The Unlucky Lucky Charm
Chloe is a recent graduate who landed the most unique job in corporate America: she's the company's unofficial lucky charm. Her quirky, laid-back role was created by the CEO, Mr. Henderson, after a series of bizarre coincidences linked her presence to massive financial success. Chloe's days are filled with flexible hours, generous pay, and endless snacks from her grateful colleagues. But her blissful existence is shattered by the arrival of a new, hyper-rational sales director, Jonathan Vance, who sees her as a freeloading fraud. As Jonathan schemes to oust her and install his secret lover in her coveted position, Chloe finds herself in a battle for her job, her sanity, and the very soul of her company.
The Unlucky Lucky Charm
I am a company mascot. My boss, Mr. Henderson, created a special, cushy position just to keep me around. He's a man who believes in luck, and he believes I'm his.
Then Jonathan Vance arrived, a new sales director fresh from the corporate grinder. A dyed-in-the-wool materialist, he couldn't stand the sight of my leisurely existence. He coveted my position, or rather, the freedom it afforded, for his own little side project—his secret boyfriend, Lucas.
While Mr. Henderson was off on a two-week digital detox retreat in the Catskills, Jonathan turned up the heat. My flexible hours turned into a rigid 9-to-5, and my life became a miserable grind. I'd planned to stick it out until Mr. Henderson got back, but the day before his return, Jonathan went too far. He blasted an all-staff email, publicly reprimanding me for taking more than five minutes in the bathroom, accusing me of dereliction of duty and professional sloth.
It was the final straw. Humiliated and furious, I quit on the spot. With my dignity still mostly intact, I gathered my personal belongings, said a final, watery goodbye to my coworkers, and walked straight across the street to the competitor's company. The rival CEO, Mr. Palmer, was there, grinning from ear to ear, waiting to welcome me.
The entire sales team at my old company watched in stunned silence. Jonathan, standing in the doorway, shouted, "Chloe! I knew it! You were a spy for them all along! Now the truth is out!"
Everyone just looked at him like he was an idiot. What kind of company would send their golden goose to make their rival stronger?
Mr. Palmer, ever the picture of cordiality, strode forward and shook Jonathan's hand, thanking him profusely. He said it was only with Jonathan's help that I'd been willing to jump ship to his company. The insult and injury were perfectly balanced. Jonathan's face cycled through shades of green, purple, and red, a truly spectacular sight.
I later snuck a message into the sales team group chat, telling them to stay calm, not to quit, and that I'd be back. They relaxed, wished me well, and went back inside, leaving only a fuming Jonathan standing alone at the door.
Chapter 1: The Unlucky Beginning
When my mother was pregnant with me, my great-uncle, a man who believed in the mystical alignment of the stars, calculated her due date and pinpointed a very specific birthday. He claimed that if I was born on that exact day, I would be a good luck charm for my parents, bringing them immense wealth and fortune.
Naturally, I was a disappointment. Two days before the auspicious date, I decided it was time to make my grand entrance. Despite my mother's desperate pleas and her refusal to go to the hospital—all in a valiant effort to make me wait—I slipped into the world, smooth and easy. Just like that, I squandered my shot at being a trust fund kid.
My uncle, after re-analyzing my new, less fortunate star chart, tried to console my deeply disappointed parents. He told them that my destiny was to be a hardworking "plow horse," but a successful one. He said I'd make my own money and never be a financial burden. My parents looked at me with a profound sadness. They were "plow horses" themselves and already felt pity for their little future "plow horse."
As it turned out, my destiny wasn't to be a workhorse, but a mascot.
My current job came about in a most peculiar way. Six years ago, when I first interviewed for the company, Mr. Henderson was convinced his struggling business was suffering from bad "vibes." He'd hired a spiritual advisor to assess the office. The advisor walked through the office, then asked to see the employee files. After reviewing them, he told Mr. Henderson that the office vibes were fine—it was the people who were the problem.
Mr. Henderson was bewildered. He thought he had a corporate spy on his hands.
The advisor went on to explain that some of the employees' energies were clashing with Mr. Henderson's. He pointed out a few people, and Mr. Henderson nearly fainted. The people he pointed to were all senior executives and board members. You could fire a junior employee, sure, but how could you fire your entire leadership team without the company collapsing?
