Peace Offering

Rather than heading straight to my office, I made a detour to the coffee shop on the other side of the business complex. Since I'd started working at Haute I'd made a few coffee runs for my coworkers. Some of those coworkers, like Hannah and Rachel had been appreciative. Some, well, namely Dana, had treated like an obligation. Something I had to do for her. Regardless, I'd learned the "usual" order for both my boss and my rival.

My boss, Hannah, her order was a simple mocha late. Nothing too fancy, easy to remember.

Dana, on the other hand, I had her order memorized because she lost her world every time it was a little off. I did feel bad asking the barista for a Quad Grande, Non Fat, Extra Hot Caramel Macchiato Upside Down, but the whole shop knew who it was for. On one hand, most of us tipped well when we put in that monstrosity of an order. On the other, if the order was wrong, not only would Dana chew out the person who placed the order, but more often than not, she'd bitch and moan about it again the next time she was in the cafe. The staff had long learned it was easier just to make the stupid drink right, than put up with her bullshit.

I grabbed bunch of pastries for everyone else. Haute is a fun place to work, but the rumor mill has a tendency to work overtime. I am sure that getting sent home early on Friday hadn't done me any favors.

Now, while I had Hannah's drink to try and accumulate a bit of good will, my reason for buying Dana's was a bit more contrived. Oh, she was getting a coin. There was no doubt about that. What was up for debate was how I was going to go about "inducting" her into the harem. I was going to give her just enough rope to hang herself with.

Back off at the office, I ran into Hannah while dropping off the pastries. After thanking me for the coffee, she mentioned that her assistant was out for the day, and to just join her in her office for "our little discussion." I had to rattle the coins in my pocket to prevent my confidence from deserting me at that.

"Oh. There you are Mike. I see you showed up for your execution. I hope you brought a box for all your shit." Ah. There she is. You could just hear the sneer in Dana's voice.

"Dana!" Hannah admonished the brunette behind me. "Just like you got to tell your side on Friday, Michael will get his chance today. Nothing's been decided yet."

Putting on my best smile, I turned to face my accuser. "Morning Dana. Hope you had a good weekend. Look, I don't know what I've done to upset you, but I got you a little peace offering." Depending on how she responded, I'd know if we would be taking the easy route, or the hard route.

"Psh. After the shit you did? A measly coffee won't make a dent. Though, it looks like you may have finally gotten my order right. Too bad you waited until your last day to learn how to such a simple task." Hard route it is then. Game on.

"Enough. Dana, go to your office. Mike, I'll see you in mine in five minutes. I'd recommend you don't be late."

"You got it, Hannah. Dana, I'll see you later." Moving down the hallway I stashed my stuff in my office, and then quickly tapped out an email. I hoped this worked the way I wanted it to. I got the wording exactly as I wanted it, but didn't hit send. Yet. I had to get to Hannah's office, and for the first time in years, I was ecstatic that I would have to pass by Dana's office to get to Hannah's.

Seemed like Dana was happy for it too. She must have heard me coming, as she started playing the "Funeral March" as I approached. "Dead man walking!" She jeered as I stopped in her doorway.

"Cute. But I don't think this is going to play out the way you think it is Dana. I just hope that when the dust settles, you're okay with the consequences."

"Consequences? Ha! Want me to start packin..."

I didn't give her a chance to finish that thought. "Catch." I got lucky when she managed to snag the coin out of the air. It certainly would have been awkward to drop to my hands and knees and try find it if I had completely botched the throw. Nevertheless, catch it she did. Instead of continuing her taunts, she just stared at the coin in your hand, completely transfixed as it glinted under the fluorescent lights. "Talk to you later, Dana. I've got a meeting to attend."

Laughing as I continued down the hallway. I pulled out my phone and brought up my drafted e-mail. Checking the message one last time, I punched in Dana's e-mail address and hit send. "One down," I thought, as I knocked on my boss' door. "One to go."