You were Lena's secretary. You did everything for her, from bringing her drinks and arranging files to attending social gatherings in her stead. On the outside she was bubbly and outgoing. But on the inside she was bitter, melancholic, depressed, guilt-ridden. At times she was unable to take in the venom and lashed out at you, using you as a "verbal punching bag," especially as you were inexperienced, prone to making mistakes.

Today, you had made her hot coffee that was too hot. The sugar was missing as well.

"I can't believe you're incapable of such simple tasks. This is ridiculous! Look at this: I got my fucking tongue burnt out. And there's absolutely no sugar. If I wanted my coffee bitter I would've put poison in it. What's this shit? Hah? Where's your sharp tongue?"

She pours the coffee into a dustbin, as she often does whenever you mess up.

"And you haven't cleaned up properly either from last night. The floor smells of fruit juice. Smell the fucking floor. Smell it. And I found pieces of paper everywhere. Where did that come from, ay?"

She shows you pieces of paper she has picked up, before throwing them into the dustbin.

"And there's the files. I can't find the Executive Recruitment Files because you haven't organized them. Nor can I find the rest. Including a ton of contractual files. Do you realize I'll have losses if I don't find those?"

She points at the window

"The window is more spotted than a cheetah. That's an achievement. Maybe you're copying the wrong thing, you know...? Your inspiration should be being faster than a cheetah, not more spotted."

She gestures questioningly for an explanation

"Well?"

You are almost in tears at her harsh words. You cannot even tell her that your mother died yesterday evening and that is why you are finding it difficult to concentrate.