Just as Mr. Henderson was sinking into despair, I walked in for my interview. As the HR manager led me past the spiritual advisor, he stopped, pointed at me, and declared I had a "wealth-attracting face." After looking at my star chart, he got so excited he slapped his thigh. Not only was I good for business, he claimed, but I could also counteract the negative energy of the other employees. He told Mr. Henderson that if he wanted the company to turn around, he absolutely had to hire me.
I was there for the whole conversation. I was convinced it was some kind of elaborate scam. I told them I was leaving, but the advisor insisted, urging me to stay. That just made me more suspicious. I pulled out my phone, ready to dial 911.
It was at that critical moment that a major client, one Mr. Henderson had been chasing for months, just happened to walk in. The client said he was in the area and, on a whim, decided to drop by. The advisor insisted that Mr. Henderson include me in the meeting. Faced with a tempting offer of a thousand dollars an hour to be present, I, a fresh-out-of-college graduate, simply couldn't resist.
That afternoon, the client signed a huge deal, pulling the company back from the brink of financial ruin and putting it squarely in the black.
Chapter 2: The Lucky Position
Mr. Henderson had seen my power firsthand, but I still wasn't sold. I had interviewed for a position in the R&D department, but the advisor and Mr. Henderson both insisted I needed to be in sales. They claimed that my presence at contract signings was key to winning over difficult clients and ensuring the company's continued prosperity.
I thought it was all ridiculous. I was pretty sure the client's signing was due to Mr. Henderson's hard work, not my "good vibes."
But Mr. Henderson believed it, and he made me an offer I couldn't refuse. He created a new position just for me: "Sales Contract Coordinator." I got a twenty thousand dollar per-month salary, plus a cut of the sales commission. I had full benefits, no punch-card, and flexible hours. My only job was to be present whenever the sales team was meeting with a client to close a deal.
And just like that, I stayed for six years. My salary grew with the company, and my reputation as the company's lucky charm became legendary. I thought I'd be there forever.
But that all changed two weeks ago. Mr. Henderson decided to expand the company again. He promoted the current sales director to CEO of a new branch and hired a highly-paid replacement from abroad: Jonathan Vance.
On Jonathan's first day, Mr. Henderson brought me to his office and introduced me. He told Jonathan that I was not to be given any work. All I needed to do was show up for client meetings and contract signings, and the rest of the time was mine. Jonathan nodded in agreement, promising he'd respect Mr. Henderson's wishes.
Mr. Henderson then happily left for his two-week wellness retreat. He had no idea what was coming.
The moment Mr. Henderson was gone, Jonathan called an all-hands meeting. In the conference room, he started talking in thinly veiled terms about a lazy fraud who had taken advantage of Mr. Henderson's superstitions, living off the company's dime for doing nothing. I was so mad I was about to stand up and argue, but a few of my colleagues, my closest friends, tugged on my shirt under the table. They whispered for me to stay calm, that this was just a ploy to make me quit. That way, when Mr. Henderson came back, Jonathan could say I'd left of my own accord.
I wasn't going to let that happen. My friends told me to bide my time and report him when Mr. Henderson returned. So I agreed to endure it for now.
My patience only fueled his fire. The next day, after I rolled out of bed and got to the office a little after noon, Jonathan had HR notify me that I was three hours late and had my daily pay and monthly bonus docked.
He was coming for my money now.
Tina, the HR coordinator, tried to soothe me, telling me not to fight him, that Mr. Henderson would restore my pay when he got back. I was still pissed. Seeing my sour mood, the sales team started a steady stream of snacks to my desk. Within minutes, it was covered in coffee, donuts, chips, and fried chicken.
My team lead, Sarah, leaned in close and whispered, "Chloe, hang in there! When Mr. Henderson gets back, he'll make him apologize to you personally."
I sipped the coffee my colleagues had given me, feeling a little better. "Day two without the boss. I miss him already."
Sarah chuckled, then handed me her phone. "Forget about him for a second. Help me with this client. I've been trying to call him all day, but he's not picking up. I think another company is trying to steal him. Can you try?"
I took the phone and pressed the call button. "Hello, Mr. Davis?" The call was answered instantly.
Sarah snatched the phone back, gave me a thumbs-up, and enthusiastically greeted the client. "Mr. Davis! Great to hear from you!"
