Books Eater

“I’m not a forgiving person. I’m a tit-for-tat an-eye-for-an-eye kind of person and always have been. If you annoy me, I’ll annoy you. If you make me angry, I’ll make you angry. If you try my patience then I’ll try yours. That’s how I work and that’s who I am. I’m not a nice person. I don’t care about your mental health issues and your insecurities. They’re yours to deal with and have nothing to do with me. I don’t give people second chances. I absolutely hate liars and cheaters. On second thought, I hate people period. I only tolerate the ones I call family or friends. Did I say you’re my friend? I suppose I did. Okay, I’ll tolerate you for now. Don’t expect any special favors though because that’ll never happen. If you want my respect, you’ll have to earn it. If you want my love? Well, that’s not going to happen as I don’t do love. That just isn’t my thing. Don’t ever think about love while you are here. There will be no love stories and no romance to speak of. My memory is weak so I do forget things easily, make sure you keep reminding me about all the important things otherwise you are useless for me and I’ll have to let you go. I admire people with a strong sense of morality and ethical values. I despise the ones who think just because they can they should break rules. Rules are meant to be kept and not broken. They are there for a reason and even though you are too stupid to understand that reason doesn’t mean that you get to break them. So, don’t even think about it. Also, I don’t consider ignorance as an excuse and it is your responsibility to learn about the rules and regulations of this place. Above all, remember who is the boss and what’s your place here. Don’t cross any lines and we’ll be all good. Any questions?”

His monologue finally ended not that I was paying attention. That man had serious issues, after his first sentence, I stopped listening. So, did I have a question? Probably a dozen but was I going to ask him? Not a chance. I’d find my own answers. I was good at that, after all, that’s why I was there; to find answers. Oh, I also had to deal with Mr. I-have-a-stick-up-my-ass but I wasn’t really concerned about that part. I was the best of the best, that’s why he chose me. I could do this job with my eyes closed. The real challenge would be to keep my true intentions for being there a secret. I cringed inwardly, my boss wasn’t going to make it easy on me I could see that much. Whatever, no one said life was easy. I would have to suck it up at least until I accomplished what I came here to do.

“Are you listening?” He said curtly.

“No, no questions,” I replied instantly.

“Please, avoid this fading out, be in your own head kind of thing from now on. If I ask something I expect an immediate answer. Understood?”

“Yes, Sir,” I said a little sarcastically and then hoped he wouldn’t pick up on that. Not a good move but the man was already getting on my nerves. The way he talked, his arrogance was astounding.

“Good, now that we are clear you may leave and get acquainted with your work.”

“Right away,” I wasn’t sure why my new boss thought I needed to know so much about him but I left the room hastily before he remembered something else that he had to say about himself. I didn’t think I’d be able to control my tongue if another absurd remark came from him. What a prick, I prayed that I didn’t have to deal with him every single day or I’d go crazy. Well, life had a way of throwing hardships at us. I’d consider this one of those and try not to fail at coping with it, with him. Only time would tell whether I’d succeed or not. Right now, I had a job to do and a secret mission to complete.

#

“So, how was your first day?” Mrs. Fary asked with a mischievous smile.

“Don’t worry, Ma’am,” I said respectfully, “the job would be done.”

“Oh, forget that,” she said smiling, “I want to know more about your new boss, Zavier.”

“What about him?” I was genuinely confused.

“Oh, don’t play coy,” she said, “I’ve heard he is hot.”

“He is?” Well, that was news to me. I suppose if he kept his mouth shut, he wasn’t too bad.

“Come on, it’ll stay between us women.” Apparently, the old lady liked to gossip.

“He wasn’t anything special. Just your usually asshole of a boss.”

“Oh, you’re no fun.” The way she said ‘oh’ in every sentence was annoying but I kept my opinion to myself. Mrs. Fary was paying my salary, the one that mattered. I worked for her and I must get used to keeping my mouth shut. Both my current bosses were difficult people to deal with. Not that I would ever admit that out loud.

#

“You’re late.” I looked up at Mr. Zavier as I left the elevator. Then, I looked at my watch and said, “yes, I’m three minutes late. I apologize for that.”

“Don’t be late, not even a second,” he said knowing full well that I hadn’t meant that apology. “We’re leaving so just follow me,” he said curtly.

“Where are we going?” I asked as I followed him back to the elevator.

“I’m taking you shopping,” he declared as if that wasn’t anything unusual.

