Yes, to Everything

I've been working for Julissa Corral for six months, and I'm sure she hates me, looking for reasons to fire me. I try to be friendly and helpful, putting in hard work, but she gives me worthless assignments and is always ready to correct me, complaining about my work and attitude.

It feels impossible to get recognized by her superiors or promoted because the work she gives me is so unimportant and meaningless. Mostly, I keep out of Julissa's way to avoid her wrath. This morning, I have a meeting with her to explain why my latest assignment is late.

“Eros Apostasia, I expected you to have the Riley report finished last week. What's the status?”

“It’s right here, Miss Corral. Please feel free to look it over.”

Julissa takes the report from my hands, her hazel eyes narrowing as she flips through the pages. Her fingers brush against the black opal necklace at her throat absentmindedly.

“This had better be up to par, Eros. I don't have time for sloppy work or excuses.”

She scans the document, her brow furrowing in concentration. After a moment, she looks up, her expression still stern.

“Well? Don’t just stand there gawking. Tell me about your findings on the Riley account. It better be something impressive enough to justify this delay.”

Despite her harsh words, there's a slight tremor in her voice, almost imperceptible, hinting at some underlying tension or distraction.

“It’s Ero, ma'am,” I correct her, proceeding to detail the findings for the Riley account. I am very prepared…

Julissa listens intently as I present the details, her fingers absently tracing the outline of the opal pendant. To my surprise, she nods along, making occasional notes instead of interrupting me with criticism. When I finish, she sets the report down and fixes me with an intense gaze.

“Ero, I appreciate the thoroughness of your presentation.”

The words seem to catch in her throat, as if going against her usual nature.

“These insights could be valuable for the Riley account. I suppose your tardiness is forgivable this once, given the quality of the work.”

She stands abruptly, smoothing her skirt.

“That will be all for now. I expect you to keep up this level of performance moving forward.”

There's a new note in her voice—perhaps approval, or at least a lack of outright disapproval.

“Miss Corral, I hope you don’t mind me asking, are you okay? You seem a bit distracted.”

Julissa's eyes widen slightly at my question, a flicker of confusion crossing her face before her usual mask of cool composure settles back into place. She straightens her posture, unconsciously touching the opal necklace.

“I’m fine, Ero. Just... thinking about work matters.”

Her voice carries its normal sharp edge, but there's an undercurrent of uncertainty.

“My personal state is none of your concern. Focus on your duties and let me worry about my own affairs.”

She turns away, busying herself with arranging papers on her desk. After a moment, she glances back at me over her shoulder.

“Unless there's something else pressing related to the Riley account or your current assignments? Speak quickly if so, I have a busy day ahead.”

“No, I just wanted to see if you were okay, is all. Sorry to intrude.”

Julissa takes a deep breath, seeming to compose herself. When she speaks again, her tone is softer, almost gentler than I’ve heard before.

“No need to apologize, Ero. Your concern is noted.”

She pauses, as if wrestling with some internal conflict.

“I assure you, I am quite alright. Merely dealing with some unexpected developments.”

She turns to face me fully, her hazel eyes searching my face. For a brief moment, the walls of her carefully constructed persona seem to crumble, revealing a glimpse of vulnerability beneath.

“Tell me, Ero… have you ever felt as though circumstances were conspiring against you? As if the very fabric of your reality was shifting in subtle ways you couldn’t quite grasp?”

The question hangs in the air between us, tinged with both genuine curiosity and a hint of unease.

“Well, every time you are strict with me and I haven't deserved it, I suppose. I do top-notch work, and you always seem to be after me. But please, Miss Corral—lay it on me. What circumstances are currently conspiring against you?”

Julissa’s eyes flash with a mix of emotions—frustration, confusion, and perhaps even a touch of fear. She takes a step closer, her voice lowering to almost a whisper.

“Conspiring against me? No, no… that's not quite it. It’s more like…”

She trails off, her hand rising to clutch the opal necklace. A shudder runs through her body, and for a moment, it seems she might confide in me. But then her grip tightens on the pendant, and her expression hardens once more.

“Never mind. Forget I said anything.”

Her tone regains its usual sharpness, but there’s an undercurrent of strain.

“Your work performance is the only thing that concerns me at the moment, Ero. I expect nothing less than excellence from you.”

“Miss Corral… Julissa, please. What's wrong?”

Julissa's resolve seems to crumble at the sound of her first name on my lips. She sways slightly, her hand still gripping the opal tightly. When she speaks, her voice is barely above a whisper, laced with desperation and confusion.

“I... I don’t know, Ero. Something’s happening to me, and I can’t… I can’t control it.”

Her eyes dart around the room, as if searching for answers.

“Every time I try to maintain my composure, to stay true to myself, I find myself… complying with requests. Following orders I never would have considered before.”

She looks at me pleadingly, her usual bravado stripped away.

“Yesterday, I would have fired you on the spot for such impertinence. But now… now I’m telling you my deepest fears. What kind of spell is this?”

“I’m not sure… are you telling me that you have to comply with requests, any requests? And you follow these orders no matter how ridiculous?”

Julissa nods miserably, her shoulders slumping in defeat.

“Yes. Any direct request. Even the most absurd ones. I can’t resist. It’s like… like an invisible **** compelling me to obey.”

She releases the opal pendant, letting her hand fall limply to her side.

“I thought maybe it was just stress, or fatigue. Some sort of mental breakdown. But now… now I’m starting to wonder if there’s something more sinister at play.”

Her eyes meet mine, wide with fear and desperation.

“Ero, I need your help. I can’t trust myself anymore. Promise me you won’t take advantage of this weakness. Promise me you’ll help me break whatever curse or spell this is!”

The plea rings out in the tense silence of the office, echoing the desperation in her heart.

“What do you want me to do, Julissa? Are you sure it’s real? Shall I test it out?”

Julissa swallows hard, her eyes flashing with a mixture of fear and determination.

“Yes. Test it. See if you can make me do something I wouldn’t normally do. Anything.”

She squares her shoulders, bracing herself for what’s to come.

“I need to know the extent of this curse. How much control I’ve lost.”

She looks at me intently, her voice trembling slightly.

“Go on, Ero. Give me an order. Something outrageous, something completely out of character for me. Let’s see if this… this thing has complete dominion over me.”

Her hand rises to clutch the opal pendant once more, as if seeking comfort or protection from the unknown **** controlling her.

To be continued in chapter 2...