Page 2 of Minding the Minotaur
“Yes.” I smile tremulously, releasing my hands from the vice of my knees, anticipating a gem of rare praise from Marsha.
And then she drops the bomb.
“She’s Ronald DeVine’s niece.”
“I—I?—”
“You frog marched THE NIECE OF OUR REVERED OWNER through the store in front of our customers, then handed her over to the police.” Marsha’s face contorts. “Ronald is LIVID.”
My cheeks prickle with heat as my mind races through yesterday’s events.
It had been a coup, catching that girl slipping a pair of earrings into her pocket. I’d thought she looked suspicious in her big coat, just roaming around the jewelry department, so I followed her. I did everything by the book. Filling in the incident report, calling the police, and watching smugly as the officer handcuffed her and marched her out. Oh yeah, I was chuffed with myself.
But it seems I inadvertently handed Ronald DeVine’s niece over to the authorities. Ronald Devine, the owner of the store, who also happens to be the mayor of this revered city.
FUCK. FUCKITY FUCK.
I am so going to pay for this.
I try to stifle a groan, but it comes out as a strangled squeak.
“I’m so sorry, Marsha,” I manage to whisper hoarsely.
“Sorry won’t cut it.” Marsha’s voice slices through my groveling like a hot knife through butter.
“No—please. I—let me make it right. I’ll send a letter of apology, anything?—”
“It’s too late. The news has already leaked to the press. It’ll be front page feature in tomorrow’sSparkle Daily. Fenella’s sweet little face smudged with tears under the heading,De-mean De-vines. It’s either my fucking ass on the line, Samantha, or yours. And it certainly isn’t going to be mine.” She finishes on an almost hysterical laugh, and amid my horror, I realize that Marsha is shaken. For our Iron Lady to show a smidge of vulnerability, things must be dire.
I’m a goner. There’s no point even trying to argue. I lace my fingers together and stare at my whitening knuckles as tears prick the back of my eyelids.
“You’re sacked, Samantha. Effective immediately.”
I bow my head to hide the tears that threaten to overflow, but I don’t dare wipe my eyes for fear of looking pathetic. I don’t even dare ask about severance pay, or my last wage packet. I can’t risk being savaged all over again by the bitch.
“Go,” Marsha barks. “Pack up your locker and get out of DeVines. You’re a disgrace to our organization.”
I stand up, and with my teeth clenched and my arms rigid by my sides, I walk out of Winters’ office.
But when the elevator doors close behind me, I lose it. Everything crumples in on me like the walls of a cardboard box collapsing. I slide down the wall to the floor, sobbing, my hands over my face.
Working as an Assets Protection Officer at DeVines is the only job I’ve ever known. It pays for my tiny apartment, and a modest social life, by Sparkle standards. One day I dream of meeting a guy who doesn’t cheat on me. If we’re one of thelucky couples, maybe we’ll have a baby, raise them, and finally retire to Paradise Beach like my parents. (It’s a fake beach, of course, like the sunshine, but it’s the poshest suburb in Sparkle.) But without a job, how will I even pay my rent? And how will I get another job? There’s no hope in hell that Winters will give me a reference after this.
Soon, that photo of Ronald DeVine’s cute little niece in the lock-up will be all over the city.
With my name as the perpetrator of her humiliation.
Samantha Buggins.
Fat, infamous, and a total fucking failure.
As the elevator bumps to a halt, I check the control panel. At least we’ve reached the staff floor without anyone finding me here in a blubbering heap.
As the elevator doors open, I look up to see Clem standing in front of me. I can’t help a little sob. She reaches in and in typical Clem fashion, hauls me to my feet. She may be small, but she’s strong. And then her arms are around me and she’s giving me the biggest hug, which just makes everything worse.
My tears wet her shirt as I bury my head in her neck. “How do you know already?” I gulp out.
“News travels fast—and so does Winters’ voice over the staff room intercom.”
