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Love Doesn’t Conquer Money part 1

Love Doesn’t Conquer Money

Volume 1

Takano Masamune

Chapter 1: Newbie

***

Love doesn't last long in poverty.

I’ve seen it for myself… If you’re poor you stop caring about what ‘love’ is supposed to be about.

In the end it all comes down to money.

Those that have it don’t have to suffer… and those that don’t, end up in a pit that becomes harder to climb out off the more they struggle…

Isn’t it pitiful?

The way your entire life can be flipped upside down depending on a few decisions… or how those that are born into wealthy families get a head start in life?

Whether many of us would like to admit it or not, in the end there is only one truth and that is, that money will always take precedent above all else.

I’ve seen it… even tight knit families will end up badmouthing each other over inheritance money.

Even the most honest of men will lie because of insurance money.

Even the most kindest of women would get sick of being used and end up becoming cold hearted because of money.

Money is a mechanism that only humans have, it is our greatest asset and our greatest downfall as a society…

To think that a few pieces of paper, a number on a screen, could ever be so detrimental that people die for it…

Alternatively you could spend your entire life chasing after wealth and achieve it, but then what’s left behind beyond that? Was it really an enjoyable life in the end?

Questions that we don’t have answers to continue piling up to the point where we forget where we started…

“Are you coming with me, Miss Lawrence?” The kind lady that welcomed me in the company smiled brightly. I smiled back looking at her.

“Of course, I’m glad to be assigned here today.” I nodded as I stood up from my seat. Today was my first day at the literature department. It had always been my dream to be an editor, someone that helps guide others and make books that touch people’s hearts.

“I do apologize, it’s this way.” The lady turned to me and had an apologetic look on her face.

“Isn’t the literature department here though?” I asked while glancing at the sign that clearly stated we were on the right floor.

“You’re assigned to the magazine section Miss Lawrence.” She corrected me and I felt like my heart was sinking deeply down in my chest.

“The magazine? But I was supposed to work in literature, I don’t even read magazines to be honest… and aren’t they dying out anyways? Who would-” I paused not wanting to make a complete ass of myself, but the truth is I already did, at least judging by the kind lady’s incredibly disgusted expression she had on her face.

“I apologize once more but your application was approved for the magazine department.” She explained, probably was the second time she said it but I hadn’t been paying attention to our previous conversation so I might have missed it…

I followed after her obediently without raising my voice anymore than that… but why of all places do I have to be assigned here!?

The moment we stepped into the editing department though I was faced with an even bigger obstacle.

SLAM!

A loud bang was heard upon a desk as a man pulled his leg up on it andclicked his tongue. “Do you not know how to do your job right? How many years have you been in this industry?” He asked a man that looked to be of meek demeanor.

“5 years sir…” The man responded. It was odd that man was much taller and larger in frame than the one sitting down and yet if you were to ignore that it was obvious who was the ‘larger’ existence of the two.

“That’s the Chief Editor of our girl’s magazine.” The kind lady turned to me and whispered. “Isn’t he incredibly handsome?” She asked me and I paused.

“Handsome?” I questioned. Sure he looked decent but he was incredibly annoying, why would he need to lash out at someone like that.

“Please introduce yourself, I have to go I’m being called. Excuse me.” The kind lady suddenly walked away after receiving a message on her phone. At that moment I was left alone in the editing department where everyone seemed to be walking on eggshells around this Chief here...

I on the other hand couldn’t care less, I walked straight up to him and introduced myself. “My name is Meilyn Lawrence, I have been assigned here starting today. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” I did a proper introduction, one that I dare say deserved an Oscar given how much I already disliked this man.

“You?” This person looked me up and down and then paused. He raised his eyebrow at me and then turned away and clicked his tongue. “Tsk… I hate newbie’s…” He muttered under his breath.

“What?!” I stopped myself before I said something I’d end up regretting later on. “I can assure you I’ve been in the industry for-” Before I could say anything else he stopped me.

