A/N: Super sorry for not updating for a while! I was pretty busy (and somewhat lazy) to update for a while. Also, the author's block did not make it easy. Anyway, here is the next chapter. Hopefully I can update the next part quickly. Enjoy!
In the Chairman's office.
(continued . . .)
"Hmph, I was just joking, I'm not that bored as to interfere in your personal matters." Michael said.
"Then what are you her for?" Louis asked, annoyed.
"Family matters." Michael stated.
"I see." He muttered, seeming lost in thought. He then turned to me.
"Ray, you're dismissed for now. You can take your break now, I'll call you again when I'm done." Louis said.
"Okay." I replied, wondering what these two were talking about that they needed privacy. However, I was now free, so I happily went to the breakroom. I didn't get a chance to go there yet, but from Ray's memories I saw it had a vending machine. It contained snacks and drinks from good brands. As expected from one of the best companies in the country. And I for one had built up quite the appetite, especially since I missed lunch since I was going over the contract with Louis.
Walking down the hallway, I ran into two of my colleagues, the same ones who were on my team. I was just about to walk past them, but they blocked my path.
"Hmph, do you really think you're some big shot now? Well I doubt you're capable for this position. I don't know that the chairman was thinking when he picked you."Nameless person A said.
"Huh?" I was confused. Why would I think like that? Also, weren't these people supposed to be . . . Oh I don't know, mature adults. They were seriously acting like highschool bullies right now.
"Don't play dumb! Your position was supposed to be Angela's. Who do you think you are to take her place?!" Nameless person B yelled.
Ugh, not the FL again. My next main priority is definitely getting rid of her halo! It's making this world way too unreasonable. In the real world, (though I've never been to a company or worked there) no one acts like this in the workplace. Well gotta deal with her . . . admirers first. No way, I'll let them just insult me and gain the satisfaction of thinking that they got to me. I wasn't the type of person to ignore anyone who insulted me. I had too much self-respect to do that.
"Yeah, no. I got the position it's mine. I didn't see her name anywhere on the contract when I signed it. We all had chances to become the chairman's personal secretary, and I was the one chosen. Don't blame me, blame the fact she's not competent enough to compete with me. Also, blame the fact the chairman has better taste." I said. Did they really think I'd be a wimp and do whatever the purpose of this provocation was? Hmph, well I admit I can be a lot of things, but coward is definitely not one of them.
"Y-you! You! Y-you are -"
Both their faces turned red. Guess they weren't expecting me to stick up for myself *shrugs*.
"Did I scare you so much that you wet your pants and forgot proper words and now you can only speak letters like a kindergartner?" I asked, in speaking in a mocking tone.
They both glared at me. If looks could kill, I'd be 6 feet under in a matter of seconds. Too bad I only found their glare as a way to cover up their lack of response as comical rather than intimidating.
One of them was about to say something, but a voice interrupted him.
"Hmmm, what do I see? Why are you employees slacking off in the hallway? I'm sure that work hours aren't complete yet." I turned around and was surprised to see Aiden behind me. For a split second I thought he was also reprimanding me too. However, he looked in my direction and secretly winked at me, and resisted the urge to smile back. He then turned his attention to the two employees who were conveniently oblivious to our exchange.
(A/N: These two ukes have totally got each other's backs.)
Aiden looked at the two employees coldly. They didn't react much and instead turned their glares at Aiden instead.
"Do I have to report you for slacking off?" Aiden threatened, seeing that they were still standing there. Their expression immediately changed and the quickly headed back to the direction of their offices.
We both stared at their direction for a while. Then we looked at each other and started laughing.
"Did you see their expressions?" He asked, trying to hold his laughter.
"It was priceless." I answered, thinking about how quickly they ran off after a simple threat.
We both calmed down, but still couldn't wipe the grin from our faces. Damn, it feels so good to drive back the enemy together.
"Congratulations on your promotion." Aiden said, patting my back.
"Yeah, thanks." I said chuckling awkwardly. *Sigh*, it's not like I really wanted this position.
