Chapter 03 || Lucy

Rule one: Be quiet.

Rule two: If you're late, don't make it obvious.

Rule three: Keep your eyes open.

 

These were the rules I had to follow in order to survive at work. I worked at Memories Untold, a company that focused on coordinating big events such as graduations and weddings. Unfortunately, I didn't get to do the fun stuff. Oh no. I get to sit behind a desk all day calculating expenses, figuring who to charge and when, contacting companies and catering services, figuring out who didn't pay the correct amount, etc. etc. It was boring and bland, but the pay was nice, so I kept it.

 

But the worst downside of work was yet to come.

 

"Alphonse!" shrieked a shrill voice from across the hall.

 

I turned my gaze and blinked to see my boss, Lucy Mustang, standing before me, her emerald green eyes cut angrily.

 

"Good morning, Lucy," I say, bowing slightly. Shes in no mood to talk, her hands on her hips. "You're late again. What took you so long!?"

 

"Traffic, ma'am."

"Traffic? I got here just fine! There was no traffic."

"You forget I live in a different part of the city, ma'am."

"Does it look like I care?"

 

I grunt, adjusting the bag slung across my shoulder, holding all my files and spreadsheets. "Sorry ma'am."

 

"Get here early tomorrow, got it?!"

"Yes ma'am."

 

She flips some of her striking auburn hair over her shoulder and grunts before walking down the hall and into her office.

 

I could never understand why she had such a hangup with me. In my interview, she seemed nice enough, sharing coffee biscuits with me and speaking in a sweet and low voice. It was after I was offered the job and started working here that she became abusive and mean. I've seen her every so often sitting outside with a cigarette in her mouth, puffing the smoke and looking out over the parking lot with an empty stare. She was always smoking outside of work.

 

I sat at my desk and took a good look at it, partially disgusted. It was a mess, with papers and phone numbers scattered all over the surface. I had two pictures up, one of Ayumi and I and one of Mara. There were a few unopened letters...company bills I'm sure.

 

I grab a pen and yawn before taking a look at my to do list.

 

"Hmmm...I have to call the Big Day dress company for Mrs. Gillsburg. Once I'm done with that I need to see if Sweet Treats will deliver to Farrah's graduation. The Gordons anniversary is tomorrow..."

 

I sigh, remembering my own anniversary. Maybe Ayumi was right...maybe if I told Lucy it was my anniversary, she'd give me the day off. Working for a company like this was sure to give her some insight, right? I lean back in my seat. Probably not. Lucy didn't quite seem to care for my reasons.

 

I stretch and begin to fill out spreadsheets.

 

Stuff like this, although time consuming, was easy. When Brother and I grew up, we were both excellent at math. Of course, being the younger brother I was always tottering into Brother's room and asking for help. Usually, he was sitting on his bed, legs crossed and a math textbook in his lap. He'd pat the bed next to him and I'd crawl up, eager to hear what I wanted to learn.

 

"Let me," he'd say.

I always admired him.

Reviews

[Rae]

The job does sound very boring, but if the pay was nice I'd probably do it too. Then again, I probably couldn't take the abuse of a boss like that. I have too much of a temper... ^^" Anyway, good chapter. I can't wait to see what happens next. :D

[MadeCheaply]

A desk job
Sad story bro