She’s got to be kidding. She expects me to handle the jobs of three people now?
Vicky pirouettes away, clearly done with this chat without even waiting for a response. Her heels click loudly through the tense silence.
Oh no she didn’t. She can’t just drop that kind of news and strut away.
“Vicky,” I call out, pulse racing.
Ignoring me, she continues on her march, her ass swaying. That’s it, I’m not going down without a fight.
“I’m not taking on Jenny’s workload without a raise!” I yell out.
That snaps Vicky around with a death glare. “Excuse me?”
“You’re excused,” I toss back, willing my wobbly knees to stand strong. I’ll be damned if I let her see me wobble.
Her mouth drops open as if I’ve just grown a second head.
We stare each other down. I swallow hard, pulse rocketing. The tension is so thick, you’d think we were two duelists in a western showdown, ready to draw our weapons.
“Just go and talk to Jenny,” she finally spits out.
“You know what? I will talk to Jenny,” I fire back, feeling oddly detached, like I’m watching myself from outside my body. “Maybe we can plan a joint farewell bash. Because I quit.”
The words spill out before I can stop them. My brain screamsWhat did you just say?
This might be my most epic mic drop ever, but oh god, it’s terrifying. Blood rushes to my ears.
I don’t have another job waiting. No Plan B. Just maxed out credit cards and debt up the wazoo.
I feel nauseous.
But staring at Vicky’s sheer disbelief, something clicks. Forget the impending financial crisis; this is about self-respect. I can’t work under this woman anymore.
I have to leave Vallure before I have no soul left at all.
Holy shit I’m actually doing this. Moonwalking right out.
My hands quiver faintly before I gather them into fists at my side. I hope no one notices.
The tension is knife-thick. All eyes are on us.
Vicky is floored. Speechless for once. And I want the final word.
I turn on my heel and walk away, feeling every gaze burning into my back.
I swear I can feel the silent cheers and rounds of applause from my colleagues, a silent chorus of support—or maybe they’re just thrilled to have some live drama to break up the monotony of the day.
Either way, I’m out.
FORTY-FIVE
Lexi
Obviously I had to come back.
Quitting your job isn’t the mic-drop moment movies make it out to be when you’re shackled by a notice period. I grabbed a coffee to gather my wits and then headed back to my desk.
I’m one week into my notice period at Vallure, which is just fabulous, considering Vicky’s on a personal crusade to make each day as miserable as possible.
