Close Quarters

6. Nature Calls

"There. The socket's fixed. There should be no further worries of any leaking electricity. It was extremely unwise to fiddle with a loose socket cap..." the electrician advised, closing his toolbox before his left eyebrow twitched at River.

"It wasn't... it was-"River stuttered, outraged and embarrassed by the electrician's wrongful accusations.

Do I bloody look like a blonde bimbo, who has a booger for a brain, to you?

The electrician sniffed, ignorant to River's mental break down from his offensive assumption. As he ambled away, his tools clanked in his box to alert the world of his presence. The others in the law firm cast her suspicious glances as if she would all of a sudden start zapping them like Pikachu on menopause; a constant phrase that hung on Max's lips whenever they were arguing. Stupid Max.

As Danielle Rader was being hauled off in a stretcher to be treated at some grandiose private hospital, River glanced over to see her 'boss' being led away, by a still shocked Gina, up the stairs to Bridges' office. Decker probably had to break it softly to the old man that his god-daughter almost got burnt to crisp in his office by said god-daughter's stupidity.

River snorted when she remembered Gina's nickname for Decker in the morning - Mr Crispy. How fitting.

She sobered quickly as she remembered that it was in fact her fault for not knocking on the door and indirectly bumping Danielle into the socket.

Should she confess about her crime? Yes, she should.

With that, she puffed up her chest and marched up to Bridges' office. With each step closer to the massive oak doors, her heart thumped faster as she imagined Adams being punished. 

Shouldn't I worry for myself?

She desperately tried to comfort herself, but a more alarming concern was raised the more she thought about it. 

'What if he raises my rent because he's out of work?!'

>>>><<<<

Decker stood up and was about to reach over and shake Bridges' hand when the door to the latter's office burst open. The panels rebounding off the walls with a shocking bang. A wall painting of Danielle and Bridges quivered in response.

'Mr Bridges! I've come to apologise! It's my fault, I was the one who neglected to knock before going into Mr Adam's office. I was the one who caused Miss Radar's injuries because I might have accidentally knocked into her behind thus leading to her being roasted. It's really not Adam's fault, please don't fire him!"

He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Her chest was rising up and down with the lack of oxygen after her explanation, her face was flushed and her eyes gleamed with determination. Although her entire face was pink, it actually looked... it looked really adorable. 

Could she possibly be standing up for him?

In response, Bridges' let loose a volley of booming laughter to twist her face into a baffled frown. Decker had to suppress a budding smile by biting his lips. Her apprehension and confusion was actually pretty hilarious.

"Miss Jones, no one is going to fire Mr Adams. It was an accident and Danielle is currently being treated by professionals. Furthermore, it was the company's fault for not giving sufficient attention to the potential dangers at the workplace. Don't worry." The old man's bushy mustache danced with mirth.

Decker startled when he noticed River heavily exhale.

Is she relieved for him?

He hadn't considered her to be such an honest person; almost caring, in fact. It was a rather surprising side of this fiery redhead.