“Excuse me?”

“You need proper clothes and I don’t want to be difficult. I’ve no idea if you wear,” he looked at my attire pointedly before continuing, “what you wear by choice or maybe you just don’t know better things are available out there. Anyhow, I’ll buy you some proper clothes. You can thank me later.”

Did he just say what I thought he said? I didn’t even know how to react to that, my brain was still processing this when we entered the most expensive shop in the mall. Did I mention that my boss owned this Mall and every shop in it? In any case, half an hour later I left the shop with a dozen dresses and matching shoes.

Not that I would ever thank him for that highhanded attitude. I had to remind myself that this wasn’t my actual job. It was temporary and I could wear these fancy clothes for a few days, weeks at tops, that I’d be here. Mind you, that thought was the only reason that I didn’t kill him right then and there.

#

“Zavier, how good to see you.” It was my mother and some other lady, one of her friends no doubt.

“Mama,” I said as I hugged her, “what are you doing here.”

“Oh, your mother and I were just window shopping,” the woman said before my mother could reply.

“This is Mrs. Fary.” My mother introduced the woman and said, “she’s an old friend.”

“I’ve heard so much about you,” Mrs. Fary said, “from your mother of course.” She was looking at my new employee who was standing behind me. “Who is that?” She asked.

“No one you need to be concerned with,” I said. Nosy women were creatures I couldn’t stand.

“How rude, Zavier,” my mother said, chastising me, “anyhow, you must be busy. We’ll be on our way then.” They said goodbyes and left. I started towards the top floor assuming that Miss Matilda would follow me and she did.

#

“He is the most insufferable human being I’ve ever come across.” Obviously, she was talking about me. That put a smile on my face. I’m not like most people I actually enjoy it when others talk shit about me. It keeps things interesting.

“Miss Matilda, may I have a word,” I said rounding the corner and startling her into dropping her phone. Served her right.

“Yes,” she said as she picked up her phone and said a quick bye to whomever she was talking to, “who do you need?”

“In my office, please,” I said and didn’t wait for her response. I was the boss and she’d follow me without question. “Take a seat,” I said as I took mine behind the desk.

“Thank you,” she said timidly. I knew she was anything but.

“How long have you worked for me?”

“A week.”

“And how long have you worked for Mrs. Fary?”

“Excuse me?” She feigned ignorance. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Do you remember what I told you about myself when we first met?”

“Not really,” she admitted.

“I hate liars and cheaters more than anything else in the world. So, I’ll ask you once again,” I said harshly, “how long have you worked for Mrs. Fary?”

“A year,” she said in a small voice.

“Good, finally some honesty.” It wasn’t good and we both knew that. “Why are you here?”

“To spy on your company.”

“And have you?”

“Have I what?”

“Spied and reported back?”

“No, not yet.”

“Will you?”

“I’m caught,” she stated the fact.

“Let me be blunt,” I said, “I’ve observed you during this week and you’re the best at your job. I don’t want to lose you. Are you willing to stop your spying thing?”

“That’s a tough question. I’m paid very well.” I didn’t think I’d want to work for someone like him.

“I’d double your pay.”

Now, that was tempting. “Okay, deal. No more spying. I’ll resign from my current job and will work for you full-time.”

“Don’t betray my trust,” he said in a warning, “it won’t end well for you.”

“As long as you’re willing to pay me what you’ve just promised, you don’t need to worry about a thing.”

#

“And that was how our friendship started,” Tara said, the memories had put a smile on her face.

“But grandma, that doesn’t say anything good about you or grandfather,” Lily complained.

“That’s the truth. He was the most arrogant and difficult to deal with a man I had ever met. I was the most sought after spy. So good at my job that every top firm was after me. But I chose him and he paid me well.”

“But that doesn’t tell us how you fell in love,” Sarah complained too. Their grandparents’ story was nothing they had anticipated. Two little, impressionable girls couldn’t figure out what their grandmother wasn’t saying.

“Who said anything about love?” Tara smiled at them. “Weren’t you listening? Your grandfather didn’t do love. Ours was a relationship based on mutual respect and friendship.”

“But that’s not enough.”

“Maybe not for everyone but for us, it was more than enough,” Tara said with a far-off look in her eyes. It was indeed more than enough for them. Two imperfect people living and working together in perfect harmony. What more could you ask for?

© 2019, Fizza Younis. All Rights Reserved.