21

I am filled with so many questions as I follow Quinn inside La Cooper Tower. Is he here to unleash his threat? Will my first day at work be my last? Is he here to expose my identity? We both simultaneously halt infront of the elevator. A tense and dense silence hangs around us.

"Where did you disappear to? I had blood from you and now I am a murder suspect." I say harshly.

"I went home and the key word is Suspect, so relax you are innocent. Aren't you?" I just credited and discredited me in one sentence.

"I am and if I am going down I am going with you?"

He smiles and I hate him for doing that.

"Do you know how much I weigh? It is impossible to put me down." He smirks.

"why are you here?" I ask and he ignores me.

“ What are you doing here?” I repeat my initial question.

He glances me over the shoulder and zeroes his focus back on the elevator that just opened. His face has this smug that annoys the hell out of me. His steps in.

“Are you coming?” he asks.

I cringe in distatste, “No thank you” I say

“Are you sure? If I were you I would reconsider.” He smirks.

“Thankfully you are not me.” I say. Why am I even entertaining this useless banter? I am sure he is up to no good.

“This is your last chance.” He attempts to stop the the elevetor from closing.

“I am good. All I know you may be planning to murder me inside there.”

“don’t say I wasn’t kind enough.” He say as the elevator closes.

I hate how uneasy his word leave me. It takes a while before the next elevator opens up. I am at my worst point of patience I press the the floor i am currently heading to.

I scroll through my phone. The murder of Ryan's mother top the news followed by the revelation of Theo's real father and the speculations of his mysterious mother. The elevator is going up smoothly until I I hear loud bang sound and it comes to a stop. What is happening? I try to press the open button nothing happens. It takes a while before I realise I am stuck. This can't be happening on my first day. I can't show up late. Did Quinn do this? He doesn't have the authority here. It is my uncle's company.

I long press the help button. Is this a sign that I am making a mistake working here, especially so close with my enemies who might recognize me with time?

Is the elevator's malfunction trying to remind me something? As Paulo Cuehlo in Alchemist says, A lesson in life is repeated until learnt. I failed before with Quinn, is life reminding me I will fail with my Uncle and Aunt too. That thought flies out as soon as the elevator begins to function. A new strength overpowers me as I step out. I am here to win, one failure in life doesn't not determine the outcome of other battles.

I look down at the folder I am holding, it has directions to the C.E.O's office. I feel my knees weaken with every step, I start to have a stomach bug. I am finally coming face to face with my uncle. The man who took everything from us.

The office isn't hard to find. For a second I feel afraid and even think of fleeing the building never to look back. Going after Quinn was easier, it was an excusable and a lazy strategy. It was similar to choosing a bad life partner, someone you won't need to put the effort on because you are afraid of finding someone worth. All you can picture picture is losing them and yourself. Working closely with my uncle was like finding the worthy partner, this was my last resort. I loose this chance I loose everything.

I find his secretary wiping her desk. She is a plump woman in her forties. Of course, my aunt can't risk putting a young pretty woman here to seduce her husband. The little gossips I have heard or read on the tabloids is that she controls him like a Ps game. The man walks with his tail hanging between his legs.

"May I help you?" The Secretary asks.

I get embarrassed since I was staring at her.

"My name is Cara, I am a new intern." I say.

She analyses me for a second then looks impressed by me. I have a feeling we will get along for the time I will be here.

"You are late." She says and I get dumbfounded. I look at the wall clock above her head it is thirty minutes to eight.

"I am thirty minutes early." I say.

"Did you not get the email?" She asks.

I shake my head confused.

"The new Director sent it to the interns." She speaks more to herself.

"Let me not make you more late. The conference room is the second door from your right." She points.

I say a thank you and leave.

My feet carry me fast, I push the door to the room instructed and all over sudden silence envelopes it as a dozen eyes stare at me.

"Forgive my intrusion...." I start to speak to no one before my eyes land on Quinn seated on the furthest end. His face is smeared with an ugly smirk.

"Are you lost ma'am?" Quinn speaks.

Am I lost? I am also confused by his presence. ...wait did he just call me Ma'am?

I shake my head. "Are you lost sir?" I ask. My question is met with gasp from whom I assume are also interns.

"Seems like you at the wrong place, I don't entertain smart mouth from my subordinates." He says wearing a serious face.

What did I walk into?

Surbodinates?

If confusion had a face, it would be me.

"I believe you are one of us?" He asks.

I am perplexed.

"I asked you a question." He says harshly.

I nod.

"You are holding your colleagues back by wasting their time. They had the decency to show up in time something lacking on your part. Can you please wait at the lounge, I will call you when done here."

"I was here on time, the elevator.... I didn't receive the email." I ramble.

"Is it hard to take instructions because I can't work with someone who can't." He asks.

"No." I say and turn around and leave.

I want to scream the name Quinn. I hate him. I hate him. I want to strangle him. He just couldn't let me have this. He had to show up here and be my boss to make sure I suffer forever.

"He is a good man he will be kind to you." The secretary says.

Has she not be reading the magazines. Don't she know who I am and my history with Quinn?

As I wait I text Kelly.

Guess who is my Boss?

Kelly....Quinn

Urgh...he is making my day unbearable.

Kelly... Just screw him on his desk you will both feel better.

I could do that. I just need long nuts and a screw driver.

Kelly...Ha!Ha!Ha!

I put my phone back and start to stare at my surroundings. Everything has changed here not how my father left it. This was just an archive room. I don't know how long I have been lost in my word before the Secretary informs me that the Director will be seeing me. The other interns are heading out. I collect my things and walk towards his office. There are two offices, The C.E.Os and the Director's which looks like has be set up recently. I don't knock I walk in rudely. I find Quinn seated behind his huge desk.

"What the fuck do you think you are doing here?" I ask.

"You invaded my world first by joining Primeton university to manipulate me now I will invade yours."

"To what end?"

"I don't know but along the way I will find something." He speaks honestly.

"Please Quinn, I need this."

"I know and I will make it frustrating until you will wish to leave but we both know you won't because this is last card you have to your game."

"You are evil." I remark.

"Evil begets evil." Quinn concurs.

I sigh frustrated can't I find peace?

A chill runs down my spine as I remember a Bible verse recited several times at Bible school hits me...." There is no peace for the wicked."

I am wicked, I internally acknowledge.

"Now that is solved, I need tea." Quinn speaks.

"I am an intern, not your servant." I retaliate.

"And I am your boss."

"This is my father's company, you will not humiliate me here."

"Not for long, I am seeking to buy it out. It has been in a financial crisis for a while." Quinn drops the bomb which leaves me shocked.

It can't be. I can't let my father's legacy just die like that. I can save it.

"That will not happen. I can save it." I speak up.

Quinn huffs, "Do you have a couple of million dollars laying somewhere?" He asks sarcastically.

"I have Cooper's blood flowing in my veins and his brains, that is enough." I say.

He stares at me for a while, he wants to say something but stops himself.

After a while he speaks, "Just get me some tea."

I don't move an inch, I will not let him order me around my boss or not.

"For today only." He begs.

I release my breath and leave with one mission on my head save my father's company.