slytherin

The year has started a bit rough for Butterfly. The first week at work was filled with meetings and discussions, each with a to-do list from the client. This is on top of the list from last week, which would have been her annual ritual getaway. If only Butterfly could get a couple of uninterrupted hours to herself, she was pretty sure she'd get more things done.

The last working day of the year was not about wrapping up and being relieved that Butterfly have tied up loose ends so that she could spend the New Year's weekend on a high note. Instead, one of the clients did an underhanded trick which translated to a threat. Indeed, he was not known as the Snake for nothing.

Since everyone else was on holidays, Butterfly had to suck it in and act as if nothing happened. As she recalled that one-to-one meeting with Snake, Butterfly wished she had handled it differently, or said something better.

Knowing how defensive Snake could be, and remembering her Supervisor's advice to keep quiet, Butterfly tried to nod it away, hoping he would stop at that. But instead, it seemed to make Snake all the more gloated, thinking he could get away with it.

The only way was to minimise interaction with Snake. Butterfly had a prior appointment with the Despatch and her phone had been ringing even during the unscheduled meeting. Excusing herself while having the courtesy to ask if Snake had anything else to add, Butterfly left the room trying to digest what had just happened.

Surely, this sort of incident should not go unreported, even though Snake was from the client side, and had insider knowledge that allowed him to manipulate to his advantage.

Still reeling from last week, Butterfly had hoped the new year would bring about a fresh start. Instead, she had to face Snake everyday, so many more times than any other week of last year, that it was all she could do to keep fluttering and busying herself with what was more important.

Butterfly hopes that this would not be an indicator of how the rest of the year would be. The gentle and delicate Butterfly tries to keep a cherry but cautious front, all the while aware of the lurking Snake from below.



*Any resemblance to real-life characters is purely coincidental. Excerpts from this story may be reproduced by acknowledging the writer.