Chapter 3: The Charm in Action
With Sarah gone and my schedule for the day looking empty, I decided to stay at the office. My job was flexible, but I always stayed just in case a client decided to drop in at the last minute. Unlike the other employees, who had to pretend to be busy, I could openly surf the internet or watch TV. My coworkers, after six years, were completely fine with it. In fact, they encouraged it. They were worried that if I ever got bored, I might try to find a job that required actual work.
At first, they'd been a little jealous, but reality had changed their minds. They had all come to agree that I was the rightful owner of the "lucky charm" title. In my second year, I got bored and tried to persuade Mr. Henderson to transfer me to R&D. He eventually gave in, and I started my new job. But as soon as I left, things got weird. Several clients we were about to sign suddenly backed out.
The sales team, convinced it was a coincidence, tried to win the clients back. It didn't work. The clients were determined to go with another company. Our competitors had more money and better brand recognition, so we couldn't compete with them on our own. With the sales team panicking, they went to Mr. Henderson and explained what was happening.
Furious, Mr. Henderson immediately reassigned me to my old position. Miraculously, one of the clients, who had been on his way to sign with the competition, got into a minor fender bender. Shaken, he had a change of heart and decided to come back and sign with us.
After that, Mr. Henderson and the entire sales team were completely on board with my "mystical" status. Even Mr. Henderson, who had had some doubts, was now a firm believer. He'd do anything for me, except for one thing: he absolutely would not let me go back to R&D.
I was nervous. I didn't feel secure in my mascot status. I had a nagging feeling that this was all just a series of unlikely coincidences, and my luck was bound to run out.
My colleagues sensed my unease and went into overdrive. That month, they worked around the clock, chasing down clients on the "unwinnable" list. When they couldn't get a hold of someone, they would have me make the call, and every single time, I would get through and the deal would close. The company's sales hit a new record, and everyone won. Mr. Henderson got richer, my colleagues got huge commissions, and I got a raise.
After that, I settled into my role, fully committed to my job of eating, drinking, and watching TV.
Mr. Henderson didn't care, and neither did my colleagues.
But the new sales director, Jonathan Vance, cared very, very much.
Jonathan had already docked my pay that morning for being late, and now, as he walked past my desk, he saw the show on my computer. He stopped, tapped his finger on my desk, and frowned. "Watching TV during office hours? Is this something you're not aware of?"
I took off my headphones. "I'm sorry, what did you say? I didn't hear you."
His face darkened. "One warning for watching TV at work. Two hundred dollar fine. Three warnings and you're out. My team doesn't allow for employees with no ambition."
His voice was loud, and my colleagues, who had been covertly watching us, froze. I stood up to confront him. "Mr. Henderson allows me to watch TV! If he doesn't have a problem with it, why do you get to fine me and give me a warning?"
Jonathan stood his ground. "Because I'm your manager. As long as you're in the sales department, I have the authority to manage you."
A colleague tried to intervene. "Jonathan, Chloe is different…"
Jonathan cut him off. "There is nothing 'different' about her. I don't give out special treatment. If every employee acted like this, how would this company grow? Are you so bored you have time to stand up for her? Go make some calls, find some new clients! What are you all standing around for?"
Jonathan's words incited a rebellion. Someone muttered, "Chloe's not bothering anyone just watching a show."
Another coworker piped up, "If I could be the lucky charm, I'd be even more shameless than her."
A third chimed in, "Exactly! If he makes our golden goose leave, I'm going to rip his throat out."
Jonathan overheard the last comment but couldn't tell who had said it. He yelled, "Who said that? If you've got a problem with me, say it to my face!"
A few of the younger, more hot-headed employees were about to stand up and argue. I realized that Jonathan was looking for a fight and that without Mr. Henderson here, he'd just fire them to make an example of me. So, I bit my tongue and accepted the fine and the warning.
Jonathan's face was filled with a smug satisfaction. "Don't let me catch you doing anything unrelated to work again. Since you have so much free time, you can help Tina with her paperwork." He pointed to Tina's desk, where a massive stack of unfiled documents sat. "Those better be done by the end of the day."
Tina stared at the pile, then at me, her face pale with shock. After Jonathan left, she moaned, "That's a week's worth of work! How am I supposed to finish that by the end of the day?"
I sighed. "That bastard Jonathan…"
Chapter 4: The Impossible Task
It was impossible. Absolutely impossible.
Tina helped me for two hours before I sent her home, telling her I'd stay and finish it. As I worked, I fantasized about Mr. Henderson's return, imagining Jonathan on his knees, slapping himself, and crying for my forgiveness. Jonathan thought he could force me to quit with three warnings. Fat chance. I was going to beat him at his own game.
