By the time the director of the logistics department arrived at work, the office turmoil had already subsided.
Dulcie handed over her finished tasks from the previous night to the director and requested backups of the documents that had been damaged.
The director sensed the tension among the staff but chose not to comment.
Instead, he offered Dulcie words of encouragement.
Dulcie considered letting the incident slide, while Audrey and her friends fretted over the possibility of Dulcie reporting their actions.
During lunchtime in the companyâs cafeteria, Dulcie sat alone at a table.
Soon, four female colleagues, including Audrey, joined her at the table.
Quickly, all the seats at Dulcieâs table were occupied.
Dulcie raised her eyes, taking in the group of women with a demeanor as frosty as it was dismissive.
âWhat do you want? Trying to start a fight?â
Audreyâs best friend, Amari Watson, immediately laughed.
âNo way.
How could we? This is the staff cafeteria.
Too many senior executives and employees pass through here.
We canât let the whole company know about the mess in our department, can we?â
Unimpressed, Dulcie lowered her head and continued eating.
âIf you want to fight, Iâm game.
Otherwise, leave me alone.
â
Her indifferent attitude irked the women.
It was a slight they couldnât ignore.
However, they needed her cooperation, so they swallowed their pride.
Trying to smooth things over, Audrey chimed in, her voice dripping with feigned regret.
âDulcie, what happened today was my fault.
I just wanted to see you scared by the mouse.
Who knew youâd be tougher than the guys in our department?â
Dulcieâs patience was wearing thin.
Her brows knitted together slightly, and she snapped, âGet to the point.
â
âWellâ¦â Audrey began.
âWhat happened earlier was just a joke.
We donât need to bother the higher-ups with some petty stuff, right? And as for Kurt, your backer⦠how about we keep him out of it? I promise I wonât mess with you again.
Can we get along well from now on?â
Dulcieâs frown deepened, her hand pausing mid-air with a forkful of food.
âOnce again, thereâs nothing between Kurt and me.
Please stop spreading these rumors.
I donât want to hear anything damaging my and Kurtâs reputations.
â
The women exchanged knowing glances, rolling their eyes inwardly.
Bunny Bookery
Their relationship was so obvious, yet Dulcie still pretended to be oblivious.
Was it really that hard to admit she got her position by relying on a man?
Again, the women held back, seeing they had to satisfy Dulcie for now.
Audrey quickly agreed, her tone pacifying.
âAlright, if you say thereâs nothing, then thereâs nothing.
We wonât mention it again.
As an intern, focus on your job, and weâll stay out of each otherâs way.
Deal?â
âI wonât report you.
Donât worry.
â Dulcie nodded curtly.
Without another word, she stood with her tray in hand and left the table surrounded by Audreyâs group.
She moved to a distant corner of the cafeteria to finish her meal peacefully.
Soon after Dulcie left, Audrey sneered, her tone dripping with mockery.
âLetâs just put up with her a bit longer.
When her internship is about to end, weâll find a way to get rid of her.
â
Amari leaned in, whispering, âSheâs really something.
A huge mouse didnât scare her.
She even caught and knocked it out! She must be tough.
We better be careful, just in case she retaliates.
â
âNo need.
Sheâs not the only one with a backer in this company.
â
Audrey dismissed her concerns with a wave of her hand.