Chapter 1: Introduction
The office was a typical 9-to-5 hellhole, complete with grimy cubicles, lifeless carpeting, and a cacophony of ringing phones and chattering coworkers. Among the sea of workers, there was a man who stood out—Oliver Thompson.
Thirty-four years old, five-foot-seven, and 130 pounds, Oliver barely registered on anyone's radar. Amongst the office babes and bros, Oliver was just a speck of dust that people scoffed at and eventually ignored.
His small stature made it easy for him to be overlooked, but what really set him apart was his lackluster work ethic. He was the office's proverbial millstone, dragging everyone else down with his incompetence.
But little did the office workers know, their lives were about to become even more intertwined with Oliver, whether they liked it or not. The Head of Human Resources, Lisa Nguyen, had a devious plan in mind, one that would turn Oliver's life upside down and make him the center of everyone's attention.
Lisa was a formidable woman—petite but sharp, with shoulder-length black hair that framed her sharp features and glasses that sat perched at the tip of her nose. She dressed impeccably each day, in outfits that were both professional and approachable, and her demeanor was warm and welcoming.
But beneath her pleasant exterior, Lisa harbored a mischievous streak that shone through in her brilliant smile, a smile that hinted at something deeper and darker.
And today, she had chosen to unleash that darkness upon Oliver.
Oliver sat in Lisa’s office, nervously tapping his fingers on his knees. The room was decorated with sleek, modern furniture, and the wall was adorned with degrees and certificates. Lisa sat behind a large, imposing oak desk, her perfectly manicured fingers drumming along the desktop.
She peered down at him, her eyes sharp and calculating, before breaking into a smile. “Oliver, I’m so glad you could join me today.”
He gulped, feeling uneasy. “Yes, Lisa.
I-I wasn’t aware that we had a meeting scheduled,” Oliver replied, trying to keep his voice from shaking.
Lisa leaned forward, her eyes gleaming mischievously. “Well, I like to keep things interesting around here, Oliver. And I think it’s time for a little change of pace.”
She opened a desk drawer and pulled out a thin folder, sliding it across the desk towards him. “Take a look at this, would you?”
Oliver hesitated for a moment, before reaching out and flipping open the folder.
He scanned the contents inside, his eyes widening as he read through the pages.
It was a list of employee complaints—page after page of grievances ranging from poor performance to lack of motivation and even sexual harassment. And at the bottom of each page, he saw his name scrawled in bold, red ink.
"W-what is this, Lisa?" he stammered, unable to tear his gaze away from the pages.
Lisa leaned back in her chair, her expression unreadable. "This, Oliver, is what's been going on behind the scenes.
You've been selected as our office's new 'stress ball'," Lisa Nguyen, Head of Human Resources, smiled wickedly, her eyes gleaming with a gleeful cruelty.
Oliver Thompson, trembling in his seated position, glimpsed at the rubber ball she casually held in her hand, swiftly looking away, hoping it was some sick joke. But Lisa's smile didn't falter, in fact, it grew more menacing.
"I'm glad you asked, Oliver. The 'stress ball' program is an initiative we've introduced to minimize workplace stress and improve productivity. And you, my dear, have been chosen as the guinea pig."
Oliver felt a knot form in his stomach. "B-but what does that entail, exactly?" he asked, his voice hoarse.
Lisa leaned forward, her tone conspiratorial. "Well, you see, Oliver.
The 'stress ball' program is designed to give employees a healthy outlet for their frustration and aggression. And who better to take the brunt of their anger than the lowest performing male employee?" Lisa said, her voice low and menacing.
Oliver felt a cold sweat break out on his brow. "B-but I don't understand. How is this going to help improve productivity?" he stuttered.
Lisa leaned back in her chair, her eyes gleaming with a sinister satisfaction. "Oh, it does wonders, Oliver. Trust me. Once the other male employees see what you go through this month, they'll make damn sure not to get themselves in the same predicament, don't you think?" Lisa Nguyen smiled, her voice dripping with a sinister satisfaction.
Oliver gulped, feeling the weight of her words. As he glanced over at the office's female staff, he noticed some of them eyeing him with a gleeful curiosity. He felt the familiar flush of shame and inadequacy rise to his cheeks. He knew from that moment on, he was no longer just the lowest performing male employee. He was something more—something that would define him for the next month.