Five Years Being “Practical,” Then I Made My Dream Pay Off Chapter 03
The next morning. HR told me I needed to come in and complete my formal termination paperwork.
The break room buzzed with gossip, and my termination was the main topic.
Did you hear? The top–performing designer on our team got
let go. Word is she rubbed higher–ups the wrong way.”
Poor office politics. Being good at your job doesn’t mean everything here. This famous design studio doesn’t run purely on talent.”
She pushed herself so hard every single day, and look where it got her. Once leadership decides you’re no good, nothing else matters.”
I sat there, forcing a tight, bitter smile.
Then my phone rang in my pocket. Zoe’s voice came through the phone.
Aria, I heard what happened with you getting fired. I’m so sorry. I was just joking around at that dinner; I never imagined your supervisor would take it seriously.
Look, I ordered coffee deliveries under your name to your office, they should arrive soon. Think of it as my apology gift.”
She hung up before I could answer,
The studio strictly prohibited employees from ordering afternoon tea on their own. Violations led to fines, or even
public disciplinary notices for the whole company.
My heart sank. I tried calling Zoe back to cancel the order, but the delivery driver called me first. “Ms. Hill? Your coffee order is here. Front desk won’t accept it. Can you come pick it up?”
I hurried downstairs, feeling light–headed. “I’m sorry, please cancel this order. I refuse to take it.”
The delivery driver’s friendly tone turned sharp. “Refuse? This
is cash–on–delivery. What is your problem? Don’t make this hard for me. Pay first, sort everything out with the vendor later.”
Every set of eyes in the lobby locked onto me.
The front–desk staff spoke sharply, “Which department are
you from? Don’t you know ordering outside food and drinks is strictly prohibited? You ordered this huge batch. Give me your full name. This is going straight to management.”
A lump sat heavy in my throat. I couldn’t get a word in edgewise. “I didn’t place this order.”
“Your name is printed right here!”
Zoe’s phone went straight to voicemail when I redialed. I kept trying to explain, yet neither the driver nor the receptionist would listen.
The driver needed to make his next drop–off, and the
receptionist demanded the issue be resolved immediately.
I ended up paying for dozens of coffees–nearly a week’s wages
-and contacted the vendor to request a return.
The vendor flat–out refused, “Sorry, once placed, orders cannot be returned.”
Front desk wouldn’t store the drinks, so the driver set all of them down on the floor. HR found me downstairs staring at the mess.
HR was furious. “Aria, what were you thinking? You openly broke company rules on your last day! My supervisor just chewed me out because of this mes.”
“Get all of this out of here and come upstairs to sign your termination papers. That’s a three–thousand–dollar fine. Rules are rules.”
Staff streamed past me. Everyone watched as I hauled pile after pile of coffee cups over to the trash cart. I could hear people whispering.
“It’s awful. She almost kept her position, and now she’s burned every bridge with management.”
“Exactly. She sabotaged herself.”
The second I finished signing my termination papers. Walter called. “Zoe is always so thoughtful and good with people. Even after losing your job, she helped you leave on decent terms. Come back and take her out for dinner to thank her.”
His tone was commanding, as though I had received some great favor.
Hearing those words left me completely numb. I thought
about conceding one final time for our relationship, hoping he might finally understand.
My voice was heavy with exhaustion as I said. “Walter. are you aware that our company doesn’t allow employees to order afternoon tea on their own? My supervisor was actually considering keeping me. Zoe just destroyed my last shot.”
Silence hung on the line for a beat. Walter’s voice shifted, with a faint note of irritation.
“But her intentions were good. Don’t hold this against her.”
The very first thing he said was to defend Zoe.
Enough, I told myself. Don’t debase yourself any further, Aria.
Walter, we’re done. We’re breaking up.”