Chemical Poison

"MR ANDERSON!"

The yells from Anneliese could be heard from her entire floor, employees stopping in the hallways to hear the young secretary scream from her office. The door was wide open, and plenty of the employee's poked their head through the doorway to see Anneliese's eyebrows furrowed, nostrils fuming and hands in the air. It was a terrifying sight.

Pacing behind her desk, she couldn't stand to glance over at the fumbling mess Mr Anderson had became in front of her; funny how the arrogant fall once put in their place. Having enough of his chubby and clumsy fingers pointing at his notes, attempting to justify his purchases, his speeches and the way he had been dealing with his new sense of authority and power.

"I don't need to answer to YOU!"

Mr Anderson's yell was just as loud as Anneliese's, and it wasn't the first time he had raised his voice at Anneliese. The two had been yelling for what felt like hours, trying to figure out how he could have so badly 'lost three grand', 'discredited Howard Stark to the press', and be caught fondling his secretary all in one day. And it suddenly became Anneliese's problem to solve, as Harold Locke, the financial manager, was already too busy fixing the mess he made. Spreadsheets took priority, and unfortunately that left Anneliese to do the investigation.

Letting loose a loud laugh, her eyes landed back onto Mr Anderson, piercingly, "It falls under my jurisdiction when you go against your contract in the misrepresentation and defamation of Mr Stark to the press. You become my problem when the press catches you fondling a secretary half your age at a family event", she didn't miss a beat, no need to breathe as she continued. Her voice growing every few words, "And I have to deal with an arrogant fool like you when everyone else is busy dealing with your malicious actions. Honestly, you can't expect me to believe that three grand just disappears from the weaponry department on the same day you're caught groping Miss Latons in Le Pavillon."

Snapping, Anneliese attacked.

"That very restaurant is impossible for someone like me or you to afford, considering the sky rocketing prices of a table... with it being brand new and all. Must have cost a pretty penny, but atlas, once the press caught you, a married man having an affair, you turn it back onto Mr Stark and his entire business." She hissed, "Did you read article seven, section thirteen? The consequences of a high ranking official defaming the company, Mr Stark included? I do believe, as head of Weaponry and corresponder to the American Military, that you... are indeed a high ranking member of Stark Industrials."

Her cheeks were flushed, as her anger reached a new height imaginable. In the corner of her eyes, she could see Miss Cotton trying to rid the crowd.

"I believe the consequences included being fired on spot," Her voice high, as her lips tugged into a smile, "A sum of four thousand dollars in defamation for Stark Industrials and a further two and a half thousand dollars for ruining Mr Stark's name and reputation. All access to a position in Stark Industrial's, no matter the level, will be declined, and all goods provided by Mr Stark's generosity will be promptly taken back, including your New York town house, the vehicle you drive to work and this months bonus. Your next paycheque will be used to replace just a mere portion of the missing three thousand dollars."

She watched the anger grow in his beady eyes, as he crumpled the documents into his fist. The very documents Anneliese had neatly laid out over her desk for him to read over the contract that he had signed. All crumbled, he aggressively threw the paper against the wall.

Anneliese didn't flinch.

He slams his fist onto the table, his chest puffing up as he begins to yell loudly, and with plenty of profanities.

"You can't fire me! You need me!", His cries sounded pathetic to Anneliese. He was replaceable, but she wasn't. He should've spent more time doing his job than flaunting it, he should've made himself irreplaceable just like Anneliese - he should've befriended Alexander.

That made her irreplaceable.

But it was Howard's support that made her invincible.

"You filthy-" He yelled, his breathing ragged and his fingers pointed at her, "You filthy little Nazi!"

Anneliese wished she didn't flinch from his insult, but she did. Her eyes remained on the larger man, his fingers pointed roughly in her face... a promise of a sort; if death did not ruin her, then he would become her ruination.

