Episode 19: Incentives

Episode 19: Incentives

"Ooh, look what the cat dragged in!"

Leslie ducked her head in embarrassment as James drew attention to her much anticipated return to work. It seemed like every head on the floor where her office was located turned and their eyes were piercing. At that moment, she never felt like committing murder more in her life.

Grabbing a hold of her things, she stealthily made her way past them, not forgetting to grab the culprit by his arm.

As she made it into the vacant printing room, which seemed to be their undefined spot, the woman glared at the man before her.

Clearing his throat in the usual manner he did when put on the spot, he said, "I don't reckon the printer's broken already since you just made it here, so what can I unwillingly help you with?"

Still giving him her lethal look, she took a step closer and warned him with a finger pointed at his chest. "I didn't need such a dramatic announcement about my return, Hall."

He gave a Cheshire grin which was too attractive and in that split second of seeing it, her anger quelled.

He took advantage of noticing her falter and threw an arm around her shoulders in a friendly manner. "Who pissed in your milk this morning? I was only trying to let them know the queen had arrived! After all, you're the first person to get recommended to take part in the writer's convention with less than a year's term of work here."

Her lips parted in shock. "Really?"

"Really." He smiled mischievously. "You're breaking records, love."

Hearing that, she felt excited and terrified by the concept of being such a game changer.

That only meant there were more expectations for her and with that there were an increased number of eyes watching her every move.

She was a woman with conflicting feelings when it came to attention.

There was a part of her that craved compliments and appreciation for her work. Her character centered around words of affirmation. Being told that she was doing a good job drove her to outdo herself even more. Then there was the downside to that of being discouraged easily when things didn't work out the way she wanted it to. As she liked having the title of a great employee and hard worker, she also hated being in the limelight. It made her uncomfortable to a great degree, especially knowing how competitive some people could be.

"I don't know whether I should be happy or anxious after hearing that."

"Oh, don't worry about it. I'm sure you'll do just fine, Leslie. If you ask for my opinion, I honestly think you can win this thing. I've read your stuff and I know how much of an incredible writer you are."

"Yes, but when it comes to actually exhibiting my prowess I'm more cowardly than a little lamb. I'm seriously astounded whenever I finish something. Astounded and distressed. My perfectionist instinct always ruins things for me and that's why I can't have a product out on the shelf till this day. I'm my own worst enemy."

"My god," James blew out heavily. He took a hold of her shoulders and tried to shake some sense into her. "Can you stop speaking so negatively without even starting? The fact that you were one of the three chosen out of this whole department with over sixty employees goes to show your potential. So shut up and start planning your pieces. You have less than two weeks until the competition."

Leslie sighed and slipped out of his hold.

As she leant against the machine behind her, she missed the split second of his hands reaching out to her again. Then he brought them into his front pockets and gave her a light smile. She could hardly return it back after being reminded of the dreadful deadline.

"I don't know how this even aligns with being a competition. I thought these kinds of conventions were for self-improvement and teamwork. I didn't know it had the honor of publishing companies and their respective authors on the line."

"Yes, it's a lot to be honest. That's why we have people like your beloved Christopher who sit out on it every year. Even when N.H. Taylor was signed to us, he refused to take part and he's a gem in this field."

She made sure to ignore the affectionate term used for her superior and secret boyfriend.

James always said things like this in a sarcastic manner anyway.

For a second, it made her curious about how he'd react if she were to tell him they were actually together.

She cringed, knowing it would be a disaster if that happened.

More so he would have the entire company knowing within seconds because of how incapable he was of keeping his mouth shut.

Focusing more on the issue at hand, her face made a straight line at the new information he just gave her.

"Okay, so why am I being the sacrificial lamb?"

"Somebody has to be, right?" He joked, wiggling his eyebrows.

She groaned.

It made her exhausted thinking about the level of effort she was going to have to put into this. She didn't like investments that didn't ensure long term rewards and growth.

Okay, sure she would gain respect from her coworkers if she won but she already had that.

This wasn't like chasing Christopher - this was less thrilling and she didn't see the point of it except for the experience.

Thinking about it, maybe that meant something as well.

"I bet this will turn that frown upside down."

Before she could ask what he was rambling on about, James came up to her and showed his phone which had a picture of a resort. Her breath left her at seeing the beautiful scenery and the sky blue backdrop. The hotel was the perfect array of paradise hues, for it gave a sense of freedom and a place to lose oneself in and just relax.

"This is the prize."

"For winning?"

"Yes, an all-inclusive trip to The Bahamas. 3 days, 2 nights."

Her jaw dropped.

"I don't think it gets any better than this. Last year the awards were some restaurant coupons, a laptop and stationeries. I guess they really upped their game this year."

Leslie could already envision being on that trip...and who she wanted to be with her.

Not wasting a second, she grabbed her stuff and power walked to her cubicle.

"Hey, where are you going?!" James yelled, surprised by her sudden shift in mood.

"To write up a storm!"

He couldn't help the guffaw that left him.

Adorable, he thought instinctively.

***

A/N:

Feeling incredibly inspired when it comes to this story. I get the tingles when I think about it. 🥺❤️✨ Just need to mark FFTC as completed and actually materialize my thoughts onto paper.

In the meantime...

[connect with the author:

insta: @writtenbyzan_]