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My attempt to explain the call to Lydia is met with a dismissive wave of his hand. "I don't care. Personal calls during work hours are not acceptable. You're here to work, not socialize. Is that clear?"
The weight of his disapproval settles on my shoulders once again. "Yes, Mr. Perrington," I respond, my voice subdued. The remainder of the meeting is a blur of directives and expectations, the earlier reassurance from Lydia now a distant memory.
As I leave Jake's office, the atmosphere in the office seems to shift. My coworkers avoid eye contact, sensing the tension in the air. The weight of the day's events bears down on me, and a palpable unease lingers.
Returning to my desk, I try to refocus on my work, but the earlier conversation with Lydia feels like a distant echo. The camaraderie that brought comfort now seems out of reach, replaced by the harsh reality of Jake's expectations.
Throughout the day, the initial regret transforms into a persistent sense of despondency. The office conversations around me become muffled, their meaning lost in the fog of disappointment that clouds my mind.
Colleagues attempt small talk, but my responses are curt, my usual warmth replaced by a guarded demeanor. The coffee spill becomes a symbol of a day gone awry, and Jake's reprimand serves as a constant reminder that mistakes, even minor ones, carry consequences.
As the workday draws to a close, I find solace in the routine of packing up my belongings. The once vibrant office now feels muted, its energy drained by the events of the day.
CHAPTER 2
Jake Lee Perrington
I know something is wrong with the file folder the instant I touch it. It’s lighter. Lighter than I expected, and I look at Karla—thenew paralegal. She is looking at her shoes. Her jet-black hair is tied up in a bun.
“So what’s this?”
“It’s the Farrah’s Corporation file.”
“Feels a bit light.”
“That was all I saw,” she tells me, her voice completely professional. There’s a stray hair on her face that she’s puffing at and trying to get away from her face without me noticing.
I notice anyway. She plays with her hand and waits for me to dismiss her, but I don’t.
“Sit,” I tell her. “Give me the most important stuff in the case.”
She opens her mouth and starts to explain the case.
I think about the call I’d taken earlier about the mishandling of evidence, and I try to take my mind off it.
“Stop,” I suggest not bringing up the worker's injury when she starts talking about it. She looked at me, waiting for me to tell her why I’d told her to pause. I can’t quite place my finger on it yet. I know that I am going to. Just not yet.
The air in the office thickens as the tension between us escalates. Karla, still seated, looks up at me with a mix of apology and desperation, her attempt to salvage her professional standing in the firm evident.
"Mr. Perrington, I understand the seriousness of this situation, and I assure you, I didn't deliberately omit any documents. I wouldn't jeopardize a case intentionally," Karla asserts, her voice a blend of sincerity and anxiety.
I pace back and forth in front of my desk, frustration gnawing at me. "Karla, we've been working on this Farrah's Corporation case for months. The stress is already unbearable, and now, this?" I gesture towards the incomplete file. "I expected a paralegal to make my life easier, not more difficult."
She bites her lip, a sign of nervousness, but maintains her composure. "Mr. Perrington, I didn't know about the missing documents. I was given what I thought was the complete file. I had no intention of causing any complications."
I stop pacing, locking eyes with her. "This isn't just a complication, Karla. This is a serious lapse that could impact the entire case. Our client is depending on us, and you've put that in jeopardy."
Her apologetic gaze falters for a moment, but she quickly regains her resolve. "I'm truly sorry, Mr. Perrington. If there's anything I can do to fix this, I'll do it. I'll work day and night if necessary."
I pause, the weight of the situation pressing on me. "Karla, I needed someone reliable, someone who can handle the pressure of a case like this. I can't afford mistakes, especially from a paralegal."
She swallows hard, her eyes welling with regret. "I promise I'll do whatever it takes to make this right. I'll go back, retrace my steps, and find those missing documents."
But my frustration overrides any reassurances. "I wanted efficiency, not someone who creates more work for me. I thought I could rely on you, but it seems I was wrong."
Karla's eyes mirror the hurt in her voice. "I understand your disappointment, Mr. Perrington, and I'm genuinely sorry for anyinconvenience I've caused. I'm still learning, and I'm committed to improving."
I lean against my desk, my expression is stern. "Karla, this case is at a critical juncture, and we can't afford any setbacks. I need to be able to trust my team, and right now, that trust is shaken."
