Act of Forced Betrayal

Max works at a company that was valued by everyone living in Virhanda, a modern city. In Virhanda, everyone was respected according to their status. Everyone who was working for a high-status company was considered a jack in a deck of cards. People who couldn’t afford most things were considered poor people who had to obey everyone with a great reputation. Max was a kind-hearted man and gave everyone who was in need a chance to work for him. Yes, work for him, he doesn’t just work at a company that is admired by all, but he owns it. Everyone working for him was all the people he helped from the past, people who had nothing. They were happy to say he was their boss. Emmanuel was one of them. Emmanuel came from a rich family who despised him for what he looked like. His family was white and had a distant relationship with a black family. The black family genes somehow found their way to him. Max helped Emmanuel to become who he wanted to be. For Emmanuel, revenge is what he wants. Max didn’t stop him. For him, this was a family problem that had nothing to do with him. “How’s everyone doing?” asked Max. “We’re doing well, thank you! How about you sir?” they answered and asked in a polite way that warmed Max’s heart. Max responded gladly “I’m good, by the way, I want everyone to be in the conference room at 3 o’clock”. Everyone was excited at how happy Max looked at them, it seemed like he was about to tell them the extremely good news. Everyone was packing their things to prepare to leave after the conference meeting. Some were early in the conference room. They talked about the project they were about to take on at the end of the month. This gave them a head start on planning the project. When everyone was in the conference room, Max came smiling, displaying his dimples. This made him very attractive, all the girls that he met would always be hitting on him, but he never accepted them. He was polite and smooth about how he declined them, so it didn’t bother them that much, they became friends with him just because they wanted to spend some time with him at the very least. He didn't decline them because he found no interest. He declined them because he was not sure of whom he liked, or what gender he liked, rather. "Well, we got the report from the last project we did. I'm not gonna lie, I'm impressed." Max said with a broad smile. Everyone at the table smiled at him, showing that they were grateful to have him as their boss. "We wouldn't have done it without you!" said one of the workers. Everyone nodded their heads in agreement. "I hope we all do great in our next project," Max said. After some time discussing the next project, they were dismissed by Max. Max motivated everyone for them to make a good impression on the people they would collaborate with. Max dismissed everyone after their meeting at the conference. He was proud that they had already started planning on the first part of the project if they did get it in their hands. This would be a 'Legendary Achievement' for their company as it was the first one to give them a profit of 8 digits. Emmanuel was happy too, since having that much profit meant they could get a bonus like before. A bigger bonus. Everyone showed up at work early, showing their interest in taking the project. They began making some new changes to the plan for a better purpose. Emmanuel suggested before making the changes, they should inform Max first. They all looked at him like he was a fool. Emmanuel started to see that they were all just role-playing in Max's eyes. They ignored Emmanuel and started making changes to the project. He knows that Max has a soft heart. This means that he can and will do what they say. Max arrived and everyone went to greet him. They rushed to him, shoving Emmanuel behind. They greeted him until he was at his office. Max was unsure of what had just happened, but he was sure that he couldn't see Emmanuel. He was curious if he ever showed up at work today. This made him focus on whether he might like someone of his gender. This thought kills him inside. Max found out about the change in the project since he also had access to the site that had all the information about how to do the project. He called them to his conference room. "What happened? Why didn't you inform me first?" Max said with his face showing concern and anger. "We have thought about it for quite a long time now," said Mason, one of the people that Max helped. "You should inform me every time you make changes. We made this company the best of the best. Why do you think you should make those changes? I want to hear it. Maybe I could make an exception for those ideas" Max said, with anger and curiosity. Everyone was shaking like there was an earthquake. "Well, what mason said was true, we think it's actually better if we put this structure here. Because then it would save up more space and open up space for this desk to be here" said Kyle, thinking cleverly of himself. Max looked at the idea and thought it was a good idea for a second. He then realized that it wouldn't be as easy as it looked. He saw that there would be no more room for another structure. "Where would you put this structure then?" Max pointed to the structure that was supposed to be where Kyle planned on positioning the desk. Kyle stammers, "W... w-well we place that here.", pointing to the space that was left behind. Everyone was trying to hide their shame and laughter at the same time. One person next to Emmanuel was trying to hide his embarrassment. Emmanuel raised his hand but was stopped by a man who was trying to distract Max from noticing him. "I-" Emmanuel said but was quickly interrupted. "I think it would be better if someone became the lead, someone you trust, boss" Mason interrupted Emmanuel, looking at Max intensely, gesturing to Max that he should be the project lead. "Every project will have its own leader," Max said with relief. "For this project, Mason and I are going to be working together. We will be working on the project together," said Max, with a smile. Emmanuel was relieved that Max would not leave the project to Mason himself. "At least Max can keep an eye on Mason, I don't trust him," Emmanuel said to himself in relief. "I'm glad you guys could make it," said the receptionist. "No, I'm sorry you had to wait, I was..., we were stuck in traffic," Max said gently, pointing at Mason and himself. "Please come this way," said the receptionist. "So, where are we going?" said Mason briefly. Max looked at him, intensely. "Be polite," whispered Max to Mason's ear. Mason lets out a sigh. The receptionist then stops and points at a room. The room was labeled 'Conference'. Max thought this was where they were going to negotiate with the Forks Company, one level below them if based on company status. Back at Max's Company... "Hey, Emmanuel!" said one of them. "I have something lying around here for you" added one of them. Emmanuel heard some thuds and some jumping on the other side of his room. He walked into the room, curious about what it was. "Surprise!!" Emmanuel was shocked to see them having a beer on the table and cardboard with a surprise word written on it. "What's going on?" Emmanuel asked. "We got the best deal ever!"Mason said. He said in excitement as others joined him to celebrate. Emmanuel stood rooted to the spot, confused about whether he should be happy or concerned. "What's wrong?" Max said, breaking Emmanuel's intrusive thoughts. Emmanuel turned around and threw his hands in the air, slapping Max. "Oh my god!" Emmanuel's eyes widened after he saw Max rubbing his cheek. "Whoa! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to!" Emmanuel helped Max massage the pain away. "It's okay, I shouldn't have crept up to you like that", Max laughs. "So you guys got the deal?" Emmanuel breaks the awkward silence after the incident. "Oh, uh, yeah. Sort of" Max said, with a little embarrassment. "Oh, sort of?" Emmanuel said back. "Yeah well, it's a long story," Max said. Mason, on the other hand, was listening to them. "I didn't mean to interrupt but I wanted to know what you guys were talking about, y'know?" Mason said with a grin. "Long story?" Emmanuel said to Max. "Well, we entered the building. I was grossed about it so we just negotiated our highest deal to get straight to the point, y'know, I couldn't stay any longer anyway. They accepted it without hesitation!" Mason said while laughing. "Maybe it wasn't a long story then," Max said, looking at the floor. "That was a fast meeting then. Get ready for a lot of work for the rest of the month," Max said to us. "I need you guys to prepare for tomorrow since we just got the deal, thanks to Mason," Max said, hesitantly crediting Mason. "Well, at least allow me to celebrate, Mr!" Mason said while laughing. Mason went to the room, walking backwards while looking at them. Max followed him and took a few drinks with them. Emmanuel decided to stay and pack everything he needed to go home. After everyone was done celebrating, everyone waved goodbyes and left. "Thanks, do you mind closing everything here?" Max said, and then he left. "Sure" Emmanuel mumbled. He was about to lock the door when someone called him.