Stay with Me

47. The scandal.

Safiyya came downstairs after tucking Joseph in bed. She dropped her MacBook on the table while clearing the kitchen again and then returned to the sofa with her MacBook and sighed as her eyes trailed at the fireplace. Tonight, she can't wait for him nor feel his presence in the house. He told her to call him when she missed him but she was afraid he was busy now. That meeting was energy draining as well. 

Pursing her lips, she opened her MacBook and logged into Hill Corp’s app. The employee assessment was top of the news and people kept arguing on who would take the crown for employer of the year. Safiyya didn't care about that title and hoped that she gets a good score in her department’s assessment. 

She entered their page and raised an eyebrow as her ranking in the game has gone down to the fifth place. It was inevitable as she was busy since last week and these weekend too. If not for her high score before, the ranking would be worse than these. The other workers were playing hard too because it was going to be part of the assessment. 

Safiyya was tired and had other works to arrange and since there was still a week to go, she let it go first. After working for a while, she went to sleep. 

She arrived at Hill Corp after dropping Yousef at school, full of optimism for the day. She didn't give much importance to it until she entered the elevator with some workers from her department that it made her curious. They were looking at her strangely and even amusingly as they whispered among each other. Was she dressed badly today? She wondered and looked down at her normal shirt and skirt. What was happening? 

“It's noting bad Safiyya,” she told herself while heading to her office. She wanted to check the news feed immediately but she had a lot to report to Lex this morning and that was more important. She got to work not knowing the fire that was brewing in Hill Corp. 

Inside the Head of department’s office of accounting department was Lex and his assistant, Miss Douglas as they were in a heated argument. 

“What were you saying about choosing her as your employee of the year without competition?” the woman threw at him sarcastically. “We have seasoned workers here that have been working since January and some girl who has just been here for three months gets the price, you were being selfish Lex and thank God we never announced it, if not the accounting department would have been a laughing stock by now,” she breathed. Not like it wasn't a center of attention now. 

Lex pulled his nose with his fingers as this woman was given him a headache. 

“No one has proven anything yet but we are so quick to judge the young lady. Did you even stop to ask her about it?” he inquired. 

Douglas snorted and said, “Ask her? She won't accept it. Who will accept such a shameless act or are you into her too?” 

Lex scwoled at her statement immediately. “It seems you have forgotten that I am your superior right?” 

“Sorry,” she muttered. “But still, do something about this before it gets out of hand and better not try anymore cheating or the workers will vote you out,” 

“I'll deal with my employee Douglas. Go start working,” Lex hissed, pointing at the door. 

Douglas curled her lips and headed for the door. She opened it, only to meet Safiyya about to open the door too. 

“Good morning Miss D,” Safiyya greeted with a smile but what she got was a hiss. 

“Save it,” Douglas trudged out. Safiyya was shocked by the behavior but thought that Douglas had a bad day. She held her files closely and walked into the office.