You're Going Down With Me

Everything came to a stand still. One could even hear the birds cawing outside the window as they flew in the sky.

In shock, Evina turned her head away with her hand covering her mouth as she thought, “No wonder Cynthia couldn’t speak up.”

Her stomach tightened as she imagined what the Director could have done to this poor girl. She clenched her fist as she controlled herself from confronting Director Zhou right then and there.

“At first I thought he was just being extra friendly. But then he started touching me. I refused, Cynthia continued on narrating her story, “but he told me I would get fired if I didn’t give in.”

She wrung her arm as she grimaced while sharing her experience with Evina.

Every fiber of Evina’s muscles burned in anger, “I’m sorry to say this, Cynthia. But I think you should have chosen to be fired.”

It is what she would do if she was in that situation. No one could ever touch her body without her consent.

“Yes, I should have. My anxiety over my mom’s critical condition got the best of me,” Cynthia’s voice quivered as she mentioned her mother.

Evina gave out a long sigh as she rubbed Cynthia’s back. She was confused how her mother’s health was connected to her situation with the Director. But she didn’t ask.

She knew the feeling of being distressed because of the poor health of one’s parents. One could do anything to relieve her of the agony.

Seeing a water cooler with plastic cups nearby, Evina immediately picked one and offered it to Cynthia.

Cynthia seemed to be relieved as she initiated to finish the rest of her demoralizing story with Director Zhou.

“My mom has cancer, and she needs chemotherapy every week,” she said as tears were now falling over her flushed face. “He was right. If I quit my job, I couldn’t support her anymore.”

Evina’s hand froze from rubbing Cynthia’s back. With furrowed brows, she tilted her head, so she could take a good look at her.

“Wait. Do you mean Director Zhou knows about it? And he’s using it to blackmail you into having a sexual relationship with him?” Evina cleared to her, hoping that she was wrong.

Unfortunately, Cynthia nodded her head and replied, “I feel so ashamed of myself.” she ducked her face on her palms as she wept uncontrollably.

The sound of her hopeless cry pushed the button in Evina. At the flash of lightning, she immediately left and went downstairs.

“Evina! Wait!” Cynthia ran after her, but she couldn’t keep up with her. Evina was already marching her way to Director Zhou's office.

Knowing what she had to do, she dropped by her desk and got the folder that she was just reading a while ago.

She passed by some staff members along the hallway who saw her hurricane-like demeanor.

Those who have complaints against Director Zhou look at her with approval. However, those who were tolerating the Director’s attitude just to crawl their way to the top, look at her with antipathy.

“Director Zhou was out. You can come back after lunch,” Director Zhou's secretary responded as she saw Evina strutting directly to the Director’s room.

However, it seemed that Evina had not heard her as she didn’t even stop or give her a quick glance.

As she expected, Director Zhou was still there. Though he was indeed preparing to go out since it is break time for the employees of Sapphire Company.

*******

Director Zhou was surprised to see her. But he was not irritated because he likes Evina’s physical attributes.

“I’m sorry, sir. I already told her -” his secretary apologized to him.

But Director Zhou just cut her off. “It’s okay. You can have your break now.”

“Hell-” He wanted to greet Evina nicely. However, his jolly mood was dampened when she strode her way into his plush couch and seated herself comfortably.

It was as if she was on his level of authority.

Normally, his employees would bow down to him and wait for his cue before they could even lift their heads.

Yet, here she was smiling at her smugly with her arms crossed over her chest. The leather covering of the sofa whooshed as her body sank into it.

Director Zhou’s jaw dropped open at her audacity. But he was able to control himself as he walked over to where she was. Then he sat on the chair that was opposite of her.

As he did so, his gaze fell on her long smooth legs. They were noticeable as Evina was wearing a short skirt that is their office uniform for that day.

“What can I do for you, Miss Chen?” He inquired, now with an indecent smile on his face. His eyes were scanning her body as he did so.

However, Evina was not at all daunted by his lewd stare. “Resign,” one of her eyebrows shot up with her chin lifted high.

Director Zhou’s eyebrows knitted together at Evina’s gutsy move. “W-what did you just say?” he asked, his face now crumpled in confusion at her callous actions.

Evina lifted both her slender arms and put them on the headrest of the sofa. “You heard me. Resign while I’m being nice to you.” she answered as if she was the boss, and he was her subordinate.

Director Zhou’s eyes widened in bewilderment at Evina, “Are you insane?” He immediately stood up and walked back and forth. Then he stopped and faced her, “I have heard that you are a rebel. But this is outrageous!”

Evina dropped the complaint report on top of the table like a bomb. Director Zhou instantly picked it up and scanned them from page to page.

His face went pallid white as he read of all the accusations against him. He looked at Evina then the papers in his hand, then back at her again.

She was just nodding her head off as if she was telling her that everything was true.

His hands trembled so much that the folder fell on the floor, “You are just making these up!” He roared in indignation with his chin wobbling in range, “How dare you do this? You’re just a greenhorn in this company!”

Evina stood up and crossed her arms, “I doubt that the police will say that after they investigate this case." a sly smile carved in her face.

Hearing the involvement of the police made his head feel dizzy. His knees crumbled down, making him fall on the chair.

But Evina was just standing there with a cold expression on her face.

As soon as Director Zhou seemed to regain his strength, he screamed with all his might, “Get out! You’re fired!”

Evina wasn’t at all intimidated. She just turned her back towards him and left her last words.

“And you’re going down with me,” Evina lifted her middle finger. Then she blasted the door and left.

*****************************

Power is having the ability to effect change 

in a positive way.