I was the company's lucky charm. Every year at the start of business, the company needed me to cast the Holy Grail Blocks before they could officially open for the new year.
On the day we were supposed to reopen this year, I arrived at the office the same as always, only to be stopped by the security guard downstairs.
"Mr. Henson says he's found a new good-luck seat. You're fired!"
I froze. Turning my head, I spotted Toby Henson leading his new girlfriend, Abigail Gilbert, toward a ritual altar that had already been set up.
Abigail had tossed the Holy Grail Blocks several times in a row, but she hadn't managed to land a single blessed cast.
Sweat was beading across her face.
I walked closer just in time to see Toby reach down and flip the blocks over himself. He took Abigail's hand, his voice soft and coaxing. "See? There's your blessed cast."
I stood there, stunned. He'd just disrespected the divine. This company could offer me ten times my salary and I still wouldn't stay.
……
"Toby, you're so good to me!" Abigail turned to him, her voice sweet and syrupy.
At that same moment, both of them noticed me standing there, eyes wide, staring right at them.
Abigail's expression darkened instantly.
"Celine Dickerson, didn't anyone tell you? You don't work here anymore!"
"All these years, you've been spouting superstitious nonsense, conning everyone, collecting a five-figure salary every month for doing absolutely nothing!"
"What, you're not satisfied? You're coming back to cause a scene?"
Her words sent a ripple of whispers through the surrounding coworkers, fingers pointing in my direction.
After all, I'd been brought in by Toby's father. Back then, Boyd Henson had practically begged my Mentor before she agreed to let me take the position.
From the day I joined, the company had sailed on smooth waters. Within a few years, it went public.
My daily routine consisted of sipping tea at my desk and serving as the company's good-luck charm.
Naturally, plenty of people had resented me for a long time.
But no matter who complained, Boyd always ignored them.
That lasted until last year, when Toby took over the company and Boyd left to expand the business overseas.
I'd assumed that even with Toby in charge, he wouldn't do anything to me.
I was wrong. From the moment he stepped in, he singled me out, finding every excuse to make things difficult.
I kept my composure, honoring the promise I'd made to his father. But Toby only pushed harder.
And today, he'd gone all the way, installing his girlfriend Abigail in my place.
I looked at Toby and let out a small laugh. "All right, then."
"Since you've already made up your mind to fire me, I'll go."
I turned on my heel and headed for the elevator to collect my things.
I barely made it to the elevator doors before Abigail cut me off.
"Celine, what things could you possibly have up there?"
"All these years, you've eaten on the company's dime, drunk on the company's dime. Nothing in this building belongs to you."
"So everything in that office? It's company property."
I looked at the woman standing in front of me. A dark haze was already coiling between her brows.
I knew what it was. It was because of the Holy Grail Blocks. The cast hadn't been blessed. Toby had forced it into one with his own hands.
Deceiving the divine always carried a price.
I glanced over at Toby. Sure enough, the same shadow clung to him.
I turned back to him and smiled. "Mr. Henson, are you sure you want me to leave like this?"
"I can walk away without my things. But one day, you might find yourself begging me to come back and take what's mine."
I finished speaking, turned around, and walked out.
