Chapter 8

The emails started as a nuisance. The first ones didn't even make it to my inbox folder.

However, in time they started to appear more frequently and with more things. I thought that someone was trying to pull a prank on me.

Then the messages started to get more heated, more personal. And it started to bother me with the details that were given. Stating how I looked stupid using a shirt of my favorite band to work.

I got really paranoid about that. How could this troll know what kind of clothes I was wearing at work? That could only mean one thing: This was someone here.

And it wasn't hard to figure out who.

When one of the emails mentioned how ugly I was and how I shouldn't even exist, I couldn't hold back anymore. I opened the internal chat that we had on the company and sent a message to Kristal:

_ That is enough. Stop it.

She took some time to answer me, but then the message came back.

_ What are you talking about weirdo?

That pissed me off. This was exactly what I should have expected. But I didn't want to have her tormenting me anymore.

_ I know it is you, and it's not funny.

_ I don't know what you are talking about.

_ You are writing all of those things to me. - I wrote back in fury. - Stop it or I will report you to HR.

_ You are crazy?! I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT!!!

I lost it with that. She was tormenting me and I was sure of it. I copied the emails and sent them straight to Samantha. It took about 5 minutes for a new group chat to open up and she asked us to go to the conference room.

We arrived basically at the same time and Kristal started to talk right away.

_ I don't know what is it this time, but I didn't do anything! I don't care what he says.

_ In... side... - Samantha said angrily while trying to keep things civil. She clearly didn't want to discuss things in the hallway.

We hurried inside and as soon as the door closed me and Kristal started talking at the same time.

_ I started receiving these emails right after you got the warning. Do you think it is a coincidence?

_ What are you talking about? Emails? Do you think I have time to write anything to you?

_ I know that it has to be someone from inside the company. You are the only person who I had any problem with.

_ So that is more reason to stay away from you... weirdo. I don't want to lose my job because of you. This is harassment!

_ Enough! Both of you. - Samantha said while taking her glasses off and rubbing the bridge of her nose.

We both got quiet and then she motioned us to sit at the table. Once we were all set, she started to talk.

_ I called you both here so we could have a real conversation. An honest conversation. - Samantha said while looking at Kristal. - I will not be babysitting you two while you throw accusations at each other.

_ How can I be accused of something when I don't even know what he is talking about? - Kristal said annoyed.

_ Adam is saying that you are sending emails to him with harassment. These emails are being directed to his personal and professional accounts.

_ I am not. - She said immediately.

_ You are lying. - I responded. - Just as you were lying when you said that you didn't remember me!

_ I didn't know you were pissed about this. Bullying was not as common back then.

_ And you still think that is funny to bully people.

_ I said that this wasn't me! - She said now almost screaming in my face.

_ Shut up! Both of you. - Samantha said raising her voice. - You are starting to make my head hurt.

Me and Kristal stood there in silence, but we stared daggers at each other. I knew that she was lying, all I needed was for someone to believe it.

_ Listen to me. - Samantha started - The emails that are being received by Adam are considered harassment to a member of the company, so it will be investigated thoroughly, but, regardless of this, you should not be accusing anyone without proof.

I was dumbfounded.

_ But she...

_ She can do however she likes because, without any proof, you are just harassing her.

The smile on Kristal's face was infuriating. She knew that she could not be pinned for this. Could it be that she was planning it all along?

_ And you... - Samantha said while the smile on Kristal faded. - If we discover that you are involved in ANYTHING related to this, I will file for you to be fired immediately. I will not have any other excuse.

_ Of course. - Kristal said trying to appear calm. - I have nothing to hide.

_ In the meantime, I strongly suggest that both of you try to stay clear of each other. If I hear complaints about this again without proof, I will do what is best for the company. - She looked at both of us for a long moment - Are we understood?

_ Yes.

_ Yes.

_ Good. - Samantha breathed out. - Now, Kristal you can go. Adam please stay as I have a few words for you.

Kristal said nothing but it was clear that she was satisfied with the result of the meeting. When she exited the door she looked back and blinked at me in a happy mood.

As soon as the door closed, Samantha started.

_ I told you to come to me first. Didn't I?

I was taken aback for a moment.

_ But I did. You were the first person that I called when I started receiving the emails.

_ Then why do I have screenshots of cryptic messages from you to Kristal?

_ Well... that... - I started to stutter, but Samantha cut me off.

_ That is the definition of not coming first to me. - She said in an impatient tone. - Now I have messages that you are harassing her in company time. Do you understand that?

I kept quiet and looked at the table. This was not my ideal scenario, but I was so sure that she was doing it, that I didn't even consider the consequences. Samantha breathed out and got up, looming over me.

_ Listen to me and listen closely. If you get any evidence that she is doing this, you come straight to me. I can handle it. - She said with a sharp tone. - But if you screw up, she will eat you alive. You gotta be smarter than her or you will be prey again. Do you understand?

I gulped down remembering what happened in college. I thought that all would stay in the past. But now, it seemed that a simple email was enough to crumble the foundation that I made.

I wasn't going to let her win. Not again.