I channeled my rage into my work. And then, I looked at the three hundred pages of documents still sitting on my desk and broke down. I hadn't realized how hard it was to go from having a relaxed life to a truly difficult one.
It was 8:00 p.m. By this time, I should have been in my cozy apartment, showered, and ready to play video games with my friends. Instead, I was staring at a mountain of paperwork. My stomach rumbled in protest.
I decided to take a break and go to the deli downstairs for a sandwich. The deli was on the ground floor of my building, but to get there, I had to walk around the entire block. I could also take the elevator to the basement and use the exit that led out right next to the deli.
I chose the latter. The elevator doors opened to the basement, and I immediately saw Jonathan standing there.
Chapter 5: The Discovery
My gut reaction to seeing someone I disliked was to hide. So, without thinking, I ducked into the stairwell.
A second later, I was mad at myself. Why was I hiding? I could have just walked past him. But I was already in the stairwell. I saw Jonathan glance at the open elevator doors, then turn away when he saw no one. It would be too awkward to walk out now. I decided to wait for him to leave.
He was clearly waiting for someone. I regretted my decision instantly. I could just take the stairs to the ground floor and leave through the main entrance. I took a step up.
Just then, a saccharine voice cooed, "Honey... have you been waiting long?"
I froze. My eyes widened in shock. A good-looking young man ran up and threw his arms around Jonathan. They hugged intimately. I even saw Jonathan gently caress the man's face and smile. "It's fine. I'll wait as long as I have to."
The young man looked touched. "That's so sweet of you."
I was completely dumbfounded. Jonathan was married, wasn't he? My mind raced as I realized I had stumbled upon a major scandal. But what Jonathan said next was even more shocking.
"That's sweet? What if I told you I found you an easy job with a high salary? You'd be so happy you'd cry!"
I wanted to spit at him. Crying with happiness? What a cheapskate. If he couldn't afford a lover, he should just say so instead of trying to get him a job.
I pulled out my phone and started recording them. I was going to expose this two-timing dirtbag to his wife.
The young man, Lucas, was so excited. "What kind of job?"
I shook my head, convinced he was a lovesick fool. But a lovesick fool or not, cheating was wrong. They both deserved to be exposed.
Then I heard Jonathan say, "The contract coordinator position in my department. You don't have to do any real work, you can leave whenever you want, and you'll still get a salary and a cut of the sales commission."
Oh no. This was about me.
Lucas was overjoyed. "A job that good? When can I start? I want to see you every day!"
Jonathan shook his head. "Not so fast. I have to get the person who's in the position now to leave first. Then you can have it."
Lucas looked worried. "That's such a great job, no one in their right mind would ever quit."
I felt a sudden, profound sense of insult.
Jonathan reassured Lucas, all the while mocking me, saying I was a charlatan who had exploited Mr. Henderson's superstitions to get a free ride. He told Lucas that after he forced me out, he would hire a fake spiritual advisor, just like Mr. Henderson had done for me, to make the boss believe that Lucas also had "good vibes." That way, when Mr. Henderson came back, he couldn't say anything.
And that was why he had targeted me from the start. His plan was devious and well thought out.
Chapter 6: The Rival's Offer
I was so shocked by the vile corporate scheming I'd witnessed that I completely forgot about my hunger. After the two men left, I went back upstairs, still in a daze. As I stepped out of the elevator on the thirteenth floor, I bumped into Mr. Palmer.
He was the CEO of the company across the hall. The moment he saw me, his eyes lit up. "Chloe! What are you doing here so late?" he asked, a little too enthusiastically.
"Just finishing up some work," I replied, a little flustered.
Mr. Palmer looked surprised. "A client meeting at this hour?"
I gave him a weak smile. "No, just… some other work."
He was even more surprised. "Your boss is making you work this late? That's just cruel. If you came to my company, I'd never make you work late. In fact, I'd give you stock options! What do you say?"
Mr. Palmer looked at me, hoping for an answer.
I couldn't believe so many people believed in this. I was a normal person, a magnet for crazy coincidences. Now this guy was offering me a fat salary and stock options. But Mr. Palmer's company was on the verge of bankruptcy. What good were stock options in a company that was about to go under?
