Deceit

“This is ridiculous”

I threw my third black shirt on to my small bed in my small room in my small little rented apartment.

How can I not make up my mind? Seriously I have a limited amount of clothing anyway, just pick one and get out of the damned house!

Maybe this is my subconscious telling me this is a bad idea...

No... There’s no going back now.

You need introduction?

Sup the name’s Eri. My actual name is Choeri Lee but that’s the only thing my parents gave me. I don’t like to acknowledge it much so I just call myself Eri now.

That’s also the name I put on my fake resume for my job!

Look I got enough qualifications and knowledge as a homeschooled girl but let’s just say I am an 18 year old applying for a 20 year old’s job.

People commit crimes like this all the time ... I mean I ain’t trying to steal anything. I’m just trying to make a living after being thrown out of the house. Yes god I know I have not been holy but I’m living in a house that smells like stale pizza at night so please just let me earn enough so I can move to a better place.

Can you believe I have lost my appetite for pizza after being next to Lil Deed’s pizza place?!

Hopefully if I get this job I could earn a little something to get myself a better life...

I sighed and finally picked on top that made me look... More mature..

“Okay Bifrost Enterprises....here I come..” I said staring at my job application.

I made it to the company just fine. I mean maybe I did trip a couple of times and this black cat almost made my ears bleed with it’s horrid hissing but I’m still alive! For now at least

“Okay Eri you’re just committing a teensy little crime nothing much. Act natural!” I scolded myself and stepped inside the building.

The lobby was as grand as a castle. High ceiling, brilliant white with a breathtaking chandelier hung from it. The whole interior of the place gave out ancient vibes. There were many decors and statues of what looked like Roman gods. Everything was pretty and in it’s place. The fact that I didn’t belong here was more than a little obvious.

I stared at my resume again. Okay I don’t get why I am so paranoid...

All lied about was my age. I had all he other qualifications and even had work experience from that time my dad decided it was nice to ship me off to my uncle. It was probably one of the only happy memories I had but alright... Besides my uncle was the only person I remember that actually treated me like a kid and not a robot...

So making up my mind again I trudged forward to the guy I would be working as a secretary to.

Rebecca Lewis. Sounds like a nice lady. I hope she isn’t bitchy like the usual ‘ahjummas’ in kdramas.

It took a while but I found her office. It looked really comfortable and welcoming not going to lie. There was a cushioned couch on the side and was open and airy pretty much like the rest of the place.

A middle aged woman sat on the table and when I entered she greeted me with a bright smile

“Eri Lee?” She asked in a very sophisticated sounding voice that nonetheless carried kindness

“Uh yes” I greeted politely “Nice to meet you Ms. Lewis. I’m looking forward to work”

“Oh dear drop the formalities” she smiled and gestured me to sit “We’ll be working together so get comfortable alright and also...” She looked a bit unsure “Please don’t mind if I ask.. but what is a such a young girl doing at work? I mean I have a daughter of your age and as far as she goes working us the last thing on her bucket list” Ms. Lewis said with a little laugh

In contrast to that I almost had a heart attack when she called me ‘young’

I faked a smile. I don’t want to be framed as a liar so I will be honest as much as I can except my age of course “No actually I’m a little short of money since I live alone...” I said trying hard not to sound too pitiful.

Ms. Lewis’s eyes softened “Well dear then I’m glad I am able to help. Don’t hesitate to mention if you ever need any help alright” she said with a kind smile

I’m already feeling bad for lying to her. What am I doing with my life?!

No no Eri get your shit together. It’s either you go along with this or get arrested...

“Well then let’s start working shall we?” Ms. Lewis said to which I replied with an enthusiastic nod. If I’m going to lie and be a little piece of shit then the least I could do was be a good employee while I’m at it.

Ms. Lewis handed me her schedule and usual scheme of work. She even gave me some notes from her previous secretary who left after getting married.

Leave money from a man? Yeah cannot relate to that...

Anyways I arranged the few belongings I had on the desk right outside Ms. Lewis’s office in the small space that separated the main hallway and Ms. Lewis’s office. As if this building knew my taste perfectly, my spacious desk was placed next to a large window. We were on the 30th floor, eventhough the building had 20 more floors I had a decently pretty view from where I was. Light, airy and free. Just how I like it.

