Page 181 of The Parkers' Handsome Holiday
“Nothing,” I lied. “It’s just Monday morning.” I put my things on my desk and sat down. I started going through my emails when my desk phone rang.
“Hello?” I answered it.
“Hi, Tiffany,” Robin’s voice came across the line. “Would you mind coming to my office right now?”
Shit, I thought to myself. It was about us.
“Sure,” I responded, putting on a fake, nice voice. I hung up the phone and rose from my chair.
“Where are you going?” Nikki asked. I had told her all about Cayden on Friday night over drinks. I trusted her and knew it wasn’t her who told on me and Cayden. Plus, she was doing the same thing with Maurice.
“HR,” I responded. “I saw Cayden go in there earlier.”
Nikki grimaced as I left the room. I walked down the hall and it seemed as if time had slowed down. I did not want to get in trouble, or even worse, lose my job. I was just finding my groove in the office. I liked my job.
I opened the door to see Robin, Cayden, and our editor-in-chief, Tim.
“Sit down, please,” Robin said, motioning to a chair next to Cayden. I sat down, avoiding eye contact with Cayden.
“I’ll start off with saying that someone saw you and Cayden in a compromising position on Friday afternoon. I know that you’re new here, but there is no fraternizing, Tiffany,” Robin said. Before I could open my mouth to speak, Tim began to talk.
“Cayden has already admitted to it,” Tim said. “He apologized and wanted us to know that it wasn’t your fault. It’s my understanding that you’re very professional and take your job seriously. We appreciate that, Tiffany, but we can’t have you making out in the office. It can make other people feel uncomfortable.”
I nodded. I wasn’t sure what to say. Cayden hadn’t even tried to cover it up. He had apologized and took full blame for it.
“We are willing to let this go this one time,” Robin said. “However, this cannot continue, especially with Cayden being in a higher position than you. We do not condone this type of behavior. Both Tim and I know that you are both hard workers and we don’t want to lose you. I hate telling you that you two must decide between each other and this job, but unfortunately, that is the way that it needs to be. We need you focused when you’re here and not distracted by a relationship.”
I nodded.
“I completely understand,” I said. “I am sorry for my unprofessional actions on Friday afternoon. I can assure you that it will not happen again.”
“Thank you,” Robin said. “As I mentioned, there is no punishment right now, but this is your warning. If you continue to have a relationship, there will be jobs on the line. Do you both understand this?”
“Yes,” I said. Cayden hesitated, but finally answered.
“Yes,” he said. I could tell that he was upset. I was, too, but I wasn’t going to make a scene in front of Robin and Tim. I would have to talk to Cayden about it later. In private.
Robin and Tim excused us. I walked back into my office. I shut the door and sunk into my chair, feeling extremely embarrassed.
“What happened?” Nikki turned in her chair. I felt my cheeks burning from the embarrassment. I had tried so hard to keep mine and Cayden’s relationship a secret, only to get caught. I did feel lucky that we weren’t going to get in trouble right now. I couldn’t imagine losing this job. I had worked hard to get this far. I couldn’t let a relationship allow me to lose my job.
“Someone caught us kissing last week,” I confessed. Nikki’s eyes grew wide with surprise.
“Damn, girl,” she said. “Rule number one of office relationships, no hanky panky at the job!”
“I know,” I said. “I thought it was short and sweet, but apparently, we had someone watching us. Now I can either choose my job or choose Cayden.”
“Shit, what are you going to choose?” Nikki asked. Although it wasn’t an easy answer, I told her the truth.
“I am choosing my job,” I told her. “Cayden is a great guy, but this job is an amazing opportunity and stepping stone for my career.”
“I get it,” Nikki said sympathetically. “I would probably choose the same thing if it came down to this job or Maurice. It really sucks that you have to choose between the two. I’m sorry.”
I shrugged.
“I should have expected it, I guess,” I said. “I just feel like an asshole now, and like the managers don’t think I take this job seriously.”
“I’m sure they don’t think that!” Nikki exclaimed. “You just need to focus on your work and keep your head down going forward.”
