It’s been half a day since we were stuck in this meeting room with Mr Collen. Everyone seems exhausted from all the negotiation, brainstorming and presenting most of the time.

Despite their drained state, they did a good job. No one’s lacking except for a few yawns here and there but other than that, they’ve been working hard. The best I’ve seen since I’ve been here even.

Maybe this is Mr Collen’s concealed reason for this meeting. He did nothing much. Silently sitting there, watching his employees do the talking part. Nodding in a certain time and that is just it. Completely harmless through the entire discussion.

His overwhelming charisma is enough to warn anyone not to mess with him and indirectly told them to show their worth to the boss. That is exactly what everybody did.

We stopped for a quick lunch that I voluntarily offered to help bought from the cafeteria downstairs since that is the only thing I can contribute. Everyone agreed on having a simply chicken sandwich to make it easier for me, not to get confuse with various orders.

“I’ll pass on the sandwich but can you please buy another of this?” Mr Collen said while shaking the empty Starbucks’ cup.

I almost forgot that he’s also a jerk. The plan was to go to the lobby and grab something real quick then come back up. Now I have to go to the Starbucks across the street and wait for another 15 minutes for the second time today. Great.

So I decided to buy the sandwiches and come back up to give them first before getting Mr Collen’s 15 minutes drink. I didn’t want the others to wait since they have to focus on their task and working with empty stomach is not effective.

I did as I planned and thankfully I didn’t have to wait the elevator that long despite it’s lunch time. I gave out the sandwiches to everyone except the CEO who was somehow staring at me while doing so. I chose to neglect it.

Before going outside, I thought if I’m going to wait for 15 minutes in the crowds, maybe it’s a good idea to leave my coat on the chair. Else, I’ll be sweating like a pig.

I was taking off my coat when I saw Mr Collen waving something from the corner of my eyes. I looked at him, saw a platinum card that was grasp in between his index finger and middle finger. Smirking as he’s flexing that oh so expensive card to me.

I rewarded him with a grimace as I hang my coat to the back of the chair. I’m nowhere near impressed.

“Use my card.” he said finally.

I walked to him. “Of course, sir. It’s your drink after all.” Then smile innocently. As I was about to grab it, he swerve it away from my reach. It made me almost curse with his annoying attitude.

“You can buy anything you want with it. Take it as a reward.”

“Thank you, sir. I’ll buy the whole store if I can.”

“Oh please do. Whatever you want. It is an unlimited card anyway.” Again with the smirk.

I glare at him before finally stormed out the room. That arrogant guy just wanted to show off his platinum card. I should’ve just walked away earlier then my mood wouldn’t be ruin.

I sighed as I walked into the store. It’s so packed with people especially employees from Crowdest. Maybe because it’s the closest cafe near our workplace other than the cafe two blocks from here so I couldn’t blame them. I blame it on that jerk for making me suffer on behalf of his addiction towards sweets.

I waited for half an hour and there’s still two people in front of me. The one ordering was a woman in her 40’s. I guess her order is something simple since she just got there and already paying.

The problem is the two teen girls in front of me who was chatting and giggling. They don’t fucking know how and what to order. They asked the cashier girl to explain almost everything on the menu. In the end, guess what they ordered? Nothing. Yeah, nothing. They just suddenly decided to wait for their other friend to come and decide.

Then why would you asked everything when you’re not gonna order anything? I’m so done with this kind of people. I’m looking at my watch when it’s already my turn. 48 minutes waiting in line.

[Send me your loca-]

Why now when I’m about to order. I took my phone out of my pocket and saw an unknown number. I don’t usually pick up random calls but it might be important.

“Hello?”

“Hello, sir. Welcome to Starbucks, I’m Amanda. What can I get you for today?” I heard the cashier girl said.

I move the phone away enough to say, “A grande iced caramel latte please.” Then proceed on the phone.

“... took you so long?”

That voice made me gasp, looking at the caller’s number. Where the hell Mr Jerk got my number? And what do you mean what took me so long? It’s your request that what makes me long here. If not, I wouldn’t be stuck here for almost an hour. I sacrificed my lunch time for him and not even a thank you or how you’re doing. Okay, rude.

“I’m trying my best to get your drink as soon as possible if onl-”

“I don’t want to hear any excuse, puff. We can’t wait for you any longer. You’re wasting our time so we’re just going to start. Get here immediately.”

Then the call ended. He fucking hung up on me. I never wanted to punch someone in the face this hard before. He’s nagging me about being late when it’s his fault in the first place.

Why would you drink more than a cup of sugary coffee in a day anyway? I hope he end up getting diabetes, maybe then he’ll be less cocky. He’s so full of himself that nobod-

“Iced caramel latte for?” I almost forgot about the drink.

“Mr Jerk.” I simply said. Serve him right.

