They called my aunt a shrill, sharp-tongued woman who loved to pick fights, and conveniently forgot that when those same people got cursed to tears at the farmers' market, it was my aunt who went back with them and set things right.
Just like now. They'd forgotten that the employee housing was mine to begin with, that I'd taken pity on them and lent it to the company and to them, free of charge.
Eleanor Cobb looked at me, smug and pleased with herself.
"Pauline, those lowlife relatives of yours have caused all of us so much trouble. What could you possibly have to say for yourself?"
I looked calmly over every one of them and asked again, one word at a time.
"You honestly believe the relatives I brought here have disrupted your daily lives. Is that it?"
Not one of them raised their head to meet my eyes.
"That's right, Pauline. But you're the boss's girlfriend, so none of us dared speak up."
I nodded.
"Fine. It's my fault."
My fault for going soft back then, for ever lending them the place.
Glen gave me a satisfied little smile.
"Pauline, since you admit it, move out of the employee housing, hand every key and access card over to Eleanor to hold, and pay the back-rent you owe. Do that, and we'll consider the matter closed. I won't hold you responsible."
I let out a short laugh and looked straight at him.
"Glen, do you still remember where the employee housing came from?"
His eyes slid away from mine, and he answered, impatient.
"The employee housing was rented by the company for the staff's convenience, obviously. By the rules, misappropriating company property is grounds for dismissal. I let you stay on out of consideration for the fact that you're my girlfriend and a longtime employee. Can't you show me a little understanding and stop making a scene?"
His flustered, defensive tone told me everything. He hadn't forgotten. He just refused to admit it, and worse, he was using Eleanor to turn my building into the company's.
Eleanor lifted her chin, strutting like a proud little rooster.
"Pauline, you're the boss's girlfriend, and you led the way in openly breaking the rules. Now you're even protesting your punishment. Aren't you deliberately putting him in a difficult spot?"
Glen looked at Eleanor with approval and patted her shoulder, his meaning far from subtle.
"Eleanor, if only every woman were as understanding as you."
Eleanor took his hand outright and shot me a taunting glance.
"Boss, if I had a boyfriend as wonderful as you, I'd never let you get upset or put you in a bad position."
The two of them gazed at each other like they were about to throw off sparks, and everyone else sat there like they'd bought tickets, waiting to see how I'd react.
I stood up and spoke to the rest of them.
"Not leaving yet? Or do you want to watch a live peep show?"
Eleanor's face changed in an instant, and Glen looked deeply humiliated.
"Pauline, don't talk nonsense. Eleanor and I are completely innocent."
I nodded, unbothered.
"No need to explain. The rest of the company and I aren't fools, and we're not blind either."
Glen watched the strange looks on everyone's faces, his expression so dark it could have dripped ink.
"Pauline, this is all because I told you to move out, isn't it? You're just sulking. Fine, I'll give more ground. You can keep living in the employee housing, but you pay three thousand a month in rent, and you don't bring a single other person in."
At that, the corner of my mouth couldn't help but twitch.
Making me pay my own money to live in my own place. How very amusing.
I smiled and turned him down without an ounce of mercy.
"Sure. The moment you produce a property deed, I'll pay rent."
With that, I turned and walked out of the meeting room without a backward glance.
That night, when I got home, Grandma wasn't there. I was just about to call her when a scream tore through the air outside.
