I scanned their faces and was positive that one of them must have done this to me.
I went in front of everyone and glared at them one after another. It was true that I did not want to confront them head-on, but my patience had its limits. That was my last straw.
I toiled for days to come up with the design. I would not let this slide.
“Who took it?”
I focused my gaze on a few women as I asked.
“What are you talking about? None of us is interested in what you’re working on. You’re the one who lost it. You can’t blame us for that,” one of them replied acridly.
“I know one of you did this. You’d better admit it before it’s too late. You know how much this design plan means to me.”
Seeing the unmistakable glee in their eyes, I told myself not to let my emotions take over.
“I really didn’t see it. You can’t just blame us for something we didn’t do.”
“Yeah, you can’t do that. Besides, who knows if you actually finished it? Don’t blame us for your incompetence.”
All of them came together in unison to corner me.
“Mr. Shaw wants this document today. I’m sure he won’t let any of you go if he finds out one of you took it.”
Since they were not afraid of me, I decided to just use Michael’s name. Although they were all head over heels for him, Michael was still their boss. They knew what he was capable of when he was cross—Tiffany was a walking example.
Fright settled over their faces when I mentioned Michael, but they did not chicken out. They still refused to give me back the document.
“We said we didn’t do it. You can just go ahead and tell Mr. Shaw. Who do you think you are anyway? You’re just a rookie here. Having Mr. Shaw at your back means nothing to us.”
“What are you talking about? He’s just my superior and nothing more than that.”
I was enraged when they brought up Michael and my relationship. I had always been professional on all fronts when it came to working. I never once thought I was any more special than anyone else. They were the ones who kept picking a fight with me.
“Oh really? Then explain the way he talked to you yesterday! I dare say you’ve already slept with him!”
Their blatant remarks incited fury in my heart. I squeezed my fists, trying to control my anger.
“That’s none of your business. It seems to me that you’re the one who’s desperate to get him in your bed. Sadly, you don’t have what it takes.”
I was usually a calm and quiet person, but they went overboard today. I would not just sit and let them trample all over me.
The supervisor happened to come out when we were in an altercation. He was furious when he caught us fighting.
“What are y’all doing? Work quietly or pack your stuff and leave!”
Harry was a severe man in his mid-forties. Everyone at the office walked on eggshells whenever he was around.
“Mr. Doyle, Anna is the one who started it. She accused us of stealing her document.”
They went over to the supervisor and started pointing out my faults.
“Mr. Doyle, a document I was working on is missing. I think one of them took it.”
“Do you have any proof?”
Now that Harry was here, they decided to strike the iron while it was hot.
I could tell from their gleeful expression that they were the ones who took my document. Alas, it was true that I had no evidence.
“I knew it! She’s just trying to frame us. She’s doesn’t even have any solid proof. I demand an apology.”
Seeing I was rendered speechless, one of them stood forward and looked at me confidently.
I fell under everyone’s attention since all our colleagues heard our argument.
“Anna Garcia, do you have any proof that they are the ones who took your document?”
I could tell Harry was not pleased with me for wasting his time and obstructing everyone’s work.
“I don’t have any proof, but I’m sure it’s one of them.”
I did not see why that was even a question. I would not be fighting with them if I had any proof. Harry must not be in his right mind to even ask this, but I did not point that out because after all, he was still my supervisor.
A deep frown carved on his brows when he heard my answer. “Then how can you just blame people like that?”
Then, he turned toward the group of women. “Tell me, is it any of you?”
“Mr. Doyle, this is so unfair. We don’t even know what she’s talking about.”
Their tone instantly became skittish under Harry’s questioning glare.
“Anna Garcia, do you still have respect for all your colleagues? This is a workplace. I expect some professionalism from you.”
Harry still chose to believe them in the end. My blood was boiling. I knew I had to stand up for myself this time.
“Mr. Doyle, I can’t prove that it’s them. But neither can they prove that they didn’t do it either. You’re clearly taking their side.”
