Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 115308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
She glanced over her shoulder. “You’ll see,” she replied in a singsong voice before strutting off.
And I knew.
She was up to something.
Eli’s brow furrowed. “What is that about?”
It shouldn’t bother me that Becky was so friendly with my members of staff or that they couldn’t see the passive-aggressive nastiness and fake sweetness she treated me to. But it was irritating and made me feel paranoid and isolated.
Yet, after my chat with Grace, I was beginning to wonder if that wasn’t exactly what she intended. Maybe I hadn’t done anything to upset Becky, and maybe it was time to stop questioning and start sticking up for myself.
I wasn’t being paranoid.
“Did … I don’t suppose Becky said something to Liza about me?”
Eli pursed their lips and turned to snatch up a tailored pencil dress. “This is more Ascot, no?”
My pulse rushed in my ears. “Eli? Please, if you know something …”
They rolled their eyes with a sigh and put the dress back on the rack. “Okay, but Becks and I are friends, so I’d feel like I was talking out of school if I were to tell you.”
“Eli?”
“Ugh, I’m only telling you this because I’d quite like to know your reasons myself. Becks let it slip to Liza that you were the reason Liza and I didn’t get a Christmas bonus last year. She said you told management we hadn’t done anything to deserve it and that assistants and assistant buyers shouldn’t be considered for bonuses.”
My heart pounded harder. “What?”
Eli raised an eyebrow. “You look genuinely shocked by that.”
“That’s because it’s a lie!” I shook my head, lowering my voice. “Eli, why would you believe that? Does that seem like the kind of boss I am? Plus, Becky has no insider knowledge on those things. She works in marketing, not payroll.”
“She said Hilary told her.”
“I’ve worked for this company for almost a decade, and I can tell you right now that Hilary Erstwhile does not talk out of school. Becky lied. And just so we’re clear, I will be speaking to Liza about this as your boss,” I reminded them gently. “I will always be honest. You did not get a Christmas bonus last year because it wasn’t in the budget. I didn’t get a Christmas bonus, and Christina refused the one she was offered in solidarity. So, I hope you both feel really silly for believing that nonsense.”
“It was a lie?”
My head whipped around to find Liza standing in the doorway, gaping at me.
It was then I realized I hadn’t just let Becky walk all over me; I’d let my so-called subordinates. “Yes, it was a lie.”
Liza stepped into the room, cheeks flushed red. “Why would Becky lie?”
“I can’t answer that. What I can tell you from now on is that I won’t be treated with disrespect in my own department. For too long I’ve allowed your bad attitude to continue, wondering what I’d done to upset you. It turns out, nothing.” I glanced angrily between my two employees. “Liza, I expect you to treat me better from now on, or I will find another assistant buyer. I’m done being walked over by you and by Becky. Are we clear?” My hands were shaking so hard, I clenched them into fists at my sides.
Liza nodded, wide-eyed. “Of course. I’m sorry.”
I looked at Eli.
They grinned. “Brava, boss. That was a long time coming and I’m very proud of you.”
“Well, thank you. I think I’ll go be sick now.”
They chuckled as Liza stared at me in confusion and embarrassment.
“Not before you see Hilary.”
“Oh hell.” I almost forgot about that. “Keep working. Liza, help Eli. Hopefully, I won’t be too long.”
My legs were still trembling as I made my way to Hilary’s office, but I didn’t have a pit of dread in my stomach. In fact, Eli’s response had bolstered me. I decided that if Liza was willing to believe Becky’s nonsense, then I didn’t really care about what she thought of me. As long as she started treating me with respect, then that’s all that mattered.
Knocking on Hilary’s door, I wondered if I should have insisted on Christina being here for whatever this was.
Becky opened it, gesturing for me to come in. I concealed my need to glare at the snake as I strode inside. What other wee lies had she been whispering into the ears of my colleagues?
My boss’s boss abruptly ended the call she was on and stood, gesturing for me to take the seat across from her desk. Her countenance gave nothing away as to the reason she’d called me in here.
Becky, to my everlasting irritation, remained in the office, standing by the door.
As soon as I took a seat, Hilary rounded the desk to sit on its edge. “It’s been brought to my attention that there is trouble in paradise.”