Chapter 11: Chapter 11
"The performance this week has been subpar this week. I haven't seen this type of delay in a long time. Did something happen?"
They shook their heads.
"Is there any complaint that you have? Have I done something wrong that makes you work like this?" I demanded.
They shook their heads again. That's right. At least they have shame.
I stay overtime every single day so that you can leave early.
"Then, what is this sub-par performance? I expect perfection from all of you! We're one of the best working units but the performance rate has been disappointing, to say the least."
I paused and caught my breath. "What am I supposed to do?"
I sighed and massaged my forehead. The silence was deafening and echoed throughout the floor.
"We've gotten a little too comfortable," I tapped my clipboard impatiently and looked around at everyone. "Can you all not do it? Have I been too soft on you?"
They shook their heads. "No, we'll do better."
Good answer.
"At least you know how to answer," I glared at each pair of eyes.
"Look. I'm frustrated because I know just how good we are," my tone softened, "we're the best unit in the entire corporation. We're always the ones to get out the earliest. Right?"
I looked towards them for affirmation and they agreed.
"I'm disappointed because I expect the very best, from the people that have always given me the very best. I'm disappointed because it's you guys that I trust. I trust you and your abilities."
I sighed and sat down on a desk.
"Do you trust me?"
They all nodded, "Yes, manager."
"I trust you guys too. And I work my bones off to be able to give you guys the best that I got. It's my responsibility as your Head, but if I work so much to give you all the best, but then this happens, I feel as if you guys don't care for yourselves, or my time, as much as I care for you."
They guiltily looked into my eyes and nodded.
"I've worked with you for a while now, and I know just how great we can be. Can I trust you guys still?"
With flames in their eyes, they nodded.
"Alright," I sighed.
Before I left, "Manager Alice," a voice sounded out softly. Ah, of course, it's this guy.
I said nothing, but my eyes demanded that he continue.
"Everyone was being very nice and helping me out and making sure I'm doing well… I might have affected the performance this time." He paused. "I'm not that important that I would have such a significant impact on the team, but if there's anyone to blame right now it should be me."
"So then what should we do about you? Do we transfer you? Should we lay you off?"
He shook his head, "No. Naturally, since I affected everyone like this, I'll also correct the mistakes."
"Heh," I scoffed, "So you're saying you'll take responsibility for all of this?"
He nodded, "I'll be responsible for this."
"Then I'll be expecting immediate results, rookie."
That day, I was not the last to leave at an extremely late hour.
The next day, he had finished his assignments. He had spent on week observing the work dynamic and immediately got to work.
We needed someone to fill out his job to smoothen the flow of communication between teams and ensure that we were all working towards a common goal.
Of course, we did do that before his arrival, but it's different to have someone with a specialized goal dedicating their hours to ensuring cohesive performance.
For the following weeks, we received a great thumbs up from the Director's Board and even I could finally leave early every day. The executives handed me envelopes to hand bonuses to everyone under my supervision.
Our problem had NOT been our work efficiency or communication, but Ivan had laid out clear road maps and diagrams and set up optimal meetings for everyone to understand the work others were doing.
He's not as useful as I make him out to be, because anyone else could have done a job like that. Still, his effort and impact were commendable.
He invited us all to eat dinner together and thanked us for being the best coworkers he could have received.
Though the workplace was quiet and serious, these people got extremely rowdy once we went out to celebrate.
"Well, since I'm the oldest, I have to pay for the drinks, don't I?" One of the seniors said with a smile.
"No way," Ivan replied, "Since I'm the youngest, naturally I have a duty to pay the tab."
The drunk men laughed and patted his shoulder heavily.
He then poured a shot for everyone, including myself, and smiled widely at me, "Thank you, Manager Alice."
I merely nodded at him.
After a month of work, I had no more complaints about his work ethic.
…
Weeks later.
"Well, I fall asleep often when I'm taking a cab back home…"
"Hey, isn't that a little too dangerous? You have to be careful. You're especially young and have a lot more to live for," the people in the office lectured him.
"Haha… I've been kind of a sleepy person my whole life so it's a little hard sometimes… especially when the driver puts on good jazz."
They laughed. "Why not just come earlier and then leave a little earlier, too?"
He brought his hand up to his chin, "Hmm, that's a good idea. Why didn't I think of it before?" They laughed, "Even better. What if I just get a place near here?"