As I handed her the platinum card, I can see one of her eyebrow lifted. “Hm, sir. May I ask you something? Are you sure this is your card?”

“No, it’s my boss’ card. He lent me his card to buy the drink.”

She called her manager and after a few seconds, came a dark skinned lady standing beside her. I’m guessing she’s explaining about whatever problem she thought occurred. What is it now?

“Sorry, sir. Who is your boss?” the dark skinned lady asked me.

“The CEO of Crowdest. Derek Collen.”

“Okay. We would have to call him to confirm your statement. It’s just that platinum card is rarely used to buy one coffee. It is to prevent fraud and protect the safety of the card owner itself.” I didn’t respond. I gave up.

They did their thing. Calling Mr Collen himself while I waited until they’re done. “Okay, sir. We’re sorry for the long transaction. It’s a precaution procedure.” said Amanda.

“It’s okay.” I said indifferent, I’m saying that just to be nice when I’m already impatient. Get it done quickly. After she tapped something on the monitor and swipe that expensive shit, she handed the card with the receipt.

“Here you go, sir. Oh, and Mr Collen, the owner of this card leave you a message.” I lift up my eyebrow and she continue, “He said don’t be later than 3. He said you’ll understand it.”

I looked at my watch. It’s already 2.53 pm. Fucking hell. Am I his slave to satisfy him to that extend when I’m not the one making the drink. He should’ve told this lady, Amanda about it. Why me?

You know what.

“Amanda, add on Off to the name. Thank you.”

***

The drink took about seven minutes to make which I’m really grateful that it’s not another hour of waiting in line. The problem is…

“Iced caramel latte for Mr Jerk Off!”

Now that the barista called it out loud, it sounds really bad. I’m already regretting this. I mean he’s a jerk but he’s still my boss. Will he finally fired me when he saw this?

Again my watch, it already 3 o’clock. You’re stupid, Cody! You’re blinded by your anger. What you’re going to do now?

I walked out the store with the drink in my hand while thinking of possible way. I decided to borrow marker from the Enquiry Counter, hoping they have one. “Excuse me, ma’am. Do you by any chance have a black marker?”

“Oh, yes. We do.” She said with a thick British accent that made her ten times more attractive than she already is. I would’ve flirted if I’m not in a rush.

She rustle around the counter before passing me the desired item tangled between her slender fingers. “Here you go.”

“Thanks.” I grabbed the marker and immediately canceled the ‘Mr Jerk Off :)’ with a line going through it. I wrote ‘Mr Collen ;)’ with a wink face because you know, Starbucks always do that so I’m trying to disguise as them that might messed up the name with someone else. Hopefully he didn’t pay attention to the name.

I thanked her before I jogged to the elevator. Watch, 3.07 pm.

[9th Floor]

I exhaled an amount of air that I didn’t notice I’m holding before went out. I walked straight to the meeting room and opened the door confidently. Remember, it’s not your fault. You’re just doing your job.

I almost died when I saw Mr Collen’s glare shot right at me as soon as I opened it. Though the glare sent shivers down my spine, I wear my facade, hiding my nervous far away from this man.

I placed it on the coaster and the card at the table along with the receipt. Didn’t spare a glance to the owner, just went to my seat, continue jotting down anything from the slide that was presented right then.

I ignored him though the back of my head is starting to heat up from his intense stare. I don’t want to hear more of his babbling.

“Did you got my message, puff? I thought I told you not to pass three. You’re ten minutes late.” I heard him whispered.

While still writing down, I replied, “It’s not my fault. Blame the barista. It’s their fault.”

“Oh, you’re saying they made a simple iced caramel latte for almost an hour? That’s why you’re late?”

That made me stopped writing, turning my head to him. “Sir, your drink maybe simple but other people’s aren’t. The barista take time to make it. They have only one barista at the moment and it’s peak hour. What do you expect?”

I was containing myself from shouting as I uttered the words, don’t want to attract others that was paying attention to the presenter.

“I expected to get the coffee during my lunch time. It took you that long to do the easy task. I thought you ran away with my card.”

My jaw dropped to the floor if that’s possible. Is he accusing me for stealing? Putting away the pen, ready to attack this motherfucker.

“First of all, SIR, the store was packed with humans and those humans are your own employees that was also waiting for their lunch coffee. Which some of them ditching half way for their crave of coffee when lunch time almost over. You’re not the only one. Second of all, even if you give the card free of charge to me, I wouldn’t want it. I know my place. I might not be as rich as you are but I do not steal. I rather be poor than stealing. I’m not that cheap. So if you want to say something, you better choose your words wisely in the future, SIR.” Finished it off with a smile and turned back to the notebook without waiting for his reaction.

That’s enough to let out some steam off my system for now.

                               *Thanks everyone for supporting <3*