“Peyton’s refusing to do her work.She’s got these five files to do and is telling me to get them done because she refuses to leave late again,” Ingrid lies, her voice full of fake righteousness.
“That’s not true.These files are Ingrid’s and she’s trying to force me to do them as she does on a daily basis.She’s the first to leave the office because she hands off all of her files to me.That’s why I’ve been leaving so late every single day.I’ve just finished my last file and have to get home.I’m meeting someone there to ensure everything is hooked up correctly so I can start working from home tomorrow,” I tell our boss as Ingrid’s eyes widen in surprise at the news that I won’t be in the office any longer for her to pawn her work off to.
“That can’t happen!I’ve asked you about working from home before and you denied me.Told me no one was allowed to work from home because of the patients we have to deal with on a daily basis,” Ingrid says, stomping her foot like a petulant child throwing a temper tantrum.
“I told you that you couldn’t work from home, Ingrid.You’re not trustworthy enough to work outside the office.Plus, I doubt you’d actually do your job.You’re lazy as hell and I’ve watched you pawn your work off to Peyton and others for longer than I’d like to admit.I’ve done nothing about until this point because I’ve been waiting for the right day to fire you.Today that day has come.Ingrid, you’re fired and will never work in this industry again.I’m not sure where you’ll find work.Maybe a fast food restaurant will be able to deal with your laziness, but I highly doubt it,” our boss says as Ingrid’s face turns an alarming shade of red and her eyes widen even more.She reminds me of a cartoon character that’s about to have steam blow from her ears and explode or something.
“This is ridiculous!You have no right to fire me.I’ve done my job and there’s no way Peyton should get to work from home when you’ve never given anyone else that chance before.Why the fuck does she get special treatment?”Ingrid questions, her face turning even redder than before.It’s honestly almost a purple color at this point.
“She gets special treatment, as you call it, because she shows up every single day.Peyton does her job, doesn’t cause a problem, and takes on the work of everyone else in the office.She’s the last one to leave each day and gets here almost a half hour before everyone else.Right now, she’s pregnant and doesn’t need the added stress of this situation going on here to possibly harm the baby she carries.Plus, you have no say in what happens in this office since I’ve already fired you.I suggest you get the fuck out of the office now before I have security remove you,” our boss states, raising her voice which is something she doesn’t do for any reason.
“You can’t do this!”Ingrid screams and yells as our boss raises her hand to call security over.
“Remove her from the building and make sure she never comes here again,” our boss orders the two men from the security team.
Ingrid is removed from the office, her shrieks and shouts heard until she’s tossed outside.Everyone around the office remains silent and stares at us in shock as they realize what our boss actually knows about what’s been happening in the office.
“Now, as for the rest of you.If I find out any of you are demanding others to do your work, pawning off your responsibilities to others, or any of the bullshit you’ve been doing lately, you’ll be fired without hesitation.I don’t give any of you more than you can handle.There is no reason for Peyton, or anyone else, to do the work that’s been assigned to you for any reason.Yet, that’s all you seem to do.Including the work of the two who no longer work here.All that went to Peyton and she never once complained or hesitated to do the work,” our boss says, her voice loud enough for everyone to hear.“Peyton, go ahead and leave for the day.Everyone else here can do the remaining work Ingrid left behind.”
With a nod of my head, I grab my purse, cup of water, and everything else I’ll need to work from home.My purse is the last thing I grab as I remove my keys and phone from inside it.I’ve learned to never walk outside the office without my keys in hand and my phone ready to call someone if I need help.Today, I know Seth will be waiting outside for me.He’s been out there all day long and I’ve made sure he’s had food and water so he doesn’t starve or get dehydrated.
I pass by the security detail and make my way toward the front doors.One of the security guards opens the door and holds it for me until I see Seth waiting against the building.The second he sees me, Seth stands up straight and slides his phone in his pocket.We walk to my car together and I stop when we get a few feet away.
“Seth, what’s that on my windshield?”I ask, not sure if he’s seen the note placed under the wiper blade.
