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“Don't you dare do that to her again?” I scolded Nancy, who stood nonchalant with her arms folded across her breast.
“And who are you to give me orders? You're just a loser,” she cursed. A gasp escaped from my mouth as I drew my attention back at Tina, who lay on the floor. Nancy gave her a dirty slap, claiming she must have stolen her jewelry.
“Are you okay?” I asked; she still had a hand over her red cheek as she sob quietly on the floor. She didn't give an answer but rather moved her face away.
"Is it okay, Tina? I know you didn't do it. You can't steal,” I assured, trying to comfort her and make her see she isn't alone.
“You don't have to defend me, Jenny.” She said with a cracked and broken voice, I knew how much this job meant to her; a single mom as a janitor can be so hard. She desperately doesn't want to lose her job, not in the situation of being accused of stealing; the consequences are just an instant sack letter.
“I will make sure you don't lose your job. You have nothing to worry about,” I assured, but the mockery laughter of Nancy breaking through the room made me rise to my feet.
I'm Jennifer Rain, the CEO of Tex Enterprise. I inherited the company after my late father's death, and since then I have been away for my MBA study. I worked remotely and handed the company over to my assistant, Jason. There have been lots of reports, and I'm willing to figure it out on my own, not just showing up as a powerful and confident lady but as a weak and less important one, which is why I chose the position of a janitor.
Nobody knows my true identity except for my assistant, whom I strictly warned not to address me as ma'am but as a common person. Getting to know the various posts of my staff, their real character instead of the fake played character when I come as the CEO.
I begin to see funny behavior, especially done to the janitor; they are vulnerable and being disregarded and treated like shit.
“Why don't you check the camera to know the actual person who stole your necklace?” I said boldly at Nancy, whose eyes darkened as she threw a deadly glare my way.
“Who do you think you are to order me around? I have the right to sack whoever I want, and you're giving me so much tough time here.”
“Why don't we check the surveillance camera instead of arguing here?" I pressed on not backing off, but her words, and the next thing I heard was a heavy slap across my face.
“I choose to do whatever I want; you don't order me around." I held onto my cheek, my blood boiling with anger and resentment. She shouldn't even have the right to stand in my presence; I swallowed my anger. I shouldn't be quick to react unless I give myself away. It's too soon. I locked my broken lips, regaining my composure and standing firm like nothing happened.
“You should know your place rather than argue with me.”
“What is going on here?” The senior manager walked in confidently with his hands in his pocket.
“The new janitor is objecting to my orders,” she said in a bitter and hateful tone.
“Did you do that?” I'm left speechless as to whether to answer the question: Could I get into my troubles?A part of me wanted to know more about what is going on in my company and how my staff are being treated, but the other part of me was already fed up by the disrespect.
"Yes. I mean, my friend here was accused of..." He didn't allow me to finish when he ordered us to head over to the surveillance room where the different cameras are being watched.
The time and date when Nancy's necklace got missing were replayed, and it was found that a totally different person had taken the necklace from Nancy's cupboard.
“Tina You can go, but then you have to tell everyone that the person who stole the necklace is Jenifer. Do you understand? If you don't do this, you wouldn't receive your paycheck,” the manager threatened in a cold tone, and I was left shocked to my bones.
Tina rose, avoiding eye contact with me as she declared me the person who stole. I'm left with a bewildering feeling of betrayal.
“I'm sorry, Jenny,” she said before declaring me to the other members of the staff of being a thief. My sack letter was brought. Someone I felt relieved to be the one sent out; I will always have my way back rather than Tina, which might cause her reputation.
“What are you doing here?” the cold, sassy voice of Nancy asked, full of surprise when she saw me after two days of being away.
“I'm here as a new janitor." I took my time evaluating my staff and how they treat customers and others' working ethics. I have enough people to sack and replace with a new staff.