The building we were in was prime real estate. When Mr. Henderson started his company, he'd used his entire life savings to rent half of the thirteenth floor. For the first few years, two-thirds of the office space was empty. But three years ago, the company had grown so large they were running out of space. Mr. Henderson, who believed the building brought him good luck, didn't want to move. He had set his sights on the company across the hall.
Back then, the other company was doing just fine. They owned their half of the floor, so Mr. Henderson couldn't buy it. He had to open a new branch somewhere else, but he never gave up on acquiring Mr. Palmer's company. They had been fierce competitors, and Mr. Henderson wanted to prove he was better.
Three years later, Mr. Palmer's company was failing, and he desperately needed capital. Mr. Henderson had heard the news and was already in the process of buying them out. The deal hadn't been finalized yet.
Because our companies were so close, Mr. Palmer knew about my "lucky charm" reputation. He had been skeptical at first, but now he was trying to poach me every chance he got. I politely refused him, just as I always did. Mr. Palmer, looking disappointed, leaned in and whispered, "Just think about it. If you come to my company, you get stock options. When your boss buys my company, your shares will be worth a fortune."
Mr. Henderson, I'm just a simple girl. My resistance to money isn't that high. If you don't come back soon to save me from Jonathan, I'm going to take this offer.
Chapter 7: The Breaking Point
My desire for money was a powerful shield against Mr. Palmer's offer, and I went back to work, a true plow horse. I didn't leave until 10 p.m.
The next morning, I woke up with a rebellious streak. I got to the office just in time to clock in. Jonathan, disappointed that I wasn't late again, looked for something else to criticize. "Everyone else gets here at least ten minutes early. You get here right on time. If everyone started acting like you, who would be responsible for the company's downfall?"
Was it a crime to be on time? What was his problem? I thought the words, but they came out of my mouth before I could stop them. My slip of the tongue was too much for Jonathan, and his face contorted in anger. He pointed a finger at me. "One more warning for disrespecting a superior! This is your last chance!"
I couldn't believe it. I'd walked right into his trap. I silently made a mental note: Mr. Henderson gets back, and Jonathan Vance gets a report for every single transgression.
I stormed off to find Tina in HR and ask her for more information about Jonathan's wife. She shook her head, saying Jonathan was a new hire. His file showed he was married, but the emergency contact was not his wife. I was disappointed and went back to my desk.
As I approached my cubicle, the massive stack of papers nearly made me turn around and leave.
Chapter 8: Team Support
My colleagues saw the papers and rushed to my side.
"What did that jerk do this time?" Tina asked, her voice laced with fury.
"He told me to get all this done by the end of the day," I said, pointing at the mountain of documents. I threw my bag on the ground and slumped into my chair. "I just got here, and he gave me my last warning. I'm one step away from being fired."
The entire sales team went ballistic.
"He's pushing her too far!" one of my coworkers yelled.
"He wants to get her fired so his mistress can take her job!" another chimed in.
"He's giving us a bad name!" a third person added.
A few of the younger employees were so angry they started to curse at the top of their lungs, but the older, more experienced ones stopped them. "Don't let him get to you. Let's not give him a reason to fire us. Mr. Henderson will be back soon!"
My colleagues were all so good to me. Jonathan's antics brought us all closer together, and we decided to fight back as a team. We worked together, finishing the paperwork in just four hours. Tina, who had been a little resentful that I had a cushy job, was now a firm believer in me. She told me that for the last four hours, we'd been working so efficiently that we got a month's worth of work done in an afternoon.
"Chloe, you're the greatest lucky charm ever!" she yelled, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
I just smiled back at her, tired. My colleagues were amazing, and they were the only reason I didn't quit. They kept telling me to hold on, and so I did.
The day passed, and I went home, utterly exhausted. The next day was a Friday, and I woke up feeling a little rebellious. I had already gotten my final warning from Jonathan, so what else could he do to me? I got to the office at 11 a.m.
Jonathan saw me walk in and his eyes widened in surprise. "Chloe! I have to say, I'm shocked. I thought you'd be here earlier today."
"I was running late," I said, a little too calmly.
Jonathan's face darkened, but he said nothing. He walked away, muttering to himself. "I have to fire her before Mr. Henderson gets back..."
The next day, Jonathan tried a new tactic. He called me into his office and asked me to give a presentation to the new hires. I had never done a presentation before, and I was horrible at public speaking. He knew this and was trying to humiliate me.