“I’m not sure, Miss Peyton.Give me a second and I’ll find out what it is,” he tells me, his voice low as he looks around the parking lot in search of anyone nearby.
“No.I’ll see what it is.Just watch my back and make sure no one gets close.I’m getting the feeling that we’re being watched right now.It would be better if you keep your hands free and don’t worry about the note on my car,” I tell him, moving forward with my finger already hovering above Matt’s name in my phone.
Lifting the paper from the windshield, I carefully unfold it as I feel Seth step even closer to me.Unfolding the paper in my hands, I know I’m not about to like what I read.I’m just not sure who this is from.
Did you really think you could move on so easily?You’re mine and no one will ever take you from me.Leave the fucker you’ve been seeing and get rid of the baby in your stomach.If not, I’ll make sure you lose them in the most painful manner.You have one day to make your decision before I tear everything you love away.I’ll be seeing you soon.
Fear fills me as I look at the note in my now trembling hands.My heart is racing and I can hardly breathe as I look around the parking lot.I feel Seth’s hand on my shoulder and I know he’s trying to offer me some kind of comfort.
“Call Matt, Miss Peyton.I know he’s not here, but he’ll be able to pull you from the panic attack,” he tells me, his voice soft and soothing as I look to see his blurry body standing behind me.
With a nod of my head, I press the screen of my phone and make sure the call is on speaker before leaning against my car as the paper floats to the ground at my feet.
“Tutor, are you okay?Are the babies okay?”Matt answers his phone as I try to find my voice.
“Carbon, we have a situation goin’ on here.Miss Peyton just left work and when we got out to her car, there was a note on the windshield.This is what it says,” Seth says, repeating the words I’ve already read and have committed to memory because they’re vile and I have no clue who the hell could be behind this note.
“Fuck!”I hear Carbon’s voice as my panic attack starts to completely consume me.“Peyton, I need you to listen to me.Take a breath in and hold it for ten.Come on, Baby, breathe with me.”
Carbon breathes in deeply and Seth counts to ten before we slowly release our breath.It takes longer than normal for me to be able to get enough control of myself to only slightly shake while my heart rate slows down and the black around my vision recedes until I can see normally.
“I don’t want Peyton drivin’ herself anywhere, Seth.Get the fuckin’ keys to herTahoeand take her back to the compound.Do notleave her alone for any reason.I know Barb or Jennifer are at the house right now.Make sure they can stay there until Marie or my mom get there,” Carbon orders, his voice more demanding than I’ve ever heard it before.“Peyton, Baby, I need you to go home and relax.Don’t think about work, the note you just found, or anythin’ else.Be in the moment with our kids.If you need to go to the hospital, then go.Don’t take any chances with the twins.Fuck!I wish I were there with you.”
I can hear the fear and concern in Matt’s voice.He’s scared about what I’ll do and that I won’t take precautions when it comes to the safety of our unborn twins.Not because he doesn’t trust me to do the right thing, but because he knows how I get when I have a panic attack.There are times I get lost in my head and can’t think of anything else depending on how bad the attack actually is.
“I’ll get her home, Carbon and make sure she gets taken care of.No matter who stays at the house with her, I’ll remain outside.If anythin’ happens, I’ll be right there.And I’ll let everyone know to be ready for a call from Miss Peyton in case she needs help.She won’t be alone until you’re home and can be at her side again,” Seth says as he helps me to the passenger side of my SUV and up in the seat before closing the door behind me.
He talks to Matt on my phone for a minute outside the vehicle before hanging up and getting inside.I don’t speak as Seth drives us to the compound and helps me in the house where the kids and my sister are waiting for me.The second Jennifer takes one look at me, she knows something happened and is immediately at my side.Seth gives her a brief rundown of the situation that happened at work before he steps back outside the house.Jennifer leads me to the couch and doesn’t leave my side.Marie and Renee show up.The three of them take care of the kids, make sure I’m fed and have juice before helping me up to bed.My sister doesn’t leave my side and Kent is more than happy for her to remain at the house on the compound with the kids and me instead of going home.He’s more than happy to have Brent to himself for a while and turn it into a guys weekend or something.