"That wouldn't be a bad idea. Getting rid of the traffic and travel time to home gives you more free time." One discussed.
Another spoke up, "Aren't you a little too workaholic for your age? At your age, I went out partying almost 3 times a week…" Ivan's face paled a little at the mention of partying but he laughed it off.
"Haha, I'm not that much of a party person."
"Look at this guy. Hard-working and doesn't like to go ut partying. I think we're dealing with a trained house husband."
Ivan laughed.
"By the way, are there any good places here to live in?"
"Well, there's a complex of apartments. To be honest, I was planning on moving there but my wife said she doesn't like apartments so we just settled for a house… If you live alone then it's a good place for you."
He nodded. "Thank you very much."
The whole time, I was looking at the documents trying to ignore their conversation. I gripped the document tensely.
If he actually lives in my apartment, I'll be frustrated.
I'm not antisocial, but home is time for me to wind down after a long day at work.
I like to walk around the complex and feel the fresh air and I definitely do not want that alone time to be interrupted by anyone.
It would be really awkward to see him at the entrance after getting out of work.
I do not want to have to avoid anyone, or a specific spot where I live because I know someone might be there.
Ah… It's not that I hate him, I just really don't like interacting with others.
Call me antisocial but that's just me.
I've noticed he acts a little different compared to his high school days but who knows when he'll reveal his true colors.
People can change, but I've been proven wrong many times before.
I sighed and massaged my forehead.
Gone are my days of being able to walk quietly into an elevator without any awkward small talk…
Please live in another building…
…
I hate this. So he goes ahead and chooses the building I specifically did not want him to.
Ahh, I'm going to cut his salary…
I went down the elevator to the apartment lobby to pick up my food delivery.
Happily clicking the Lobby button in the elevator, I waited patiently, having completely forgotten about Ivan.
I noticed a man near the reception but paid him no mind.
"Hey," I walked over to the reception desk next to the man.
"Broccoli pizza?" the lady looked up at me. They knew that I often ordered Broccoli pizza.
I nodded and she handed over my pizza box. On my phone, I clicked 'Received' on the delivery app.
I turned around to leave and was appalled to see a co-worker's unsightly mug.
He was distracted on his phone, seemingly waiting for someone.
Noticing my glance, he looked up from his phone and looked back at me. As he scanned my features, it took him a while to recognize my face.
He paled considerably when he realized it was me.
"Hello… I didn't know you also lived here."
He gave a friendly wave.
"...Mr. Hayes."
"Yes?"
"...Did you not like the two other buildings?" I snarled at him and I could see his regret beginning to develop.
"Ah… haha… The apartment administrator recommended this building to me…" He scratched his head.
"Hmmm. I see."
He could notice my obvious dislike for him. He also did not feel too comfortable being with someone that glared at him so often.
"..."
"..."
The silence went on for an eternal few seconds.
"So… Broccoli Pizza?" he casually asked.
"Yeah, I like Broccoli. You?" I answered, a little more friendly upon realizing that he hadn't really done anything wrong, yet.
I don't want to be an unreasonable person, but sometimes I act how I was taught to act as a child.
"I like broccoli, just never tried Broccoli pizza… It doesn't sound bad, though…"
I opened the box and demonstrated it to him. "Take one," I offered.
The smell wafted into my nose and my heart lightened in a good mood.
I felt a little bad seeing how he felt extremely uncomfortable seeing me.
I didn't want it, but he didn't want it either, therefore I can't fault him too much.
He glanced at me and reached his hand to tear off a slice.
With trepidation, he brought up the pizza to his mouth.
He took a bite out of it and his eyes showed surprise and most of all, delight.
"Haha… no way, you liked it?"
His comically wide eyes blinked once and twice and he took another bite while nodding.
"Oh wow. It's good."
I laughed at his clumsy expression.
Seeing my laugh, he sheepishly scratched his cheek, "Thank you. It tastes really good."
"Right? That's what I tell everyone." I laughed.
He suddenly glanced behind me and perked up.
"Oh, that's the administrator. Thanks for the pizza, I'll see you tomorrow at work."
He smiled at me and I nodded while watching him walk over to a woman dressed professionally.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
CyanSuch
CyanSuch Thank you.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone