MY SUDDEN RESIGNATION

Monday morning we were introduced to a real life Tsumiki-chan. No, really. Marco's eyes nearly fell out of his head when we were introduced to our new asssitant manager, Clara.

Clara was Lycan, long black straight hair, porcelain fair skin, at least a D cup, and very soft spoken.

She was a fast learner and serious about her work. She told me she had wanted to try living an independent life but had an overprotective elder brother. It had taken her a few years to convince him to finally allowed her to work, and her brother only allowed it because Mr Philips was an old family friend.

I see. That explained the automatic promotion to assitant manager. And I understood now why Mr Philips put her here, he was assuming she would be useless and I would continue shouldering all the work.

On Tuesday, I brought her with me when I accompanied Marco to meet Harvey.

"Hello Clara." Harvey nodded politely, "I just saw your brother this morning."

Clara made a small polite bow, "Good afternoon Beta."

It was a very Lycan thing, from a world just next to us but we could never enter.

After that we talked business and everything went smoothly. Harvey was satisfied that Marco knew what he was doing with his Alpha's money and all the due diligence was fulfilled.

But I left with a thorn in my heart. I wondered if Harvey admired Clara's beauty (or figure) too... And if he did... No, he would never had considered asking her to be his mistress. Girls like Clara were princesses. Guys didn't consider girls like Clara as mistresses. Just girls like me.

Still, I couldn't hate Clara. She definitely wasn't going to let herself play princess. I could see she had a lot to prove too.

By Friday, I told her she could be Marco's Assistant Manager. I will still guide her whenever she gets stuck of course.

Anyway, Marco was a good starting point because he had always been easier to work for. He was more organized by nature and was able to handle his own calculations and paperwork, he just can't all the time because he had so much to do. Plus if Clara did make a mistake I didn't catch in time, Marco would be able to catch it before it went out to the client.

I would be Fred's assistant. Fred needed more help with spreadsheets and paperwork. Usually I set up all his files page by page for him. But no one could best Fred at drawing in new accounts. Lycans just liked his good natured trustworthy face I guess.

So even though the accounts was officially divided between the two men, in practice, Fred closed the deals while I prepped the proposals and Marco executed the portfolios. We always helped each other in our team. But just among the four of us, I warned Clara. Do not trust anyone else or share any info we have to anyone outside the team ever. We all had been bitten and backstabbed before. Particularly Fred.

"Don't even tell Mona." Marco said, "I know she's my sister, but she's a big blabbermouth."

It's a dog eat dog world.

"You're so amazing. So capable and beautiful!" Clara said suddenly while we were washing hands in the ladies after lunch.

I laughed, "You're the capable and beautiful one. I took two whole years to get to this position, you've learned the ropes in a week."

"That's because you were my teacher. Thanks. I was really worried about being independent, even though that was what I asked for, but... you just made it so much easier for me." Clara told me.

That really made my day. I felt really good about myself, for what I did, for who I was, for what I could do.

And then the guys decided to go out for drinks to celebrate Clara's "promotion" lol.

Unfortunately, it was my time of the month and I was starting a migraine.

"You guys go on without me." I said, "I'm down with the incurable disease of womanhood!"

Clara looked worried.

I immediately laugh to reassure her, "Just being melodramatic. Go on with them. Don't worry, these two guys are safe. I mean, I'm not saying they aren't perverted or anything, but they won't take advantage of you... Even if they might fantasize about it..."

Mostly Marco, since I knew about Tsumiki-chan.

"Stop." Marco said, "You're making us sound terrible."

"Well, they're guys... So they can't help it." I tried to defend them, "But for guys, these two are okay."

"You don't really think much of us guys, do you?" Fred asked.

I laughed it off.

"It's not that..." Clara looked unsure, "I mean, I can feel, you are in pain..."

"It's called PMS." I grinned, "Did you forget, I'm human? Headaches, cramps... I've got them pretty bad and they make me emotionally unstable."

"Go home then." Marco said quickly.

"Yeah, let's not ruin my nice lady image." I joked.

The others laughed. I noticed Clara still looked somewhat concerned but she said nothing till we were alone again.

