The first fight (2)

Remi came back from the bathroom after cleaning herself; all the employees were looking at her, mostly in sympathy. They wanted to stand up for her, but at the same time, they were also worried that it would implicate their employment. The company salary and benefits are one of the best offered in Arlington, and it suits the cost of living in Arlington that keeps increasing due to a flock of new rich lately. It has indirectly affected the middle class, let alone lower-income families.

They are continuing their training as usual; some colleagues sigh in relief. Selene is currently in Roman's office with a few others from the marketing department to brief him on the launching of the new company he and Cody started.

"Ms. Henson, don't pay any attention to Selene," a girl from the IT department slid her chair to get as close as she could next to Remi.

"Don't Worry, Becky, I don't intend to" her eyes are glued on the system; Remi is attempting to see if she could pull data from the excavations team once they catalog their findings.

"Good, because there are rumors that she might be involved with the boss; that is why she gets to do whatever she wants."

The girl pouted her lips and crossed her arms.

"Well, let them be; just do our jobs, okay?" Remy's radiating positive vibes are making everyone love her even more. They have a good impression of her.

Little that they know, Remi is collecting all the information, she is also petty and will get her revenge back, but she will do it discreetly and won't be noticed. She doesn't trust anyone to show her grievance or to complain. It's a mad world, and it will not be used against her.

"Arthur left the room with a few other marketing teams; he approached Remi and informed her that Roman had called for her.

The other employees felt terrible for her after seeing Selene was still there. Their eyes followed her, and Becky was worried that she was chewing her nail unconsciously.

She walked behind Arthur and wondered if that bitch Selene tattled falsely about the incident. Is that why she was called?

Her mind keeps playing scenario after scenario of what could have happened. She might be fired, and she will make sure if she is fired, she will leave the building in style, not until she beats Sel; these might as well go all out.

She is in a trance, and still, her legs follow Arthur's steps, not questioning anything. When they entered his office, the first thing her eyes caught was the painting on the left wall. It's a painting by Lucious Alfonso-The monochrome-. The image has a beautiful story of when the revolutions took place, and the lower class fought for their rights against the upper class. The picture does not deserve to be in the office of someone born into wealth. It is an insult.

Her heart is aching.

Selene mistook her sorrow for fear, as she should have.

Stealing glances at Remi, he can sense her mood change abruptly and notice she is starting on the painting with complex expressions. He knew of the image's story, and he felt the irony of it in his office.

Clearing his throat, he does not understand why every little detail regarding her gets noticed by him. The attack perhaps had made him guilty, especially finding out about the bruises. He retracted his gaze and landed on her swollen red arm from the morning incident.

He looked away and continued reading the reports.

"Have you get settled?" he asked.

Remi put on her game face and smiled, nodding.

Just like that, Roman noticed the difference in her again; she changed her mood like a tv channel.

"Yess, Mr. Knights"

"Good; Selene will be leading the marketing project for the launching in six months; I will not be available to supervise frequently. However, Arthur and Mr. Hale will be around should you need assistance."

He then continued while his eyes still glued on the files.

"By next week, you will have your labs. I know I called you for your antique expertise; we will still be incorporating antiques into the company."

"Yes, Mr. Knights." Both women answered in unison.

"Good, Selene, you can leave."

"Mr. Knight, I have a few suggestions and questions about the project" she does not want to leave Remi and Roman in the office. She wanted to know what are they talking about.

"Let Arthur knows; you may leave now and close the door."

Selene faked her smile and left as soon as possible before she lost all her self-control; she needed to be competent to attract Roman.

"Have you applied any ointment on your arms?" Roman stopped whatever he was doing and stared at Remi's arm. Leo's words echo regarding her abusive household.

She then looked at her arm and saw how swollen it was, like a pig's skin.

Pink and blotch.

"Well, it's not painful; the swelling should subside in a few hours."

His eyes remain unmoved towards her arms. Then he snapped from his trance and stared at her again. This has made Remi uncomfortable, knowing serene might hire a professional assassin to take her out. Why is everyone wants her dead!!.

"There is an auction Gala in Dunker 30 days from no; they will bring the lost crown of Magdelene; no one knows if it's authentic. I'm hoping to get the crown, and I need you to come with me to analyze it before I bid on it and the estimated value; I also want to see a few other antique items that I am interested in for my grandfather's birthday".

Instead of saying yes, Remi looked at him and casually mentioned:

"No one has ever laid their eyes on the crown, it's almost impossible to tell if it's authentic, I can try to inspect it however there is a possibility it might be fake, but yes, I can go to the auction."

Of course, she said that: she stole the crown when she was 19 years old and sold it to the "Hawk," the underground group with who she more extended contact for several years. That was her biggest heist and unless the "Hawk" was the one auctioning it, she knew it would be a fake through and through.

"Anything else Mr. Knights?"

"No.." he opened the drawer and threw a box of ointment for Remi to catch.

"Good catch" he said and smiled. Remi accidentally smiled, showing her two deep dimples that made his heart thump violently.

He stopped smiling and kept reminding me he felt terrible for her. She was abused, that is why.

She is pitiful.

She was attacked.

She is pitiful.

She had bruises and cuts.

Like a mantra, he chanted in his head to convince himself she was just another tragic case of charity.

Remi on the hand, thanking him and did not even thought about anything else. While the man was heavily conflicted.