“Yelena, what are you doing? Are you retaliating against me? Keep this up and I’ll dock your pay!”
I was completely undaunted. Instead, I put on a pitiful act.
“Ms. Baker, I can’t do anything about it either. I’m just strictly following the company’s policy.
“It’s you who decided that the company’s car shouldn’t leave the company building during non-office hours, and that we need to get your approval to get the keys.”
In the meantime, her sultry voice came through the phone.
I carefully pressed the record button.
“Yelena, you did this on purpose! Don’t you have your own car keys? Besides, why didn’t you apply for approval during the day?”
There was a muffled moan on the other end of the line, and I had to hold back my laughter.
“Ms. Baker, it’s the company’s policy. We can only apply one hour in advance. There’s nothing I can do about it.”
Ever since I started to play dumb, life had been amazing.
“Yelena, pick up Mr. Pitt. We’re having dinner at David’s Diner tonight.”
I shook my head. “The car’s out of petrol.”
“Go and refuel it, then!”
I took out the thick employee handbook and read, “According to Clause 18,888, the employees aren’t allowed to take any company property outside the premises under any circumstances.
“Refueling doesn’t count as an official business, so I can’t take the car out. Otherwise, I’ll get my pay docked.”
This went on and on. Whenever Liana had a day off, I would certainly bombard her phone with calls. Whenever the moon came out, whether at 3 a.m. or midnight, I woke up to bother her.
After so many nights of poor sleep in a row, Liana’s dark circles were so visible that it looked like she had painted them on herself.
“Are you doing this on purpose?!”
“How could I? Ms. Baker, I’m just strictly following the company’s policy. Please don’t accuse me like that! If Mr. Pitt were to find out, I’ll have my pay docked again.”
It looked like Liana and George had fought.
The fall-winter collection had been out for a while. Based on her usual antics, she would have shown off about it on social media ages ago.
What surprised me even more was that she really docked a bunch of people’s pay.
She even targeted employees who took several days of leave in a row and implemented a “pay-to-work” system.
“You’ve taken many days off, and your work has fallen far behind.
“Do you think the company’s rent is free? When the production line stops, the company will suffer losses! Anyone who takes more than three days off will have their salary deducted. In addition, they must pay an additional fine three times the amount!”
I originally thought that there was strength in numbers, but it turned out that no one dared to talk to me anyway.
My daily routine was to use my phone to gather evidence. I slacked off during the day while studying the employee handbook. Still, I “clocked in” at night right on schedule.
Before I could even enjoy my little victory for two days, they issued a warning.
George sent out a mass email and criticized my recent passive-aggressive work attitude, my misdeeds toward the manager, and a whole list of other so-called violations. As a result, he would deduct an entire year of my salary.
I silently rolled my eyes. Meanwhile, Liana came over in her brand-new high heels while exuding an intimidating presence.
“Yelena, Mr. Pitt has spoken. Our employee handbook has been officially abolished. From today onward, you will listen to me.
“You’ll be my full-time driver and assistant. You’ll be on duty 24 hours a day!”
Our colleagues who were quick to suck up to whoever was in power immediately chimed in.
“We’ve been sick of you for ages. You always talk about rules and regulations. Hah! Serves you right for giving Ms. Baker a hard time!”
“Don’t be fooled by how nicely she used to dress. Her clothes were all paid for by men. I’ve seen her kneel in the street to tie some old man’s shoelaces!”
I barked a bitter laugh. In the next second, I ripped off my ID badge and shoved it at Liana’s face.
“I quit! You know all too well who the real mistress is! Another thing, I’ve been keeping a record of everything you’ve done this past month. Just wait for the subpoena!”
