The Yellow Lily

The clock is ticking. As time passes by, I remain sitting in front of my working desk without any motion. I know I shouldn’t waste any precious seconds that I have, but I really have no idea of what is happening right now. Sweat began to flow and my whole body was shivering. I can feel the adrenalin was moving through my vein and my heart trembling very fast. I drown under the unfinished paper works that are not supposed to be my job anymore. Just now, during the meeting between the board managers, something ridiculous happened to me.

“Vera, I hope you understand the situation. Our publisher wants something fresh and different for this special issue,” said the lady in the red scarf.

“But Mrs. Gloria, I can make something new! I will have a meeting with my crew and send the proposal. Instead of having a stand-in editor, why don’t you guys just stick with me? Or are you dubious with my capabilities? Come on, I have 10 years experience in editing magazine!” Vera Kent replied with indecent tone. She’s my boss. I’ve been working for her for about 4 years. A very distress, agony and miserable years.

“Calm down, Vera. We do believe with your credibility. Of course, you’re a great editor. You make this GROOM magazine as best-seller for 3 years. How could we forget that?”

“Then, why is that I’m going to be transferred to the publishing department? All these while, I am the one who determine the story and content of the magazine, and I’ve been waiting so long for this summer edition!” her eyes were full of anger. She strongly disagrees with the boards’ decision.

“Well, at least you’ve been promoted,” said the women with blonde hair. “You should be pleased.”

“But, I don’t want the promotion! I want to lead the issue!”

“Let us bring this to a close! Vera, you need to find someone to replace you. It’s up to you to decide who, as long as the person can be dependable.” Now she has to find her replacement. She was about to lose her career and these crazy people asked her to find the new person to fill her pose? What nonsense!

“Make sure the new person is highly skilfully. You might don’t want to screw the company.” And I came in during the wrong time, I guess.

“Where can I put the drinks Miss Vera?” All of a sudden, her eyes were staring me with a keen look. I just can’t take her sharp glances and turn down.

“I’m sorry…I’m so sorry if I’ve disturb your discussion. I don’t mean to interrupt, I just…I just want to send the drinks,” I answered stammering.

“Never mind, Mary. Just put them there.” I nodded my head and just about to leave the room when suddenly Miss Vera called my name.

“Wait, Mary! I have some important announcement to make and I want you to listen.” I stood quietly in front of the conference table.

“Alright, ladies and gentlemen,” she started to say something. “If you insist, I will do as what all of you wanted.” She paused and looked at me, and she continues. “I introduce you, Mary Ann Julie, a very loyal assistant of mine to replace me!”

“What? Me?!” I was so shocked. I never have any knowledge about editing a magazine!

“Are you sure, Vera? Don’t you think that you are hesitating?” Mrs. Gloria was observing me from tip to toe. I know she must be doubtful with my capability. Plus, I don’t even impress her with my appearance. I look very plain, boring and only black and white.

“I know Mary for quite a long time. She might not have experience, but she‘s one hardworking employee. In fact, she tends to learn new thing fast.”She smiled at me, but I don’t know what the smile means. My cell phone suddenly rang and fades away my entire day-dream just now. It was Alice, my BFF.

“Hi, Mary! I just heard about the news. Was that for real?” she asked with full of curiosity.

“It’s true, Alice. Oh my Lord, I’m dead!” I replied helplessly.

“This is insane! It’s cool, honey! Wow, I’m proud of you!”

“What is so cool about being a stand-in editor if you don’t even know anything on how to operate it? This is the craziest things ever in my life!” As I was having a conversation with Alice, I saw Vera is heading to my table. “Hold on Alice, the witch is on her broom to me. I’ll continue later, bye!”

“This file contains all of my ideas for the special issue. I want you to follow the guidelines and don’t you dare to change any single thing!” A violet ring file with some pictures and paper works was slammed onto my table.

“But, Miss Vera….I know nothing about fashion. In fact, I don’t even know anything about being an editor.”

“I know that and I choose you because of that. I’m using you as the stand-in editor because I know you wouldn’t mess up with me!” Her eyes shrink. “In fact, I still want my ideas to be published! If they choose another person, I will loss this opportunity. How clever I am right? By the way, this drive contains the layout that we’ve been using all this while. Please take good care of it or you’ll dead!” she left me with her evil laugh. She’s using me? Argh, this is so pathetic!

Mary: Let’s meet up! I have something to tell you.

Alice: Where? What time?

Mary: This evening at 3. I’ll wait you at home.

Alice: Deal!

I turned off my notebook and sit pensively on my chair. Tomorrow, I have to move all my things to Vera’s room. I’ll be sitting there for about a month to work on this summer special issue for GROOM magazine……….

Alice was waiting in front of our apartment, carrying a bouquet of yellow lily when I arrived home. She forgets to bring the key again, I guess.

“Those are nice. Who gave you?”

“Robert gave me this. He said that lily symbolized true friendship.” She smiled and shrugged.

“I think he has a crush on you. This is his first step on getting you. Don’t you get it?” I smiled and poke her.

“Shut up, Mary.” She laughed and put the flower into a long slim vase that she bought at Beijing last year. A dragon image was nicely painted on the vase. “So, tell me about this surprising promotion.”

“It’s not a promotion, Alice. I’ve been used by Vera. The publisher wants something different for this special summer issue and they wanted a temporary editor with a fresher idea.” I took a depth breath before I continued. “She chooses me because I’m her assistant. She knows that I will follow her orders and yet she wants me to publish her muse. “

“That’s cruel and unfair! For the meantime, you are not her assistant anymore. You’re the editor! The issue must be from your perspective.”