I decided to take the bait. I walked into the conference room, my head held high. I gave a speech about the importance of being yourself and finding your own rhythm in the workplace. I told them about my job and how I had earned it. My colleagues, who were listening in, were all cheering for me. Even Jonathan was a little surprised.
The new hires, who were all very impressed with my speech, asked me a bunch of questions. I answered them all with a smile on my face, and by the end of the presentation, they were all on my side.
Jonathan, who had been watching the whole time, looked furious. He had lost the battle, and now he was going to lose the war.
Chapter 9: The Company Party Trap
Jonathan's next move was even more brazen. He held a company party, but instead of a formal dinner, he rented a small bar and held it there. It was his way of getting me to drink and embarrass myself. He thought if I got drunk, I would say something that he could use against me.
My colleagues, who knew what he was trying to do, surrounded me all night. They kept refilling my glass with sparkling cider, telling me it was the best champagne they'd ever tasted. I was in a sea of laughter and good cheer, and I had no idea what was happening.
Jonathan, who had been watching me all night, finally lost his patience. He walked up to me, his eyes blazing with fury. "Chloe, you're not even drinking!"
I looked at him, confused. "What are you talking about? I've been drinking all night! The champagne is delicious."
He looked at my glass, and his eyes widened in shock. "That's not champagne! That's sparkling cider!"
My colleagues all burst out laughing. Jonathan's face turned a deep shade of red, and he stormed off. The party was a success, and I had no idea that I had just won another battle.
The next day, Jonathan tried another tactic. He told me that Mr. Henderson had called him, and he wanted me to get a new suit. I was thrilled. I thought Mr. Henderson was finally coming back and would put a stop to all of Jonathan's antics. But Jonathan, who had been listening to my conversation with my colleagues, smiled. "He wants you to wear a suit, Chloe, not just any suit. A formal suit."
I was confused. Why would he want me to wear a formal suit? I had always worn my usual casual attire to work. Jonathan just smiled, and a sinister glint appeared in his eyes.
I went to a fancy boutique and got a beautiful formal suit. My colleagues were all very impressed, but I had a nagging feeling that something was wrong. Tina, who had been an assistant manager for a long time, told me that Mr. Henderson was a man of simple tastes. He never liked formal suits and always preferred casual attire.
I decided to call Mr. Henderson myself. I got his assistant on the phone, and she told me that Mr. Henderson was still on his retreat and would be back in two days. I was so angry I wanted to scream.
Jonathan was lying to me again. He was trying to get me to buy an expensive suit so he could mock me.
Chapter 10: The Final Straw
I decided to play along with Jonathan's game. I walked into work the next day wearing my new suit. My colleagues were all very impressed, but Jonathan just laughed. "Chloe, you look ridiculous! A formal suit? What are you, a lawyer?"
I just smiled back at him, my head held high. "Mr. Henderson asked me to wear it. If you have a problem with it, you can take it up with him."
Jonathan's face turned red with anger. He had been so sure I wouldn't call Mr. Henderson, so he never thought I would find out about his lie. He just gritted his teeth and walked away.
But his plan wasn't over yet. He had a surprise waiting for me.
Later that day, I saw a familiar face at the office. It was Lucas, Jonathan's lover. He was dressed in a sales team uniform, and he was smiling at me, a hint of malice in his eyes. Jonathan had hired him. I couldn't believe it.
I went to Jonathan's office and demanded an explanation. "How could you do this? You hired him? You told me you would never do this!"
Jonathan just laughed, a cruel, cold sound. "I did what I had to do. You were not going to quit, so I had to find a way to get you out."
I was so angry I wanted to punch him. My colleagues, who had been watching us from afar, all stormed into Jonathan's office.
"What did you do, Jonathan?" Sarah, my team lead, asked.
"I hired a new employee," Jonathan said with a smug smile. "Lucas. He's my new Sales Contract Coordinator. Chloe, you're fired."
Everyone was in shock.
I couldn't believe it. I had been fighting this man for weeks, and now he had won. I looked at my colleagues, and they all looked heartbroken. They had all been on my side, and now they were watching me get fired.
I packed my things and left the office, my head held high. My colleagues all gathered around me, their faces full of sadness. "Chloe, we're so sorry," one of them said.
"It's not your fault," I said. "He just played dirty."
I walked out of the office and into the elevator. When the doors opened, I saw Mr. Palmer.
"Chloe!" he said, his eyes lighting up. "What are you doing here?"