"What's wrong, is your new boss too demanding?" Aiden asked jokingly. But his eyes contained some concern. Looks like he noticed my lack of enthusiasm which I should have had considering that a promotion to be the chairman's secretary is a pretty big deal. I already realized that I wasn't acting as someone who was got a promotion - overjoyed or well at least satisfied.
I smiled and shook my head.
"It's not like that. I haven't even started working yet. My new (not really) boss is talking with the CEO about something, and I'm currently on break. In fact, I was just about to head to the break room before those two blocked my way." I said, trying to change the subject.
Aiden seemed to brighten up.
"Is that so? Since I'm also on break, I'll join you." He said.
"Sure." I said, as we both continued to walk to the breakroom.
When we finally reached the room, I was pleasantly surprised to find it empty. Looking around, there were two simple couched beside the wall opposite of the door, a vending machine in the corner, and an ebony coffee table in the center. The walls were had a white-black design, made to resemble a chess board. Rather than finding the design pleasing to the eye, it just made me dizzy. Also, why chess?! That was the game where every piece could be sacrificed but the king.
The king, in my opinion, is the most useless piece. He always needs to be protected, other pieces sacrifice themselves for him, while he himself can only make a few moves, and that too to only protect himself. The pawn is the most pitiful. He is mostly the first piece to be sacrificed, and even if he evolves, he will never be king. Heck, it just reminded me of how unfair the world was. Hard work doesn't always reward one with the best. This is why I would cherish this chance and complete the missions, so I can get my wish granted. This is probably a chance that is not given to everyone, or at least, I don't think so.
'Hey Amour, you're here right?'
[Yes, of course I'm here. Don't you trust me enough to not abandon you again? I just did it ONCE!]
' . . . Ok maybe twice, but host does not need to know that.'
' *rolls eyes* If you can do it once, you can do it twice! Forget it! I wanted to ask you something.'
[. . . *guilt sweatdrop* What?]
'Sorry host but what you think has been done once has already been done twice. Now it can only happen thrice, but that is only if my master calls for me again.'
'I want to know if everyone can transmigrate?'
[Of course not. It's actually rare. Usually there are special circumstances if a soul has to undergo transmigration.]
'Like what?'
[Well, if a soul's resentment level exceeds the maximum and they've endured injustice, those that died early, like yourself, and those that are searching for someone, usually their lover, like Zack, to name a few examples.]
'I see. That's al-'
Suddenly, a growl came from my stomach, interrupting my conversation with Amour. Startled out of my thoughts, I blushed. I saw Aiden covering his mouth, probably hiding a smile, and my embarrassment grew.
[. . . Host, did you-]
'I'm here to eat okay, now you - you can go.'
[Alright. Remember not to eat too many unhealthy fo-]
'Yes MOM, I understand, now you can go.'
Not hearing Amour reply, I smirked in my head and saw Aiden still staring at me, and I quickly got back to reality.
"I skipped lunch." I said, hoping my explanation would ease the awkwardness.
Luckily Aiden was nice enough to not bring up the grumbling noise my stomach made, and gestured to the vending machine.
"Go help yourself." He said, while moving towards the couches, and taking a seat.
"You're not going to have anything?" I asked.
"Maybe later, I think you should fill up your stomach first. It's not good to stay hungry the entire day." Aiden said.
"You sound like Amou- I mean a friend." I said, catching myself from exposing my system's name.
"Is that so? Is skipping meals a habit then?" Aiden asked, narrowing his eyes.
I sheepishly rubbed my neck and laughed.
"Well I can't say it's a habit, but it has been happening quite often these past few a days." I admitted.
Aiden sighed. He was about to say something, but stopped himself. I looked at him for a few seconds, and seeing that he didn't continue speaking, I left it alone. I walked to the vending machine and scanned the items there. None of them were proper meals, just snacks and drinks. I frowned, looking at anything that could fill me up for the next hour or so left for work. Then I remembered that this evening I wouldn't be heading back to Ray's home, but I was going to live with Louis and the others. I secretly glanced at Aiden, wondering if he knew about it.
Forget it, if he doesn't know yet he'll find out later. Right now I was too hungry and decided to just focus on choosing a filling snack item.