Another paper clip hit her in the
head. It had gone on like this all afternoon. Nick and the rest of
the group were engrossed in some meeting, so it was up to the workers to torment
her today. "Hey four eyes, they do make contacts these days,
Perhaps you should invest in a pair." Carmen had become a thorn in her
side, her jibes never ceasing. "Though with glasses as thick as those, I do believe she's on
the short list for a seeing eye dog." She felt like she was back in
the third grade. As the next paper clip sailed over her head, the
absurdity of it all over took her and she couldn't contain her hysterical
laughter. It attracted the attention of everyone in the room, including
the members of the group.
"You do realize that we have work to
do here. Could you please refrain from making noise so we could continue
our meeting. Your laughter sounds like an ass braying."
She turned and looked at Howie with a sober expression on her face. She
bowed deeply in mock reverence.
"Since this is the only time any one
other than me is actually doing work, I wouldn't want to interrupt.
Please, O Great Ones, continue with what you were doing." She turned,
a smirk on her face at their shocked expressions. She didn't notice the
corners of the leader's mouth twitch, a smile threatening to break his stern
countenance. Before she could sit, Howie's hand was gripping the
back of her neck, pulling her to her feet.
"You would be wise not to mock us" he hissed in her
ear. "You have no idea...."
The room was silent as she broke free of
his grasp and turned to face him, not a trace of fear in her green eyes.
"And you would be wise not to threaten me." She looked past
Howie to all of them. "You have no idea what I'm capable
of." They all laughed at her threat.
"What in the world could YOU do to
us" AJ laughed.
"Your financial future is in my
hands" she calmly replied.
"What exactly does that mean?"
Nick asked as he walked towards her.
"Do any of you know what these
numbers mean? Could any of you actually understand these
reports?" She scattered her papers across the table. "You
bring in the cash, but it's my investments that keep you afloat. I've made
more money for you in the past three months than you have in the past three
years. I am the one keeping you in the lifestyle you are all accustomed
to." She took in the shocked looks on all of their faces.
"Make a note gentlemen, she who giveth can also taketh away. It would
be in your best interest not to fuck with me." Nick and Howie just
stared at her, their arrogance completely gone. "Now if you'll excuse
me, there is canal with my name written all over it. Enjoy your
afternoon." She walked out of the room, the stunned silence
echoing in her ears.