C.P. Bialois's Blog

Sarah blushed as so many eyes settled on them. It wasn’t anything new as Natalie brought the goofy side out of her, but this wasn’t the place for it.

And that made it even funnier.

Slowly, they were able to recover and Sarah issued some apologies. She was pleased that Sandra no longer looked their way, Part of her felt bad for her.

Sandra sacrificed legitimate friendships for reasons Sarah didn’t know. No one did. Sandra wanted to put herself above everyone, but it never worked out for her.

Natalie nudged her as the company’s owner and Marcus arrived side-by-side.

Natalie scoffed at the idea, shaking her head. “And they want to torture us waiting for her to give a speech? That’s cruel and unusual punishment. Even they wouldn’t do that.”

“They put us side by side,” Sarah said, her spark of finding the good coming out.

It caught Natalie off guard and she burst out laughing, earning a glare from Sandra. That made Sarah’s smile grow.

“That was the best idea they ever had. I’m a glowing freaking gift,” Natalie said, trying not to laugh harder as a giddiness swept through the pair.

This wasn’t the time or place.

“Do they have to drag this out,” Natalia said as they gathered in the large conference room.

Their company was one of the few that gathered everyone together for an announcement as most preferred to do so in the middle of the office floor or email. It was one of the things that made Sarah enjoy working here.

She wasn’t normally as impatient as her friend. But after that morning and seeing Sandra in her full glory talking and laughing with her friends on what was to come, she wanted things to hurry along.

“Maybe Sandra did get the job.”

It didn’t take Sarah long to settle in and get everything ready to start the day. It was more muscle memory than anything and she found it helped to relax her.

Daily routine had a certain comfort to it. The same process, and the same expectations. It wasn’t challenging and was boring, but she enjoyed it. She could lose herself in her tasks and forget the drama in the world.

Then her bad luck struck. After all, all good things have to come to an end.

Everyone received the same message on their computer. She groaned. A change was here.

The exchange of pleasantries was tiring, and Sarah let out a thankful sigh when Sandra turned to continue on her way.

“You’re a better woman than me,” Natalie said, poking her head around the edge of the movable wall.

Sarah chuckled. There wasn’t any humor in it; just disbelief. “Can you imagine her as our boss?”

“From this day forward,” Natalie said in a snooty voice, “Day Glow Red Number Five shall be required for everyone.”

Sarah snorted, covering her mouth. “You are so bad!”

“It’s a gift,” she said, shrugging. “Things could be worse. I could be the boss.”

Sandra gave her a coy, knowing smile. It reminded Sarah of a shark about to take a bite. Though she had to admit her personal feelings could be coloring her perspective.

“It’s not luck, honey. I cream always rises to the top. Sometimes it just needs a nudge,” Sandra lowered her voice on the last part as one corner of her mouth lifted upwards.

The implication was clear.

So much for my perspective being the problem, Sarah thought. The idea of Sandra being her boss made her shudder. She prayed she was right about Marcus.

“The day is still young.”

Sarah tried just a cordial smile and good morning, but like any predator, Sandra could smell blood in the water. She just didn’t know whose blood or why. Yet.

“Sarah, so nice to see you. It looks like the week is treating you well.”

Two can play this game. “It has, thank you. You look well. Up for a promotion?”

Sandra smiled and gave a one shoulder shrug meant to be coy. “I don’t know, maybe. Rumor has it we have a new boss today, but no one knows who.”

“Haven’t heard anything. Good luck. Maybe today’s your lucky day.”

It wasn’t long until the rest of the office pool arrived. Some looked rough like they spent the night out, and others wanted to be anywhere else. A couple looked perfectly happy.

One of those was Sandra Peterson, and Sarah couldn’t help but roll her eyes when she came in. Her cloying perfume giving everyone a heads up.

“Morning, ladies and gentlemen. Everyone ready for a big day today?” Her voice was grating. It was high pitched and seemed better suited for a dog whistle.

Most ignored her, while others found a way to be polite. Sarah was the latter.

Natalie chuckled and waved her hand in the air like she was conjuring her reply. “Must’ve been something good for the amount of PR I give.”

“Something is right,” Sarah said, giving her friend a small smile before sighing and taking her seat.

“Don’t worry, things will be fine. No harm, no foul, right?”

“I hope.”

Natalie gave her a final comforting smile before going into her own cubicle. Things were going to get interesting. How interesting was Sarah’s main question.

She wasn’t one to call off, but the idea seemed a good one. A little too late; like usual.

Natalie thought it over as they reached their cubicles. The office was still quiet as they were some of the first to arrive. Still, there was no telling who was lurking. “I wouldn’t worry about it. You had a friendly exchange. That’s it.”

“Sounds simple.”

“It is until you sleep with him.”

“Seriously?” Sarah hissed, her eyes bulging as vision of strangling her friend danced through her head.

Natalie gave her a reassuring, yet smartass smile. “Relax. I’m joking. You were being friendly. Everyone knows you’re like a friendly puppy.”

“What did I do to deserve you as a friend?”