THE ALGORITHM

14.

Bilal shot him a look and eventually shook his head before slamming his hand against the wall. No one jumped, but Penny made sure to shoot him a look. He didn't see it because he was too busy lecturing Levi.

"You don't know why it's not working?" He questioned Levi with anger in his tone. The other soldiers looked but didn't bother to speak or move.

"It just stopped working yesterday." Levi continued. "I think I need a new badge. It has dents and scratches on it. Maybe that's the reason."

Bilal scoffed before saying, "Your badge isn't working because it's expired." He narrowed his eyes before adding, "Everyone was notified through text and email to turn in their renewal application to receive a new badge."

"Aw, man..." Levi trailed off, looking around in embarrassment. "I'm sorry about that, Bilal. I forgot." He blew air from his mouth and said, "I have a lot to do."

Bilal looked at him from head to toe in disgust. He was obviously tired of talking to the man. He backed away and halted in his steps. Penny could tell he was calming himself down and thinking about what he would say next.

"You're the only person who failed to renew your badge. I find this alarming since you were sent several notices concerning this situation. You ignored them. Renewing your badge should've been the first task you completed." Bilal's words were sharp and stern. He had everyone's attention. "Because you don't follow simple instructions, you're relieved of your duties for today. Reach out to Cecil and turn in your badge. He'll make sure you complete your renewal application."

Levi held a look of defeat but eventually nodded and said, "Alright."

The soldier left, leaving Penny standing there with her body against the wall and arms folded closely against her chest. She wore a smug expression on her face. Penny found the situation amusing. Bilal, however, assumed she was silently mocking him.

"Wipe that smirk off your face. Do you find this situation funny?"

Penny gave him a dry shrug while shooting the man an uninterested look. She figured he would say something to her. He was itching to do it since he set foot into the foyer.

"Oh, you do?" He pushed out, brows raised.

"Don't take your anger out on me. I'm not the one who didn't renew my badge." Penny voiced, not scared to tell him anything. She wanted to keep her mouth shut and obey, but she wasn't used to allowing people to talk to her in a stern tone without matching their tone.

The soldiers raised their brows as they silently admired Penny for what she did. Bilal's nose flared in frustration.

"Ian and Pete..." Bilal trailed as he eyed the men. "Go ahead and get the truck started."

The soldiers left without asking questions.

"Zach...let Cecil know we need to change the pin to the security system." Bilal pinpointed Penny without a smirk.

Zach, the last remaining soldier, left to do as instructed.

There were no more guards in sight. Bilal had dismissed them all. They were the only two people left inside the foyer. Bilal was a calculated man, so Penny knew he obviously wanted to talk to her in private. She watched as he drew even closer and placed his hand against the wall. Penny mirrored his expression, not backing down.

Bilal leaned over to her height and rasped, "Don't get too comfortable. I don't want you to be comfortable. This is not your paradise. You need to remember that you're here because you can't seem to mind your business. We are not friends. No one here is your friend. You're wearing a shirt with jeans because I picked it out for you. Don't look at it as a way to connect with me and my staff. You are not free...you'll never be free."