I couldn't help but develop cold feet as I walked into the office that fateful morning. So many thoughts kept running through my head. How did this happen? I asked myself. Was this a result of what I had almost done? I kept on thinking, my conscience wouldn't seem to let me rest. All through the drive to the office I was lost in thoughts. The heavy thumping of my heart made the situation worse. I was terrified mess. I was not sure what would go down today, but I was confident on one thing. Somebody was going to lose their job. I just kept on chanting a silent prayer that it wasn't going to be me as I sat down quietly in the drive to the office.
Earlier this morning, I received a call from my raging boss, who kept on ranting about our competitors and project 3.1. Apparently, someone had snitched on us, and now, the project our team was working on, which was supposed to be a confidential matter until it was time for its launch, was now out in the open in the hands of our rival company. Mad was not enough to describe the way my boss sounded over the phone. An urgent meeting was scheduled early this morning, and all those entrusted with handling the project were mandated to be there. We were just twelve, and I was sure my boss would get to the root of the matter. Something of this nature was highly frowned upon in my workplace, and I was certain the unfortunate soul who let the cat out of the bag would be fired. It was a matter of fact.
But that was not the problem for me. What kept on bothering me was the fact that I had almost defaulted. I almost let out the secret, almost. It happened two days earlier. I had just finished work, and was on my way home. When I met one of my very good friends who worked at our rival company. His name was Richard. He was going the same way I was, so we boarded the same taxi.
While the driver drove us home to the front, we busied ourselves talking, and catching up on old times. We talked about many things, from our busy lives at work to our more personal lives.
Richard was a nice guy. He had this personality that made people feel so comfortable and at ease around him. Or it was probably just me. I won't lie, we had history at some point in the past. Unfortunately, it didn't work out. However, the sparks were still there. You could feel it in the air as we spoke. We were just two young people treading on safe territory. Not wanting to take any risk that will end up hurting each other in the process. Regardless, I felt like I could tell him anything. And as I talked on and on about my busy life, I might have mentioned the confidential project in passing but quickly realised myself and changed the topic of discussion.
Now that I think about it, he was unusually curious about the project when we discussed it. But he dropped the topic as he noticed my unease and the fact that I wouldn't budge.
“Madam, we're here," the driver said loudly trying to get my attention.
Hesitatingly, I paid the driver, unwilling to go into the building but there was no backing down. I got out of the car and made my way into the building. Every step I took forward into my boss's office felt like I was walking into my doom. I swallowed hard and opened the door. Forcing my feet to move, I walked in with my face held high and moved with a straight posture. I couldn't let them see the nervous wreck that I was inside. I took a seat beside one of my female colleagues, as I quietly observed the room. My boss stood dangerously calm in front of his table, his arms folded across his chest as he waited for us to come in one by one. But his eyes told a different story. Everyone in the room was on edge. That gave me some sort of relief. As it wasn't just me feeling that way.
In less than ten minutes, we were all present and seated, waiting for our boss to speak. The office was awfully quiet. I looked to my right to see Mary, my colleague in charge of technical difficulties. She was literally trembling with fear. It was far too obvious. She was sweating profusely even though the room was properly ventilated. She kept on looking down and her hands were trembling.
“Mary, it seems like have you have something to tell us?” My boss asked fixing her with a cold stare. The kind that could make you tremble in fear.
“I’m so sorry, it was me, I was the one that disclosed the project to our rival.” She suddenly broke out, kneeling down on the floor, unable to hold it in any longer.
“I met a friend from our rival company yesterday, Richard, who cajoled me to tell him what project 3.1 was all about. He promised not to tell a soul, he just wanted to know out of curiosity. I should have known better” She explained, begging.
“I believe you know the consequences of your actions”, my boss said in a slow, menacing tone, without sparing her a glance.
“You're fired! Security, please see her out of the building immediately!" he said with urgency.
" And to the rest of you, this should serve as a warning. There are no mistakes, only consequences.”
" You can all leave, we are done here” he said, sitting behind his desk and getting on with his work.
I couldn't believe what had just happened before my eyes. Richard of all people. Just a slight mistake and it would have been me, I thought. Trusting people is a dangerous game indeed. I made a mental note as I walked out of the office.
One fact that escapes you is that it might have been that Richard heard it first from you and then decided to press Mary for the secret since you wouldn't tell him. It's possible if he hadn't heard it from you at all he wouldn't have gone to press Mary. But you were lucky. Seems Mary failed to understand and keep one of the rules that govern professional circles: confidentiality, and she paid dearly. In some cases, the defaulter, like Mary, is often sued.
Thanks for writing.
Your right indeed. That's why I said trusting people is a dangerous game. I almost let some stupid infatuation cost me my Job
Phew, thank God she didn't snitch, that would have been her head on the plate. Richard may have gotten the hint from her though before he pressed Mary for more information, so she's to be blamed as well.
Yeah. In a way, I knew it was my fault, but nonetheless I thank God I didn't get fired. Thanks for your comment
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Richard did not do well at all. Something Mary told him in confident, he went and spread and that cost her job.
It is better to keep some things to ourselves no matter how we trust people.
Ah
Someone like Richard isn’t a good friend
It would have been a different case if he didn’t know that it will cost her job but I’m sure he knows