"I just got fired," I said.
Mr. Palmer's face fell. "Oh no! Jonathan Vance fired you?"
I nodded, my eyes filled with tears.
Mr. Palmer, who had been a rival of Mr. Henderson for years, smiled. "Then come with me. I have a job for you."
Chapter 11: The New Beginning
I didn't hesitate. I walked straight across the hall to Mr. Palmer's company. He was true to his word and gave me a job. My new position was the same as my old one, but with a different title. I was the new "Business Operations Advisor." The salary was incredible, and I got a cut of the sales commission. Best of all, I also got stock options. Mr. Palmer, who was a firm believer in my lucky charm status, was so happy he gave me a special office with a beautiful view of the city.
My old colleagues, who had been watching me from across the hall, all started a group chat to talk about my new job. They were all so happy for me, but they were also a little sad. They missed me and my good luck.
I told them that I'd be back soon, and they should all stay put. They were all a little nervous, but they trusted me.
The next day, Jonathan saw me at Mr. Palmer's company, and his face turned a deep shade of purple. He couldn't believe that I had gotten a new job so quickly, let alone a job at his rival's company. He called Mr. Henderson's assistant and complained, but she told him that Mr. Henderson was on his retreat and couldn't be reached.
Jonathan was fuming. He had worked so hard to get me fired, and now I was at the rival company, working for his competition. He couldn't believe his bad luck.
Chapter 12: The Lucky Streak
I was at Mr. Palmer's company for a week, and in that week, things started to change. The company, which was on the verge of bankruptcy, started to turn a corner. We started to get new clients, and the sales team was on a roll. They were so happy, and they all believed that I was the reason for their newfound success.
Mr. Palmer was ecstatic. He had a lucky charm on his side, and he was convinced that he was going to beat Mr. Henderson.
But I knew better. I knew that my luck was not a real thing. It was just a series of coincidences, and they were all about to end. I had a plan, and I was going to put it into motion.
The next day, Mr. Palmer came to me and told me that Mr. Henderson's company was trying to acquire his. He was so happy, and he told me that he would be a very rich man. But he was also a little sad. He had lost his lucky charm to his rival.
I told him not to worry. "Mr. Palmer, I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to stay with you."
Mr. Palmer's face lit up with joy. He was so happy he almost cried.
I smiled back at him, my heart filled with a little bit of guilt. I was about to stab him in the back, but I had to. It was all part of my plan to get rid of Jonathan.
Chapter 13: The Return of Henderson
Mr. Henderson came back the next day, and the first thing he did was call me. He was so angry, and he demanded to know why I had left his company. I told him everything. I told him about Jonathan's plan, about his lover, Lucas, and about how he had been trying to get me fired.
Mr. Henderson was so angry he could barely speak. He couldn't believe that Jonathan had been so unprofessional. He promised me that he would make things right and that I would get my job back.
I told him I didn't want my job back. "Mr. Henderson, I have a new job, and I'm very happy here. Mr. Palmer gave me stock options, and I'm going to be a very rich woman."
Mr. Henderson was in shock. He couldn't believe that I had left him for his rival. He was so sad, and he begged me to come back. "Chloe, please come back. I'll give you double the salary! I'll give you a car! Anything you want, just come back."
I just smiled back at him. "Mr. Henderson, I'm sorry, but I can't. I'm happy here."
Mr. Henderson was heartbroken, and he hung up the phone. I knew he would be sad, but I had to do what I had to do.
I went to Mr. Palmer and told him that Mr. Henderson had called me. Mr. Palmer's face lit up with a mischievous glint. "He wants you back, doesn't he? I knew it!"
I nodded, my face a perfect picture of innocence.
"Well, I'm not letting you go!" he said. "You're my lucky charm now!"
Mr. Palmer was so happy he gave me a huge bonus. I went home that night, happy and a little bit sad. I had won the battle, but I had also lost a friend.
Chapter 14: Jonathan's Downfall
The next day, Jonathan Vance was fired. Mr. Henderson had found out about his two-timing ways and his plan to get me fired, and he was so angry he fired him on the spot. Jonathan, who had been so smug just a few days ago, was now crying, begging for his job back.
Mr. Henderson was having none of it. "You tried to get rid of my lucky charm! Do you have any idea how much money I've lost because of you? Get out of my sight!"
Jonathan was escorted out of the office by security, and he was never seen again.
