What if? An anthology

What if? An alternative ending

World X

I was coming to the assessment/engagement day. Andy was looking chipper than ever with a big grin on his face, Jimmy was looking bored, Mark was excited and I was feeling drained. Glenn on the other hand was being informative that I started to yawn.

"Who wants a five minute loo break?"
"Yes I do." I said.
I left quickly to go to the toilet and grab another cup of tea. I sat down next to Glenn and I was now raring to go for the second half.
"Lauren, do you like wine?" Glenn asked.
"Yes, why?" I asked him.
"Lauren, do have most evenings off this week?"
"Yes, why?"
"Great, then I think you two should sort something out then. Right back to the day."

What the hell just happened? Mark's never been interested, Jimmy's married, Glenn isn't talking about himself in the third person so that left Andy. If he was interested in me why didn't he ask me himself rather than Glenn ask me, it wouldn't have been the worse thing in the world for him to ask. I mean what else is he going to do, not ask me because he's a coward. No he is a coward.

***

Andy is getting on my nerves, he keeps on asking stupid questions. "Do you like science fiction, because I do.", "are you a fan of blade runner? When are you watching the new film?" "I like the greatest showman, do you?" "Jacob likes the soundtrack of the greatest showman, so do I? Do you?" There was a part of me that just wanted him to stop, especially with the do you like questions. He'd always want to come up to me say something like that, it was frustrating. It was bad enough he would come up to me and ask me how my day was going, how was I feeling? Especially when he would touch me on my arm, once he touched my bottom. I couldn't stomach it, he lingered way too long. Some days he would just openly stare at me and it was unnerving, I didn't like his stares.
This would then continue for months on end. Making me feel uncomfortable. It wasn't until a certain point that I thought this would have to end sometime soon.

A year later...

I was suffering from Andy's existence at work, I want to say with my heart that I couldn't take much more of it. It felt like he was suffocating me at times and not taking my feelings into account and I didn't know what to do. I tried countless times to try and have a conversation with him but it wouldn't happen. Especially when I wanted to be in AV or a cashier, all I'd get was, ask me in a month continuously every month. I gave up after awhile, it wasn't fair especially when he would give others the opportunity.
I didn't like him anymore, he has gone from someone who would have a crush on me to a creep. A creep who thinks it's ok to stare at me like a piece of meat, I knew I should leave the company to get away from him. I just had to. I had to get a job first.

A month later...

I was handing in my resignation, I was leaving within a week and I had big smile on my face. I was getting away from this cruel place. I was so happy to give my resignation to Claire.
"Can you do me a favour and not tell Andy about this? I have my reasons." I asked Claire, pleadingly.
"I can do that, if that's what you want."
"I do and thank you."

I smiled and walked away. I couldn't imagine how Andy would react if I left, I just didn't want him to know as I felt something bad would happen. After all what we both went through, it wouldn't be fair. The rumours, I hated them the worst rumour I had heard was that I slept with Andy. Which was not true, although I know how that would've come about, two years shouldn't have happened.
After eight years of service, I was happy to leave the company. All the bullying, harassment and sexual harassment I received from team members to management, I didn't feel like a family to me and if it was, it'd be a Greek tragedy. I'm so happy to leave, I wouldn't want it any other way. To get away from everything and everyone.
I know I'm not the easiest person to get along with him at times, but people have to understand that I am who I am for what has happened to me. I'd hate to be someone I'm not, and if I was I wouldn't know who I was. I'm Lauren Rachel Hart. I'm just a woman getting by, trying my hardest to do my best.