“Sorry, this was all I had in the back,”  I called Aries when my boss yelled at me for going into the building wet from the rain. The janitor was scolding me for it since he had been trying to keep the ground floor clean all day and no one was appreciating him for his efforts. I did apologize. I even managed to save myself from slipping over the puddle I made before climbing into the elevator. When I got to Mr. Fullbuster's office, it wasn't what I had expected.

           “Mr. Fullbuster..! Mister—”

He actually faced me with a glowing smile on his face, telling me, “Ah, wait a minute, Ms. Heartfilia, I’m receiving a call from my Father at the moment.” At first, it was weird, especially with how hotheaded he can be at a time like this. So it made me feel relieved, I backed away a little to get myself fresh air from his airconditioning. It was cooler than what the company placed in our office beside his. “Okay, alright, goodbye.”

Mr. Fullbuster had hung up on his call. He put his hands together. It wasn't a good sign. His smile disappeared and he slammed his hands on the table, standing up from his seat, “Ms. Heartfilia. . .” he started calm at first. “Do you know why my father called at such an ungodly hour? Do you?”

          “Is it because you overwork your employees—”

          “YOU!” I was physically preparing myself to get thrown coffee at when he pointed strongly at me, his eyes never leaving mine. “It was because of our damn phone call! I was in the middle of a meeting that time and I was calling to check up on you when you told me over the phone—” he cut himself and played back the recorded message I apparently directed at him. It was the time I thought the stranger was going to kill me. When the voice stopped, I pleaded with my hands in the air.

          “Sir, Sir! Let me explain—”

          “You have 60 seconds before I slam the door on you.”

          “I was on my way home after I had a cup of coffee and then I went to the library to get some books, which I received nothing but horror novels from Stephen King, you know, the greatest novelist— uh, off topic, but anyway, I was stuck in an alleyway when all of a sudden, a criminal was killing someone behind me. Behind me! I'm telling the truth! I was going home to escape but then you called me and I was scared to death so that screaming, those threatening words weren't for you! They were for that man! The crime scene wasn't that far from my home. Sir, I was in grave danger, I thought I was going to die—”

Mr. Fullbuster raised a hand to stop me from continuing my story. But instead of yelling at me once again, he opened the door gentle with his wrist, gesturing me to get out. “Get out.”

          “Am I sacked..?”

          “I said, GET OUT, HEARTFILIA!” The second he yelled get, I was already nearly tripping over my heels into the hallway. Everyone was staring at me when the boss slammed the door in my face. I was embarrassed and ashamed from hearing my name echo through the building.

          “And that's how I got to you, Aries,” I was telling her the whole story. She deserved to know. By the way, she keeps extra clothing for herself in her locker and I knew she was, that's why I called her first. Aries must've had gone through a couple of abusive relationships over time. Otherwise, she wouldn't be shaking and crying over the littlest of things. I patted her on the shoulder as I left the locker room, “Thank you.”

My co-workers were obviously spying on me, considering I could feel their stares burning a hole on my body everytime I walk over to hydrate, fax papers or even when I'm sitting down, literally not doing anything out of the ordinary from my routine. I've had enough, I was about to tell them to back off and stop what they're trying to get out of me, but I figured—it wouldn't be any different. It's the real world. People talk. They like gossip. It gets boring. Besides, I shouldn't be drawing attention to myself. Not when I don't plan working here for long.

This is temporary, remember that, Lucy. This is just temporary.

          “Uhm, Lucy..?”

          “What, what is it this time?” I was annoyed and was trying to cool off, but I regretted my words as soon as I realized it was actually Aries calling out to me. She was crying already, in front of my cubicle! People started murmuring around me.

          “I–I was just going to—BAH!” Aries didn't even get to finish her sentence and ran away from me, spilling coffee over the carpeted floor. All eyes were back on me. Great. Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse.

Our boss came out of his creaking door, knocking on the wooden wall beside him to grab our attention. Even I looked his way when I told myself I shouldn't look at him in the eye when I'm about to get fired.

          “It would seem my fellow managers have told me I'm in dire need of anger management classes.” Mr. Fullbuster coughed to himself, fixing the top of his tie. “That is why, I would like to inform you, whenever I scream, or commit any physical act such as abusing my things, throwing them, I would. . .like to officially. . . apologize. My father gave me three weeks to control myself. And if I fail, which you will be in charge of since you will be handed evaluation forms of my actions at the end of each day, I will be resigning and be replaced by my brother, Lyon Fullbuster. That is all.” I could swear Mr. Fullbuster was looking straight at me. He tilted his head before rolling his disappointed eyes back into his office, this time, gently closing the door as it should be done.