This perfect layout for some reason made me guiltier. I don’t deserve it I know... But desperate situations call for desperate measures. No the biggest problem about that apartment wasn’t the stale pizza smell but the amount of perverts hanging outside in the hallways forced me to close everything up and coop myself into the dark corners of my little room. I hate being trapped so that’s why I wanted to get out of there as fast as I could

Just then someone opened the door with so much force that I almost fell off my chair due to the loud banging

Who the fuck opens doors like that?

Well apparently this chick does...

She saw me and I swear she stared right into my soul. Who was this anyways? Looked someone’s rebellious bratty daughter that went around shoving people into lockers and trash cans. Not by appearance I mean but her expression said it all.

What I fucking did not expect was for her to smile and wave.

“Hi you must be my mother’s new secretary” she said with a kind smile identical to Ms. Suh’s “I heard you were my age. Hope we could hang out later. See ya then” she said cheerily and proceeded onto Ms. Lewis’s office while I stood there analyzing what the hell just happened

Nice? Nice people exist? Oh holy hell I can’t do this anymore!

Does she have multiple personality disorder?

Well whatever that was I did not see it coming.

I sat myself down once again filling out some forms Ms. Lewis handed me when the door opened again.

A tall, dangerously good looking guy walked in. He didn’t seem to notice me at first because he just casually walked in but stopped by the opposite window to, er.. check himself out I think and the almost pissed himself when he saw my reflection too.

“H-hi” I said awkwardly as the guy placed a hand on his chest maybe to calm himself down “I’m Ms. Lewis’s new secretary..” I said maybe just a tad bit too softly

The guy blinked blankly a couple of times then formed a small oh with his mouth “Well nice to meet you- er...”

“E-Eri Lee”

“Nice to meet you Eri” he laughed awkwardly too “So imma just...” he pointed at the door and gave a super fake and yet somehow very convincing laugh “go in!”

Aaaaand he was gone just like that.

Oh Jesus were all my encounters with these new people going to be like this? I hope not....

.....

Wait a minute...

Who was he? Wasn’t I supposed to get Ms. Lewis’s permission to let him in?! Are you kidding me?! First day at my job and I already suck at it!

The phone rang suddenly breaking me out of my train of thought. Okay Eri first phone call... Sound professional!

“Hello, Rebecca Lewis’s secretary speaking” I said in the most mature voice I could muster

“....”

“Hello?” I asked since no one answered

“.....” Still nothing

“Hello is anyone there?” I tried once more but nothing “If you’re gonna prank call at least make us interesting” I muttered under my breath while slamming the phone onto the receiver

The phone rang and I could see it was Ms. Lewis herself.... Oh god... Is she calling to tell me I am fired for letting random strangers into her office without her permission? I can’t believe I didn’t even last an hour...Should I pick up or just pop into her office?

“Hel-”

“Ow you loud brat- GET YOUR ASS OF MY FACE!”

“NOT UNTIL YOU ADMIT IT YOU OVERUSED DILDO!”

“CHILDREN BEHAVE!” Ms. Lewis screamed and I could here her sigh from the other end while her ‘children’ who I assumed were the two people who just walked in, kept loudly arguing in the background “I’m so sorry Eri my kids tend to be a bit...”

“YOU LITTLE RAT I WILL DISOWN YOU!”

“LOOK AT YOUR ADOPTED ASS TALKING!”

" *GASP* THE AUDACITY!”

“IF YOU DON’T QUIET DOWN RIGHT NOW I WILL PUT BOTH OF YOU UP FOR ADOPTION!”

" *GASP INTESIFIES* YOU WOULDN’T!”

“Eri dear I’m so sorry I was just wondering if you could grab us some lunch. Get yours along with that alright” Ms. Lewis said hurriedly and hung up before her children went any crazier

Meanwhile I on the other hand had to chuck my head into my bag to keep myself from laughing.

I am definitely using overused dildo as an insult if I ever need one!

I finally regained my composure and tried to focus on my first task as a secretary. Getting lunch... How hard could that be?

If you expected things to go wrong well then it didn’t so HA HA!

I even made it out of her office alive which was hard considering how Ms. Lewis’s daughter, Phoebe kept nagging at her brother to accept that he was whipped for her friend Mark while Ms. Lewis’s son Johnny kept denying and calling himself a straight man.