"You stupid bitch, no woman should be in charge, let alone a fucking german! Did you sleep with Alex or Howard, or both... to get your position? Who's cock are you sucking-"

"That is enough," She yelled sternly, "Mr Anderson!", she yelled again, "I will not have you discriminate, humiliate and belittle me in my own office. If you do not leave calmly, then I have no options but to call security to have you swiftly removed from the premise."

Her voice stayed calm, but her heart was racing. Skipping a beat every few seconds. Her German heritage was a well kept secret, however all managers of had the clearance to look into each other's records, and they certainly studied Anneliese's intently to find any reason to fire her, and her birth place seemed to be the main target.

Of course, Howard did not hide her hereditary in meetings - barely mentioning it at all. But it was not common knowledge for the press, nor the lower ranked employees. By the time she even applied for the job, she had perfected the New York accent and fashion. However... if the entire building hadn't already thought she was German by her last name, they were certain by it, just by Mr Anderson's temper tantrum.

Slamming the table, his spit flew from his teeth as he yelled once more, "I demand to keep my job, in fact, I will have my job and get you fired in the process!"

Letting a deep sigh, "Do you want me to call Mr Grey down-"

"So you can suck his cock- No, we are going to see Mr Stark... NOW"

Her eyes furrowed, knowing very well that Howard was in a meeting with the SSR and would not take it kindly with the intrusion. "No, no, no," She repeated, "That won't do, Mr Stark is in a meeting and does not want to be interrupted, so we either take this to Mr Grey, or I call security down... NOW", she said in a mocking voice, only to aggravate the man further.

Anneliese would remember her next move as a mistake. Stepping aside from the desk which acted as a well needed barrier from the near crazed man. Only have Mr Anderson an opportunity to physically attack her. He grabbed onto her two wrists tightly and dragged her out of her office, Anneliese yelling the entire time.

"This is abuse!"
"Mr Anderson let me go!"
"Unhand me!"

...and he never let go of her.

With her floor being primarily female, none stepped in, and Anneliese couldn't blame them for it. Not only did Mr Anderson have the privilege to fire them on spot as a manager, he was a big man - able body to physically drag her across the floor without breaking a sweat.

The pain in her wrists grew, and she begun kicking against the ground and Mr Anderson, as she tried to stop him from pulling her by digging her heels into the ground. Instead of stopping, her heels broke

Seething, Anneliese saw red as he muttered about putting a mutt back into her place - specifically either a whorehouse or back to her dirty home. Germany. He wanted to deport her.

He threw her into the elevator, and she crashed into the other side of the wall... into other employees. All of their eyes were wide, as they watched Mr Anderson roughly man handle her wrist again. Only to see them begin yelling once more, a terrifying sight.

"If you do not get fired for theft, defamation or being caught for inappropriate sexual conduct at a child friendly event whilst you were meant to be working," She seethed, as he tighten his grip, bruising her wrist. "I will personally sue you for your abuse, you disgusting pig! Unhand me!"

He attempted to grip her other wrist, but Anneliese was much more prepared. Twisting her shoulder, she managed to land a blow against his cheek.

SLAP!

Silence returned to the elevator as the other employees were stunned by the physical violence the two were committing. Violating far too many rules in the contract all employees had to agree too.

"If you slap me one more time," He growled, "I'll have you not only fired, but sued for LYING WITHIN THE WORK PLACE," He threatened as he caught her hand mere seconds before she went to slap him again.

His grip was bruising as he dragged her down the corridor, ruining her dress in the process. Kicking and screaming, the male employees of level five were stunned by the sight. And this angered Anneliese beyond measure, every single one watched and didn't even intervene. 

Mr Anderson's booming voice filling the corridor as he yelled profanities about how she must have seduced Alexander, as no woman would know anything more than being a temptress. Anneliese remained utterly helpless to his physical hold, unable to fight against his malicious actions.

Anneliese knew they were close to the boardroom, and was fully aware how outraged Howard would be, to know the situation had escalated to this severity. Next time she is asked to fire an employee, she's not doing it alone. Howard was far too naive to believe that the grown men he hired would be able to cope with being fired by Anneliese without resulting to violence.

