Read The Other C-Word for Free Online Page B

say…laid off.”
    “Yeah, not as good as getting laid on,” Dillon replied, faking his own smile. “I’ll come over tonight, and we’ll dish it out okay?”
    I nodded, blowing him a kiss.
    I walked to Mr Henley’s office, which had an outer and inner office similar to Mr Bellman’s, but was larger. Kathy greeted me with a disdaining smile as her eyes travelled up and down my outfit, in what I assumed was an attempt to make me cower. It only made me stand up straighter. Kathy was one of those women who didn’t like other women. She was the kind of girl who couldn’t spare an occasional compliment or good-will gesture to another girl, but was extremely gracious towards the opposite sex. She was a beautiful woman with a dancer’s body, ebony hair, crystal blues eyes and flawless skin. Despite that, I’d always felt her insides were somewhat ugly. Kathy played up her looks with short skirts and tight tops. She was the kind of woman who would have a salaciously witty comeback when someone like Rick Randy noticed her garter belt. She fell into her gorgeousness gracefully, while I stumbled clumsily into the territory of passably pretty.
    “You’re dressed up,” she announced, as if I didn’t know this.
    I nodded absentmindedly. “I felt like dressing up.”
    “Or did you want to make a good impression…on Rick?” She gestured towards Mr Henley’s office window where Rick was sitting in a chair speaking to Mr Henley. My insides automatically clenched.
    I didn’t want to be fired in front of him. I’d accepted the idea of being laid off. I knew it wasn’t because I was a bad employee—I did my job well, and Mr Henley liked me. I was just in the wrong position at the wrong time. I understood that it only made sense that I should be the initial sacrifice in a long line of layoffs.
    All of my self-assurances about this moment were lost when I realised Rick would be a witness to my departure. I wanted a private moment to thank Mr Henley for all he had done and let him know I believed in the company. I sincerely hoped that Henley Inc would still survive. More than survive…thrive. It would prove difficult to vocalise my feelings in front of ‘Rick the Dick’.
    “I dressed up for myself Kathy, not that it matters,” I retorted, smoothing out my skirt.
    “You’re right. I doubt he had time to notice. I mean, you were running so late.”
    It was difficult not to smile smugly because Rick, in fact, had noticed my outfit, but there was no point in letting Kathy know that.
    “I’m glad you’re feeling better, Kathy. Those two-hour flu’s can be a real downer,” I said as I opened the office door.
    “We’ll miss you, Marley,” Kathy said in a cheery tone that completely contradicted her statement. Everyone knew I was going to be canned and with good reason. I was the girl plied with busywork, who lived in the secluded island office by herself. The office gossip factory was hard at work as usual.
    Mr Henley stood up from his desk, smiling brightly at me when I entered. It was a warm smile, which I returned in kind, despite my dread. “Marley, please sit.” He gestured to the empty seat next to Rick, who had also stood. I felt a new wave of nausea, wondering if Rick had shared my airport abduction story with Mr Henley. I couldn’t handle any more ridicule today.
    I sat, trying to avoid Rick’s intense gaze. He chuckled when I adjusted my skirt, but I ignored him.
    “Rick will be here for a few months and the work he’ll be doing is very intense.” I knew all this from the morning meeting, so I was wondering why Mr Henley was re-hashing it for me. “He’ll need help with the marketing plans, budgets, deciphering spreadsheets.” Just then, my stomach decided to growl. It was embarrassing, but I hadn’t eaten lunch and right then, even the Vegan chili in my lunchbox made my mouth water. “He’ll need an assistant and we both think you’ll be perfect.”
    I sat up in my chair so fast it hurt my