Johnny was an attractive man so I hoped he as straight. I mean you can’t let men have all the good guys! Then again I’m still 18, I’m only pretending to be a 20 year old so yeah I have more time to figure things out if I was straight myself

The day went on just fine. A couple of meetings and like several cups of coffee I was done for the day. Ms. Lewis left a few minutes ago and all I had to do was lock the door and get the hell out of here. Before that I took a few moments to lean out of the window and stare at the sunset for while.

The sky was looking magnificent today. It was a mixture of orange and pink with hints of purples arising from the horizon. There was a soft breeze hitting my face making me really feel as if I was on the top of the world.

Just the 30th floor but it was still the highest I had ever been since my whole life became a turmoil of financial problems and health issues. My back problem was getting worse but not like I have enough money to get treatment.

Yes I am an 18 year old with back problems. Welcome to gen z everyone!

So with my mind way too clouded to enjoy the scene I moved away and shut the window blocking the wind. My face felt strangely empty but the warmth inside the office wasn’t so bad

With a bow to the security guard by the door I exited my new workplace after my first day of work. Wow well that wasn’t so bad.

My relief washed away completely when I remembered what I would be going back to... Can I call it home? Well it did provide me some sort of refuge during the last year where I was trying to pick myself up.

I suppose that little cramped up apartment wasn’t so bad. Sure the stale pizza smell but my little room was comforting. I managed to sell many of the things I brought from my... Parent’s house and get enough money to last for a couple of months. Then got a job at a coffee place which also wasn’t so bad until it closed down because some asshole decided to build a shopping mall there. They raised the cafe and kicked the owner and all the staff out brutally.

I guess capitalism really rules the world these days ...

So mournfully I walked back to my apartment as fast as I could because if I did get late then the drunkards would be out in the streets. I wasn’t in the mood to deal with them.

As for dinner I’m not having dinner. Became a habit of mine ever since I was 12. My mother’s obsession with beauty got me eating like a fucking coward for the last six years of my life. Seriously thank god I got out of there. Those weren’t parents... They were literal demons. I blame them for my loss of appetite for many kinds of food.

A short shower because I don’t have enough money to pay for the bill, lights off by 8.00, no heater, only blankets I bought for 3 dollars from the 5 Dollar Store.

Seriously how did I end up like this?

I used to be rich but I had never ever abused it. I wasn’t spoiled nor was I a brat. I followed everything my parents wanted me to and heck I even gave up my dreams just to make them happy. I wanted to be an author but Dad wanted me to take over his business. Then suddenly after stepping on my plans, crushing every ounce of motivation I had, they kick me out of the house because I wasn’t ‘adequate’ enough.

By now I was crying bitter tears wetting the thin sheets which was my only source of heat and comfort in this prison cell called life. I don’t know what made me think I should live but I definitely was regretting it.

Then again, now I have a job... It’s risky, yes, but I have hope. Finally, after months of absolutely torture I will be able to save myself. I worked hard until now so I can carry it on for at least a year to get myself a proper house and some actual food instead of protein bars and Ramen.

“It’s okay... It’ll be alright” I whispered to myself and tried to fall asleep. With my tiredness and crying like a crybaby, sleep came to me easily. Hopefully no one breaks in because I sleep like a rock...

Meanwhile..

“Sir this is the place”

“Gross why does it smell like this?” The young director looked around trying to figure out why his father was trying to buy this land. Oh for heaven’s sake who would want to live here? It’s 8.00pm and the lights if every house was off. Either they didn’t have electricity or no one in the damn building could afford to pay the bills

“Secretary Kei, what would happen to the people living here exactly?” He asked staring at the fifth floor which was the topmost one. It had a dreamcatcher decoration hanging from the ceiling on top of the balcony. Looks like a kid lives there too...

“They will be forced to move since the landlord had agreed to sell the land”

“Do they get prior notice?”

“..... No sir”

The young director stared at the topmost balcony a little longer. He felt bad but his father was a man who doesn’t like to be defied. He rose upto director position and he knew that his father won’t stop torturing the rest of his family until he had gained the mist number of shares of the damn company before he turns thrity. Six more years... He got six more years to gain full control of the company and to do that he was ready to risk anything.

“Cool. Start work in a week”

✨