The Story of a Liar

i | o n e

0 1

✷

M A X

I rubbed my index finger and thumb on my slightly prickly stubble as I checked the statistics on my desktop. There wasn't much loss in these years but mostly profit, still it didn't satisfy me like every time.

"Boss?" a familiar voice called as I closed my eyes in frustration.

Was it really hard to ring the bell by the door or just knock, and not peek inside directly? Was it really that hard?

"How many times do I have to tell you to at least knock at the door before peeking inside? How are you supposed to be my new secretary if you carry on like this on your second day, repeating the same mistake over and over?" I asked in an annoyed tone, running one hand through my hair.

When I realized I was heaving due to the sudden outburst, I took small breaths and tried to calm myself down. "Now, stop standing there and give me the coffee."

"Y-yeah," she murmured, stepping towards me.

I glared at her with a clenched jaw. "Not 'yeah', say 'yes'. This is office."

"Yes boss, I am sorry," she stammered and approached my table with her coffee in her shaking hands.

I immediately shifted all the papers on the table to one side in shock.

Was she trying to spill the drink?

From arriving one hour late at my place to mixing up the documents I gave her to sort and not to mention, her blue hair was enough to hand over her resignation letter the first time I saw her if Austin hadn't promised me that she gonna recolor it at the end of this week.

I took another deep breath to maintain my composure, trying to divert from the angering thoughts and fixed my collar to let the air conditioner work on my body.

I picked up the cup and as soon as the hot beverage touched my tongue, I knew I was just a step away from throwing it at her.

I was angry but not abusive. I never raised my hand over any woman ever in my life.

"What the hell is this?" I placed it back with a shriek and stood up from my chair.

"C-coffee?" she stuttered, bowing.

"This is anything but coffee. Don't you––just get out of my office and call Austin! Now!" I barked as she flinched and stepped back.

I sank back in my chair and groaned. What was my fault that I got such a secretary?

A knock came to my ears and I deliberately called in a tired voice, "Come in please."

"Maximus, what happened?" the voice asked and I straightened my figure to face him.

"Everything is fine, just tell the new girl not to return," I answered, loosening my tie and picking one paper from the pile.

"What, today? I saw her with her coffee in her hand, I guess you didn't like the taste," he said, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I don't want to talk about that, I just want you to replace that girl as soon as possible," I declared, giving him a stern gaze.

He sighed and pulled one chair towards him and sat on it. "She was number twelve, let me tell you. I was your father's sixth secretary. It takes time to find the right now."

"Then find one," I commented, rubbing my face with my hands. "My dad was lucky."

He lamented, "It takes time to adju––"