Lucas, who had been so happy he got a new job, was also fired. He was so sad, and he came to me, crying. "Chloe, I'm so sorry! I should have never listened to Jonathan! Please, can you help me get my job back?"
I just looked at him, my face a perfect picture of indifference. "Lucas, I'm sorry, but I can't. You should have thought about the consequences before you did what you did."
Lucas was heartbroken, and he left the office, his head held low.
My old colleagues all called me to tell me the good news. They were so happy that Jonathan was gone, and they were all begging me to come back.
I just smiled back at them. "Don't worry, guys. I'll be back soon. Just hang in there."
Chapter 15: The Master Plan Revealed
Two weeks later, the acquisition of Mr. Palmer's company was finalized. Mr. Henderson, who had been my boss and my friend for six years, was now the owner of two companies. He had a meeting with Mr. Palmer and me, and he told me that he was so happy I was back.
"Chloe, I'm so sorry I let Jonathan do that to you," he said. "I should have never left you alone with him."
I just smiled back at him. "It's fine, Mr. Henderson. It's all in the past."
Mr. Palmer, who had been my rival for years, was now my boss. But he was also my friend. He told me that he was so happy I had come to his company, and he was even happier that I was staying.
I told him that I was also very happy. I had a new job, new friends, and a new life. And I was also a very rich woman.
I had stock options in Mr. Palmer's company, and when Mr. Henderson acquired it, my shares were worth a fortune. I had played Jonathan's game and won, but I had also played Mr. Henderson's game and won.
I had to tell Mr. Henderson the truth. I had to confess that I had gone to Mr. Palmer's company not out of spite, but because I had a plan. I told him about the stock options and about how I had known that he would eventually acquire Mr. Palmer's company.
Mr. Henderson just laughed, a deep, hearty laugh. "Chloe, you're not just a lucky charm. You're a business genius!"
He was so proud of me, and he told me that I could have any job I wanted. I just smiled back at him. "Mr. Henderson, I just want my old job back. I want to be the company mascot again. I want to be the lucky charm."
Mr. Henderson, who had been so stressed out about the acquisition, just smiled. "Chloe, you're the best lucky charm a company could ever ask for."
Chapter 16: The Unlucky Lucky Charm Returns
I was back.
I had my old job back, my old office, and my old life. I had my friends back, and I was happy. Jonathan Vance was gone, and Lucas was gone. It was just me, my colleagues, and my boss.
Mr. Henderson, who had been so worried about the company's future, was now a happy man. His two companies were thriving, and he was richer than ever. And he gave me a raise, of course.
I was once again a "plow horse" who didn't have to work. I had my flexible hours, my big salary, and my benefits. And I had a new office with a beautiful view of the city. I also had a new nickname: "The Unlucky Lucky Charm."
My colleagues, who had been through the ordeal with me, were all happy. They had a new boss, but they still had their old lucky charm. They were still a little scared of me, though. They had seen what I was capable of, and they knew not to cross me.
I, Chloe, the "Unlucky Lucky Charm," was finally at peace. I was happy, I was rich, and I was the best company mascot a boss could ever ask for. I had found my place in the world, and I was never going to leave.
I was going to stay a lucky charm, and I was going to make sure that everyone knew it.
Epilogue
Looking back on the whole ordeal, I realized that my great-uncle might have been right after all. Maybe I wasn't born on the luckiest day, but I certainly wasn't unlucky either. I had learned to create my own fortune through wit, timing, and a little bit of strategic thinking.
The company continued to thrive under Mr. Henderson's leadership, with both branches performing better than ever. My colleagues remained loyal friends, and even Mr. Palmer seemed content with the acquisition, knowing he had gotten a good deal.
As for Jonathan and Lucas, I heard through the office grapevine that they had moved to another city, where Jonathan found work at a much smaller company. I wished them no ill will—after all, their scheming had inadvertently made me wealthy beyond my wildest dreams.
Every morning, I would arrive at the office (at whatever time I pleased), settle into my comfortable chair, and smile as I looked out at the city below. I had gone from being an unlucky plow horse to the luckiest mascot in corporate America.
And if anyone ever questioned my methods or my value to the company, I would just remind them of one simple truth: sometimes the best luck comes not from the stars, but from knowing exactly when and how to make your own fortune.
After all, I was Chloe—the Unlucky Lucky Charm who had learned to be very, very lucky indeed.
The End