The nausea crept up her throat from the pit of her stomach; the realisation that yesterday was real.

My head collapsed into my pillow and I scream quietly.

Suddenly the door opens.

“You okay?” Mom replies softly.

I forgot that sensitive hearing runs in the family.

“Yeah,” I look up, a pout on my face.

“I told my boss off because he was being ferocious.”

“What did he do?” She says, sitting on my bed intently.

“He told me that no man would ever want me.” I groan, reliving the contents of Monday.

**My** boss came up to me. “Hello, Miss Shen,”

I bow and respond, a professional smile on my face. “Hello, sir.”

“I need you in my office,” He says flatly.

After finishing my last paper, I dread walking into his office and stand there staring at his office sign. “Mr. Len.”

He notices and opens the door.

“Hello.”

“Sorry to call you in abruptly,” He cuts to the chase.

“It’s fine.” I nod, ready to take on whatever he says.

“I’m not impressed with your sudden decrease in motivation to work.”

“Huh?” I ask.

“Don’t play an idiot, I have seen you.”

“Please elaborate sir,” I kept smiling despite his comments, and continued listening.

“It seems you haven’t been turning in your reports on time.”

“Sir, if you’re talking about the Hessen case, I can assure you—“ he cuts me off.

“No,” He replies, “I have warned you.”

“I don’t get this! I need this job!” I plead, then move to below a whisper, “You bald weirdo.”

“Ma’am, I am well aware of your whispers. You’re worth to this company is debatable.”

“Why? I don’t get what you’re talking about!”

“Oh yes, you do!”

“Is this because I didn’t want to go on a date with you?”

“Yes,” He tilts his head and scoffs sarcastically. “That’s what I’m talking about.” He pauses. “No man would want to date you anyway.”

“Sir.”

“Am I wrong?”

My confidence is chipped and my head sinks. But I still reply, “I don’t need this job.” I walk closer to him, talking underneath clenched teeth. “I could leave a drop of a hat, but we all know I’m one of the best workers here.”

His eyes widen and he laughs.

“He said _what_ to you?” My mom replies, ready to defend.

“Yup.”

“That idiot….” She starts but then pauses. “Our company is well off anyway.”

“But I thought that we were working with the company?”

“Must’ve heard wrong sweetie, not anymore,” She replies, a grin nipping at her lips._ Oh no. _

__

“You know what’s worse… I called him bald! He’s actually very attractive.”

She starts laughing, “That’s my girl.”