CANDY CRUSH

WAYLAND'S POV

I have had enough of all this bullshit. I don't understand why it's so difficult to acquire competent employees from the job-seeking population. My brother has chosen to give another bumbling idiot a chance at my company. Out of pity, surely...because she lacks creativity and proper work ethics. I walk over to her desk, biting back the urge to have her dragged out by security. If only she knew how much her presence infuriated me.

''Taylor, what is this? I asked for a concise market report, not whatever this is. This reads like you're frightened of full sentences.'' My anger rose as I watched her fidget with her hand and struggle to find a response before finally responding in a croaky voice.

''I-uh- I compiled all the figures from the last quarter and added commentary on the emerging trend.'' I flipped through the document in my hand, disgust evident on my face.

''Commentary? This is a laundry list of bullet points with zero insight. You have given me raw data, not analysis.'' I watch her shift her weight from leg to leg, obviously distracted and uncomfortable.

'' I thought you wanted the data first. I can...''. I cut her off, my voice rising along with my frustration, and successfully gained the attention of other employees.

''Do not *I thought* me. I want your damn head in it. Where's the SWOT? Where are your recommendations? This is a draft, not a throwaway blog post. ''

'' I'm sorry, I ran out of time,'' she responded to my berating quietly, but that just was not going to be enough to get me to back down. Ever since this woman got here, my company's productivity has halved. She's got every last one of my male employees googly-eyed with her practically exposed bosoms. She was just so unbelievable.

''OUT OF TIME?'' I exclaimed, bells ringing inside my head at how incredulous her levels of stupidity his. I flipped through the documents again to make sure that we were talking about the same work.

We are.

'' This is a two-day work and I gave it to you last week, on Tuesday, it's Friday.''

I let out a tired sigh. The worst part of it all is that I can't just fire her like I normally would have, all because of a stupid bet.

''I want it redone and on my table by the end of the day.'' I pinch the bridge of my nose in exhaustion.

''Look, taylor, I need you to put the office slut mindset down and pick up your brain and if your personal life is messy enough for you to need five cups of black coffee at 10 am when you don't do any work'' I said gesturing to the handprint on her neck and a bunch of other spots I assume to be hickeys littering her neck. ''Just don't bother coming in.''

A red wash of shame and humiliation poured down her face. '' I apologize, sir. I'll make amends.'' ''Good.'' I tossed the trashy documents on her desk before turning my head to the nosy crowd of people with craned necks. '' To remain in this company for a long time, it would do you well to remember to mind your business and get on with your tasks.''

Shuffling seats and leather shoes, in less than a minute atmosphere became just how I liked it. Serious and quiet, except keyboard keys being tapped on hurriedly.

12:37 PM

Everyone has left except me. I leaned into my chair and let out a deep exhale.'' Well, I better get going.''

I do what I need to, and I'm prepared to leave the company. I shut my office door, got on the elevator, and pressed the 0 button for the ground floor.

I need a drink, a strong one.

The door chimed, and I habitually ignored the automated voice before stepping out.

I see the newly hired security guard on night shift drop to the ground in front of a figure half his size. One swift motion and my watch is in my pocket. It was a gift, and my brother would chew me out if I broke his gift while beating up some assailant.

I strode towards the figure, ready to take out the day's accumulated anger and stress on them.

Thank goodness I didn't just kick this individual from behind because I most definitely would have broken something. The person turned and looked at me, and I saw the most harmless-looking person, and she...grinned at me.

How did that pathetic man fall to this harmless-looking person? I'm firing the guy. If this woman can take him down, then he won't fare well against hardened criminals. He's not protecting shit.

I tread forward carefully without letting my guard down. ''May I help you?'' I asked in a calm tone, positioning myself in a favourable stance for a knife or gun action.

''Oh, you must be the guy!'' she muses. I pause and observe the lady. '' May I ask what you mean by that?''

''The asshole that told taylor she was an office slut and called her dumb.'' A deliberate crease appeared between my brows. I watch her walk towards me and let her do so. She prods my chest with an unmanicured finger. ''Nobody likes you. You know, nobody likes you, right?''

She hiccuped, and I'm suddenly too aware that she's drunk. She's drunk and upset for her incompetent friend. I pry her from me trying to drastically reduce the possibility that she throws up on me. ''wowee...you are...one cunt'' she slurred and hiccupped.

'' Miss, this is not an appropriate setting for you to make your complaint. I suggest that you come back on the next work day to submit a forma-''

The unexpected sour rush on my tongue made my body shiver, and I felt my left eye twitch. She dramatically groaned and rolled her eyes at me while mimicking my way of speaking '' O M G, can you SHAT UP, your stchewpid posh accent is making my ears bleed'' and I just stood there absolutely stunned.

Why am I still here condoning this madness and on cue she squints her eyes and goes ''ya want me to fuck off, yeah? Suree mate.'' She backs away from me while nodding her head and middle fingers in the air, not taking her eyes from me for a second, and all I was thinking at that moment was 'I don't sound like that'.

She sharply turned around and walked into the wall behind her, and consequently fell to the floor. It was painful to watch, but my body just won't move, and just like every other uncalled-for thing she'd done this morning, what she did next was unexpected. She starts laughing and by that I mean full-on cackling and hiccupping between snorts.

I've always had a lot to say, but right now I'm speechless. She eventually packed herself out of the building and into the sleek black car; I assume she came in. It all happened so fast that I'm still flabbergasted as I walked out of the building, slowly, as my mind seemed to lag, and towards my car.

The realisation that a half-licked lollipop that was rudely shoved in my mouth in an attempt to shut me up by a total was still lodged between my tongue and the roof of my mouth made my stomach coil with disgust.

I remove it and chuck it in the bin. I get in my car and drive away with a reminder of this early morning's summer thunderstorm in the form of cherry wrapped around my tongue.