I finished up sorting the last forms she brought me, "Looks like we can call it a day. Nice work."

"Does PMS hurt your heart too?" Clara asked.

My heart? I automatically smiled, "My heart is fine."

It didn't exsist.

I never needed it.

So far, all it had caused me was pain.

Clara looked concerned, like she wanted to ask more but thankfully the guys came and whisked her off.

"I'm glad you're not coming. You'd just be a fifth wheel anyway." Mona informed me.

Yeah... Right. Sure... I know that's just Mona's mouth, but the PMS let it get to me.

So I went home, had an instant cup of soup and crackers for dinner, showered, and went to bed.

Lying there, I blamed the PMS, but I did feel a little bitter. It wasn't just my headache that drove me home early. I was envious of Clara. I wished I could be the princess.

I envied the way she got the job as assitant manager the moment she graduated. I envied the way Harvey knew her brother and how that automatically removed her from the mistress and one night stand category.

I had been left to fend for myself since college. Well, not completely. I had my family. I had my friends. I had my common sense. But why did I still feel so alone when I'm facing this world?

Maybe it's time I just went home. Last week was really nice. I could go back to that life. Maybe take on a bit of contract work on the side at the Mayor's office or something.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed. It was Harvey.

"My friend has a job opening at Reid Inc. I wonder if you were interested."

Of course I was interested, "What is the available position?"

"It's an assistant manager position, but directly under the CEO."

I blame it on the PMS, I answered immediately, "Yes."

"I'll forward your details directly. May I have your resume?"

I replied a quick "Thanks" and attached my resume.

And that was that. I know, I know... I didn't even think twice, nor did I bother to check and update my resume, but it was probably just an opportunity for an interview. It wouldn't be too late to change my mind.

That night the guys came home really noisily. Probably even drunk. There was quite a bit of crashing sounds. Mona kept shrieking excitedly and I could hear the guys yelling. I guess they had a bit too much fun. Whatever. I rolled over and went back to sleep.

The next morning was quiet. I woke up to a mess of broken computer parts and Tsumiki-chan in her various forms ripped up and shrewn around the living room. Posters ripped up to shreds, magazines and comics torn and balled up, game discs broken in two, figurines in tiny fragments, nothing was spared.

Did Marco have a fight with Tsumiki-chan? I picked up the human sized bolster. Her head was ripped off. Weren't those figurines like an entire year end bonus?

Was Marco that drunk last night? Well, he's going to regret it today. Poor Tsumiki-chan.

I banged on Marco's door, "Marco, clean up outside when you get up!"

The door swung open. It was Clara?

Eh? What happened?

She was wearing Marco's shirt.

Oh s***. No way.

"Where's Marco?" I asked.

"Sleeping." Clara answered, "Sorry about the mess. I lost my temper."

I looked at the headless Tsumiki-chan bolster in my hand, "You did this?"

"I got jealous." Clara answered simply.

Uh huh.

Wow. Wolves are a lot more honest with their feelings that I could ever be.

"Would you like breakfast?" I offered. Clara's eyes lit up, "Yes please."

Did wolves really eat a lot more than humans?

"Are eggs on toast okay?" I asked.

"Thank you. Can I help?" Clara was always considerate like that.

I shook my head, "Just take a seat."

I checked my email while eating and choked on my tea. I received a confirmed job offer from Reid Inc, directly from their CEO, Stephan Reid. They were offering to double my salary. The position needed to be filled urgently. When can I start work?

"Are you okay?" Clara asked.

"Yeah." I answered.

A direct offer from Reid Inc. The largest investment firm in Gate City.

"I have some things to do." I excused myself to my room and started typing my resignation. I had just enough paid leave to stop work effectively on Monday if HR allows me to clear it all.

Mr Philips actually replied immediately on a Saturday morning. He offered me a full accounts management position by the end of the year.

But I was done. Done playing the bridesmaid, the maybe mistress, the assitant manager.

Okay, I would still be an assistant manager at Reids BUT an assitant manager directly under the CEO of Reids was two promotions up from a full manager at Philips.

I mean, I've heard that to be a direct assistant manager to the CEO, you needed to first be a senior accounts manager.

It was too good to be true.