The office party

Today marked my 40th year of age which reminds me of a couple of things, mainly my decade-plus dedication to Rephine but I'm glad. I'm sitting in my office wondering about the importance of things, the importance of life and the value of people…the obligatory points for reflection creep up each year. I am genuinely appreciative of my position as one of the 5 Human Resource representatives at one of the 40 most successful Advertising companies in the country. "Rephine's edgy and layered skills solidifies their name", is still one of the best headlines we have ever gotten. "America's under-dog is getting international acclaim", was a good point for us as well.

I work on the 11th floor with Richard and my closest work and out-of-work friend, Taylor. Devin and Claire work on the 5th floor. We work for people on the floors with and below us. We help out when we can and exchange help for issues when necessary. However, 3 of us on the top floor are more experienced and handle executive matters. It's been a great day so far.

*Knock knock*

"Hi Laila!"

"Hello Angela, I've been looking forward to our meeting. Please come in. Sit.", I reply.

"Uhm… Angela or Angie if I may?"

"Yes, you may!"

"Do you know why you're here again?", I ask.

"I have a hunch", she says.

"We have had this discussion before and I gave you the benefit of the doubt last time, remember?"

"Yes, I do."

"Okay, we have talked about the complaints which have increased actually and now there's evidence. I have been informed to let you know that this is your last chance, if this happens again you would be suspended for a week without pay."

"What?!", she says.

"Yes, because it's a violation of people's space and considerable theft as well which has worse consequences. I would just like to say that despite your seldom requirement on this floor and others, you're not allowed to loiter around. And it's not really about your presence in the break room because that's not harmful but it is about you being accused and proved to take bites out of everyone's food, leaving it inedible for the owners. It is annoying and many do not appreciate that. Is there a reason you do this?"

"I'm just curious", she says.

"We have several free snacks on each floor and they are changed every two days, you could try new options that way." I suggest.

"I know", she says.

"People's family, friends or themselves fix their meals and often look forward to it, so seeing it eaten out of is disappointing. It is good to be interested in exploring other flavours but you should not let your curiosity overcome you that much to take what does not belong to you."

"True", she says.

"You are an excellent graphic designer and we appreciate your consistent updates with the message boards for all floors as you suggested but this has become an unbearable issue which could lead to suspension if a change is not made. I wouldn't want it to get to that."

"Yes, I know. I'm sorry.", she says.

"It's alright. Just please…consider the effect you might have if you're curious again, okay?"

"I will do that.", she says.

"That's all for today, Angie."

"Alright, thank you very much Laila. Oh and happy birthday", she said as she handed me a gift. I thanked her for my gift before she left. I could tell it was a gift card which many have given me today, not a complaint but an observation. I saw Angela stop by Taylor's office after she left mine and wondered if she thanked her for a tip of my gift card preference but I shrugged it off.

5pm swiftly approached as it seems and I was done for the day and week. Taylor came by to talk about by day. After a while she asked if I had any plans later today to which I replied I didn't. My boyfriend Timothy went on a business trip returning on Monday and my other friends all seemed busy as well. She said she got a dinner reservation for us at the new "Les belles choses" restaurant I've been curious and contemplating about. I was so excited, thanked and hugged her before going home. The drive home was 20 minutes. When I got to my Condo it was just 5:50pm, so I relaxed before getting ready for the 8:30pm reservation. I lay down, meditated, ate, danced and unwrapped more presents from the office, mailbox and others received earlier in the week. I started getting ready and almost finished when I got a call from Taylor. She asked if I sent the link and details of the weekend online seminar starting tommorrow at 9am. I was confused as I didn't recall anything she was talking about. She convinced me that I agreed to sending the information to everyone during the last HR meeting after Devin gushed about this camping thing we won. I decided to do it quickly despite struggling to remember about it. 

I picked my laptop up to sign into the portal we use to figure it out and send it out but it did not allow me login, strangely asking me to reset my password. It was a stagnant pop-up on the page of the portal. I check my Ad-blocker and did anything I thought could work but it didn't. I called Taylor back asking if this has ever happened to her, to which she replied it hasn't indicating the strangeness of it. I ask if anyone else could do it and she said she's feeding her kids now, Devin said he was starting his weekend camping now and no response from the others. I look at the time, see it's 7:25pm and conclude I'll use my computer in the office. The distance to restaurant from the office is even lesser. I tell her this and drive to the office. 

Coming off the elevator, I notice, it's really dark despite the trail lights but I use my phone to light a path to my office. As I put on my computer, it reminds me the date, the 13th of July 2025 and everything seems normal. I sign in and head to sign into my portal which I do but it all stops as it asks me to reset my password again. I decide against my better judgement to risk my chances by clicking the reset your password button on the pop-up page. However, I choose to use my phone to record video evidence in case I need it. I proceed with everything and click the button. I am utterly shocked as the lights turn on and I hear screams. With my glass door closed, I didn't hear clearly what was said but I saw people with streamers, baloons and more. I realized putting things together what happened and smiled but looked at the computer and noticed I was re-directed to a page that announced "Happy Birthday" with confetti as well.

Taylor comes in my office and says she was really hoping I didn't click on it at home. I was angry and smiling digesting everything that has happened. It was a beautifully horrid moment I can't ever forget. She apologizes as she leads me to the break room for the actual celebration. Her husband, Dennis apologizes for the hassle and I tell him I appreciate it all. I see my other friends that were busy, my sisters and other work associates including the other HR representatives except Devin. I socialized and thanked each person for being there. I re-unite with Taylor to tell her how much I appreciate everything. I ask her how she did the pop-up page and she summarized saying she got a lot of help doing it. She said there's no seminar for the weekend so I could enjoy myself and there is no dinner reservation later. Knowing I maybe slightly let down, she then let me know she still booked a reservation for myself tommorrow evening and I was overwhelmed with emotion. We have been through a lot together since University and she said she was so happy how everything turned out to which I replied she should wait for what I have planned for her 40th next year. She said she's looking forward to it and stated she was so happy the executive break room is the size of a decent restaurant because she feared the space to people ratio. I remembered Devin's absence and asked to which she replied he actually did go an a weekend camping trip.

The night ended beautifully after many thanks from me and I couldn't be happier. I slept after talking to Timothy and asking about his assistance for the party as Taylor admitted. I rested throughout the next day until my reservation. I got ready went and enjoyed the experience. The praise for their setting and food was very accurate. I took videos to show and a good portion of food as leftover to give Taylor after I left. I headed to her place, re-united with everyone and chatted with her as she ate some of the food. I went back home and stayed resting until Monday morning. I returned to work on Monday still thanking everyone. I get to my office after giving Taylor the Banana muffin she likes from the local Coffee shop we patronize.

I sign into my laptop and attempt to sign into my portal but I didn't get the chance as a pop-up interrupted. This bold pop-up said "reset your password" and i remembered this was what showed for my birthday surprise, so I called Taylor asking when it would go down. Taylor replied it was taken down after they took me to the break-room to celebrate but she's coming to see what I'm talking about. Taylor came looked at my computer and was visibly frightened as she said, "This isn't us". I said, "What?" in disbelief and concern. She said, "Our overlay was white and red, this is black and red.". "This could be a glitch or something maybe our adblock and anti-virus need to be renewed or something", I say and she said, "We are very secure and had them renewed in January. I was only able to do that with some others because it was from a recognized private network and linked to your account. I'm sorry, I don't know who or what this is.". We both stare at the screen with bold letters intimidatingly stating "reset your password".