10-04-2026, 04:27 PM
Part 2
“I’ve already been here an hour, Nick.” That dull voice said as I passed Jerry who sipped his mug of coffee like in some victory. I just ignored him and go into my cubicle, taking a deep sigh as I press the power on button.
“Good morning, Nick.” A pleasant voice said from behind me. The voice belonged to a tall slim black-haired girl called Stephanie. She was a sort of secretary come admin for the floor. She was a very pretty girl and fairly pleasant but her presence this early was never good.
“Morning Stephanie,” I replied back out of politeness.
“These are the reports that need to be completed by end of today.” She said as she placed the pile of files onto my desk. I closed my eyes and sighed silently as I looked at the stack. I was in for one long hell of a day.
“Thank you Stephanie,” I replied trying to not sound pissed off. It wasn’t her fault. She was just the messenger.
“Oh and Mr Holcomb wants to see you in his office.” She said with a slightly down tone. Being called into the boss’ office this early was never good. Especially on a Friday.
“Just now?” I prayed for later.
“Mhmm.” She hummed and then left.
“Great,” I muttered to myself as I slowly got up. I did my best to ignore Jerry who was tsking and shaking his head.
“Fucking Jerry,” I hissed quietly as I head to the far end of the office. Mr Holcomb’s office took up one whole side, it was way bigger than it needed to be but in fairness he needed a big office to fit his ego. I took a deep breath before knocking on his door.
“Come in,” I heard his gruff voice call back. As I entered, he was stood by the large bay window drinking coffee. He was dressed in his usual tailored suit. Mr James Holcomb was a small plump man with a bald head, a round belly and an aged look on his face. He was in his sixties but could easily pass for seventies.
“Hello Nicholas, come in and have a seat.” I gritted my teeth like I always did when he used my given name and walked towards his desk, taking a seat. Even the seats were over excessive.
“Lovely day isn’t it.” He said, admiring the view he had out of his window.
“Yeah it is.” I agreed simply.
“Mmm” he hummed as he took a drink of coffee and took a seat in his large leather chair. “Tell me Nicholas, how long have you been working for me?” He knew the answer; he made it his job to know everything.
“A few years or so… sir.” I added at the end. I wasn’t this man’s biggest fan but my father always installed respect in me. There was a small element of fear as well. He wasn’t unknown to fly off the handle and a couple people have been fired as a result. So it was easier to just show him the respect he wants.
“Mmmmm yes, I remember when you first started, you had such drive, such enthusiasm.” He tutted. “Now… now not so much. I mean I put great faith in you. Thought you would go all the way to the top but you just don’t have that in you anymore. You don’t have that drive like Jerry does.”
I winced at the mention of his name, Jerry was a fucking kiss ass anyway. There’s no way he would go anywhere. He does too much for Mr Holcomb. I did have enthusiasm when I started but when every day turns into the same and you start experiencing Groundhog Day it’s hard not to feel complacent. I have been putting in effort but admittedly my work effort has dipped. The only reason I haven’t quit is because it pays well and to be honest, I do need this job.
“I can only apologise sir, I just like to get my work done and keep my head down.” I told him. I just wanted to do enough that he had no grounds to fire me.
“That can be a dangerous attitude Nicholas, I want to see that drive, that enthusiasm back with you.” He punched his hand to emphasise each point. “Can you do that for me?”
I took a deep sigh before replying. “Yes sir, I will do my best.”
“Good lad! Keep up the good work.” He said waving his hand to dismiss me. I nodded my thanks and left the room.
It was indeed a hard ass, ball aching day. I kept my head down and did my best to fire through them whilst not letting standards slip.
“Mr Holcomb finally talk sense into you?” Jerry jeered as he stood outside my cubicle.
“Told me I had to pick up your slack!” I replied not turning to look at him.
“Ha” he barked. “My slack? Yeah right, I’m the best there is in this department.”
“Then why haven’t you been promoted?” I shot back. I grinned at his initial silence.
“Eh well, Mr Holcomb needs me and unlike you, I don’t want to let him down.” He finally said.
“Oh I see, maybe that’s why he offered me the senior position then.” I lied.
“He what?” I almost let out a laugh at his sudden outburst. “There’s no way. That’s not true! You’re lying!”
“Why would I lie?” I teased him.
“No no, that’s my position! You’re lying! Fuck you!” He spat as I heard him storm off.
“Ok, that was worth it.” I chuckled to myself. The smile quickly faded as I waded back into the work.
By the time I got finished and drove home, I had a quick bite to eat and shower then was in bed. Sleep quickly consumed me.
My sister texted me several times the next day to make sure I wouldn’t bail on Catherine. I promised I wouldn’t. Even as much as it might be hell, I would never do that.
