A week later

When I said I would be there to watch it all, I really meant it.

The day after we landed, I kept that promise to myself, I would not let myself back down from this. This game.

It's been almost a week, and Chopard is running around the office like a chicken that has lost its head. He'd done much more things than whenever he was hired in the first place.

And if that was stressing him out at first then this will surely crack him.

He's getting work to the bone and I'm watching it all. Whilst he's doing everything, I have been sitting in my office, quietly laughing to myself. This might be cruel but I trust that he will eventually learn how to cope with this.

Even though there are moments where I surely would've thought that Chopard would crack and crumble into a thousand pieces. Like whenever I add a new assignment on top of the ones he's already handling.

But no, all he does is sighs under his breath and tells me he'll get it done.

But sooner or later, he'll crack for sure, I know it–And I'll be here to watch the glory of his realization and shock, I just need the opportunity to push him.

But Chopard is not the only one who is busy running away, practically the whole office is, it's been like that since I got back from New York.

Workers and managers are running away, trying to get as much stuff done as possible as the days passes on. Papers are flying in the air as people are accidentally bumping into each other, managers are yelling orders and ect.

I can't blame them though, the launch is in three weeks time, and everything needs to be perfect for this launch to be a successful one, just like the last time.

But there's no doubt in my mind that things will work out perfectly.

Keeping in mind though, three weeks is basically a week, considering how much time passes when you are constantly busy, essentially consumed by work. So I need to be on track with every paperwork and make sure everything is in order.

No errors, no mistakes, everything has to be perfect. There is no room for anything else other than that.

While Chopard is supposedly still running around the office I suspect, I stand up from my desk, feeling the ache in my body as I've been sitting in this chair ever since this morning. Stretching, I decided to go take a few minute break.

Not wanting to leave the office building, I decided the best course of action was to make my way into the break room and grab a cup of coffee.

And even though I already have an assistant who can grab me a cup of coffee on my order, I decided not to call him in for the small reason, given that I have been locked inside my office for the whole day since I got here.

I just want to stretch my legs and get some fresh air. And fresh air means out of my cold office space.

Rounding my desk, and opening the door, I set my destination to the downstairs break room. Making my way down, my heels click loudly as people move out of my way, some of these people, I've never seen before in my life and most likely will never see again.

As I finally made it to the break room, I stopped short just when a group of people or men broke out into a loud laughter. I rested against the wall next to the door frame.

Not wanting to interact with them because of the joke they will most likely say–I'm sure they are just wrapping up, hopefully.

"Listen–" One dark voice said as he sniffled, "Have you guys see the way the new guy is doing, what is he? The CEO's assistant?"

"Oh right" Another voice added, "Oh yeah, I see the way he's running around here, that must suck, and the thing is though, he likes what? Late twenties?"

"I think he's twenty-seven or something, I don't know, I haven't been able to talk to the kid much, no thanks to his god awful job he applied for" A third voice said.

I smiled as I thought how sad it is, to be gossiping about another person. I know there are people at every workplace who gossip with their peers, but I expected that from younger people who dislikes another co-worker.

But I didn't expect it a lot from middle aged men, who are most likely balding in the center of their heads, and sound like they haven't cleared their throat in over thirty years.

But I guess I keep getting more surprised with each passing days.

They continued, "Personally, if I was forced to take that kind of position, I would not even think twice before jumping off a cliff without any protection" The man said as he let out a laugh.

The others agreed with him as one of the others added their intake, "I see this guy running all around the office, almost bumping into people. Out of all the times I see him, I only see him take one slip of water"

"Shit, now you see why HR is still keeping people's application for the job on standby"

"Oh really?"

"Yeah, you see the way the CEO is treating him? He's getting pushed against the glass and eventually he's going to break. HR sees this and they are already trying to find a new assistant just in case"

"That's bullshit" One spat out.

"I'm serious, you know how many assistants this woman has had in the past couple of years. She works them to the core, they make one mistake and they're out the door in five seconds"

"Oh yeah, that's what happen, surely it's going to happen with this one and the whole cycle is going to repeat"

"I feel bad for that kid, clearly he was excited to work here, he even was getting along with everyone and that's saying something. Because almost everyone in here is out for themselves"

I smiled to myself as I watched the clock on my watch go by, in just five minutes, they managed to agree on something that is not their business, something that doesn't even concern them.

Pathetic is what I think about the three men chatting it up in the break room, instead of working, or even going somewhere else to talk about their opinions, they instead think it's appropriate to talk about it in their workplace.

To my entertainment, they continued, curious to overhear what comes next out of their mouths.

"I mean, I agree, I feel sorry for the boy but the worst thing is that he has to report back to a woman"

My back straightened immediately as those words came out of a man's mouth, did he seriously just say that? I mean everyone has to report to me, that's how it works. These men are not the exception.

And what does me being a woman have to do with their concerns about Chopard?

I moved closer to the door frame, as I don't want to be seen by them just yet. But I want to hear what they have to say about my characteristics of being a woman.

"Oh yeah, if I was in his position, I don't even know how I would be able to live life" He laughed shortly, "Being led by a women, being told what to do by her, no wonder he's miserable"

They all laughed, they laughed. As if it's funny to be laughing at someone else being 'miserable' and laughing about the CEO who has the power to keep their job or not.

