In the office, Vanessa sits down beside her coworker, with a worried expression on her face. She dialed Carolyn’s and she picked up immediately.
“Hey. How are you? Carolyn started the conversation before Vanessa could talk.
“I’ve been transferred.” Sadness enveloped Vanessa as she shared the news with Carolyn.
“Why? Did you do something wrong? Did you get on Mr Rogers’ nerve? Questions stumbled out of Carolyn’s mouth as she heard the news.
“I’m sure I didn’t get on Mr Rogers’ nerve. Vanessa’s voice was low. I asked him the same thing. He said it was a good opportunity for a diligent staff member like me.”
“That’s bullshit. That’s a shitty excuse. You should not go without a fight.” Carolyn advised Vanessa.
“I’ve done that, but he didn’t change his mind.” over the phone, Carolyn could hear the sadness in Vanessa’s voice as she complained about the current situation.
“Where are you transferred to?” Carolyn asked.
“That’s the problem. The company I’m being moved to is owned by Darryl. Isn’t that too much of a coincidence?” Vanessa voiced out.
She had been thinking about it since she got the news about D’Peters. Was it just a coincidence that, after her encounter with Darryl, he decided to buy the company she works for? However, she didn’t believe Darryl would spend a huge amount of money just on a game. He was not stupid.
“You mean you are moving to D’Peters? That’s a surprise, I won’t lie.” Carolyn’s voice boomed over the phone as she expressed her surprise. “I feel like it is just a mere coincidence. Don’t overthink it.”
Carolyn reassures Vanessa, tells her that it is likely just a coincidence and that she shouldn’t read too much into it.
“I don’t know what to do at this point. Should I just quit the job? Vanessa asked Carolyn. Vanessa didn’t expect Carolyn to answer her question. It was a rhetorical question. People say that when they are confused and frustrated.
“Are you for real? Are you willing to throw your future away because of a misunderstanding? Carolyn was furious like a mother scolding her child. “I already told you, it was just coincidentally. It is nothing serious.”
“Just get started like it is your former job. You won’t see him often because you work in a different department, so you won’t have a problem with the transfer.” Carolyn, in a supportive manner, offers Vanessa advice on how to best adapt to the upcoming changes. “You will be fine.”
“I hope so. I really do hope it.” Vanessa lamented over the phone. Their exchanged goodbyes weren’t like their usual ones. The news was overwhelming for Vanessa, talking to her mother made it worse.
It dawned on her that she was lonely. How could a grown-up woman like her have no other friend than Carolyn? She wondered. She was grateful to have Carolyn by her side, but she didn’t know if that was enough.
She shook her head as she dismissed the sorrowful thoughts filling her head, but she tasted the pain deep down her throat.
The tension crackled in the air as Carolyn slammed the phone down after her conversation with Vanessa. Vanessa’s news, that Darryl had bought the company, hung heavy in the air.
“Must everything be a game to him?” She pondered. Her worried frown deepened as she immediately dialed her husband Dawson’s line to ask him for a detailed explanation of what happened.
Carolyn knew Dawson was always aware of Darryl’s plans. Both men worked closely when playing their silly game.
“Hi, this is Dawson, leave a message”. Carolyn watched the call go to voicemail as she called him the second time. She knew he might be busy, but she was too curious to know what was going on with Darryl and Vanessa.
Following the third ring, Dawson answered his phone. Carolyn sighed in relief even if she was upset about the whole situation. She knew Vanessa was hurt by the change. She could hear in her voice as they talked over the phone.
Carolyn didn’t have time to exchange pleasantries with her husband as she connected with him over the phone.
“Dawson, you won’t believe this,” Carolyn said as soon as Dawson picked up. “Vanessa just told me Darryl bought the company she works for!”
A sigh of exasperation escaped Dawson. “Calm down, Carolyn,” he soothed. “It is not a big deal. Actually, I just left him, and he assured me he wouldn’t go too far.”
Carolyn wasn’t convinced. She knew Darryl’s tactics. “But Dawson,” she countered, “that is too much! He’s clearly on a power trip.”
Dawson explained, “Look, I know Darryl likes to play games. But trust me, he told me he has things under control.”
“I won’t sit back and watch him hurt her.” she warned him. “I won’t allow him to play with her career. Buying the company she works for was too much.”
“Everything is under control. Darryl promised me that.” Dawson assured her again.
Carolyn wasn’t entirely buying it. While Dawson might be placating her, she knew better. “We all know Darryl goes too far with his games.”
“Why are you so worked up about Darryl? Leave Vanessa alone, she can fight her battles” Dawson could tell that Carolyn was not taking the news lightly. And arguing with her wasn’t an option either.
“Buying a company to get her attention just for some silly challenge is not normal news, like broadcasting the weather,” Carolyn countered.
“I understand you. This might look like a game now, but you don’t know what the future holds for both of them. Dawson teased Carolyn. He knew Carolyn had always wanted to link Darryl up with Vanessa. Now, the universe has done it for her.
“Darryl doesn’t act like someone that cares about the future.” She caught at his flimsy excuse.
Darryl loved playing games, and Carolyn wouldn’t tolerate him using her best friend, Vanessa, as a pawn. A steely glint entered her eyes. She may not be able to control Darryl, but she wouldn’t let him manipulate Vanessa.