9 Outrage

Moving towards where I remembered the wall of buttons are, I fumbled with it in search of the emergency button. However, there was no reaction even after touching all of it. I let out a sigh in annoyance.

"Should you be pressing randomly like that?" Ethan voiced from somewhere I couldn't see.

"I'd rather do this than be stuck here for hours without no one noticing," I said and slammed a hand on the wall just in case it might suddenly unbroke the elevator.

"Ow." I hissed in pain like an idiot.

"Hang on let me give it a try. Wait, what is this soft feeling? Could it-" he abruptly trailed off.

"Stop pinching my cheek," I said in a deadpan voice.

"Oh."

I felt his hand reach past me. He wasn't touching me at all but the proximity of his presence seemed to engulf me.

He blindly presses the button too and I just had to point it out, "You're just doing the same thing that I did."

"This darkness is making it difficult. Wait, we have a phone. Why are we not using it's flashlight?"

"Oh right," I had completely forgotten about its existence too.

I heard rustling around and a ray of light finally alleviated the darkness a little bit. My eyes automatically sought out the brightness and saw how close Ethan was. I blinked unconsciously while watching his lips slowly curved out into a lopsided smile when he noticed my stare.

I got distracted for a moment.

I turned back suddenly and said, "Focus the light here."

With the light there, I finally found the emergency button and pressed it several times for good measure.

After several seconds, I voiced out, "Is there supposed to be a reaction?"

"I think we might have to wait. If this button really works then there should be people coming here to check but it seems to be a power outage," he replied, his head tilted in thought.

"If only there was a signal, we could've called someone. What an unbelievable way to hamper my plans," I sighed in regret.

"For some reason, interesting things always happen when I'm with you," I heard him chuckle but couldn't see since his face wasn't illuminated clearly.

"Is that sarcasm?"

"No but it's certainly entertaining," he quipped.

I couldn't retort since I'm embarrassed that I blacked out that night. Doing so would also just prompt him to talk more of it so I ignored him.

I heard some rustling then he spoke, "We might as well sit down since it looks like it's going to be a while.

I was lucky that I wasn't wearing a skirt and it was black pants too so I sat as well but nearer to the entrance so I can press the emergency button from time to time just in case.

"You said that you grew up here. What did you mean?" He asked after silence reigned for a few minutes.

"I spent my childhood here. We used to stay here more than our home. It's also the first factory that kicked off the business. I remember my Dad being so excited about it," I explained what I meant and unconsciously told him more than what I intended to.

"Did you always want to succeed your Dad's company?"

The closed space seemed to make his voice echo and it seemed like he was asking a personal question which needed an honest answer though his tone was casual.

"Not always but I found his drive admirable and after he died all I wanted was to continue his dreams for the company. In any case, I didn't really have any passion for other stuff back then until I realized that all I knew was the world of textiles," I shrugged though I doubt he can see it.

I went quiet when he fell into silence too since I was never one to volunteer information without prompting anyways.

I felt someone shaking me awake and I blinked blearily. I was still a bit disoriented.

"Are you awake? It looks like power is back and I heard movement outside," Ethan's voice registered so close to my ears.

Hmm?

I realized that I was leaning on his shoulder so I immediately sat upright as my eyes adjusted to the overhead light. Ethan stood up and he extended a hand which I used as a leverage to stand as well.

The door finally opened after a few minutes and there were more than 10 workers who were there and a lot more hanging around some distance away.

They all stared warily at me and Ethan for some reason I can't fathom. I looked at the time and saw that it was around 4 pm already. This really wasted a lot of my time so I asked them directly.

"We're from the Production Department in HQ. I'd like to speak to the Factory Manager," I stated my purpose.

They looked back and forth at each other before someone said they'll call the manager frantically and another one led the way to the office.

This time we took the stairs. No way, will I ride that elevator this soon, sleepy legs or not, I trudged on.

We reached the office in no time. It was small but everything was neat and orderly. There was no one there yet so we just sat on the sofa and waited.

The door opened and a stern man with peppery gray hair entered our view when he took a seat in front of us. His legs were wide open with his arms clasped on his front. He didn't introduce himself or even smile. In fact, he stared at us in contempt.

"I'd like to get a copy of the evaluation checks, memorandums, and budget allotment that came from the Production Department. Also, please include the maintenance records as well," I didn't bother with the social niceties as well and went straight to the point.

His face went red at my words and abruptly stood up.

"Maintenance records? Budget allotment?! You're actually thick-skinned enough to ask for them after what your department has been doing to us," he flew into a rage while pointing a finger at me.

"Boss! Stop!" Several workers burst in the room and they lowered his hand that was pointed at me.

Ethan looked at me meaningfully, probably asking if I wanted him to do something at the situation. I just shook my head imperceptibly.

"I don't care! I'm leaving this rotten company after the month ends anyway," his voice went even louder while trying to get his colleagues off him.

At my lack of reaction, he yelled, "You think you'll be able to get those papers while I'm still here? Never! Bring an executive here. I don't want to talk to some puppet who doesn't have any authority."

"Please go out," I addressed the people restraining him, still calmly seated.

They walked back out after hesitantly looking at their angry manager with worry. It looked like the problem was bigger than what I originally thought.

He was still glaring at me though he stopped pointing his finger at me. I firmly believe that there would be no hatred if there was no passion. I might discover more from him if I'm completely honest with him.

I crossed my legs and stared at him straight in the eye, "You wanted an executive? How about the CEO of the company. I'm Miranda North. I believe you have a story to tell."