Damsel | T. Drake ✔

[19]

Tim came back to his cubicle in rather deflated spirits and sat down on his chair as if exhausted. His fellow Mathias had noticed that but didn't say anything since it was quite common knowledge that if Lex Luthor summoned anyone in his office, it resulted badly for the poor person.

Taking out his phone, he wrote a text to Ren: I got fired. By Lex Luthor.

The ticks turned blue indicating that she had seen the text. Shortly afterwards, she replied: but why?

I'm a Wayne, he's a Luthor. That's why.

But you don't work under him. So he can't fire you.

He sighed wearily, leaning back in his seat: yes I don't. He has asked me to give in my resignation to Irina Luthor as soon as possible. Or else I'll have to suffer consequences.

He can't just threaten you like that!

Despite the dampened mood, a small smile flickered on his face: it's okay, Ren, you don't have to get so angry on Luthor. What he's doing is sensible in his opinion and what I'm doing is sensible in mine.

What are you doing then?

Typing out the resignation.

Tim had opened his computer and started to type out a resignation letter. Of course he knew that was bound to happen. What else could he expect by working in a rival company?

One way or other, he was bound to get fired.

Moments later, the door to Irina Luthor's office sprang open and she went out in a hurry. All eyes were on her but none of the workers said a word.

But Tim knew exactly where she was going to. Lex Luthor's office.

The point was that Tim had known about Ren's secret identity since a really long time. He knew she was Irina Luthor but he hadn't let the truth slip because he didn't want her to mistrust him.

Or in his own words, he respected her secrecy and had decided to keep it hidden even from the rest of his family.

He had almost finished typing the resignation and sent it off for printing when Irina returned and without even a single glance in his direction, she went back to her office.

Since the resignation had been printed, he placed it in an envelope and stood up. Mathias was looking at him with questioning eyes but he chose not to reply.

Tim gently pushed open the glass door to see Irina at her desk with her head resting on her hands as if exhausted.

"May I come in, Ma'am?"

She sat up startled and turned the chair immediately so that she wasn't facing him anymore. "Yes, Mister Drake?"

Even her voice wasn't that confidently alluring tone he was so accustomed to hear by then. All he could guess was that she had gotten into a huge argument with her father.

"I came to drop my resignation."

"Leave it on the table please. Thank you."

He wanted to say something that would make her feel better because he knew that she had said those words unwillingly and was only stopping herself in order to maintain the two separate identities in front of him.

But that was so useless in his opinion. Because he already knew. In fact, he had known for so long that both Irina and Ren had merged into one. And by then it wasn't hard at all to look at Irina and recognize Ren.

He could recognize that smile anywhere; be it in the office when she appreciated his reports or at the rooftop when she teased him for being too clueless that it was downright adorable.

And he had fallen head over heels for her as both the masked vigilante and the independent business woman.

He placed the resignation on the table but didn't leave the room.

"I am sorry, Mister Drake, I had truly not meant for your journey to end with us here." At last she turned around and was looking at him with an apologetic smile on her face, "I tried my best to not let that happen but..."

"It's alright, Miss Luthor, it was a pleasure working with you."

She nodded, fingering the envelope tentatively as if not wanting to open it. She knew Tim was arranging the much awaited Fall Gala on Wayne Tech's behalf so she added, "best of luck for the Fall Gala." 

"I would be honored if you attend," he spoke.

She smiled, "I'll try."

"I insist."

She nodded, "alright... I will try my best."

Tim smiled a little as well knowing that the time had come for the farewell. "I hope to see you there then," he stepped back a little, "I should be leaving now."

Her lips parted as if to say something but she stopped herself. "Farewell, Mister Drake."

"Farewell, Ren."

And with that, he stepped out knowing that she had heard him very clear and her face was a mask of shock. He didn't want to keep it a secret from her anymore because he could see that it was taking a toll on her.

So he had decided to get the burden off his chest along with that much anticipated resignation that was currently laying unread in Irina's drawer. And with just two words of parting, he knew he had conveyed his message clearly.

He hailed a cab and went straight to Wayne Enterprises though he had seen Irina standing by the window of her office, her eyes following him as he left.

***