08

_Yes, and this may be the last time you see me, I told him a note of relief in my voice.

_Why ?

_I was fired. It's not too early either. If you don't mind, I'll go.

"I'm sorry he fired you. Can I buy you a coffee?

_Yes but not today. There, I just want to go home and spend time with my bed.

I leave the office and call Chloe who works not too far away. Five minutes later, she is in front of the office and motions for me to come upstairs. As soon as I sit down, she harasses me with questions.

"Did you finish early today? A particular reason? Your boss is dating his girlfriend?

_This I do not know. But I can tell you that I won't be going back to that firm again.

_ Were you fired? Already ? What did you do ?

_Nothing more than usual. I answered badly to mr Brown who had badly spoken to me. He got fed up and said he didn't want to see me anymore.

"What did you tell him this time?

_I will explain to you later. Just walk me home. I feel sleepy. But first, we go get a pizza, I'm hungry.

_You, there is really only food that comforts you.

_ Well you know me. Forward Chlo.

_Where are we going ?

_At Dominos!

Finally, we eat at the restaurant and we take another pizza to go home. We chat all evening, joined a little later by my sister. I spend a great evening away from all this pressure and my annoying boss. I am amply happy.

The next morning, I wake up around 9 am in total relaxation. In my underwear, I turn on the radio on my favorite channel. He plays my favorite song, so I start dancing. I turn the volume up and go down the stairs, continuing to dance. It's the foot. I have never been so comfortable. I wiggle like never before. I take my whip from the kitchen and turn it into a microphone.

_Ohhhh! Nobody can stop me, nobody can stop my feeling. I got the moves…

_Aliyah?!

I jump and spin around. Someone just knocked on the kitchen door. Mrs. Jefferson watches me through my kitchen window. Damn, I've never been so ashamed. But hey, I'm at home so I look confident. But what is she doing at my house this morning? Doesn't she have work to do today? Mrs. Jefferson motions for me to open the door for her.

_Hello Mrs. Jefferson. How are you? I asked as I opened the door.

"Very well," she said as she entered. But you should go get dressed.

_But why do you say…

I barely finished my sentence when I heard a cough behind me. Don't tell me that...

_Hello Aliyah, greet me Mr Brown.

Oh my God. No. I don't even dare look at it. He harassed me at work, now he has to harass me at home? What the hell did I do to deserve this?

And I who thought it couldn't get any worse, I can feel his presence right behind me. I really think I'm going to pass out here. That'll teach me to express my joy. I run to my room and quickly put on my bathrobe. I quickly brush my teeth and go downstairs to find them, clutching my bathrobe tightly. Mr. Brown and Mrs. Jefferson sit quietly in my chairs.

"Mr. Brown, Mrs. Jefferson, what do I owe the honor to?" I said, taking care to sit well away from my ex-boss.

"Well, Mr. Brown informed me this morning that he needed a new secretary," she begins. So I ask him why, and he tells me he fired you for insolence. Is that correct Miss Smith?

_ Yes Ms. I was indeed insolent. But that's because mr Brown treats me in a very irritating way. In other words, he takes me for his slave!, I complained.

_Is it true mr Brown?, she asks him.

_At all. I address her as I usually address everyone Lily. Nothing to complain about.

_I can find him some extenuating circumstances, supports me even Jefferson. The thing is, the reason we're here this morning is because I don't want to go through the paperwork and fire you after three days, Miss Smith. I have a feeling you could be a good thing for our firm and for Mr. Brown. I would love for you to agree to come back and work with us.

"I...mrs. Jefferson." I do not know what to say.

_ Just say yes. Mr Brown is very sorry for the behavior he may have had towards you and apologizes. He therefore promises to make efforts to improve your reports. Right Davis?

"I…" he scoffs.

"Isn't that right Davis?" Mrs. Jefferson insists.

"Yes, it's like Lily said.

_Very well. What more to convince you miss?

I'm thinking. Sounds too good to be true to me. As soon as I set foot there again, that lawyer will start pissing me off again. And how am I supposed to feel after everything I said to her last night? I still called him an asshole. I feel a little ashamed to work with him again. But I don't really seem to have a choice, Ms. Jefferson came to my house to ask me to come back. I really can't refuse.

_I accept Mrs. Jefferson. But I will resume tomorrow.

_ Oh no no no! It's today that Mr Brown needs you. Go take a good shower, get dressed and he will drive you to the cabinet.

_It's really not necessary to keep him waiting. Mr Brown has other important things to do. He has a meeting with a very important oil company client this morning.

_Ah. You see that you are the one for him… One last thing, without wanting to offend you, we both know what your employment contract contains as Mr. Brown's personal assistant. Please stop telling her that dating isn't your job.

I remain frozen. Mr Brown looks at me with bewildered eyes. It's okay, I lied. I just didn't want to do his bullshit chores. Mrs. Jefferson could have avoided mentioning this part in front of him. I am definitely stuck. But she did well. She waited until I agreed to return to the firm to tell my boss that I was indeed her personal assistant. What a bitch!

_See you at the office, Miss Smith. See you soon.

At these last words, she leaves and I see her boarding her hybrid car. Here I am alone with my boss.