“Whether it’s one minute of 50 years, I don’t care. Your so called experience isn’t worth s**t if you can’t do your job right.” His cold demeanor and visibly annoyed look on his face put me in a… let’s say sour mood.

“Look, I’m probably more capable than half your staff here.” I said, not to be overly full of myself but I was the highest earning junior editor in my previous company. I was the one that was closest to becoming the next chief editor if I hadn’t quit! I’m not going to stand here and be looked down upon by a man that looks to be the same age as me!

“Fine then, get up, let’s go.” Suddenly his demeanor changed after receiving a message on his desk top. He stood up and grabbed a bag from beneath his desk, then we headed out together.

“Where are we going?” I asked him while struggling to keep up with him in my heels.

“To do our job. Obviously.” The man said while scoffing in my direction. “You sure you even know where you are?” He raised his eyebrow at me once more.

“Of course I do… it’s Starlight publishing, magazine department.” I spoke in a quieter tone.

“You don’t seem too happy about that.” He smirked.

“I was supposed to be in literature but I was somehow assigned here instead.” I admitted.

“Ha, it’s because you’re looked down on. Otherwise you wouldn’t be here.” He spoke with a clear laughter in the back of his throat.

“Excuse me?!” I asked while turning towards him. Each time this man opened his mouth I wondered why he was allowed to speak this way to whomever, and especially to me!

“The magazine department here is the lowest earning one out of all of them. If you were put here its because they think you’re pretty useless but want to offer you a job anyways.” The man spoke, this editor in chief was someone incredibly annoying! The more I listened to him speak, I was beginning to want to pull my hair out.

“That can’t be true…” I wanted to argue but then we stopped in front of a conference room. The moment he stepped inside, his bad demeanor suddenly turned worse…

“I can’t believe I have to repeat this but we need an additional 100,000 copies of this issue, if you don’t do it now you’ll lose money when re-printing is needed.” He yelled at the men standing inside.

One of which stood up and raised his voice as well. “Edward you know just as well as all of us do that it’s impossible. There is no way to do such a massive number right now!”

It was a yelling competition and they were going back and forth with each other like toddlers…

“Ha? And you dare call yourself a professional? Do you remember who was right the last time this issue arrised? And the time before that? Why do you insist on being a hard ass that doesn’t know how to do his job right?” The Chief editor who I never got properly introduced to was called Edward, or so the rest of the people in the conference room called him.

“You must lack reason to believe a hundread thousand auditional copies is a normal amount!” Another man stood up and joined in the fray.

I couldn’t keep up with all the names and terms they were throwing in, it was one after another and then there was a moment of silence as a man that seemed to command their respect spoke up.

“I see then, we shall have a common ground and do 50,000 additional copies. If they sell well then it’s all good and if a reprinting is needed… Well we will cross that bridge ehrn we get there.” That man’s name was apparently Richard, as after he said that everyone else seemed to suddenly settle down.

“That seems reasonable.” The rest of them spoke but of course this editor in chief didn’t stop there…

“What? Fifthy thousand is not going to be enough!” Edward yelled out and then another yelling contest insured…

Just what kind of job did I wind up with?!

Chapter 2: Love To Hate

***

I’d like to think of myself as someone quite experienced and stubborn, I don’t give up easily but… right now I want to give up on this job that I didn’t even want in the first place.

“Ha…” I sighed heavily in exhaustion but then Edward came up to me and placed an ice cold can against my forehead.

“Here drink this… Did you learn something today?” Edward asked as if I was a student that had just walked out of a lecture.

“Learned? Ah sure, I think about 15 new cuss words I had never heard of before.” I didn’t mince my words.

“Oh? Good for you.” Edward remarked as he opened up his can of what seemed to be cold black coffee. He took a sip.

“So, can I transfer from this department to literature?” I decided to just ask.