The talking never seemed to end. I have to take action. I stood up from my cubicle and marched my way over there, chest out, holding my breath, knocking on his door. “Come in.” I heard him whisper.

As I opened the door, I stood straight in front of him, even when it was quite obvious how frustrated he was to see me again. “What do you want now, Heartfilia?” he wasn't even calling me Miss anymore.

          “Sir, I apologize for my informal behavior towards my employer.” I bowed, “it’s true it was rude of me to scream over the phone, even if it wasn’t directed to you. I had no idea and I should've been more careful before speaking like that. I should've kept my phone at a distant and excused myself.” This was it. I'm getting sacked. I'm getting sacked and apologizing for an accident I never knew could affect his position as manager.

          “That's alright,” he finally says. “Although I admit I always go overboard towards you and the others for screwing up.” He sighs, rubbing both sides of his temple. “I’ve been under stress lately since our magazine is losing to my brother’s branch, which is the main branch of M.A.G.E., and I envy his success.”

I couldn't believe it. My boss was opening up to me. And after getting scolded at that!

          “That is why, I want you to understand why I've been rusty lately. Please do. And I hope you people be fully honest on your evaluation forms. Mirajane will be handling the forms starting today.”

          “But Mira is—”

          “For now, it's your job. Pass the message to her tomorrow.”

And then he was back to himself again, taking calls, arranging and signing papers on his table. I excused myself with a bow and exited, handing the forms to each and every one I encounter on my way.

          “Hey, hey,” Cana slid her swivel chair towards me, resting her feet up on her desk. “Did you get fired?”

          “Oh, Lucy, I'm sorry,” Kinana added and joined the conversation.

          “What are you talking about? I wasn't fired. Turns out he just really has had that issue since he was little.” I assume. I handed the two with their own copies.

          “‘How often does Mr. Gray Fullbuster scream, yell or scold his workers per week?’” Cana read, “when has he not?” she snickers, earning a high five from Laki, who worked beside her cubicle.

           “Calm down, guys, this is serious. If he wants to get better, he’s going to have to be more patient and understanding—”

           “So, be his total opposite.” Cana assumes, kicking herself back to her desk. “I’m having fun.”

Whatever they may say or childlishly do, I’m taking this evaluation seriously. Sure, he can be prude and abusive at times, but he's a good boss. His managing skills fit to be at this company. Being replaced by his brother is a kick in the nuts. That won't be good for his image. Mr. Fullbuster could really lose his job and in fact, not be recommended or accepted into a different company he's going to transfer to.

          “Can't believe I'm actually defending my boss.”

🦇

The clock turned 9:34PM. I worked for 4 extra hours. Surely, he clocked me in. I saw him on his way out with his coat on and his sling bag to his side. He was greeting the security guard when they opened the glass doors. I wanted to ask, but I couldn't. It might upset him.

The rain has cleared since earlier when I got out. I had to get my wet clothes from Aries after receiving a couple more apologetic bows from her for doing nothing that upset me about her. That girl needs to get therapy. I made my way home. The library was still closed. Come to think of it, it closes at an early hour. What kind of library closes at 5? They shouldn't close down unless they want to ward off potential borrowers from their shelves.

The alleyway. I went in and it smelled the same. Like a sewer. No sign that anyone has been there. No sign of footsteps from the mud or blood that was gushing out of the man's throat. Was it all an illusion? Was it because of the weather? I must be losing my mind. Over an incident.

          “Good evening, miss,”

          “Oh, my,” I almost had a heart attack when this guy appeared in front of me. I could've sworn I was walking alone in these streets. “Good evening, as well.”

          “I’d like to ask directions of where the nearest grocery store is, I can't seem to find my own way there.” He chuckles, scratching the back of his neck. Let's see, he had dark hair, squinty eyes, and a tall, dark build.

          “Oh, go straight down from the library and then you’re going to see light coming from the store. It’s a conveniece store, though, but it's got everything I look for when I go there.”

          “Ah, I see,” he nods, “thank you. If you could accept my gratitude, I would very much like it if you keep this apple for me?”

This man, was he flirting with me?

          “Uh, I have a boyfriend.” I bluffed. Any man would walk away when a woman declares she’s dating someone else.

          “What's that supposed to mean?” he laughs lightly, causing me to feel embarrassment.

          “O–Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't mean—”  just shut up and take the apple, Lucy!  “Yes, thank you for this.” I hurried walking away from him, without looking back, tucking the apple into my bag. I finally got in my boarding house, only to see a notice form pasted on my door.

Oh, rent. I’m a week late from paying my landlady. She's not going to like my story very much.

I plopped myself on the bed, too exhausted to move a muscle, I even left my bag open on the ground. I don't want to change into my pajamas. I just want to sleep and be done with the day to get ready for tomorrow. Tomorrow at 5:30.