Your Savior
Today I turn 25, and I am happy because I can finally leave my parents house. I have a steady job at an office, even though it isn't the best one. It is a great paying job. I have been at this company for years and am looking to be promoted soon. I happily put on my lucky pink blouse and my black pencil skirt. Later on after work, I have some places lined up that I would like to view.
I carefully apply rose pink lipstick and pull my hair into a bun. "Angela! I have breakfast ready for you." My mother calls for me from downstairs. “I’ll be right down. Give me a few minutes!” I call back. I already know she is making my favorite breakfast. She has been doing this for me every year. When I was a teenager, I told her I changed my favorite, and she went to buy and make the ingredients.
I love her for that. My father, on the other hand, is a workaholic. I respect that. I guess that is where I get my work ethic from. I grab my purse from the dresser and head downstairs to greet my mother.
“Is Dad out already?” I ask, and she nods and then hands me an envelope. I look at it. It has a strange seal on it. “Who is this from?” I ask her, and she shrugs. “It was in the mail this morning.” I tuck it in my purse and sniff the air. “Oh, someone is making my favorite.” I smile and sit down as my mother hands me a glass of orange juice and a mug of coffee.
Banana pancakes, honey-glazed turkey bacon, and strawberries soon appear before me. “Happy birthday, love. Your father and I have a surprise for you when you come home.”
I smile at her and pop a strawberry in my mouth. “Thank you, Mother.”
I quickly eat and take my coffee to go. On my way to my car, I thought I felt someone watching me, I turned, but there was no one there. I shake the feeling and drive to work.
I happily make my way to the office on the 66th floor. The elevator gets crowded, and I find myself in the middle of a whole crowd of people. Someone bumps into me, and I press against someone behind me. “I’m sorry,” I say, and they grab my waist, keeping me at a distance. “If you back up anymore, it won’t be good, so bear with this for a while.”
The stranger's voice says in my ear. His large hands gently hold me steady as more people crowd in. Once we reach my floor, he lets go and pushes me into the crowd. I get pulled out like someone in a concert during a human wave or whatever they call it. I look back, but I don’t know who the person is. “Angela! The boss wants to see you in his office soon.” One of my co-workers says to me. “Says it's urgent.” They continue.
I swipe my badge and clock in on the time clock. As I enter the office, the air feels heavy, and I hear the staff mumbling and looking at me. Confused, I make my way to my boss’ office.
Knock knock.
“Come in.” His deep voice says.
I enter and walk up to his massive wooden desk. “Good morning. You wanted to see me?” I ask. “Ah, yes, have a seat. You’re going to be wanting to sit for this.” I sit in the chair in front of his desk. “So today, we have finally agreed to the company merge with Knight Enterprises. And moving forward, there will be some big changes.” He pauses and brings his hands together under his chin. My heart rate picks up, and I try hard not to get excited. “We are going to be cutting our staff in half.” He looks at me with his green eyes.
Okay, does he want me to recommend some people to lay off? I know a few slackers, but I don’t want to be a snitch. “Angela, it pains me to say this, but we will have to let you go.”
What? Let me go?
“Is this a joke? I was in line for a promotion. What do you mean let me go?” I stand abruptly, slamming my hands on his desk. “Angela, calm down if you really want to stay with this company. I can arrange for something to happen.” I huff out and fold my arms, waiting for him to say something. He stands up and then goes to the door, locking it. “Look, I know you have been with us for years and have been looking forward to this, but you have to understand my hands are tied in this matter.”
He comes over, reaches out, and brushes a stray hair from my face. I back up even though I can’t go anywhere. My back hits his desk. “Be professional, Chad,” I say. His hand slowly slides down my face, placing his index finger beneath my chin. “Angela, I am being professional. I just don’t want to see you go. It was a random draw. If I had any say in it, I would have kept you.” He slowly moves his hand from my chin and slides it down to the collar of my blouse. I take his hand and move it.
“Chad, seriously, is there nothing you can do? I worked my ass off here.” I start to pace back and forth. There is no way I am being laid off on my birthday at that. Chad shakes his head, “I mean, there is something you can do for me.” He pushes me back against the desk, and soon his lips attack mine. I push him off. “Chad, fuck off.” He smirks. “Wouldn’t you want to?”
***************
Three hours later.
“So you attacked your boss because he laid you off from work?” The officer asks. I scoff, “No, for the last time…” I show the officer the hickeys on my neck and bruises on my wrists. “He tried to force himself on me, and I defended myself.” The officer frowns, “He’s in horrible shape right now.” I squint my eyes. “All I did was, kick him in the nuts and punch him in the face.” The officer opens an envelope on the table and dumps out pictures. My boss’ face is beyond recognition, and he is battered up.
“A broken arm, two fractured ribs, a broken leg, and a concussion. He hasn’t woken up yet, but the employees say that you were the last person to see him, which is why we had to take you in for questioning.” I point to myself. “There is no way I could have done all that and gotten away with a few bruises. I am sure you guys have the police reports from his exes about his abuse, right?” The officer nods. “We will look into it more.” BUZZ! BUZZ!
My phone rings, and as I dig in my purse to grab my phone, the envelope falls out. “Oh? What’s this?” The officer picks it up, and as soon as he sees the seal, he looks up at me with wide eyes. “Excuse me. I need to take this….hello?”
‘Angela, I am sorry to call you like this. Can you put the officer on the phone?’
“Uh, who is this?” The voice sounds familiar.
‘Your savior, hand him the phone please, Angela.’ I hand the officer the phone.
“Hello, yes…mhm. I see. My apologies; I had no idea of the relation.” He hangs up and hands me the phone. “No further questions. You can go, Miss Carson.” He gives me the envelope. After I left the police station, I sat in my car and opened the envelope. The smell of citrus with a touch of nutmeg invades my nose as I pull out a letter and it states:
Angela, you do not know me, but I know much about you.
I want to meet you at some point. I also know this is sudden.
Whenever you are ready, call me at xxx-xxxx, and I will meet you.
-X
