CAGED

EPISODE FOUR

The heat rose up to his face till he felt like it was burning visibly red.

"Okay... Thank you Olive. I'll go right up". He smiled weakly.

"All the best dear".

The restroom was on the route to the Boss' office and he decided to stop for a splash of water on his face. The face staring at him from the mirror looked awful. Taking a soft towel, he wiped the water off and went out, heading straight in the direction he dreaded the most.

***************
Jade knocked lightly on the door and he got a response almost immediately. Opening the door nervously, he stuck his head in.

"Come in and shut the door, Jade!" The voice was loud and angry.

"Good morning Mr. Whyte". He made a futile attempt at a smile. He felt so tense, he had to force himself to keep breathing.

Mr Whyte just kept staring at him, draining the life out of him with those set of piercing eyes. 
"Jade, come, sit down."

The pleasant way he said it made his fear triple, wondering what was up his sleeves. He looked at his Boss still gesturing to a chair with a big smile on. Summoning any courage he had left, he walked up to the chair and sat down at the edge.

"The clients were here earlier, are you aware?"

"Yee---e--ss sir."

"Do you know what happened? Their response when they didn't see you?"

"Sir, I truly apologize, I didn't mean to sleep...... I mean, I didn't mean to be late today. There was a huge traffic this morning and......."

"Shush,...." He put a finger to his lips.

"That client was our biggest ever and we just lost them!" He stood up, towering above Jade, which made him feel even littler. Mr Whyte's body frame was quite imposing and intimidating.

"Just so you know, you have also lost your job!!!" His breath came in hard. 

To be continued

Written by Asher Esther Orohuchari