haah. Lets just head home.” So, with one last empty sigh, I dropped the bottle of alcohol on the floor, and sluggishly made my way out of the alleyway.

When I was about to cross the street, I suddenly heard a shrill scream, yelling to lookout. Before, I could even process what was going on, I was momentarily blinded by a bright flashing light. Followed by a large, metal object crashing against my flesh. I felt an incredible amount of pain briefly coursed through my body, as it tore through soft skin and bone alike.

And then everything went pitch black.

Before losing consciousness, I could help but think that, damn today is just not my day.