Pregnant Bully Meets Undercover Boss

I was having lunch in the cafeteria when my pregnant coworker, Cindy Jenkins, reached across with her fork and speared the fried chicken drumstick right off my plate.

She did not say a word until she had finished every last bite, then casually remarked, "I'm six months pregnant now, which is when I need the most nutrition. Plus, I'm carrying a boy, the only grandson in my husband's family. Do you all understand how important this baby is?"

I stared at her, dumbfounded. "What's that got to do with me? It's not like I'm the father."

She completely ignored me and said, "I'm just letting you all know. From now on, you're taking turns giving me your chicken drumsticks."

The other coworkers at the table quickly looked down and focused on their food, nobody daring to say anything. Only me, the one person who never backed down, kept staring straight at her.

Cindy slammed her fork onto her tray. "What are you looking at? Your drumsticks are mine from now on, got it?"

This was not the first time Cindy Jenkins had barked orders at the rest of us. I had only been at the company for two months, yet I had already seen all kinds of outrageous demands she made while using her pregnancy as an excuse.

She had Mike Miller from Finance drive 25 extra miles every day to chauffeur her to and from work, just because she was afraid riding the bus would harm her precious baby.

Not only that, but she also made Chloe Williams from Purchasing buy her a fresh bouquet every single day, and it had to have dew on the petals. She claimed the scent of fresh flowers helped with fetal movement.

She even had Stephanie Parker from the cubicle next to mine, who majored in foreign languages, sing foreign songs to her belly. She called it 'starting language lessons before the baby was even born.'

It was just a pregnancy, but I could not shake the feeling that Cindy acted like it made her royalty, bossing people around like it was the most natural thing in the world. At this moment, she was setting her sights on our meals.

Watching her strutting around like she owned the place, I had no intention of being polite anymore.

"I honestly don't get it. Are you acting like this because your husband can't afford to buy you a chicken drumstick? If you're having financial difficulties at home, you can apply for extra subsidies through the company's employee assistance program."

I knew it was not great to make assumptions about someone's financial situation, but I could not think of any other reason Cindy was acting this way.

Hearing my question, Cindy shot up from her seat, slamming the table, her finger shaking as she pointed it at my nose. "What are you trying to say? Are you trying to say my husband is poor?!"

"Oh no, Cindy, don't get upset! Think of the baby!" Chloe immediately stood up to steady her, shooting me desperate looks.

"Theodore, apologize to Cindy right now! There's no way she can't afford a chicken drumstick!"

"Oh man, I misunderstood. I'm really sorry, Cindy."

Knowing the truth now, I felt a bit embarrassed for misjudging her.

After hearing my apology, Cindy snorted coldly. "That's more like it!"

"Cindy, since you've got money, how about you transfer the money for the drumstick then? It's from the cafeteria counter, two bucks."

Since she was not broke, surely she could afford to pay me back.

Cindy's fork, which had been reaching for my plate again, froze midair, and her face instantly turned bright red.

The next second, she flung her sauce-covered fork right at my face. "Fine! Theodore Lloyd, you want to play games with me?! You're just an intern. You'd better watch yourself! I'll make your life hell if it's the last thing I do!"

After hurling that threat at me, Cindy stormed out of the cafeteria in a rage.

Stephanie, sitting next to me, looked worried as she helped wipe my face. "Good grief, you're in for it now! Your life here is going to be rough! But that was awesome! That's the first time I've ever seen Cindy get put in her place!"

From what she said, I could hear how much everyone resented Cindy. Before this, I had thought they helped her willingly, but it seemed that was not the case at all.

I asked, "Why does everyone just do whatever she says?"

Stephanie sighed. "Theodore, you came later, so you aren't aware of most things. Mr. Lionel Jenkins, the head of our department, is her uncle. Those of us without connections don't dare cross her."