Just as she was about to leave, Mr. Simmons called her into his office one last time. Her heart sank as she stepped inside.
“Sit down, McKenna,” he said, his tone deceptively calm. “We need to discuss your performance today.”
For the next fifteen minutes, Mr. Simmons tore into every aspect of Laura’s work, from her filing to her typing speed. He concluded with a thinly veiled threat about her future at the company.
“I hope you understand the opportunity you’ve been given here,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “It would be a shame if you couldn’t… rise to the occasion.”
his eyes roamed over her as be said this left little doubt about his meaning. Laura felt sick to her stomach.
The way lust
“I understand, Mr. Simmons,” she managed to say. T’ll do better tomorrow.”
See that you do,” he replied, dismissing her with a wave.
Laura practically ran to her car, her hands shaking as she fumbled with her keys. The drive home was a blur, her mind replaying the events of the day in an endless loop. She missed her turn twice, extending her commute by nearly an hour.
When she finally arrived at Jen’s house, it was well past 7 PM. Jen was in the kitchen, a worried expression on her face.
“Laura! I was getting worried. How was your first day?”
The concern in her sister’s voice was the final straw. Laura burst into tears, collapsing into a kitchen chair
“Oh, Jen,” she sobbed. “It was awful. Just awful.”
Jen quickly moved to her sister’s side, wrapping her in a hug. “Hey, hey. It’s okay. You’re home now. Why don’t you tell me about it over dinner? I made your favorite pasta.”
As they sat down to eat, Laura recounted the events of the day, her pasta going cold as she spoke.
“It’s like I’ve stepped into some twisted office drama,” Laura said, pushing her food around her plate. “There’s this group of worsen In marketing, led by this horrible woman named Brittany. They’re like the mean girls from high school, but with expense accounts and sharper nails.”
Jen listened sympathetically, refilling Laura’s wine glass. “That sounds terrible. Are there any nice people there at all?–
Laura sighed. “A few. There’s Saraya from accounting who seems okay. And Todd from IT warned me about office politics. But mostly?
It’s a minefield.”
She took a large gulp of wine before continuing “And the men, Jen. God, the men. There’s this guy Hank from shipping who’s like a walking sexual harassment lawsuit. And my boss, Mr. Simmons…” She shuddered. “He’s creepy and condescending and I swear he was undressing me with his eyes.”
“Laura, that’s not okay, “Jen said, her brow furrowed with concern. “Maybe you should report him to HR.
Laura laughed bitterly, “Yeah, right. The HR guy gave me this whole speech about discretion and keeping things in–house. I get the feeling they’re more interested in protecting the company than the employees.”
She pushed her plate away, her appetite gone. “And you know what the worst part is? I need this job. I can’t afford to be picky right now, not with the divorce and everything”
Jen reached across the table, squeezing her sister’s hand. “I know it’s tough, but remember, you’re stronger than you think. This is just a bamp in the road. Things will get better.”
Laura managed a weak smile. “I hope you’re right, Jen. Because right now, I feel like I’m drowning.”
After dinner, Laura excused herself to her room. She was exhausted, but her mind was still racing. She decided a bot shower might help calm ber nerves,
As the water cascaded over her, Laura tried to wash away the stress of the day. She thought about bow different her life was just a few months ago. Married, seemingly happy, with a comfortable life in the suburbs. Now here she was, starting over at the bottom, enduring a toxic work environment just to make ends meet.
Getting out of the shower, Laura caught sight of herself in the mirror. She looked tired, older somehow. The weight of her new reality settled heavily on her shoulders.
As she got ready for bed, Laura couldn’t shake the feeling that her new job was going to be far more challenging than she had initially thought. It wasn’t just the work itself, but navigating the complex social dynamics, fending off unwanted advances, and trying to prove herself in a hostile environment.
She climbed into bed, setting her alarm for another early morning. As she lay there in the darkness, Laura wondered how long she could endure this situation. But what choice did she have?
Laura McKenna sat at her laptop, scrolling through listings on a local real estate website. The morning sun streamed through the guest roorn window of Jen’s house, casting a warm glow on the screen. She sipped her coffee, eyes scanning over photos and descriptions of various properties.
“Too expensive too far needs too much work,” she muttered, clicking through the options.
Her phone buzzed with a text from Jen: “Ready in 10. Excited for house hunting!”
Laura smiled, grateful for her sister’s support. She closed her laptop and got ready to leave, a mix of excitement and nervousness bubbling in her stomach.
At the café, Laura and Jen sat across from Melissa Crowley, their real estate agent. Melissa, a woman in her mid–forties with a friendly smile, opened her tablet.
“So, Laura, let’s go over your wishlist. What’s your top priority?” Melissa asked.
Laura thought for a moment. “I’d say location. I want to be close to work, but not right in the middle of chaos.”
Jen chimed in, “And don’t forget about your budget. We don’t want a repeat of your college apartment
fiasco.
Laura rolled her eyes. “Thanks for the reminder, sis. Yeah, Melissa, I need to stick to my budget. No matter how tempting a place might be.”
Melissa nodded, making notes. “Got it. How about outdoor space? Any preferences there?”
“A small yard or balcony would be nice, but it’s not a deal–breaker,” Laura replied.
They discussed a few more details before heading out to view the first property. As they pulled up to a modern apartment building. Laura felt a flutter of anticipation.
The moment they stepped into the apartment, Laura was hit by a wave of noise from the street below. Cars hanked, people shouted, and a siren walled in the distance.
“Well, it’s… lively,” Jen said, raising her eyebrows
Laura walked to the window, watching the bustling scene below. “Maybe a little too lively,” she murmured.
Melissa led them through the space, pointing out features like the updated kitchen and in–unit laundry. But Laura found it hard to focus, distracted by the constant din from outside
“How about the bedroom?” Laura asked, hoping it might be quieter.
They moved to the back of the apartment, but the noise followed them. Laura opened a closet door and nearly bumped her head on the
low ceiling
“Cozy,” Jen remarked, trying to suppress a smirk.
Laura sighed, closing the closet. “I think ‘cramped‘ might be a better word
As they continued the tour, Laura tried to imagine herself living there. She pictured trying to work from home, constantly distracted by the noise. Or attempting to have a quiet evening, only to be interrupted by honking horns and shouting matches on the street.
“So, what do you think?” Melissa asked as they finished the tour.
Laura exchanged a glance with Jen before responding. “I appreciate you showing us this place, Melissa, but I don’t think it’s the right fit. The noise is just too much, and the space feels a bit claustrophobic.”
Melissa nodded understandingly. “No worries, Laura That’s what these viewings are for. Shall we move on to the next property?”
As they left the apartment, Laura felt a mix of disappointment and relief. It wasn’t the right place, but at least she was one step closer
to finding her home.
Their next stop was a charming cottage–style house nestled in a quiet neighborhood. As they pulled up, Laura felt her spirits lift. The exterior was picturesque, with a small front garden bursting with colorful flowers.
“This looks promising,” Laura said, her eyes bright with hope
Jen nodded in agreement. “It’s definitely got curb appeal.”
