Total pages in book: 159
Estimated words: 148188 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 741(@200wpm)___ 593(@250wpm)___ 494(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 148188 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 741(@200wpm)___ 593(@250wpm)___ 494(@300wpm)
“Thanks?” I question because it feels like a but is coming. Isn't there always a but following something like that?
“But you’re not doing well.” She turns the folder around. “You’re getting by but barely.” I don’t need to see the numbers to know how well I’m doing. I’m not a pitbull like Amelia in the next cubicle over. “You know you get a percent of the debt collected,” she reminds me. I nod.
“You barely get by with what you have to pull in and I’m not sure you’re going to make this month’s quota.”
I was praying for a small miracle this month. That I’d get lucky and call someone who didn't know they had a debt and pay on the spot. It is rare but it has happened a few times.
“I know.”
“Missing one month doesn't get you fired. I just think you should think about finding something else.” She pulls the folder back. “Some people aren't cut out for this.” She gives me a sad smile. I do hate this job but I also hate that I can’t do what I’m supposed to be doing. “I wanted to ask you something. Did you pay someone else's debt?”
I look down at my hands and nod. It was a thousand dollars. I am still paying it. A hundred dollars a month. “She couldn't afford it and she couldn't take the hit to her credit.” A young single mom who was scared to mess up her credit. She has a child to think of and she wouldn’t be able to get any student loans if she had a delinquency. “I’m sorry. I know it goes against protocol but I couldn’t let that happen to her.”
“Mia.” She says my name softly. “You’re a sweet girl but I’m thinking this isn't the place for you.” She is firing me. “Not firing you.” She points one of her perfectly painted nails at me. “I’m telling you to look for another job. One that fits you better.”
I nod. “Okay.”
“Or do better.” She shrugs. She’s trying to be nice.
“Thank you, Mrs. Brenner.” I stand.
“I gave you a good collection list today. I’m hoping you have some luck with it.”
“Thank you,” I say again. She gives me a soft smile as if she knows I won’t but still she went out of her way to pick my list today. I head out of my office back toward my desk, stopping to grab a water in the breakroom before hitting my cubicle.
“How do you not drink coffee?” Amelia asks, leaning up against the cubicle wall that is between our two desks. She is the top collector in our office. I’m pretty sure Mrs. Brenner moved me next to her three months ago, hoping she might rub off on me a little.
She has but not in the attitude department. We are now office besties. She even moved into the apartment across from mine two months ago. Amelia could be like a dog with a bone. When she decided we were going to be friends that deal was done. Just like most of her collections when she gets someone on the phone.
“It’s gross.” I wrinkle my nose, taking a drink of my water.
“You in trouble?” She pushes off the wall to stand up straight. Amelia is all legs and almost a foot taller than me. She’s ready for a showdown if she thinks Mrs. Brenner yelled at me or something.
“Nothing I didn't have coming.” I sigh, dropping down into my chair. We have a few minutes before our shift starts back. “She thinks I should look into finding a new job.”
Amelia’s eyes narrow on Mrs. Brenner’s office door. “She firing you?” She takes a step toward her office.
I grab her wrist. “No, but she’s right.”
Amelialooks down at me. “I don’t want you to work somewhere else. You’ll go on and friend a new best friend that drives you crazy.”
“You don’t drive me crazy.” I laugh. I love Amelia. She’s the yin to my yang. We balance well. Like me stopping her just now from blowing up Mrs. Brenner’s office. Okay, maybe she’s not that crazy but she would say if I go she goes.
“Then I’m not trying hard enough.” She winks at me and shakes from my hold, hitting the spacebar on my computer. She clicks on my list. Her eyes scan over it. “Holy shit,” she says before she clicks on one of the names.
3
Max
“Kennedy,” I say, picking up the call that Mark transferred. Few and far between do I take them. I only take them from my sister or ones that are planned for a meeting and I know it’s not my sister. I’m bored but not bored enough to take calls. Maybe this is Mark’s way of getting back at me.
“Mr. Kennedy. My name is Mia and I’m calling from Remex Collection Services,” the voice of an angel says from the other end of the line. “I’m calling to collect on a debt that you have.” She clears her throat like she’s forgotten what she’s supposed to say next before she gets it together. “With Kimmy’s Lingerie. It’s quite sizeable, sir, and we’d appreciate it if you could make a payment toward it today.” I can tell she is trying to be firm but it’s not her nature. It’s forced. My cock is quite sizeable too at the sound of her sweet voice. I sit up a little straighter. What the fuck? I’ve had one too many thoughts and reactions to someone’s voice alone.