Chapter 3

3

I didn't stop what I was doing. I just looked up calmly.

"Sir, I don't have any contracts to sign. I think you have the wrong person."

The boss looked like he was about to have a heart attack.

"Mona, listen to me. The company is in trouble. If we don't get this investment, we can't pay salaries next month. We'll all be broke."

I went back to packing my things, a cold smile playing on my lips.

Seeing that I wasn't moving, he tried to guilt-trip me.

"Mona, think about your coworkers. You don't want to see Old Ben lose his house, do you? Or Sarah? She has medical bills for her daughter."

My hands faltered for a second. I felt a pang of guilt.

I looked at the familiar faces around the office and sighed.

"Fine. But I have conditions. I want my title back, my old salary restored, and I want Blake's bonus."

The boss didn't even hesitate.

"Fine, fine! Anything! Just get that contract signed and I'll make it happen immediately."

We walked into the conference room. Blake was standing there with his head down, getting ripped a new one by Mr. Chambers.

I almost laughed. They really thought Mr. Chambers was a pushover.

I walked straight to the table, ignoring Blake's death stare.

Mr. Chambers' face lit up when he saw me.

"Mona! Thank God you're here. I told them I don't trust anyone else in this company but you."

I smiled softly. "I appreciate the trust, Mr. Chambers. But we need to discuss the details from the top."

I sat down and began an eloquent breakdown of the proposal.

Every time Blake tried to interrupt, Mr. Chambers shut him down with a glare.

After hours of intense negotiation, I made a final suggestion. I advised Mr. Chambers to wait until after the New Year to finalize the investment.

I felt the boss and Blake's eyes burning into the back of my head.

I ignored them and walked Mr. Chambers to the elevator with a smile.

The moment he was gone, the boss exploded.

"Mona, are you insane? He was ready to sign! Why did you tell him to wait?"

I looked the boss in the eye.

"Well, technically, I'm still just a regular employee. I don't have the authority to sign a deal of that magnitude, do I?"

The boss's angry face shifted instantly into a greasy smile.

"Ah, I see. You're just following protocol. I'll talk to HR right away."

He dragged Blake away toward his office.

Blake looked like he wanted to kill me, but I didn't flinch.

Back at my desk, my colleagues gathered around.

"Mona, that was genius. But watch out, the boss isn't going to let this go."

I patted one of them on the shoulder.

"Don't worry. He needs me too much to do anything right now."

I was wrong. The slap in the face came faster than I expected.

Three days later, HR called me in. They were demoting me to an entry-level clerk.