REWRITTEN AS A VILLAIN.

PERMISSION TO ACT

“Use that brain this time,” Orion said, pointing a card to his head.

The man, defeated, reluctantly told them to let me go. He made an attempt to move the suitcase to his side, but Orion stopped him and grabbed it.

"You missed your chance" Orion gave him a burning glare, which made the man lower his eyes instantly.

He held my hand, and we walked out of there. I was shaking and feeling cold from the inside. What did I just witness? I almost got in trouble.

“I wasn’t meaning to stalk you. I’m sorry,” I said, looking down.

“And thank you for tonight,” I added.

“Lucian saved you, not me. Don’t follow Lucian around like that.”

“It’s…” I paused. “I wasn’t following him, I just got it wrong.”

“Get in the car. I’ll take you to the hospital. You’re wounded.”

“It’s fine, I’ll just patch it up,” I said.

“I can’t stand seeing bruises on people.”

I sat down and fastened the seatbelt. Bruises would be normal if he deals with people like that. We drove out, and police sirens blared past us.

We stopped at a nearby hospital, a doctor attended to me, and my wound was treated.

The aftereffects of the incident were my anxiety kicking in. I sat on the patient bed, hugging the pillow tightly. Orion Kade seemed to know the doctor well. He later sat in the ward with me but was busy with his laptop.

“Thank you. We could have gone home instead of stressing you like this.”

“I didn’t say I’m stressed. I’m doing my job.”

I stayed quiet. I felt the urge to ask him how I ended up following the wrong person last night. Lucian Blackwood and the other man don’t even look alike.

The news came on about an illegal gambling den with drugs and thugs, the same place we came from. My life keeps getting more dangerous. I munched on the chips I was served. Orion Kade didn’t look concerned in any way.

“What are your findings on the task?” he asked suddenly.

That was unexpected. “So far, the bribery involves an interviewer and one of the planners. A younger employee was used. Questions were leaked.” He listened without interrupting.

“I have the pictures and proof on my system at home,” I said, then stopped.

“That’s all I found,” I concluded.

“Good. "What you're dealing with is more than leaked questions".

He's right, I wasn't here from the beginning.

**********

I arrived at the office. My boss was already seated.

“Good morning, sir. Your briefing for today. You have to attend a dinner party today. Nothing else. How should I go with the preparations?”

“I’ll call you when it’s time,” he replied.

I had been given a separate office from my boss. He only called whenever he needed me. I brought out my board to continue what I was doing. No matter how much I think about it, I can’t help but feel my file is the only one with a loophole.

That aside, why was Orion Kade there last night? How did Lucian Blackwood disappear? How can I keep up with them? Three questions I have to answer.

The doorbell rang. It was a delivery of flowers. I opened it, and a card dropped: Congratulations on your new job, Gian. Lay low for now. Thor. I'm certain it’s him. He always spells my name like that.

He'd rather send flowers than reply to messages. He wanted me to know he's watching. I cross-check the papers. I'm almost numb to his actions now. I have to gain Lucian Blackwood’s favor. Director Kade shouldn’t tell him what happened.

At today’s event, I’ll finally do what I failed to do yesterday. I stared at my reflection on the screen, looking completely different, applied my red lipstick and fixed my hair.

The landline rang. I picked up and went to his office. Orion was seated, and another woman in corporate wear was with him.

I walked closer, and they turned to look at me. “This is the company lawyer, Miss Mary Quentin,” Lucian Blackwood said.

“And you must be Gianne Morgan,” Mary Quentin said, extending her hand. We shook hands, I took a seat beside Director Kade.

“We’re taking action against those involved in the bribery, which involves four executives, a temporary P.A., and one interviewee,” Orion Kade explained. Far more than I thought.

“So, the temporary P.A. passed on a message to manipulate the scores. The interviewee involved is a male from California. His résumé was fake. I did a background check, and even his passport was under a fabricated identity,” he added.

It all sank in. This isn’t about me. I checked the printed copies of the photos the lawyer dropped on the table. I recognized two of the executives, and the last two were the pictures of those women I took on the rooftop. She did take bribes from more than one person.

“I suggest they be removed from their positions. According to the company contract, it involves paying fines in case the company's reputation is harmed,” I said with my eyes on Lucian Blackwood. I gained his attention.

“The glitch has been linked to the bribery, and it has affected consumer perception of the company’s ability to keep its employees in check. They trust us with security.”

“And the participant?” Lucian Blackwood asked.

I almost stuttered.

“They should be deported to their home country.”

“The one problem is this person,” he said, pointing to the picture of the executive Thor bribed. “Has disappeared from the country.”

I hesitated before answering.“Then we’ll make their access to the country almost impossible again. Their remaining wealth will be used to pay the fines.”

“Why do you think they still have their wealth here when they’ve already left the country?”

“According to reports, they’ve been absent since the glitch was discovered. They’ve been on the run. It’s common to avoid things that leave a trace, like transactions,” I explained.

Orion Kade supported it. “She didn’t leave through any airline. She was last seen at the boat, carrying nothing to avoid suspicion.”

“You’re quite interesting,” Mary Quentin said.

“Thank you.”

She stood up. “I’ll discuss with my team and get back to you,” then exited.

The only executive linked to my bribery case is no longer here. As for Thor. I just know he wants something from Lucian Blackwood, by the way he already handled her.

By the look of things, I delivered the task well. Who will win this war?

Lucian Blackwood knew about the bribe immediately. He waited before destroying his enemy. Still, something about him feels safer.

Thor is clean and leaves no traces. He's using me, so I'll get rid of his pawns here.

"The company has competitors. What if the employees are checked to see if they’re planted?"

“And a stricter policy before hiring.”

“Good direction, draft it out”, Lucian Blackwood said

That was it, permission to proceed at his level, Thor's access was successfully blocked.