Seven o’clock came and I was stood outside ‘The Olive Grove’ waiting for this blind date. I was wearing a fitted slim white shirt with black chinos and smart shoes. Five minutes went by and then ten, still no sign of Catherine. It was close to fifteen minutes when she finally appeared.
She wore a very tight fitting deep red tube dress that had a side split down to her thigh. She hugged onto a small clutch bag that was black like her heels. Her blonde hair was styled down the right side of her face and she had quite a bit of makeup on, maybe too much.
“I’m so sorry I’m late,” she said with a little skip to hurry herself up. “Are you Nick?”
“Yeah, that’s me and don’t worry… you look wonderful.” I replied as I leaned in and kissed her cheek. She didn’t immediately recoil and smiled back at me.
“Why thank you, looking very sharp yourself.” She said giving me the once over.
“I appreciate that, shall we?” I offered my hand towards the entrance and guided her in. So far so good I thought to myself. She was very attractive so good on Lizzy for that.
We were escorted to our table by the waiter and until we got some water, we engaged in some small talk and to be fair she did actually seem like a nice girl. After all the other dates set up by my sister I was waiting for the red flag but so far it wasn’t obvious.
We actually had a lovely dinner and shared a bottle of wine, or two. I dare say there was some levels of flirting as well. The gentleman I am, I paid for dinner and we walked outside.
“Shall we go to a bar or a nightclub?” She offered as she swayed a little. I caught her by the arm and steadied her.
“Yeah, there’s a bar just down the street.” I was having a good time with her and didn’t want the night to end, unless of course it was my place or hers.
We walked down the street and into the bar, it was busy. To be expected for a Saturday night. We found a little space and I got us some drinks.
It had been an hour since we had been there and I had paid for all the drinks, not that I really cared until I came back to where I left her. I looked around and couldn’t see her at first. Then I did. She was away talking to another guy, well when I say talking, she was actually making out with him. My heart sank. I was played a fucking fool. What a fucking joke I was.
“Fucking Lizzy!” I cursed as I turned back to the bar.
“Double scotch neat.” I said to the bartender and he got me the drink. As soon as it was placed down, I downed it.
“Oh wow, rough night?” A voice said from beside me.
“You could say that.” I winced slightly at the burning sensation in my throat before turning to face who spoke to me. She was a stunning girl with loose styled brown hair and big brown eyes. I can’t lie that my eyes trailed down to her impressive chest that her dress made look like air bags.
To be continued
“I’ve already been here an hour, Nick.” That dull voice said as I passed Jerry who sipped his mug of coffee like in some victory. I just ignored him and go into my cubicle, taking a deep sigh as I press the power on button.
“Good morning, Nick.” A pleasant voice said from behind me. The voice belonged to a tall slim black-haired girl called Stephanie. She was a sort of secretary come admin for the floor. She was a very pretty girl and fairly pleasant but her presence this early was never good.
“Morning Stephanie,” I replied back out of politeness.
“These are the reports that need to be completed by end of today.” She said as she placed the pile of files onto my desk. I closed my eyes and sighed silently as I looked at the stack. I was in for one long hell of a day.
“Thank you Stephanie,” I replied trying to not sound pissed off. It wasn’t her fault. She was just the messenger.
“Oh and Mr Holcomb wants to see you in his office.” She said with a slightly down tone. Being called into the boss’ office this early was never good. Especially on a Friday.
“Just now?” I prayed for later.
“Mhmm.” She hummed and then left.
“Great,” I muttered to myself as I slowly got up. I did my best to ignore Jerry who was tsking and shaking his head.
“Fucking Jerry,” I hissed quietly as I head to the far end of the office. Mr Holcomb’s office took up one whole side, it was way bigger than it needed to be but in fairness he needed a big office to fit his ego. I took a deep breath before knocking on his door.
“Come in,” I heard his gruff voice call back. As I entered, he was stood by the large bay window drinking coffee. He was dressed in his usual tailored suit. Mr James Holcomb was a small plump man with a bald head, a round belly and an aged look on his face. He was in his sixties but could easily pass for seventies.
“Hello Nicholas, come in and have a seat.” I gritted my teeth like I always did when he used my given name and walked towards his desk, taking a seat. Even the seats were over excessive.
“Lovely day isn’t it.” He said, admiring the view he had out of his window.
“Yeah it is.” I agreed simply.
“Mmm” he hummed as he took a drink of coffee and took a seat in his large leather chair. “Tell me Nicholas, how long have you been working for me?” He knew the answer; he made it his job to know everything.
“A few years or so… sir.” I added at the end. I wasn’t this man’s biggest fan but my father always installed respect in me. There was a small element of fear as well. He wasn’t unknown to fly off the handle and a couple people have been fired as a result. So it was easier to just show him the respect he wants.
