A Day of Ruin

“Harlow, we need you in the meeting.”

I looked up at Skylar, confused as she gave me an annoyed stare for taking too long. My fingers were still poised over the keyboard, wondering if I had heard her correctly.

“What meeting?” I asked.

She sighed, rolling her eyes. “The one for the Maxwells. Mr. Reynolds just sent me to come get you.”

My heart dropped as I looked at her with wide eyes. “The Maxwells? I didn’t know we had a meeting with them.”

Skylar dramatically put her index finger on her forehead. “Bloody hell, Harlow. Everyone knows about the Maxwell account. Please just come on.”

I hesitantly stood, locking my computer before following her to the conference room. Last I heard Charles Maxwell was still in jail and there were no other Maxwells so to speak. As we approached the door to the conference room, I slowed, taking a deep breath. Skylar looked back at me, shaking her head at my clear lack of enthusiasm to impress the clients. But seriously who was there to impress? If anyone hated me the most, it was the Maxwell family and associates.

Stepping into the room, I immediately spotted Mr. Reynolds next to a tall, bald man. The room immediately went silent and I sucked in a breath when the bald man stood, his face alight with anger.

“Is this a joke? What is she doing here?”

Mr. Reynolds cleared his throat, looking at me briefly before facing the man.

“Harlow here is one of our promising associates. I thought she might be an asset to your account.”

Angry yells erupted from the room occupants, clear friends and associates of the bald man and Charles. He raised his hand to silence them.

“Jack, this is unacceptable. I don’t care if she is the best god forsaken accountant in this entire building, I won’t have her involved. She’s done enough to destroy our family.”

Skylar threw me a pitying glance, though I suspected it was largely faked. She had to have known what was going to happen when she brought me in.

My heart was pounding as I fought back the urge to cry. It felt like I was being cut open with a rusty knife, held over a tank of hungry sharks. I didn’t want this either – I was just a lowly associate. I looked to Mr. Reynolds in desperation and my lips parted as I noticed the sly look in his eyes.

This was a set up.

They knew what would happen when they put me in here.

The bald man looked at Mr. Reynolds, his eyes dark with hatred. “Jack, we haven’t signed anything yet for Charles. I’d like to make myself very clear here that we take our business seriously. And if Harlow Falls is involved with Tronic’s then I’m not sure this is the place for us. It’s clearly a conflict of interest.”

Mr. Reynolds nodded sympathetically. “I understand, Noel. And I want you to know we support and appreciate your business completely. We would never do anything to jeopardise our clients and risk the company.”

Oh, no.

My racing heart stopped suddenly and the black spots took their place in the edge of my vision again. Panic was setting in and I looked at Mr. Reynolds with begging eyes. He tilted his chin, his eyes blank as he surveyed me.

“I’m sorry, Harlow. Please clear out your desk and leave the building immediately. I’ll have HR contact you to formalize your termination.”

A tear escaped, slipping down my cheeks as I stared wide-eyed at Mr. Reynolds. He just looked back with an expressionless glance, uncaring at the damage he just inflicted. I guess he finally found the reason he had been searching for the past 6 months.

I nodded in defeat, stepping to turn around when another voice rung out.

“She deserves to rot in hell.”

More tears spilled and I quickly made my exit, bumping into people as I entered the hallway. I sniffled loudly as pain and embarrassment threatened to send me into hysteria.

Reaching my desk, I heard the other associates go quiet as they watched me. My cheeks heated as I quickly scooped up my personal belongings from my desk and drawers, shoving them into my bag.

I could hear little sniggers and I grimaced as sharp pain shot through my chest.

I had to get out of here.

Collecting my bag, I quickly exited the pen, making my way swiftly to the elevators. Lisa looked up from the reception desk and I saw her smirk, her lipstick accentuating the expression.

“Are you okay, Harlow?” she jeered, her voice ringing with sarcasm.

I ignored her, jamming my finger on the ‘down’ button so hard that I felt pain shoot through to my knuckle.

“Harlow, wait!”

I turned and found Bryson standing at the entrance of the associate’s section, his eyes wide with shock as he watched me. Lisa scoffed at him before picking up a call, her fake sickly sweet customer service voice floating through reception.

I shrugged, forcing an “oh well” look as Bryson watched on. Behind him, Mr. Reynolds approached, his eyes boring into me like a challenge. I caught sight of him glaring at Bryson with disappointment, and sudden thoughts of Bryson losing his promotion because of me filled my mind.

I couldn’t let that happen. He deserved his happiness, even if it didn’t involve me or I couldn’t be around to see it. I wouldn’t let him lose everything.

Turning around, I faced my back to Bryson and Mr. Reynolds. The elevator signalled it’s arrival and I threw Bryson one last, quick look before climbing in. As the doors closed, the tears finally fell without restriction and the last of my resolve crumbled.

Every time I think I’ve hit rock bottom, life just proves that when God closes a door, he also bolts the fucking windows shut.