For the first time in a long time, I dreaded going to work. Not because work was terrible, but because she would be there. She was Viktoria Meir.

Viktoria Meir was queen bee in all she did. From the day she learned to form coherent sentences, she had the world wrapped around her little finger. Her peers willfully did her bidding and flocked to her to grasp at any loose strings of attention – as no loose strings would ever be found on her clothing. Both parents doted on their only daughter to give her the sun, moon, stars, and every opportunity without the necessary qualifications. Even her superiors at the bank her father owned refused to acknowledge any failings despite her lack of knowledge and simple arithmetic skills. Most people in Viktoria’s life could find no fault in her.

But I wasn’t most people.

I could see through Viktoria’s act; every mistake and flaw stood out in plain view, flashing like a neon sign lighting up the red-light district. Her flaws dug into me, grating at me like sandpaper, yet no one else saw what I did. Initially, I tried bringing it up to my coworkers; their oblivious looks and defending praises cut short that conversation. I dare not take it higher for fear her father, my boss, would catch wind. I needed my job for survival; I didn’t dare make public my dislike. Viktoria was the type of person who believed her shit didn’t stink, and as someone who used the bathroom after her many a time, I can assure you it definitely stank!

“Alex, can you come help me, please? This isn’t working.” A whiny, insistent voice reached out to me from down the computers.

I ignored the call and continued counting out the twenties for my customer. “…one twenty, one forty, one sixty, one—“

“Alex, I need your help to figure this out.” The persistent voice continued.

Sighing heavily, I hung my head and gave my own customer an apologetic look. I then turned my head to look at Viktoria and put on the most convincing fake smile I could summon. “Certainly, Viktoria. Just let me finish with my customer, and I will be right over.” I renewed my counting from the beginning, painfully aware of the eyes boring into the side of my head.

“Thank you, sir. Have a great day.” I wished my customer a farewell before making my way over to Viktoria. “What’s the matter?” Peering over her shoulder, I observed the client’s account.

“They want a cashier’s cheque, but I don’t remember how to do it.” Viktoria intoned.

Summoning every patience granted to any living being, I walked her through the steps, having to take over for the majority to ensure they were not messed up. Having finished with her customer as well, I made my way back to my desk, but heard over my shoulder:

“I’ll be right back.” Before I could open my mouth in protest, Viktoria sauntered away, leaving me to deal with a line-up encroaching on the door.

After helping my fourth customer following Viktoria’s disappearance, another one of my coworkers came up behind me. They relayed a message quietly into my ear. My stomach sank into my feet. A frustrated exhale issued from my nose and I nodded.

“You wanted to see me?” I stood in my boss’s office door not two minutes later.

“Come in, Alex. Shut the door would you.” My eyes drifted across the nameplate ‘Konrad Meir – Bank Manager’ as the door shut behind me. I settled nervously on the edge of one of the blue fabric chairs and waited for the hammer to fall.

“Viktoria just had a chat with me and explained that you were reluctant to provide her with assistance when she asked.” I stared at him dumbfounded. “You know we are a team work environment, and it is important for us to help each other when we ask for it.”

“That is not true. I did go help her when she asked as soon as I finished with the customer I was helping. It didn’t seem right to leave hundreds of dollars sitting out to run off and help her with a task she should know how to do.” I knew I had messed up as the overweight man’s eyes narrowed to beady little pinpricks.

“She explained you were less than willing and put it off longer than necessary, making her and the other customers in line wait. Forgetfulness is not a reason to deny a coworker assistance.”

“I have no problem helping her, but she has been here longer than me. Really, she should know more of this than I do…”

“And she does! But sometimes she forgets, and sometimes so do you. Now, Alex, I don’t want to make this a big deal. For today we will call this a warning. No official write-up in your file, but there will be next time. Just remember to be compassionate to your coworkers and help when it is requested. You may leave.” The dismissal waving of his hand indicated that the conversation was at an end.

Silently, I rose from my chair and left the office. All of the curses I wanted to shout aloud, I simply muttered in my head over and over like a mantra meant to keep me sane. The remainder of my day passed in relative quiet. It was a struggle to ignore the smug looks Viktoria kept shooting my way.

I woke with a heavy stomach the next morning and hauled my leaden feet to work. The bank was oddly quiet. Normally me and Viktoria opened, but she was nowhere to be found. My supervisor spent most of the morning on the counter with me, waiting for the next person to come in.

During my break, I wandered past Konrad’s office, but it was dark and shut up tightly.

The morning was quiet, pleasant, peaceful. All hell broke loose and rumours flew after lunch.

At lunch, the police showed up to question each of us who worked there. I remember little of the precise questions they asked, but knew that they had to do with Konrad and Viktoria and their relationship. That’s where the rumours stemmed from and from there they circulated the bank like spreading wildfire.

Viktoria was murdered. Viktoria was murdered by her father. It was murder suicide. Viktoria murdered her father. Viktoria was kidnapped. Viktoria eloped. Viktoria’s step-mother, notorious for hating her step daughter, murdered her. Viktoria’s step-mother murdered her and her father. Viktoria is reporting her father for rape. Viktoria was sold into the sex industry.

So on and so forth the rumours spread. I didn’t start any myself, but I did listen to them all and weigh each accordingly.

That was the most pleasant day of work I had to date.