Part
One
CHAPTER 1
Alexandra
Approximately two minutesafter the worst interview I’ve ever experienced, my palms are practically dripping with sweat. I’m freaking out. My boss, Bill Murphy, and his right hand, Dan Balding haven’t stopped staring at the papers in front of them. The ones that say whether or not they believe I’m the right candidate for the coveted position I’ve applied for. Shit. It doesn’t feel like the fourth time in two years is the charm.
“Alexandra, off the record, of course. What do you hope to accomplish by moving up within Johnson Enterprise? Do you not enjoy the work you do as a secretary?” Dan scratches his fingers through the patchy beard he’s been trying to grow for the last three months. The hair still hasn’t filled in on his cheeks and part of his chin, and it makes him look like a balding cat.
I wipe my hands on my pants again and slide them both a copy of my design mock-up for a made-up brandwe could work with. “I have fresh ideas and would like to utilize my design capabilities within this new role as the associate designer. I believe I could take our designs to the next level and increase our client workload by over thirty percent.” I slide another design along with demographics to them. “I constantly watch trends to keep up with the market and hone my skills. I’m eager to learn more and help the company.”
I started here fresh out of high school and worked my way through college while learning every nook and cranny of Johnson Enterprise. Years of sleepless nights, early mornings, and weekends packed with studying for my art and design degree while working my butt off have apparently amounted to nothing. Mom always said if I was going to go for a useless degree like art I had to pay for it myself, which made me that much more determined to prove her wrong.
After I finished my degree three years ago, I enrolled in marketing courses in the evenings. I’m determined to make my way in this corporate world. This is the fourth promotion I’ve interviewed for in the last two years, but they keep finding reasons to keep me in my place. This company is starting to feel like a dead end, and if they won’t see my worth, I’ll have to claw myself out.
Bill slides the designs to his stack without a second glance. “We love your ambition, but at this time you just don’t have enough experience. I would like to see you take on additional tasks within the company while keeping up with your current work-load, to show you’reserious about moving up.” He sighs and sets his hands on his protruding stomach, his mouth turning up in a small smile. “We just feel that our other option is a better fit. Maybe you could get the next opening or possibly the one a few years out to give you more time to grow your skills.”
Dan smirks, and I stifle the urge to scream. I already take on work in multiple departments and stay later than anyone else every night to make sure the next day runs smoothly. They know this. They sign my time cards.
I bite my cheek. “Can I just ask…is Clay the other candidate?” I grab my notebook and slide the chair back.
Bill clears his throat. “Again, off the record.” I incline my head, so he will continue. “Yes. He’s proven to be more than capable with the delegation of tasks and making it a point to come to gatherings outside of work hours.” My face feels like it’s on fire. Clay has only been here for six months and has no design background, but hedoesgo out every night with Dan and Bill to the bar to mingle and hit on chicks, or so I’m told every morning when he rolls in late sporting a large black coffee and wearing his sunglasses.
I’m about to stand and walk out like the good employee I am, but I can’t help myself. I’m so fed up with being passed over again and again that my anger gets the best of me, letting my mouth fly freely. “If you don’t mind, what qualifications does Clay have over me? I feel like I’ve more than proven myself in the eight years I’ve been here, putting in endless hours and taking on amultitude of work in various departments.” I hold my composure as I scream in triumph inside for finally saying something.
Bill chuckles. “No offense,honey, but we just don’t see the leadership capabilities that are required for this position. Take a look at Clay. He’s able to delegate more of his work to others to free up more time for useful things like working lunches with Dan and me at The Grill. Taking the time to sit with higher–ups and shmooze them really helps a guy stand out, you know. He’s a big team player by not trying to tackle it all on his own, which allows him to finish work early. Delegating shows he can take on a larger workload without staying late or pushing the need for another employee. He saves us money this way, you see?”
Dan is feeding off this bro energy and jumps in. “You’resoright, Bill. I mean, at the end of the day, the work still gets done, so who cares who actually does it? You have the same opportunities Clay does, soreally,it’s your own choice to stay late and shoulder everything alone.”
I nod, but I can’t stand this anymore. Are they serious? Because I get more work done, I’m the problem? I help the departments that Clay dumps his work on, so it does get done on time and the customers don’t suffer, but he’s the one rewarded. “Thank you for your time today, but given this new information, I quit. I’ll email my formal letter on Monday.”
I push through the doors and make my way to mydesk and rip my purse from the file drawer. I start to throw the photos of me and my sister into my bag along with my favorite pens and notepad.
Austin jumps up from his cubicle next to mine. “Hey, what’s going on?”
“I quit.” I throw my pink Bluetooth keyboard and mouse in my overflowing purse before I hike it over my shoulder.
“Damn! I’m proud of you, babes. I wish I could quit. What are you going to do now?” He drums his painted fingernails on the edge of the cubical. We chat every day about life and the endless bullshit this place throws at us, so honestly, it’s no surprise to him.
“I have no idea yet. I’ll let you know where I land, so you can ditch out too.” I start walking backwards. I can’t be here anymore.
Austin gives me a salute. “Deal. Stay brave. I expect to hear from you in a month at the latest.”
“God, I hope it doesn’t take that long. Talk soon.” I wave and rush to the elevator.
My heart is pounding so loud I can barely make out Bill calling my name from the meeting room. I don’t stop. I just power through, I don’t want to be guilted into staying, or second guess my choices. I need air and away from Johnson Enterprise. My meeting was set for the end of the day, so I told Taylor, my boyfriend of three months, that I didn’t know how long it would be and planned to get drinks with my best friends Ashlyn and Jaz after. But after this shit-show, I just want to go homeand be in my sweatpants. Maybe I can get Taylor to give me that massage he promised.
That would be nice.
As long as he’s not too busy working. He also works at a marketing firm, but he just started when we got together. We met at a convention. He was trying to land a new job after finishing his degree, and I was there to hand out fliers for Johnson Enterprise. We bonded over the fact that we were both workaholics and wanted to move up in the business. It works in our relationship because we don’t get mad when we have to work late, or if I’m too exhausted to go out, especially after grinding for the last eight years of my life.
I send a text to the group chat with my friends.
Alexandra: Well, it was shit, and I decided to freak out and quit! Full panic mode now, so tonight will have to be rescheduled. Love you!
Ashlyn: They never deserved you! But I require deets soon!
