Accused of Seduction, I Turned the Tables

"Just do your job, and I won't say a word to you," I said.

Matteo exhaled in relief, but a cold laugh crackled through the phone. In an instant, his body stiffened, and his hands started to tremble.

I was baffled by the extent of his fear for Lauren. Before I could ask, she snapped over the phone, "Matteo, you spoke eight words to her! Did I permit you to say her name?"

...

Her possessiveness was downright morbid, and my head throbbed.

I opened my mouth to respond, but Sarah quickly covered it. "Don't say anything."

Her voice was almost a whisper, but Lauren's ears were sharp. "Turn on the video, Matteo! Let me see how many women are around you."

Matteo clenched his fists, licking his dry lips before responding softly, "My coworkers are back from lunch. That's all."

"Back from lunch?" Lauren screeched. "Why didn't you tell me? Turn on the video, now!"

He hesitated, then activated the camera, panning it quickly over us.

"Why is she wearing the same shirt as you?" Lauren pointed at Sarah, her eyes blazing.

Sarah shot back, "Matteo and I are just wearing the uniform. We all wear it."

"Don't you dare say his name!" Lauren growled, her accusations growing wilder. "And why isn't Jennifer in a uniform? You're all scheming to steal my boyfriend! This whole shop is rotten, from the manager to the staff!"

Matteo's face flushed with embarrassment, but Lauren's insults escalated.

Finally, I interjected, "I'm the manager. I don't wear the same uniform as the staff. Stop disrupting our work."

She went silent for a moment, then laughed mockingly, "Fine, I'll support your work. Connect me to your shop's cameras. I'm watching to make sure no one flirts with Matteo. If I catch any of you near him, I'll have this place torn down."

Her voice echoed through the shop, drawing frowns from the returning staff.

"We only talk to Matteo about work," one protested.

"If you're so paranoid, lock him up at home," another echoed.

Lauren shrieked, "You tramps! Don't you know the customer is always right?"

Matteo, pale and apologetic, looked at us helplessly.

Lauren glared at me through the screen, demanding, "Connect the cameras now! Tell Matteo to take off his uniform, and all you harlots write a pledge to stay away from him."

My heart pounded with rage. Before I could say anything, Matteo stepped back, muttering, "Don't do it."

Sarah grabbed my arm. "Jennifer, don't give in to her."

Matteo lowered his head, looking fragile. My coworkers shook with anger. "We can't agree to such nonsense!"

Silent, I stepped closer to him and locked eyes with Lauren through the screen. She smirked triumphantly. "Write that pledge! I want Matteo to strip, and none of you should look up."