LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 27: Chapter 27
It had been months since Mia left the city, and life at work continued its steady rhythm—until Emily's sudden resignation. The buzz in the office picked up immediately. The whispers flew fast, each rumor more outlandish than the last.
"Do you think the new boss pushed her out?" one colleague speculated. "Maybe she knew something about him."
"Nah, maybe she got a better offer. But what's with the timing, though?" another replied.
Alex overheard bits of the gossip, but mostly tuned it out. The situation reminded him of when they'd been worried about the new boss months ago. Back then, they'd expected a tyrant, but instead got someone mild-mannered and reasonable. That didn't stop the rumors, though—especially now, with Emily's sudden exit.
"She used to laugh at every joke in the break room," another colleague noted. "But the last few weeks... she was always in the boss's office, so distant."
A wave of chatter swept the office, and as the day wore on, it became harder to focus on work. Even Alex, who normally ignored the noise, couldn't help but glance at the empty desk where Emily once sat. The change in her had been gradual, but in retrospect, it was clear something had been off for a while.
By lunch, the rumors had grown. Some said Emily had found another job through the boss's connections. Others claimed there was something more personal going on. One particularly wild theory linked her departure to politics.
Speaking of politics, the upcoming election had also become a hot topic in the office. With candidates fiercely competing for the presidency, everyone seemed to have an opinion. Alex's colleagues would joke about what the results might mean for their work.
"Betcha whoever wins, the workload's gonna increase," one of the old-timers grumbled. "It always does after elections. Too many changes all at once—new policies, new regulations. Same thing happened back in '08."
"But it'll lighten up eventually, right?" someone younger asked.
"Sure," the old-timer replied, waving a hand dismissively. "After they settle in, the chaos dies down. But for the next year? Get ready for long hours."
At home, conversations about politics were lighter. His college friends didn't dive too deep into it, but there was always a mention here and there about who might win and what it meant for their future. The overall atmosphere was tense, though not overwhelming. It was just another thing added to the chaos already swirling in his life.
Between the growing workload at the office, the buzz about Emily, and the election chatter, Alex found it harder than ever to focus on meditation. The progress bar on his mental strength seemed to move slower than ever. Each time he checked, it was as if it barely budged.
Quiet moments for meditation were becoming rare. Home wasn't as peaceful with his sister around, and at work, his colleagues would joke about his new "meditative breaks" whenever they caught him staring off into space. They meant no harm, but it didn't stop him from longing for a quieter, more secluded place where he could focus.
Chapter 28
As the weeks passed, things took a sudden turn at work. The office buzzed with renewed energy, but not the kind Alex was used to. Deadlines stacked higher than usual, and a general unease seemed to settle over the employees. Rumors about a potential slash in salaries floated around, whispered in hushed tones between cubicles.
Alex sat at his desk, the hum of the office around him fading as his thoughts drifted. His meditations at work had become difficult, with colleagues constantly teasing him about his "zen moments." It was all in good fun, but now that work had piled up, those moments were rare.
The new boss, who had initially seemed easygoing, started to take a more direct approach with Alex. "You seem to have a lot of time on your hands, Alex," the boss had commented with a smirk, looking over Alex's shoulders as he sat in front of his computer. "Maybe you could help out with some of the backlog."
It was subtle but clear. His daydreaming had been noticed, and now it was being used as an excuse to load him with more tasks. Alex, however, didn't complain. He knew it was all part of the small challenges that life threw at him. Besides, he'd been managing so far.
Meanwhile, the neighborhood wasn't as safe as it used to be. Alex's father had been affected by some random incident while out one evening, losing a decent chunk of change after an argument broke out at a local store. The tensions in the area had been rising for months, with small skirmishes and petty theft becoming more frequent. It weighed heavily on Alex's mind as he tried to balance work, his personal life, and his ongoing meditative practice.
At home, over dinner, his mother brought it up again. "Your dad's been talking about how things aren't like they used to be around here," she said, glancing at Alex. "Maybe you should think about moving someplace quieter, maybe a place closer to your work."
Alex nodded absentmindedly. He'd been thinking about it more and more lately, longing for a peaceful space where he could focus on his mental strength without distractions. But the thought of leaving everything behind still felt too distant, too abrupt.
At the office, the tension increased. Rumors circulated about more layoffs, with salary cuts looming for everyone who stayed. Emily's sudden resignation had caused a stir, and now, with another beautiful colleague mysteriously following her path, people started whispering again. This time, the gossip centered around the new boss, and the wildest rumors speculated about internal favoritism or shady dealings. Alex didn't buy into the speculation, but it was hard not to notice the shifts in office dynamics.
The political scene outside mirrored the chaos within the office walls. Talk of upcoming elections dominated conversations at home and with friends. Thorne was running for a key position, and the stakes were high. His victory could mean significant changes in policy, ones that could directly affect their work environment.
As the pressure mounted, Alex found it harder to maintain his balance. The progress bar on his mental strength had barely moved. He knew he was close, but the disruptions made it feel like he was stuck.
Each meditation session was a fight to keep calm amidst the growing storm of work, personal issues, and the ever-looming sense of unease at the office.