“I know, Alice, but what should I do? I have zero knowledge about grooming and fashion! I just have to follow her order and I’ll be saved.”

“It’s a big no for me! You have to find an inspiration to be highlight on this issue and it must portrait yourself. “

“I can’t think right now. I’m so stress! Luckily you bring back those fabulous lilies. At least, I have something bright and calming to be seen.” I laid myself on the sofa. My neuron brain has been working very hard today and now I have a very bad headache.

“Wait a minute, Mary. Hold it right there. Hmm…I think you’ve just said something really inspirational.” Alice jumped over me and grabbed my shoulders.

“Ouch! Stop doing that! It hurts!”

“The lily! It’s very brilliant! Just imagine, the summer with bright colours of lily as the inspiration! Plus, it also symbolized friendship and warm welcome of summer!”

“Yeah….wow! It’s cool! It’s great! Bright colour for summer indicates happiness and true friendship! Oh my God! This is going to be a great issue!” I was like jumping over my apartment because of the excitement. I will present this idea and write a proposal for it. I really hope that my idea can be accepted.

“That was a brilliant inspiration, Mary. We just can’t wait to see the outcome. The readers might love the issue.”

“Does that mean my idea was accepted?” I was full of hope. When they nodded their head, I was flying over the cloud nine! This is awesome! It was indeed a good start for an amateur like me. As I was busy preparing the outlines of the issue, Vera crashed into my office with glaring fired eyes.

“What the hell are you doing, Mary?! What I’ve told you? How dare you change the headlines of the issue!”

“I think as an editor, we have our own style and inspiration. This issue was under my monitor and I have every right on how to control it.” I build my courage to defend myself. I know Vera was a very cunning person and it’s not easy to defeat her.

“What do you know about being an editor? You are just one big loser secretary that knows nothing!” She said vainly.

“At least, I know my field of works and not meddle on other’s work. Please, I have datelines to be followed and lots of works still need to be done. I think you should’ve known that.” I replied and opened the door for her. She stared me with an evil-sharp look.

“You are going to get it from me!” she left with full of anger. Surprisingly, I don’t feel threaten this time. I felt a new spirit surrounds my will. I will never live under her fingertips anymore.

It lefts only about two weeks before the releasing date come. My team and I have been working so hard all this while.

“Who’s the cover page?”

“I’m thinking of Taylor Swift.”

“And why is she?”

“Because she’s warm, full of joy and also a clean public figure. Guess what? She loves lily!”

“What about the concept? Have you planned everything?”

“I imagine of polka dots with yellow, light materials with vintage style, open toad, a hat and surrounds with yellow lily. Don’t forget to call Yves Saint Laurent to confirm their sponsorship. And one more thing, don’t forget to add the effect of the dawn for the photo shoot.”

“Wow, that’s not fashion, that’s style! I hope we can work this out together!”

It’s just the final process left which is the transforming of content into full layout. Oh my God, time is running so fast! It needs to be arranged according to the respective column before one master copy is produced and presented to the publisher.

“Mary, please come here for a while. We are having a big trouble!” My assistant, Daniel rushed into my room. His face is full of anxiety.

“What is it? What happened, Danny?” I followed his footsteps. Now, its becoming faster.

“I don’t know what happened to the layout. When we try to open the file from the drive, it says that the file was corrupted!”

“I t can’t be! The last time I checked the file, it still free from any virus!”

“I know! I was there too when you checked the layout file. I don’t know what’s wrong.”

It’s true! The file was corrupted and can’t be opened. Oh my God! Why this is happening to me when its only two weeks left to the dateline?!

“What should we do now, Mary?” I can saw disappointment on my team’s faces. They looked very dejected. I froze in front of the desktop and trying to figure out the solution. Daniel tries to open the file again and this time, it shows detail about the virus that infects it.

“How surprise……”

“What is it, Danny? Are you figuring something?”

“The virus is purposely made to corrupt the file. It was done by someone. We’ve been sabotage!”

I came into the meeting room with full of confident. The emergency meeting should be held immediately.

“Is it true that the layout was missing?” asked one of the directors.

“It’s not missing, but was infected by virus.” I answered calmly.

“Then what will you do? The dateline is around the corner! This will not happen if I handled everything!” Vera was trying to find any loops to blame me.

“Miss Vera, I’ve been working for you for about 4 years, but obviously you didn’t know me very well,” I gave her a very sarcastic smile.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Ladies and gentlemen, although we have been sabotage, I already have a solution for this problem.”

“You’ve been sabotage? How come you can be so sure? Have you found the saboteur?”

“We find out that the virus is purposely made to infect the file. But never mind, we apologize that imbecile.” I smiled and ogled Vera. “As a holder of bachelor in creative technology, I will create a brand new layout to be suited with this special issue.” I paused and give Vera Kent a very sharp glance. I love her stunned expression with her mouth open. “This layout will bring a new era for GROOM magazine. I just want to ask all of you to postpone the dateline for another a week.” The board directors face each other and have a silent discussion. I can see that Vera looks very infuriate, astonished and dissatisfied.

“Alright, Mary, we will give you additional time to design the new layout, but please make sure that the new one will be something out of the box.”

“I will not disappoint the company again. Thank you!” I smiled with pleasure.

“Bright your summer with yellow lily”

As I was walking down the street, I was so proud to see the lily issue being displayed at every bookstore. Apparently, the readers love it so much! It was printed double than it was supposed to be. And now, as I will stay permanently at Vera Kent’s office, I can pronounce myself a proud editor-the lady in the yellow lily! =)

p/s: this short story was inspired by a bouquet of origami yellow lily which I made myself. It was written in only about 2 hours. I'm sorry for the grammar mistakes.(if there any)