I know I shouldn't get heated because of this, because at the end of their day, there are just a bunch of rats in a system where they can't escape from. And if they wanted to, it would be very hard for them.

Calling them rats seems rude but it's true. Especially in the workforce, people need labor to keep everything going, even if people are working a dead end job to keep floating within the ninety-ninety percent.

They may not like the dead end job they work, but what else could they do? Quit suddenly and risk not paying bills or feeding their families? I don't think they will do that, they won't risk that.

Soulless industry. Soulless jobs. But gossiping with your co-workers will keep you entertained, I guess.

They continued, my mind fusing their voices together into one, to the point where I couldn't keep up with them separately, "I mean, it's ridiculous, it's always the women who does more, they think that just because they work 'harder' than men, they deserve to be included in the meetings"

I scoff quietly, as the men emphasized on 'harder', almost laughing to myself as I thought about what he meant by that, then it hit me.

They are insecure. Insecure about working under me, working under a woman. I don't understand though, it's just the same as if they were to work under a man, plus I bet they haven't even seen me. How can they judge me without seeing me?

Well, if they had seen me, then maybe I just haven't noticed them. Cleary.

"Exactly, women who get their nails dirty are trying to prove themselves that they can do it and they can just have the benefits of the men working the same job. But in the end it just doesn't work out, they get to emotional and to invested into their workers for some reason and–"

"In my opinion, I just think women need to stay in the kitchen, like my wife. She doesn't argue, doesn't pushes back and she's actually fulfilling her role in society"

They laugh once again, they laugh hard. I can't even to begin how disgusted I am, how did these rats slip in here? Well, based on the familairy they have with each other, and the comfort to discuss such topics, probably for years.

Years and they think about me and women like that, disgusting. And they laugh like it's funny to think of women as just objects that need to stay in the kitchen.

Yes, some women like that type of life and I don't blame them or judge them in any sense. If I had a rich husband, I would be too–But I don't. In any case, I am the rich husband and should get myself a stay at home husband instead.

But women have come such a long way from this, I'm sure everyone knows the history about the movement. But it pains me to hear or see that there are men who see no value in them, other than someone to clean the house, cook the food and watch over the kids.

Not caring about their hobbies, feelings or interests.

I guess there are men out there who see women going into a male-dominated workplace and instantly thinking that she's trying to prove herself to them or herself, which in most cases, is wrong. Forgetting the face that it might excite her and she just wants to try it out. Seeing where it leads her.

I breathe out slowly, the men's voices and laugher going deaf in my ears, not wanting to hear anymore of their clearly undeveloped frontal lobe.

Deciding to take action as a woman not fulfilling her 'role', to say the least, as I'm just viewed to them like that.

Holding my head up high as I don't think twice but to walk in the break room, staring down the three men before going over to the coffee marker, placing a mug under it, and starting up the machine.

I don't know how long it's been listening to their conversation but one thing I do know is that I'm going to prove them right. By proving myself to them and myself, and get my nails dirty in the process.

Assuming that they see me preparing my coffee, they stop laughing as my eyes return to them once again, this time crossing my arms compared to their now stance, which is telling me that they want to hide away, their slow and small movements trying to move past me.

Before they can even reach a step towards the door, I start to drill into them with full force.

"How much of a low life are you guys? To talk about me and one of my staff in the manner you think is appropriate" I questioned, "I mean hell, I don't even know you guys or even your names and that's telling"

They avoided eye contact with me, their faces saying and realizing that they've been caught and they don't know how to bounce back from this.

But I continue, the coffee now turning dark as the filter starts to set in, "Degrading women to only one job of being a housewife and that is her only value is very telling of the three of you. And women choosing to work is not just for the approval of men or the world, but I think your mind can't expand on that idea."

Carrying on I said, "From what I can inspect, the two of you" I said pointing towards the two men with my index and middle finger, "Aren't even married, you think this way of women and yet, you can't even find a women willing to be a housewife for you"

The two men I pointed to tried to hide their hands, behind their backs or covering it with the various items in their hand. Trying to play it cool as if it's natural.

"And you–" I said, pointing towards the one who is actually married, "Your wife probably is disgusted by you, maybe she is looking for a way out, or it might be the opposite. She might really love you and you are just putting on a persona in front of your co-workers to fit in, who knows" Shrugging my shoulders, calmly checking on my coffee.

"No offense–" One of the guys started saying as he nervously laughs.

Cutting him off, I restate, "No offense, but I don't want a bunch of low life, forty-something years old balding men working for me with that mindset"

The room becomes silent as no one speaks, the three men before me hold their breaths, as if to try and make themselves disappear.

I laugh shortly in one breath as I clarify in a low tone, "That means you're fired"

The moment I said that, the three men scrambled out of the room, trying to get out as fast as they could, looking back at me, as if I was going to change my mind about my decision.

Grinning to myself, I felt superious. And perfect timing as my coffee is done brewing.

Just when I pick up the mug, I get a text, my phone vibrating in my pocket as I reach down and snatch it up, staring down at the screen as the text is from Ruby.

'Someone is here to see you, personal matter'

Hey Alexa, what the song that includes the lyrics, this is modern feminism?

-Summer Roe