The click of the door, and she could hear the meeting pause, as Mr Anderson, quite literally, threw Anneliese to the ground.

"You send a German... to FIRE ME?" He bellowed, "Shouldn't you be firing this nazi supporting witch!?"

The room was left in silence. Anneliese still on the ground as she glared back up at Mr Anderson's ugly face. Hush whispers filled the board room, until Howard stood up from his seat furiously, accidentally or purposely knocking his paperwork to the floor.

A dramatic flair or out of outage, Anneliese wasn't sure.

In only eleven long steps, Howard had found himself on one knee to help Anneliese up from the ground. Her eyes wide from his open act of kindly, whilst Mr Anderson let loose a few more profanities.

"Did he do this to you?" He muttered, and that was when Anneliese noticed his eyes had darken; there was no light in them... darker than death. The precious gold she saw weeks ago. All gone.

A simple nod of her head was enough of an answer. Before he acted out, he held her arm in his hand, studying the bruising that was beginning to appear on her wrists. A disgusting purple blue that clashed with her pale skin.

He turned to face the SSR, "If you don't mind, we will resume this meeting tomorrow at 7am?"

The Colonel nodded. The entire boardroom vacated, leaving only Howard, Anneliese and Mr Anderson in the room alone. She watched as Howard walked away from them both to the phone that rests on the table right to his seat. Dialling a few numbers before he whispered a series of sentences - inaudible to both Anneliese and Mr Anderson.

"I'm assuming Miss Lorenz informed you that you're fired?" He stated, no sympathy in his voice. "I had asked her to inform you, as I was busy with a new business deal and Mr Grey was out of office when I wanted to get rid of you."

Suddenly, he was right in front of them both. Taking a step closer towards Mr Anderson. "As a technology company that is supporting the American Military, wouldn't it be stupid if I didn't have a system to catch thieves? I have you on camera, and instead of suing you and damaging your entire fucking career," His voice was unnaturally smooth, frightening so.

"I saved you the fucking embarrassment. For yourself, your wife and four children! But now," He laughed, "You've humiliated and abused my press secretary and my third in command. You have made a joke out of myself in front of a highly important business deal. You're a joke Anderson."

"Had you willingly confessed, I had informed Miss Lorenz to let you hand in your letter of resignation. We would not tanish your reputation. However, if you refused, I had Miss Lorenz read over the contract and inform you what consequences you would be facing. I only give one chance, Anderson, and I offered you a very fucking big chance to save yourself... but now? No, I think I will have the press department to write up a script for myself, and go public. I'll be including numerous law suits against your name."

Anneliese was in absolute awe, as he stood lazily in front of him. Easily staring down as he was inches taller than him, and she would be lying that she was scared of the sheer authority he was dripping. Maybe new money does command more power than she thought.

"You've forgotten who you stole from. You stole from Howard Stark, but also Alexander Grey, and he very much loves his money. Should we watch the live news?"

A small smile appeared on Anneliese's smile, as she had figured out Howard's plan. Footage of Mr Anderson stealing from Stark's Industrials had been 'accidentally' leaked. Watching the TV, she couldn't help the small gasping noise as the press remanded Howard to confirm the video.

"We may live in an era where technology can't do much, but I am Howard Stark and technology is made when I say it is, and not when the world is ready. If I want camera's watching the globe, I will have it and if I want floating cars, I'll create it," His lips tugged into a smirk, "In this new modern era, I am god, I am the creator of the new age."

Security appeared at the door, and pulled the aggravated Mr Anderson away. Leaving the two in the room.

"The press will know soon," She whispered, "Mr Anderson will be announcing for all to hear about my so-called nazi agenda..."

Howard let a small laugh out, "Don't worry sweetheart," He let loose one of those damning smiles he learnt from Alexander, melting whatever rationality she had left. "I will have a plan to fix this whole mess up, but let's first go to the first aid room, to get you all fixed up."

For the first time, Anneliese felt herself blush because of Howard Stark.