8. Get a grip, your boss really is a jerk
EIGHT
GET A GRIP, YOUR BOSS REALLY IS A JERK
I ’m bright and on time on my second day of work, ready to ask for what I need when I almost clash with Mr Marquesi’s hard body as he walks out of the house. His hands land on my biceps to steady me, heat emanating from him sinks into me despite the layers of clothing separating us.
His cologne invades my nostrils, the vanilla and sandalwood mix fit him so perfectly. It’s refined and complex—not at all what I would expect from a man who barely speaks. I guess it speaks for him; it says, “I don’t need words to occupy a space.”
“I’m due for a meeting, Miss Winfrey. Please take Anton to school. He’s waiting for you in the living room with Livia. You’ll need to leave in five minutes to make it on time. Do not be late again.”
The threat gives me whiplash and he leaves without giving me time to answer or get my bearings. Get a grip, Vanessa. This man is an asshole.
I shake my head and make my way inside, helping the kids put on their coats before walking with them to school and the day passes much like the previous one.
Livia is easily distracted and loves to change activities very fast, so I’m working on patience with her, trying to teach her to persevere in one thing before switching to the next.
During her nap, I continue to read the family folder, learning about what Mr Marquesi thinks is important about his kids. From the amount of detail it’s obvious he’s attentive and cares about them. I admire that about him. He might be curt and can act like an asshole at times, but he seems to love his children.
When he comes back from work that day, I take the opportunity during our daily catch up to ask what I’ve been meaning to. My heart skips a beat, but I need a place to live more than I care about my bruised ego.
“Mr Marquesi, I have something to ask you.” If he is intrigued or concerned, he doesn’t show, but by now I’m learning that any show of emotions would be surprising. “I’m due to pay my rent today and I’d like to ask for an advance on my next pay cheque.”
I hold my breath, waiting for him to laugh or dismiss me.
“Of course. I’ll transfer you an advance tonight.”
“Oh. Okay, thank you,” I exhale heavily, relief spreading through my chest at the realisation that I’m not a total failure of a human being. I can function as an adult alone in this world.
I smile widely at him and his brow dips slightly, as if he’s curious why I’m so happy, but I’m not about to share that anything I can’t do that falls in the category of ‘adulting’ reminds me that, up until recently, I was little more than a servant who had never been to a city and whose life was controlled by someone who told her when to move, what to eat, to do chores all day, and that now, everything I can do on my own is a victory I worked hard to create for myself.
“I will see you on Monday, then. Have a good weekend, sir.”
I must imagine the clench of his jaw at the word.
I turn on my heels, a little cheer to my steps, my smile firmly on my face. I text Jade to meet me at the pier for a celebratory cocktail. The future is looking bright.
O ne thing I did not expect by asking for an advance on a Friday is that, with the way banks work, the money still isn’t on my account by Sunday evening. I spent the entire weekend refreshing the app on my phone, but my account stayed desperately empty.
I thought about texting my boss but refrained. I trust him to do what he said and I have enough experience now with the system to know the money is just ‘stuck’ in whatever limbo money flies to when it’s transferred from one account to the other.
A knock sounds on my door. I feel like I’m getting sentenced.
“Come in.”
“Hey, Vaness’,” my roommate says. I fucking hate the way he shortens my name. “Look, I really don’t want to have to do this, but you’re late with rent again.”
“I got paid, but it’s taking its time because of the weekend. I’ll have it on Monday.”
“You see, I already paid the landlord with your share, and I need the money back. I can’t keep bailing you out like this without getting some sort of interest on top. I’ve been very generous with you, but this just won’t work.”
“Please, Chris, I just need an extra day. I’ll transfer the money tomorrow.”
“I’m sorry, Vaness’. You’re nice, but I need someone reliable,” he says, while raising his hands condescendingly like he’s the one doing me a favour by kicking me out.
That weasel. I am reliable. I’ve been working my ass off trying to get what I need, trying to just survive, scrapping cash together to save for chiropractic school and pay for rent at the same time, but he holds all the cards and I have nothing. He was looking for an excuse to kick me out. I know that, but the truth stings nonetheless.
“It’d be best if you leave by Wednesday. I’ll give you Monday and Tuesday for free to get back on your feet.”
“For free? Chris, you’re kicking me out. I’m not paying you a dime.”
“You still owe me this month’s rent.”
“You can bet your ass you’re not going to see the colour of that money,” I retort.
He advances on me, towering over me, trying to make himself look bigger to intimidate me, but I’m not scared of him. Strangely, I’m more scared of not being a functioning adult than of him hurting me.
“Listen, bitch…”
He raises his hands, grabbing my forearm, but I don’t let him finish his sentence or come any closer. With a quick jab of my fist into his kidney, he collapses on his knees, doubling over.
“I’m gonna fucking kill you,” he wheezes.
It’s not fear that bubbles up inside me but rage that this asshole is trying to take advantage of my situation, kick me out, and threaten me that makes me grab the bedside lamp and smash it down onto his head with a smack that echoes in the surrounding space.
He drops onto his back, unconscious.
“Who’s the bitch now?”
The adrenaline rush is short lived.
Shit, shit, shit.
What if he calls the police? I’m not going to prison for assault.
Not wanting him to wake up while I’m still here, I pull my suitcase from under my bed and throw everything I own into it. Thankfully, it’s not much—I didn’t dare buy anything new since landing on Kalliste, my future too uncertain to put down roots—so it takes me less than ten minutes. I realise as I make my way into the living area that I was never allowed to spend time in, that I own nothing in this place. I have no trinkets, no photographs, no memories to carry with me. It makes my exit faster but also bitter. If I had died, all I am would fit in a suitcase.
Once I’m outside, I stride to Lady in White. Customers are making their way in, so I go to the back door and knock, hoping Jade is working.
The doorman eyes me warily.
“I’m looking for Jade”, I say and he nods in reply.
She’s the only person I really know outside of the Marquesi family and my old boss, Betty. I’d like to think that we’re becoming friends, especially after she helped me get a job then Friday night when the celebratory cocktail turned into five.
I’m desperate and hoping she’ll let me crash on her couch until I find myself a new place.
Me
I’m outside with my suitcase. My roommate kicked me out and I’m pretty sure he’ll call the police on me. Can I stay at your place tonight, please?
Jade
Arrested? Exciting! ?? What did you do?
me
I’ll tell you if you let me crash on your couch.
Jade
Blackmail? I like your style. You fit right in with the Morettis. I’ll come out to give you the keys.
“So, what did you do?” Jade asks me way too casually for someone who’s about to open her house to a girl she barely knows who just assaulted a man.
“Chris was threatening me, so I knocked him out with a lamp,” I say while burying my head in my hands to hide my shame. God, I hope he’s okay. I didn’t mean to hurt him. Well, maybe just a little.
Jade cackles loudly and a few workers turn to us with curious stares.
“You are full of surprises, my friend.” She hands me the keys. “Make yourself at home. I’ll stay at my man’s house tonight, so you can get comfy. And tomorrow, wine night.”
“Wine night?” I ask incredulously.
“Yeah, babe. When you get home from work, we’re gonna drink nice wine while you tell me more about that shitty roommate. That’s what friends do. I gotta go. See ya.”
She kisses my cheek and wanders off back inside, leaving me stunned and a little excited. I might not have a place to call my own, but I think I have a friend for the first time in years. Those were hard to come by when my mum moved us from place to place every other year to follow her nursing assignments, and even harder when my aunt controlled everything in my life.
When I arrive at Jade’s place, a small studio twenty minutes from the centre of the city, I collapse on the sofa, exhausted by the stress of the weekend.