We heard that a female intern had been sexually assaulted somewhere in the building. It was big news, terrible news. So bad that Phillip got a visit the next day, sent from higher up in the main office, literally put, somebody sent by his boss too. She was about the same age as I was plus two years give or take, blond, a body that most wouldn't expect from a 40 something woman. She seemed to be built with an automatic frown on her face. She wore a crisp, blue blouse with a tie, fitted knee-length skirt, stockings, heels. Her heels made stomping sounds as she walked in, two heavier built men following closely behind her. She looked at no one, immediately entered Phillip's office without a knock or Amy to pre-warn him of her presence. Her bodyguards stood outside the door.
"Who was that?" Stan called out. We were both working on a collaborative design so he had been at my desk the entire time.
"I have no idea," I answered, both of us staring at the closed door.
Amy shuffled over to us, a worried look on her face. "Do you know her?"
We both shook our heads.
"Her name is Helena, from the main branch, higher up the chain," she whispered, as she sat down with us, "I believe her father is one of THE directors or something."
Stan stood up straight, grinning, "the boss' daughter, how interesting."
I looked up at him, wondering if he was insinuating something but he said nothing after and went back to discussing the designs we both had sketched out.
"You haven't commanded your staff well, Phillip," Helena spoke, firmly. She stood by the window, watching the traffic outside. "if that intern files a lawsuit against us, it would destroy all your years of hard work."
Phillip sighed, running a hand through his hair, "I couldn't have predicted something like that, Helena. They all go through Psych Evaluations yearly, I might add. He was a programmer, he's been with us for years."
"And yet, he did this," she said, turning towards him, "how do you think is this going to reflect on the brand? My father is very unhappy and on top of that, the possible lawsuit that it would entail has kept the throbbing vein on his temple quite visible."
"She can't sue us, we had no knowledge of this. He did this all on his own, for his personal interest in her."
"That's where you're mistaken. My father has contacts in the department. This programmer, Jack, says he did what he did to teach HER a lesson, for ignoring him," her eyes had showed no emotion, only the firmness in her voice was enough to imply that there was a problem bigger than what Phillip had assumed.
He shrugged, "again, personal. Irrelevant and unconnected to us."
"By her, he was referring to your daughter."
Phillip swallowed hard, "how is that possible, he's never even met her."
"You've been taking her here recently," she continued.
"Only to teach her, to acquaint her with the work we do," he answered. Deep down, he felt fear beyond belief. Of all the things he possessed, his daughter was the most precious. It worried him that she was involved even in the most minute way.
"Is that so? Do you know that she's been fucking one of your Senior designers?"
He shook his head, "that's impossible. They're all too old for her."
She smiled, "Obviously someone's gotten her panties in a mangle. Because we didn't hear it only from this programmer."
He sighed, loudly, "It still doesn't make it Katie's fault, or mine, or the company's."
She crossed her arms on her chest, "regardless, my father would like to see you. You are to report to him immediately and until he allows you to return here, you are suspended."
Phillip stood up, abruptly, "You can't do that! I've garnered more awards and returns here than any other branch in the last 5 years!"
Her voice raised, "and you lost it all in this one incident! Do not disobey the orders given to you, Phillip. If the committee finds you clear of fault, you will be reinstated immediately."
He took a deep breath, "who will take over in my absence then?"
She stood up straight, "I'll be in charge for the moment."
"And my daughter, can I take her with me?"
"You know the answer to that, Phillip. Only you. You may not call her or warn her of all this. I also have the authority to speak with your daughter regarding the matter of sexual relations with your people."
He looked up at her again, "Isn't that a private matter, assuming it was true?"
She smiled, brazenly, "nothing that happens with our people is private." She walked over to the door, "My father does not like to be kept waiting."
"Does this have anything to do with your brother's interest in my daughter?"
"Goodbye, Phillip," She pulled the door open and watched him leave. The staff on the floor watching as he left and turning their faces to her in question. "get back to work." As she was about to close the door, she noticed the empty assistant's desk near her and three people gathered together in one of the glass offices on the right.
We watched as Phillip walked, with his chin up still, from his office to the elevators. The woman at his door was obviously pleased at his exit. Stan and Amy shook their heads in unison.
"Stupid programmer downstairs," Stan exclaimed, "Should they be given seminars on how to keep it in their pants?"
Amy and I exchanged looks. He grinned at his own remark, knowing full well it applied to him as well.
"Do you know who it was?" Amy asked, a worried tone in her voice.
"I hear it was that guy at the elevator the other day, Jack I believe his name was," Stan replied, indifferently.
I noticed one of the bodyguards approaching us. I felt my chest tighten in worry as well.
"Which one of you is Adam," he asked as he peered in.
Stan and Amy both turned to me, making it impossible to pretend. I swallowed hard, "I am."
