My Psychotic Boss

Malrick's Office

Malrick's office was dimmed, the blinds were shut, and it smelled damp inside. Rowan sat in a tiny wooden chair, clearly meant for small children. The chair pressed hard against his bone. Rowan shifted uncomfortably. It was clear Malrick wasn't going to start unless Rowan sat in that chair.

The fact alone that Malrick had bought a tiny wooden chair to replace the normal chair he once had in his office was clear enough. Anybody who enters his office is slowly degraded and this chair was a part of his method.

Malrick calmly sat in his black office chair, spinning it around to face Rowan. Malrick glared down at him in that tiny wooden chair. He exhaled, "Better." Malrick crossed his legs, his body language open as he rested his arm on the arm rest, slowly tapping his finger on the end of the arm rest.

The silence filled with the slow tapping of a nail on plastic. "Now, before we begin. Is there anything you wish to inform me about?" Malrick tilted his head slightly. From Rowan's point of view, from down there his face was shaded over by the poorly dim lighting which was peeking out from the blinds.

"Delancey told me something interesting. You would know more about it than me." Rowan looked up, glaring at Malrick.

"Oh yes, the affair with Seren. Ah, now I remember." Malrick chuckled as if he was remembering a joke.

"You know about that... were you the one who told Seren."

"Hm.. " Malrick pondered as if he was trying to think, "Ah! I did accompany her to the Corporate Gala... You and Delancey were there, no?"

"She said she wasn't attending."

"Yeah, but people change their mind. Is she not allowed to do that too?" Malrick's voice dropped low as he mentioned Seren.

"Your... you're doing it again, you're twisting my words. Stop doing that."

The room filled with silence again, Malrick didn't seem to like that response. The tapping begun again. Rowan watched as Malrick's nail tapped against the arm chair. "Why would it bother you... you like Delancey now." Malrick's voice dropped lower. It felt more like an interrogation now.

"What did you mean when you talked with Delancey in the elevator... "

"Oh... how she stalked me for a few days then followed me to my car... " Malrick leaned back in his chair, as if he was recalling the memory.

"She didn't stalk you, she just happened to be working late... "

"What would you know, I didn't assign her any tasks on purpose. She stayed late on her own accord. I know that much." His words begun to sting. It felt like the truth.

Rowan gulped. She had lied to him just as he had lied to her. "Why would she do that... " His voice softer now, wary... as if he was accepting the fact.

"She overheard a private conversation between me and Seren, about how I was gifting Seren luxuries. Then suddenly Delancey had attempted to feel out my heart. What a coincidence." Malrick's voice lifted, he looked up as if he was pretending to piece together a puzzle.

Rowan saw right through it. Seren may not be able to see his intentions but, Malrick was clearly a player. He was entertained by this conversation. Pretending he doesn't understand what's going on exactly. Rowan being in his office, sitting in this tiny wooden chair... Malrick was enjoying it. It was a game. "What are you planning against Delancey."

Malrick chuckled lightly, "That's for me to know and for you to find out. Don't stick your nose in other people's business."

"This is wrong. You know that. I know you're smarter than this."

"Don't put your THOUGHTS out there if NOBODY asked for it." Malrick snapped before remaining calm again.