“Sure but you’d have to be with the company for at least three months and have some considerable achievements in that time to be moved. Or you could just quit.” Edward remarked while sitting opposite of me at the table in the corridor.

“Quitting isn’t really an option for me.” I admitted. After all I can’t prove myself if I quit now.

“I don’t really want to hear a sob story to be honest.” Edward remarked.

“I wasn’t going to start one!” I retorted angrily. Dammit, this guy is seriously getting on my nerves-

“You don’t look like a natural blond.” Suddenly he caressed a strand of my hair. I backed away.

“Is it normal to touch your employees like that?!” I responded even angrier than before.

“Ugh… no need to be so prudish.” Edward remarked as he sighed. “So are you a natural blond or not? Your hair is just a bit too bright I think.” He continued.

“I dye it blond.” I admitted. Is he just very interest in hair dye?

“I think you’d look better with dark brown instead.” Edward remarked while leaning against the table, his eyes on me.

“Did I ask?!” I retorted back. “I like my hair, and why are you even talking about it? I’ve been here for three hours and all I learned about this job is that yelling is the default way to be heard here. Do you mind actually telling me what my job entails?!” I asked him with my voice raised I suddenly felt embarrassed as innocent passers by were glancing at me, some in fear, and others in somewhat of amazement.

“You really are useless… ha….” Edward sighed heavily as he removed his glasses and rubbed his tired eyelids.

“HEY!” I yelled but he was already ignoring me when suddenly- THUD! A loud bang was heard as I watched my boss collapse onto the floor.

What in the world…?!

I took him to the hospital quickly as the higher ups instructed me to, it turned out he’d been overworking himself and he was malnourished.

“You… called me an i***t when you can’t even take care of yourself, what a loser…” I mumbled quietly not thinking he’d hear me cause he was sleeping, but unfortunately he did.

“Thanks for driving me here but I’m fine.” Edward started getting up and removing the IV drip that was attached to his body.

“Sit back down!” I pushed him back onto the bed and forced him down.

“I need to get back to work right now, so move-!” Edward demanded but I stood firm, when the nurse walked into the room.

“I… apologize for interrupting!” The nurse quickly left, I saw a noticeable blush on her face and then I realized just what this situation looked like…

I was standing over him onto the hospital bed, in a strangely intimate looking position, none of that could be ignored…

“Ha… you think she’s going to report to the doctor that we tried to f**k here?” Edward remarked with a smirk on his face.

“Disgusting, can’t you act like a boss at least once!?” I yelled and pulled away to sit back down on a chair near the bedside.

“Why should I? You’re going to quit soon anyways, that’s what all the others did.” Edward didn’t seem to care about me at all.

“I can’t quit.” I told him firmly. “Though trust me I would if I could.” I added.

“And why’s that?” Edward asked me as I sat there fiddling with my fingers.

“Because I have something to prove.” I stood up and headed out the door. I don’t know what happened afterwards or when he finally got out of the hospital. He must have left the same day, the way he was more than willing to remove all the apparatus that was attached to him.

I seriously don’t understand that guy…

The following days were the weekend so I had time to rethink everything which I didn’t use wisely cause I slept in… but on the following Monday to no one’s surprise Edward was there and ready to work…

“You there, newbie, here.” Edward said as he tossed a stack of papers onto my desk which was close to his. “I need you to review all these previous issues of the magazine and tell me where the mistakes are, and what corrections you’d do.”

“Why do I have to do that? If they’re old issues nothing’s going to change, right?” I asked while looking up at him.

“Tsk… you don’t even understand this much without me spelling everything out for you…” Edward sighed heavily and clicked his tongue at me again! It was getting on my very last nerves.

“What is it?!” I asked again, aggravated.

“If you’re serious about your work here then you have to prove it. So I’m going to take it upon myself to teach you how to do your job properly.” Edward added in such a monotone voice I couldn’t sell what he was thinking.