“I was heading toward his office, ready to start the next part of my plan. But, I needed the boss’s approval. Otherwise, he’d suspect my actions. As I walked toward the door, I saw it open by a crack, as shreds of light shone through. I leaned in closer to look at what was going on inside. There, I saw Charlie in a barely lit room, talking to someone from the computer screen.

‘Understood, I’ll get on it.’ He whispered.

‘Um, excuse me?’ I called out to him.

The boss glanced over as he spotted me walking and turning on the lights. He quickly closed the laptop and turned the wheelie chair to face me.

‘Oh hey, I didn’t see you come in.’

‘What were you doing?’

‘None of your concern.’ Charlie retorted. He changed his tune quickly. ‘I mean, I had to do some private work. You know everybody has one.’

‘But, you know it’s not healthy to be that close to the computer, especially in the dark.’ I pointed out.

‘Sorry about that, I should’ve realized that.’ Charlie cleared his throat and put on a serious face. ‘Now then, what business do you have here?’

I walked closer to the desk and slammed my hand on it. ‘I want to discuss something, about Richard.’

‘Oh, what about it?’ Charlie crossed his knee and rested his chin with his hand. ‘Did he succeed?’

I shook my head and told him the truth, that we couldn’t sneak into the B.E.E.S. building and got caught. Keep in mind, this took place before you found out my true intentions. The boss seemed to know that my expression hadn’t changed when I told him this.

‘How odd, you act like you knew Richard would fail.’ He pointed out. ‘If that was the case, then why’d you volunteer him in the first place?’

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‘None of your business.’ I retorted.

‘Hey, watch your mouth, I’m your boss after all.’

‘Yeah, but you’d never fire your best secretary.’

Charlie gave me a nasty glare. ‘Why are you really here?’

‘I want you to put me in charge of supervising him for tonight.’

‘What for?’

‘I’ll only answer if you answer me this: What is your true reason for hiring Richard?’ I leaned closer and asked.

Charlie just snickered, walked over to his desk, and rested his chin with both his hands. ‘You got your reasons, and I got mine.’ My body felt tense upon hearing that. The ambiance of the surrounding room got thicker. ‘Is there anything else you need? I’m busy here.’

‘But what about the night shift?’ I asked. ‘I want to make things right, so give me the job or else! You wanted to destroy the competition, right?’

Charlie perked up from his seat and raised an eyebrow. His hands were away from the laptop. I inched my hands toward the device when he slammed his hands on it and pulled it away from me.

‘Don’t you dare.’

‘I’m sure the others would also love to know about this, wouldn’t you agree?’

‘You wouldn’t.’

‘Do you know who you’re talking to?’ I taunted him. ‘So, what’s it going to be?’

Charlie turned and scoffed. ‘Fine, I’ll allow it, you may proceed.’

‘A wise decision.’ I adjusted my glass with a smile.

‘But don’t tell anyone about this, got it?’

‘You have my word.’ I raised one hand and crossed my fingers behind my back with the other.”

.-.-.-.

“So that’s why you smiled back there. It was all according to plan,” Richard replied. “Now I’m not sure if I could trust you, you might be lying—”

“Please, I need you to help me out on this!” Mindy exclaimed as she bowed in front of him. “I won’t ask for your help again! You’re the only one I can rely on for this!”

Richard took a step back. He never saw this side of her before. It must’ve been serious. Then again, that capsule still had unanswered questions they needed to uncover. Not to mention, considering how this must’ve affected Mindy. With what the screen showed them, he didn’t blame her for acting like this. It didn’t take long for Richard to make his decision.

“Alright, I’ll do it. Let’s get ready, so we can head out.”

“Thank you!”