I get out of the shower and give myself a once over in the mirror. My eyes are still puffy from crying and my damp, dark brown hair falls past my too-small-for-my-body-type breasts, dripping water onto my full stomach and thighs. The only thing I really have going for me is my ass, which has remained round and plump even through my years of binge eating. It was the only part of my body Brad ever complimented. Maybe it's time to actually use the corporate gym. Brad would justlovethat.
One step at a time Charlie. Let's just get through the day first.
I quickly finish getting ready, hoping that by some miracle I don't look as haggard as I feel but it becomes really apparent that something is wrong the second that I step into the office. A few people are giving me weird looks, while most avoid my gaze entirely. I get to my cubicle quickly, feeling my face flush withanxiousness. I haven't even sat down when I see the sticky note in the middle of my computer monitor.
SEE ME. ASAP.
I recognize my boss Marty's handwriting, so I drop my bag and coat and make my way over to his office. But he isn't alone in there. A woman that I don't recognize is also in there, sitting on Marty's side of the desk. She looks up when I enter the office.
"Charlie, please have a seat.” Marty’s expression is unreadable as he addresses me.
"Is something wrong?" I ask while doing as he said.
The lady I don't know chimes in, "Miss James, my name is Elena, and I work in human resources. I'm here today because some concerning information was brought to our attention this weekend and I have been tasked to investigate it. Are you aware of our policies regarding fraternizing with fellow staff members and management?"
Fuck.
"Yes," I mumble, my cheeks now impossibly redder than when I first walked in. Tears prick the corners of my eyes.
"We were informed that you may be having a relationship that is sexual in nature with one of our senior managers," she says, watching me with a pitying expression on her face.
"I was," I managed to choke out before the tears started falling. "But not any longer."
"Regardless of its current status, you are confirming that the relationship did happen?"
I nod, not really understanding why she is asking twice. She begins writing something on the clipboard that is in her lap. The room is completely silent other than the scratching of her pen. I take a second to wipe the tears from my face and glance over at Marty. He stares at me, the disappointment and pity now apparent in his expression. I drop my eyes to my lap. This is sofreaking embarrassing.
"And this relationship was with Bradley Johnson?" Elena asks, not even looking up from the clipboard.
I go to nod again, but then remember she isn't even looking at me, so I mumble yes. It feels like it’s a thousand degrees in this room and the tears are flowing freely now. I know where this is going.
"Miss James, do you remember the agreement you signed when you were first hired here?"
"There were several different things that I signed, but I do vaguely recall them yes."
Marty slaps a bundle of paper down on the desk which causes me to look up. There it is. The "No fraternization" agreement that I most definitely read and signed. My loopy signature is right there across the bottom.
"We're going to have to let you go Charlie," Marty says, sounding defeated but still looking so angry. He and I had an okay relationship, and he sometimes even complimented my work ethic. He must be mad at the situation and not at me specifically, but I still feel so much shame that I can't even look him in the eye.
"The relationship between Brad and I is over," I state as blandly as possible, hoping this will magically change what is happening.
"Regardless," Elena says gently, "You have admitted that there was a relationship between you two and that you were aware of the policies that were in place regarding this. Unfortunately, our hands are tied, and we have no other choice."
I am so humiliated and defeated. I don't even have anything left in me to argue with them. But … I have to know. "Is Brad being fired too?"
"Brad has a different sort of contract with the company and will be disciplined accordingly." Elena states matter-of-factly.
She could have just said no.
"And there is nothing I can do to change this?" I ask, butconsidering I was going to find a new job anyways this might be a blessing. But I do need the money ... you know, to live and all that. This is not a cheap city to live in either.
Although, if I am being completely honest with myself … there is this small sense of relief creeping across my shoulders. The idea of having to be here, where I could see Brad at any moment, with anyone, has been giving me a crazy amount of anxiety. If I didn’t need the money, I probably wouldn’t have even come back at all.
Elena just shakes her head, and Marty sighs deeply. "Once you've grabbed your personal items you can leave your ID badge on your desk. We will e-mail some documents to you for your records, but as of this moment you are no longer employed by CCB."
Chapter 3
Charlie
