Stuck in the Elevator Again | ONC 2022

Loop 1.2

Last edited: 25/4/2022
[Roselyn]

I suck in a deep breath to calm my racing heart. He is an Uburg. I'm so doomed!

"Please forgive me for my ignorance, Mr. Uburg," I apologize, my head lowering in respect as I immediately drop the sassy act I am displaying.

It is a big no-no to displease your boss — or future boss — in any way. He has all the power to make you suffer. I cannot imagine where ogling at him would lead me...

"Apology accepted. Relax, I'm not a zombie," Mr. Uburg jokes, but seriousness still laces his tone.

"Thank you, sir," I apologize again, slackening my tense shoulders.

He nods before sauntering to the back of the elevator. He places his files onto the floor and smoothens his jacket on his lap before sitting down.

I lightly bow in his direction, as I hope my sincere apologies can make up for my disrespect. Biting my inner lips anxiously, I plop onto the floor, cross my legs, take my phone out and click into Sudoku. I start solving the expert problems to keep my mind from worrying about all the negative results of missing my interview and almost offending my future boss.

After solving the fourth Sudoku, I toss my phone back into my purse and stretch. My spine pops and cracks along with the motion, and the satisfying sensation sends a smile onto my face.

I get up and stand straight against the wall, debating on whether I should take off my heels. Glimpsing at Mr. Uburg, I decide not to. Who knows if I'll have some sickening foot odor or whatsoever after being cramped in my heels while I'm constantly sweating. I'm not bold enough to disgust my future boss.

Mr. Uburg continues to stare at the papers in front of him as if he didn't notice the fuss I made. I am about to manifest a relieved smile but the motion from Mr. Uburg had me stop my smile halfway, feeling the frigid wind blow by and slapping me in the face.

Mr. Uburg furrows his eyebrows as he notices my stance. He realigns the paperwork in his hands, places them into the file neatly, puts the file aside, and props his legs up, hugging his knees and setting his chin onto the back of his hand.

He does not utter a word, though. He just stares at the elevator door as if there is something interesting on it.

I suppress my annoyance at his disregard and muster a professional and polite smile.

"I'm sorry if I disturbed you, Mr. Uburg."

Mr. Uburg does not look in my direction. "There's no need for formality."

"Sir, it's just the basic respect that I have for everyone," I retort before I can stop myself, the annoyance that I have been bottling up since the malfunction of the elevator leaking out and having the upper hand of control of my mind.

I slap my palm across my mouth. Stupid mouth. Stupid brain.

His glassy eyes gaze over in my direction. "Yeah."

I roll my eyes when he turns his head away from me, slightly irritated by his attitude. Not that mine was much better, but a bossy girl had to put up her acts.

"I lost my chance to prove myself worthy to be part of the UBurg Enterprise, Mr. Uburg. I think you owe me an apology," I disclose, but internally facepalm myself.

I am eager to start a conversation to deal with the dead air and to blabber about my discontent with this incident, of course. However, he was not the right person for me to confess my frustrations.

And my tone? Utterly disrespectful.

I doubt I have any control over my mouth left, though. My filter is officially broken.

The emptiness leaves his eyes, replaced by sincerity. "I'm sorry. I'll make sure to ask my colleagues to give you another chance."

My annoyance dissipates because of his unexpected apology. I have no intention to accept his offer, I blame my filterless mouth for starting the topic. I'm pretty sure I gave him the wrong impression, but in fact, I am just trying to feel more comfortable in the lively silence. And to relieve my eagerness to prate.

Settling my elbows onto the railings, I state my stance, "please don't make exceptions, sir. It's still my problem that I woke up late and got into such a situation anyway."

Mr. Uburg doesn't say anything more.

Dead air fills the space between us. The groaning of the fan and our breathing are evident.

Ok, awkward moment. Maybe that was the wrong thing to say to the boss.

Well, scratch that. It was.

Mr. Uburg's next words, however, prove me wrong. "I appreciate your strong will. In fact, I'd truly like to give you an opportunity because of it. If you change your mind, contact this number."

He reaches inside his file and hands me a white-and-gold card.

I stare at the card. The angel and devil in my mind argue and disrupt the silence, their faces flushed and saliva spitting out for every word they speak.

"Get that card, you stupid woman! It's a chance of a lifetime!"

"No! Display your pride and dignity! Deny it!"

I grit my teeth. I know whatever choice I make will very much affect my future.

I can't decide, so I let my intuition guide me. It guides me to check out the emotions of Mr. Uburg, and so I do.

I meet his intense gaze. I see the anticipation, and a somewhat hollow look, in his eyes; he knows my choice. And is waiting patiently for me to leap over to it.

Indignation courses through me. How can he be so sure that I will take the card? Why can't I be one who will protect my pride and dignity at all costs?

I despise anyone who gives off an "all-knowingly" type of aura. Therefore, I make my choice in a split second.

"Sorry, sir, but I won't take it. I would rather keep my dignity, thank you very much." 

Mr. Uburg's brows jump up in shock, but he quickly masks it, containing the slipped emotion back into his box. He looks from the card within his fingers to me, and a look that I can't decipher crosses his visage.

"Very well." He stuffs the card back into his file and places his arm on his knee, staring into space again.

I curl my toes inside my tight heels. Did I just make a fool of myself? Or did I offend him? Will that affect my future opportunities?

Shaking my head, I throw those thoughts out the window of my mind. I sit back down and curl myself against the wall under the elevator buttons. Relaxing my taut mind, I let myself fall into a deep slumber.