"What do you mean by that exactly?" I asked with a curious tone.

"Oh, forgive me if I made it sound more serious than it was."

He let out a short laugh as he scratched the back of his head.

Phew, don't go turning antagonist on me now.

"I really am sorry, I just had to make sure you were really the person I thought you could be."

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

I asked as he gave me a pleasant smile.

"I thought Myla would've told you. I do look up to you in a way, Bridger."

"How so? I'm a divorced 24-year-old with few if any close friends and an unhealthy lifestyle that consists of binge-watching series that have 20 years' worth of episodes." I said with a worried look but he swiftly shook his head in denial.

I can show you my browser history for proof, y'know?

As I was about to prepare my phone to do just that, he continued.

"I admire that you still seem so positive after such an experience and that even with knowledge of my hand in it, you still treat me as a friend."

"I'm not one for having my ego stroked, but go on."

I'm really not. I'm more into self-deprecating jokes I keep to myself so no one thinks I'm depressed.

"Not only that, but even with your strong beliefs against us and previous experiences you still decided to work here, and from what I was able to gather from the report Myla sent in, handled it well."

"That's not how she worded it, isn't it?"

"Yes."

Thought so, at least it explains why she was on her phone during some of our breaks between clients.

As I was planning my 5-step plan for revenge against my dear partner, I recalled the most important question still lingering within my psyche.

"Wait...What about earlier then?"

"Hmm?" He exclaimed with an inquisitive look.

"What about you trying to feed me that horrid sandwich?"

Suddenly his gaze turned to his desk. His eyes were no longer visible to me, only a dark shadow remaining on his face. His posture stiffened and the air felt colder.

"You see, that was the final test."

"Eh?"

"Whether or not you tried to eat it was what would determine if I made the right choice."

"No way."

"I'm sorry Bridger, but..." He raised his head with a saddened expression and held his tongue for a moment.

"But...I just wanted to see if you'd actually try to eat it." He said as he let out a short and warm laugh.

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

"R-Right, thought I was gonna lose my job there for a second because of a sandwich."

I joined in his laughter that slowly faded as his friendly smile returned.

"I'm not losing my job though right?"

"Nope."

Phew, now I can lose this job the original way I planned, through dying in a car crash after arguing with Myla.

"Joking aside, I did have a reason for putting you through this."

He said with a more serious tone while maintaining his kind expression.

"I'm all ears, man."

"You see, it has something to do with being partners with Myla."

"Go on."

I wanted to interject with a witty joke about me being expendable, but it seemed he had some weight behind his words.

"I alluded to it during your interview, but to jog your memory a bit. She and you have more in common than you'd think, and I wanted to make sure you not only had the experience but the motivation to help her."

"I have no clue what you mean by having something in common with her, let alone having to help her."

"I think it's best she tells you herself, or else both of our lives might be at risk."

He joked presumably, to cut the tension that filled the cold office. His darkened expression contrasted with the smile he still maintained, and the large windows revealing the nighttime sky behind him almost made him look melancholic.

"Right, I really don't know what you mean, but how exactly am I suppose to do any of that?"

"For now, I think you just working is the best thing for everyone. I don't want to force you into helping her, and I don't want to force her into asking for it. Well, that is if I didn't turn you off from the idea of this job." He said with a hesitant smile.

It was true I didn't exactly align with their beliefs, and I could almost consider today's events the second time they betrayed me, but.

"I'll take you up on that offer," I said as his worry turned into surprise.

"You will?"

"Yeah, I don't know about helping you or Myla as of now, but I have my own reasons for wanting to stay on board."

"Ah, I see, well that's more than enough for me!" He exclaimed with a genuine and bright smile that shone like the stars behind him.

"Alright, if that's all I'll go back home, I'm tired after today," I said as I stood up from the chair and headed for the door.

"And Alexandre?"

"Yes?"

"Thanks, I needed the wake-up call, y'know? Something to get me moving again, and your little scheme gave me that. I'll see what I can do for you when the time comes." I said with a friendly tone and exited his office.

Man, what a hell of a day.

I thought as I entered the common area towards the elevator once more. The place was still lit up by some fluorescent lights, but the night sky had fully revealed itself, and the city lights and countless stars dotted across the horizon outside the large glass windows gleamed within the enveloping darkness.

Guess I'll take an Uber.

I thought as I exited the elevator on the first floor. The building's lights were starting to close and the reception had vanished as well. I exited the building and saw a few people leaving in their cars or taking taxis back in the pockets of light from the lamps. I pulled out my phone and requested an Uber. I sat down at one of the benches in the parking area illuminated by the bright lamplight and waited, accompanied by my remaining thoughts.

I'll keep at it for now, after all, I made a promise.

I didn't care much for the relationships we were creating, nor whatever Alexandre wanted to do for Myla. For now, my reason for working here was for her. Amanda gave me some of my happiest memories and was the one who granted mercy to the painful cycle that became of our relationship. The ending might have hurt me and turned me into one hell of a mess, but I had to repay her. I had a debt owed to her kindness and presence in my life for all those years, it just took losing her for me to realize. I had that opportunity now, and I wasn't going to lose it, which is why I told Alexandre I had something to motivate me again.

Plus the job pays well, can't forget that.

I nodded to myself at that thought and let out a short laugh at my reasoning as I heard a quick beep from my phone.

Guess the car's here.

I stood up from the bench and began walking to the parked car. I looked back at the building with only a few lights left to accompany the few maintenance staff left inside and smiled.

Worker bees here have it tougher than I thought.

I entered the vehicle with a tired sigh as the driver looked back at me.

"So, where to boss?"

"For now? Home." I said with a tired but joyful tone and looked at the young man with a smile.

"I hate to break it to you, but I don't know where the hell that is."

"Oh right...Umm just drive straight down the road for now."

I said with a slightly embarrassed tone of voice.

Right, not the main character of some coming-of-age movie, oops.

I thought as the large building I've decided to choose as my new place of work disappeared over the horizon, and left me with only the glimmering night sky.