“Mmmmm yes, I remember when you first started, you had such drive, such enthusiasm.” He tutted. “Now… now not so much. I mean I put great faith in you. Thought you would go all the way to the top but you just don’t have that in you anymore. You don’t have that drive like Jerry does.”
I winced at the mention of his name, Jerry was a fucking kiss ass anyway. There’s no way he would go anywhere. He does too much for Mr Holcomb. I did have enthusiasm when I started but when every day turns into the same and you start experiencing Groundhog Day it’s hard not to feel complacent. I have been putting in effort but admittedly my work effort has dipped. The only reason I haven’t quit is because it pays well and to be honest, I do need this job.
“I can only apologise sir, I just like to get my work done and keep my head down.” I told him. I just wanted to do enough that he had no grounds to fire me.
“That can be a dangerous attitude Nicholas, I want to see that drive, that enthusiasm back with you.” He punched his hand to emphasise each point. “Can you do that for me?”
I took a deep sigh before replying. “Yes sir, I will do my best.”
“Good lad! Keep up the good work.” He said waving his hand to dismiss me. I nodded my thanks and left the room.
It was indeed a hard ass, ball aching day. I kept my head down and did my best to fire through them whilst not letting standards slip.
“Mr Holcomb finally talk sense into you?” Jerry jeered as he stood outside my cubicle.
“Told me I had to pick up your slack!” I replied not turning to look at him.
“Ha” he barked. “My slack? Yeah right, I’m the best there is in this department.”
“Then why haven’t you been promoted?” I shot back. I grinned at his initial silence.
“Eh well, Mr Holcomb needs me and unlike you, I don’t want to let him down.” He finally said.
“Oh I see, maybe that’s why he offered me the senior position then.” I lied.
“He what?” I almost let out a laugh at his sudden outburst. “There’s no way. That’s not true! You’re lying!”
“Why would I lie?” I teased him.
“No no, that’s my position! You’re lying! Fuck you!” He spat as I heard him storm off.
“Ok, that was worth it.” I chuckled to myself. The smile quickly faded as I waded back into the work.
By the time I got finished and drove home, I had a quick bite to eat and shower then was in bed. Sleep quickly consumed me.
My sister texted me several times the next day to make sure I wouldn’t bail on Catherine. I promised I wouldn’t. Even as much as it might be hell, I would never do that.
Seven o’clock came and I was stood outside ‘The Olive Grove’ waiting for this blind date. I was wearing a fitted slim white shirt with black chinos and smart shoes. Five minutes went by and then ten, still no sign of Catherine. It was close to fifteen minutes when she finally appeared.
She wore a very tight fitting deep red tube dress that had a side split down to her thigh. She hugged onto a small clutch bag that was black like her heels. Her blonde hair was styled down the right side of her face and she had quite a bit of makeup on, maybe too much.
“I’m so sorry I’m late,” she said with a little skip to hurry herself up. “Are you Nick?”
“Yeah, that’s me and don’t worry… you look wonderful.” I replied as I leaned in and kissed her cheek. She didn’t immediately recoil and smiled back at me.
“Why thank you, looking very sharp yourself.” She said giving me the once over.
“I appreciate that, shall we?” I offered my hand towards the entrance and guided her in. So far so good I thought to myself. She was very attractive so good on Lizzy for that.
We were escorted to our table by the waiter and until we got some water, we engaged in some small talk and to be fair she did actually seem like a nice girl. After all the other dates set up by my sister I was waiting for the red flag but so far it wasn’t obvious.
We actually had a lovely dinner and shared a bottle of wine, or two. I dare say there was some levels of flirting as well. The gentleman I am, I paid for dinner and we walked outside.
“Shall we go to a bar or a nightclub?” She offered as she swayed a little. I caught her by the arm and steadied her.
“Yeah, there’s a bar just down the street.” I was having a good time with her and didn’t want the night to end, unless of course it was my place or hers.
We walked down the street and into the bar, it was busy. To be expected for a Saturday night. We found a little space and I got us some drinks.
It had been an hour since we had been there and I had paid for all the drinks, not that I really cared until I came back to where I left her. I looked around and couldn’t see her at first. Then I did. She was away talking to another guy, well when I say talking, she was actually making out with him. My heart sank. I was played a fucking fool. What a fucking joke I was.
“Fucking Lizzy!” I cursed as I turned back to the bar.
“Double scotch neat.” I said to the bartender and he got me the drink. As soon as it was placed down, I downed it.
“Oh wow, rough night?” A voice said from beside me.
“You could say that.” I winced slightly at the burning sensation in my throat before turning to face who spoke to me. She was a stunning girl with loose styled brown hair and big brown eyes. I can’t lie that my eyes trailed down to her impressive chest that her dress made look like air bags.
To be continued
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