Chapter 9 *** His Highness ***

Chapter 9:
|| His Highness ||
|| Chapter Theme Song – Butterfly Effect
by Travis Scott ||

[IRIS'S POV]
I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t hypnotized under that blue eyed gaze. It felt like he was looking straight through me. He kept our eye contact for a few seconds while never bothering to answer my question.
“Can you get out of the way now, Miss Young?” he asked.
“S-sure,” I muttered.
I stepped back a few steps and clenched my hands together. This was so awkward. He checked the door, assuring that it wasn't open, and turned to look at me with a stern countenance.
“Do not overstep yourself, Miss Young. Maintain your distance from my personal belongings, unless otherwise instructed. Understand?”
I nodded and he walked past by me and grabbed a blue file from inside his desk cabinet. But, despite his rushed movement, I spotted the picture inside the drawer. Who was that little girl? I couldn't make out the whole photo but it left deep impression on my heart. Frowning slightly, I wondered why he bothered to fetch the folder in the first place. He had his pick of staff members that could do it for him. Hell, wasn’t that the whole reason I was here? Despite having such thoughts, I didn't ask anything as I watched him walk toward the entrance.
Suddenly, he stopped and his voiced echoed in the room as he said, “Meet me in the lounge in ten minutes, Miss Young. I want you to observe how we do business here.”
“Yes, sir,” I answered.
He left the office quickly and I went to freshen up a bit.
As I approached the indicated room, the two muscular bodyguards opened the door for me respectfully and I stepped inside. My eyes narrowed at the pitiful sight that was in front of me. The president was seated on a black leather couch with his legs crossed and his right hand supported his chin. He was looking down at the poor man that was groveling in front of him. I had heard his nickname around the office and I saw that it did him justice. He did look like the “Demon King.” Slowly, I approached his right side. What the hell was happening in here?
My gaze went to the man on the ground. He looked to be about forty and wore a blue European style suite. Tears kept falling down his face as he kept staring at the president while begging silently in a disheveled state. The president grimaced in response to the man’s pleading face and tossed the blue file on the floor next to him. Why was he being like this? Who could be so merciless to someone so pitiful? I glanced at his face. It held no sympathy, but was cold and distant.
“Mr. Jackson, I warned you several times before working with me that I hate betrayal, especially in business matters. Despite my warning, you crossed your boundaries and almost ruined my company’s reputation with your schemes. Tell me, what inspired such stupidity?” he asked. A hint of malice was in his tone.
The man shook his head in fear and he looked up at the president with a pale face.
“I was blinded by love, Mr. President. I-I never thought that the other party would use a woman to defame me. Ashamedly, I trusted her too much… you were not the only one betrayed, sir,” he answered.
He broke down and started to sob, which successfully hit a soft corner of my heart. Surprisingly, I heard a cruel chuckle.
“Well that was your own fault, Mr. Jackson. As a president of a renowned company, how could you trust it all to a mere woman who just came into your life?”
“Well… shit,” I thought.
I gulped down the knot in my throat and turned back my attention to the man. He was sobbing uncontrollably with his forehead press against the ground.
“You–you will never understand, Mr. President. You have never been in love,” he replied.
President Gray sneered at these words and leaning against the couch leisurely, he said, “If love can destroy my entire life and bright career, it would be better not to experience it in the first place. What a waste…”
“Heh…I wish all my heart that you find a woman who will be able to make you to leave your status and wealth behind without a second thought. Maybe you will be a little more understanding of my plight then, sir.”
Did this man have a death wish? With baited breath, I glanced at my employer. His lips pressed into a thin line and I saw a vein pop on his forehead expressing his rage.
“I’ve had just about enough of your shitty excuses, Mr. Jackson. You aren't some fucking love guru to advise me about how to live my life. You are now just a sad sack who got played and dumped by his whore,” he snapped.
Rising from the couch he said, “TN, burn his company and all connections. Then proceed to give the press a story about how a foreign gang ran him out of the city for revenge. I don't ever want to hear his name mentioned again.”
After giving his command, he walked out of the room while ignoring the man who continued to beg for mercy. In a last-ditch effort, the old man dashed to grab the president’s foot but was mercilessly tossed to the side. Straightening himself, Xavier Gray glared down at the man.
“Is it not good enough for you that I have spared your family; especially, that little daughter of yours? Or would you, perhaps, prefer me to burn down everything that your hands have touched?”
The old man looked horrified and the president turned around to exit the room without another word. Quickly following my employer, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the old man as I looked down at him in passing.
“Would it have killed him to be a little more merciful?” I thought.
President Gray entered his office room and plopped down on his chair with a soft thud. His expression was grim and I carefully avoided his line of sight as I went to my own desk. While working, I occasionally stole a glance over at him and his dark expression sent chills down my spine every single time. Even though the man was undoubtedly breathtaking, his aura was much more suited to a Mafia boss than a leader of a nation. In dead silence, two awkward hours passed. Glancing his way–for the twelve time–he was still tapping on the keyboard skillfully. My gaze continued to go unnoticed. When I heard his voice break through the silence, I was caught off guard.
“Miss Young, bring me the files that need my signature. I'm nearly finished with my work here.”
Rising from my desk, I briskly walked outside the office to find the files which were probably in Mr. Scott's care. Passing through the corridor, I spotted the old man who was still crying in the entrance hall. The guards were completely unbothered by his existence as they silently continued to do their duty. I bit down my bottom lip as I contemplated if I should just to leave him alone or persuade him to go home. Sighing in frustration, I made my way towards him and cleared my throat.
“Mister, you really should go back now. President Gray has already made his decision and I think that you’re wasting your time by being here. You should probably start considering other options after speaking with your family.”
Abruptly, he stopped crying and looked up at me. Suddenly, as if he had an epiphany, his eyes lit up and he grabbed my hands.
“Miss… Miss can’t you stop him from ruining my business? You are his new secretary, right? Aren’t you close to him? Please, I need your help!”
Stupefied for a moment, I thought of telling him the truth, which was that I was brand new here. However, the man didn't let go of my hands and instead squeezed them even harder.
“I have a little girl to care for, Miss. I will be reduced to a beggar by the time the president is finished with me. For my family’s sake, please ask him to spare me this one time. I beg you!"
“Crap… This is what happens when you don’t mind your own business, Iris.” I muttered under my breath.
I wasn’t even that close with Mr. Scott, let alone Mr. Xavier Gray. Why would he consider my request anyways? Looking at the poor state of this old man, I couldn’t help but visualize his daughter’s pitiful face. After contemplating for awhile, I bit my lower lip and then let out a defeated sigh.
“Let me try once.”
He broke out into a hopeful smile and wiped his tears with the back of his hand. I turned around and headed to Mr. Scott’s office with my brows furrowed together. How was I going to persuade “his highness” to resend his order?