Chapter Sixty Six: Back to Square One

Aicher I packed my stuff into a moving box, feeling the gazes of everyone in my department on me. Shem looked sheepishly at me, sitting stiffly in his seat with his hands paused on his keyboard. I watched longingly at the desk that had been briefly mine and pondered about the memories I could have built around here. If only I hadn't made the costly mistake of being loose-mouthed on my first day of work. Celine was right; I should have been more cautious. I had wasted a golden opportunity because I had been too careless. I looked at Shem as I packed the last of my stuff into the blue plastic box, placing its cover down on it. "I'm sorry, man," Shem said in a low voice, feeling contrite. I didn't reply to his apology. Deep within me, the urge to plant the blame for my circumstance was strong. So, I held back from talking, for if I did, he wouldn't like my tone. I carried my box in my hand and turned toward the team leader's desk, tilting my head in a polite bow. He inched