Deduct

She took Gemma's advice and walked to her office. When she opened it, she was amazed.

It had basically everything she needed. There was a table with a computer already open on it, a keyboard in front, and a laptop at the side. The stapler was isolated at one end of the table and a telephone some inches away from it.

'I didn't even have to bring anything.' She thought.

"Briana MCclin," she jumped from the shock and this time she dropped the box. The voice sounded lazy and immediately, she knew who it was.

This place was giving her the creeps. She looked around until her eyes caught on a sparkling white intercom glued to the wall.

She didn't have time to look further, Jasmine's voice invaded her thoughts. "Your salary will be deducted for being late." And she waited for more, but there was none. She glanced at the intercom and she noticed the red lights had gone off.

She shrugged and bent to pack her stuff. 250,000 was more than enough for all her expenses. She was least bothered.

With all her stuff packed she walked to her table and placed her box on it, then she walked round it and sat on her chair. She threw her head back, crossed her legs and marvelling at how big the place was. It was thrice her sitting room and Dining joined together. It was even bigger than her former office.

Thinking of it, she remembered Abigail and Christine. They must be dying to know what's up.

She dug out her phone from her purse and texted them in their four-man chatroom. Abigail, Christine, Briana and... Dara. She closed her eyes for a moment then opened it. She wasn't going to let Dara ruin her happiness.

'I'm here.' Briana.

Abigail texted her back immediately, Christine's came seconds later.

'Did you get fired, yet?' Abigail.

Briana laughed. 'Fool.'

'How are you coping? Are they giving you too much work? Did the Boss Lady say anything to you? Tell me everything.' Christine.

'I will. Chill.' Briana.

'Can't help being curious. Tell me please!!!'

'Well, she said she'll deduct part of my salary cause I was late.' Briana.

'Ha! Who cares?!' Abigail.

'Like seriously. Half of our Salaries can sustain me for centuries.' Christine.

'You're exaggerating.' Abigail.

'You know what I mean, Briana. Did you never learn Hyperbole? The conversation is back to you, Briana.' Christine.

'What else do you want me to say?' Briana played dumb. Man, she loved teasing her friends.

'C'mon!!!' Abigail.

'Okay. Fine.' Smiley face with tears at the corner of its eyes. Briana.

'C'mon, Brie. We're dying to know. Okay, let's start with how's your office?' Christine.

'Gosh!!! It's bigger than thrice my sitting room.' Briana.

'You're not serious.' Abigail threw her head back in awe.

'Never been more serious.' Briana. She heard clicking of heels and it seemed to be coming her way. So, she texted, 'See you later. Got to go.' Just as she kept her phone, uncrossed her legs and sat upright, her door opened. It was Jan. She came in with a stack of papers and placed it on Briana's desk.

"You're to be done with this in an hour." Her voice was pleasant and kind. Briana relaxed immediately.

She ran her hands through the paper. How was she supposed to be done with this in an hour? Her brows creased. She glanced up at Jan.

"Must it be in an hour?"

Jan was just about to turn, but she stopped. Then, took more than half of the paper and smiled at Briana. "Now you can be done with that in an hour." She walked away without Briana thanking her. She was still in shock. It was minutes after she left that Briana muttered a 'thank you' and got to work.

Just when she was done with the first one, she received a text. It was from Abigail.

'Sorry to disturb you, but we wanted to go and see the Movie. Can you come?'

Briana's eyes darted between the paper and her phone. In the end, she texted asking Abigail when they wanted to go.

'Let me ask Christine.' Later she replied, 'in 40 minutes.'

'I might be there, I'm not sure.' Briana.

'Suit yourself, Madam Secretary.'

Briana smiled.

The fool.

*****

Jasmine stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling wall, a hand in her pant's pocket and a coffee in the other. She raised it gently to her lips and finished the last drop, then rang a bell near her calling the cleaner to take the cup away.

When the cleaner went out, someone knocked on her door.

"Come in."

It was Gemma. She dropped stacks of files on her table.

"Should I get you any other thing?"

Jasmine just waved her away. She hesitated a bit. Jasmine knew exactly what she wanted.

"You can go watch the shoot and get me reports later."

"Thank you!" Gemma's lips pulled up as her eyes shone dazzlingly. With a bow, she hurried away, knowing she had stayed longer than Jasmine wanted.