Year-End Bonus: Boss’s Autograph

1.

My exceptional work had brought in millions for the company. Mr. Cruz, my boss, promised me a ten-thousand-dollar year-end bonus.

But on the day the bonuses were handed out, he only gave me an envelope. Inside was his autographed photo.

Just then, cheers erupted from my colleagues nearby: Wow, my bonus is eight hundred and eighty dollars!

Eight hundred and eighty? Mines eighteen hundred and eighty!

Long live the boss, so generous!

Many people looked over at me. Vivian, what did the boss give you? Is ten thousand in cash or gold bars?

I waved the autographed photo in my hand. My colleagues blinked in confusion, then a ripple of schadenfreude spread across their faces.

I turned to Mr. Cruz. Mr. Cruz, this isnt a joke, is it?

He looked at me sternly. What? Is my autographed photo not worth ten thousand dollars?

Realizing Mr. Cruz genuinely intended to fob me off with a signed photo, my face fell. Whispers from my colleagues reached my ears.

Haha, Vivian just got played by Mr. Cruz.

Serves her right. If she really got ten thousand, I wouldnt be able to sleep from jealousy.

But Vivian did work incredibly hard last year. Without her, our company wouldnt have made so much money.

What good is hard work? If the boss doesnt like you, all that effort is for nothing.

I gritted my teeth, fuming, and returned to my cubicle. Staring at Mr. Cruzs greasy autographed photo, the more I thought about it, the angrier I got. I crumpled it into a ball and tossed it into the trash.

Just then, I heard Mr. Cruzs emotionless voice. Vivian, step into my office for a moment.

Holding back a surge of anger, I entered his office. He sat in his executive chair, slowly sipping tea, saying nothing, leaving me to stand there.

A few minutes later, he finally said, his voice low, The year-end bonuses were distributed, and I noticed you seemed a bit displeased.

I didnt bother with pleasantries. I just nodded. Of course. A ten-thousand-dollar bonus turning into an ugly photo of an old man? Anyone would be displeased.

Mr. Cruz sighed. Vivian, you still havent grasped my deeper meaning.

I blinked, looking at him, puzzled.

Mr. Cruz continued, Youre still young. You need to take a long-term view, not just focus on material things. Your eyes shouldnt only be on money.

I almost laughed out loud. My eyes shouldnt only be on money? I worked to earn money. Though I didnt say it, my disdainful expression was not lost on Mr. Cruz.

He snorted. Vivian, you still dont understand what Im trying to say.

Your primary task right now is to learn, to gain experience, to build your network.

A ten-thousand-dollar bonus is indeed a lot. But compared to connections, its nothing.

With good connections, let alone ten thousand, millions, tens of millions, are all within easy reach.

He stood up, patted my shoulder. Vivian, do you think I give out my autographed photo to just anyone?

This is my seal of approval, proof that I consider you one of my inner circle.

I remained silent, but quietly clenched my fists. Again with the empty promises. From the day I joined the company, Mr. Cruz always told me to work hard, saying he wouldnt shortchange his own people.

What followed was unpaid overtime, no holidays a year of working day and night, only to receive a few platitudes and no tangible benefits. So, being one of his own people meant becoming a patsy.

This time, I wouldnt tolerate it.

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice steady. Mr. Cruz, today I received your photo. So, Im one of your own people now?

Mr. Cruz nodded vigorously. Precisely.

I said, Then, as one of your own people, what benefits do you intend to give me? It cant all be beneficial to you, can it?

Mr. Cruzs face hardened. Vivian, why do you keep bringing up benefits?

Isnt your leaders trust enough?

I sneered. If thats the case, then perhaps you shouldnt consider me one of your own people.

Outsiders get bonuses worth thousands, but insiders get nothing? Does that seem fair?

According to your earlier promise, just give me the ten thousand dollars.

Mr. Cruz slammed his hand on the desk in anger. But I wasnt intimidated; I stared him directly in the eyes.

Mr. Cruz suddenly sneered. Vivian, do you think I dont want to give you a bonus?

Im afraid others wouldnt agree.

I paused. What does this have to do with anyone else?

2.

Mr. Cruz said coolly, Youve taken quite a few days off this year, havent you?

My colleagues might not say anything, but they all have their thoughts.

My not giving you a bonus today is to give them a clear explanation.

Youre a senior employee. I didnt want to say this to your face.

But since youre so oblivious, and even have the nerve to come asking for money, I have no choice but to be blunt.

My face flushed red, and I said exasperatedly, I only took a week off in total, and I worked overtime afterward, so Ive more than made up for it!

Mr. Cruz, how many times have I worked overtime this year?

Im not boasting, but without me on 24-hour standby, ensuring the companys data security, our company would have been hacked long ago.

Mr. Cruz said dismissively, Vivian, isnt maintaining the companys network security part of your job description?

You get paid to do your work. Is that a great achievement?

You took a week off and youre still acting self-righteous?

I said urgently, Why did I take time off? I had to go to the hospital to take care of my mother. You know that.

Mr. Cruz, doesnt everyone have a sick family member?

You should know, Im counting on this ten thousand dollars for my mothers medical treatment.

Mr. Cruz didnt respond. Instead, he calmly took a sip of his tea. I suddenly understood.

He dared to treat me this way because he knew my mother was ill. He was banking on me needing the money, afraid to resign, which is why he was so brazenly oppressing and humiliating me.

Mr. Cruz pointed to the door. Out. Ill observe your performance for a while. If you do well, I might consider giving you the bonus.

More empty promises.

I bit my lip and left.

After work, I went to the hospital. I had told my mother several times that once my year-end bonus came in, she could have her surgery. But now

At her bedside, I forced a smile, not wanting my mother to notice anything amiss. But my parents quickly sensed my low spirits. As I was leaving, my mother suddenly hugged me gently. Vivian, its alright. Dont put too much pressure on yourself.

I murmured a soft Mm-hmm, and tears streamed down my face, unstoppable.

After my parents were asleep, I dialed a number. For the past six months, Starlight Systems, a Fortune 500 company, had been trying to poach me. But Mr. Cruz always said he was my mentor, that he had given me a platform to showcase my talents, and I should be grateful. I was too naive, believed these manipulative words, and never resigned from Mr. Cruzs company.

But now once bitten, twice shy. I had seen his true colors and was no longer so naive and innocent.

Starlight Systems was ecstatic to hear I was willing to switch jobs. The salary they offered was five times what Mr. Cruz paid me.

The next day, I arrived at Mr. Cruzs company on time, intending to hand over my work and fulfill my last duty. But to my surprise, my workstation was gone. In its place was a trash can. My personal belongings were haphazardly piled in a corner. My colleagues all looked at me with smug delight, as if theyd been waiting for my downfall.

I stormed off to find Mr. Cruz, only to discover he was meeting with a client. Next to him, my colleague Charlotte was pitching their services. The client nodded repeatedly, saying, Mr. Cruz, I hear you have a talented individual at your company named Vivian. Shes a leader in the industry.

She must have contributed significantly to your company reaching this scale, right?

Mr. Cruz sneered. Her? All reputation, no substance. Her skills are completely outdated.

Mr. Cruz pointed to Charlotte. Actually, all our companys data security is handled by Charlotte.

As for Vivian, well, she just relied on her seniority to claim credit, essentially bullying new hires.

From now on, any issues, just connect with Charlotte.