Welcome to Modish Wear (Chapter 2)

"We need to talk" was never a good sentence to hear. It either meant someone was breaking up with you or, in Nick's case, you were in trouble. Nick sat inside the office, waiting for Victoria to return. She had to tell the rest of the morning staff coming in where they were going to be stationed. When the office door was closed, the office resembled what Nick believed the North Pole felt like: a holly jolly, frozen hell.

Nick heard the keys jingle in the doorway but was too late to help open the door. Victoria sat down in the biggest office chair, as black as her hair, took out a small key from the safe, and opened a locked filing cabinet. Nick's file slipped gracefully from her fingers onto the desk.

"Oh no, I'm getting fired. But they usually only let someone go if they're stealing. I'm a good worker; I greet every customer. Maybe I could get more store credit cards, but I'm barely on the register. Give me a break."

Suddenly, the thought hit Nick in the head so hard it could have damaged his frontal lobe, "Or someone told her about the Snapchat story."

"Nick, I'm going to cut right to the chase. Someone told me about this Snapchat clip you posted."

"It's a story," Nick felt the need to correct her. "I posted on my story."

She glared with annoyance, "More importantly, I have to address the more critical concern. You're dating another employee at the store?"

Nick took a deep breath and stared at a photo of Victoria in the office. She was smiling with the Regional Manager, and both had their thumbs up. They looked like teenagers after riding the biggest rollercoaster at the amusement park.

"I may have had relations with an employee here." For Nick, there was no point in being dishonest and making up some ridiculous story. He could have said it was his doppelgänger or Mary Rogers; she had glasses and a buzz cut. Victoria Cain was waiting for this day to come. A day of reckoning. Victoria was on vacation when Nick Malone was hired; otherwise, she would have never hired the son of Carrie Malone.

Long story short: In high school, Victoria Cain was dating the most gorgeous man in their grade, Brian Gallo. His Italian charm could prevent any pasta from feeling cold. One day, Brian Gallo noticed Carrie Malone walking out of History class and came up with an excuse to talk to her. Brian Gallo wasn't the most faithful man. He told Carrie he was single and into her. They started dating. Brian dumped Victoria, and Victoria has blamed Carrie ever since.

Carrie's son had to perish.

"You weren't just dating any employee; you were dating a manager. I can't have favoritism in the workplace."

Said the woman who had hired her sisters to work in the store. But how did Victoria know it was a manager? Nick doesn't remember disclosing that information in the video.

"Well, we're not together anymore, so you don't have to worry about that."

Victoria pushed a strand of hair out of her face, "That makes me worry more. And seeing that video of your atrocious behavior, I realize you can retaliate, which I don't think we can have here at this specific Modish Wear."

Nick glanced back at the previous photo, not as amused as the fake-smiled women, "Are you firing me?"

"I really think I should," she let out a breath that sounded like it had been held in for too long.

"Okay, then." Nick got up from the smaller chair and headed towards the door.

"But," Victoria's voice caused Nick's hand to rest on the metal door handle. "I'm in a good mood today. We are #1 in the district. Well, I'm #1 in the district. Maybe another store can help develop you into a more well-rounded worker."

Said the woman who didn't leave the office 90% of the time.

"What are you saying?" Nick questioned in a hoarse voice.

"You can keep your job, but you'll be transferred to another store in the district. Effective immediately."

"Can I ask where? Are you shipping me out to Mexico?"

"This location is actually closer to where you live. Southwood."

Nick gasped and thought he saw his breath in the air. While their store Wallbrook was #1 in the district, Southwood was #12. Out of twelve. They were always last in the district every week, month, and year. Nick remembered hearing about the various rumors of Modish Wear: Southwood.

"I heard that at least one employee dies every month at Southwood," Shelby Saunders said while twirling her hair instead of putting clothes back from the fitting room.

"I hear the store is closing down." Various people have been saying that for years.

"I heard that customers defecate on the floor and smear it on the doors to show dominance," Chester Bradley shared.

"I heard that customers steal more than they shop there." That rumor was true. The Southwood Modish Wear had one of the worst theft rates in the state, let alone the company.

"I don't want to go to Southwood. It's scary there," Nick rolled down the sleeves of his V-neck sweater.

Victoria grinned, "You either go to Southwood, or you're fired."

"So, what about him? He doesn't have to transfer to another store? No consequences for sleeping with an associate?"

"He is a manager, and he's well-respected in the company. I'll make sure he's okay."

"Oh, I see," Nick raised from the chair and put on his jacket and backpack.

He turned back before exiting the office, "Since I'm leaving, you're a fucking bitch, and I hope you choke on a bloody tampon," is what he wanted to say.

What he actually said was, "Thank you for the opportunity. Have a nice day."