"How STUPID can you be?" she screeched across the desk at him. "How FUCKING stupid can you be?" He just stood there not knowing what to say. She had verbally abused him before, but this time it was in front of Robert, a co-worker. That really pissed him off.
"A simple spreadsheet. Jesus Christ, Jason; a simple fucking spreadsheet and you blew it! Get out of my office. NOW!"
Jason turned on his heels and walked out, being careful not to slam the door behind him. That would have just resulted in more berating and he couldn't take much more today. He went and sat down in his little cubicle, rested his head on his hands and closed his eyes.
When he'd started here five years ago he thought he'd found his dream job. He was 23 then, just out of university with an accounting diploma clutched in his fist. Mr. Dickson had hired him and under his watchful eye Jason had advanced quickly in the company and he was generally referred to as "The Golden Boy".
Then came Mr. Dickson's unexpected retirement and with that the placing of Jennifer Harding into the vacant position. She was 40 then and an attractive bundle of energy. She stood 5 foot 3 inches tall in the business pumps she wore daily. She had shapely legs displayed beneath the just-above-the-knee length skirts she favored. Her thick auburn hair was cut short; probably easier to take care of Jason had thought, and framed well-defined cheekbones and brilliant blue eyes. She wore loose-fitting blouses, always, and Jason couldn't help but wonder what was hidden under them.
But any hope of finding out was dashed shortly after she started. Jason reported to her, as he had to Mr. Dickson, but with her nothing he submitted was good enough the first time. His golden boy status quickly tarnished and he was beginning to wonder if he had any future with the company at all.
But that was before tonight.
When he opened his eyes he realized he must have dozed off. All the overhead fluorescent lights were off and only the emergency lights strategically placed illuminated the office. He thought he heard voices coming from one of the private offices and debated if he should make his presence known to avoid overhearing something he shouldn't. He identified the female voice as Jennifer Harding but couldn't quite recognize the male's. He couldn't make out the words but she certainly seemed to be enjoying herself. The sound of her laughter slipped through the open door of her office and echoed throughout.