Morpheuships

Chapter Five

CHAPTER FIVE: MAELSTROM, 5020

Monday. Especially for today's event, I carefully chose to wear my royal blue coat partnered with a checkered sky-blue polo underneath. I wrapped my also blue neck-tie around and fixed it so it looks well in the eyes. I smiled, damn, what a handsome fella you are, my guy. I winked at my reflection in the mirror and tied my long dyed brown hair. I checked on my belongings, all gadgets are in, papers, schedules seen and organized, yeap, everything's good. I closed my bag and carried it as I walk outside my room.

I climbed up to the vehicle as it stops in front of my stop, I can hear Luther scolding me for not buying my car even though I work for the oh-so-legendary RITMEN Corp, I laughed with myself. He would even force me to use the company cars but I still wouldn't. Of course, I could do that, but something about not driving your car and getting to see familiar and new faces every day make the day even more exciting.

The vehicle stopped and I bowed to the robot assistant and the driver to show gratitude. I smiled and fixed my thin round dark glasses as I step out the door. The three-tall building set of RITMEN Corporation was so huge that it attracts the attention of anyone walking within the perimeter and even the far way the district. I can see my colleagues and other company workers walking in and out of the building mechanical doors. For a brief moment, I was taken aback by my short encounter with death a few years ago, but I was instantly brought back when the red alarm for weapons turned green to signal me a "clear" and I was able to get in.

Everyone is busy as usual, but a familiar face was in the company after so many years, so I did my routine and greeted their assistant and bowed to show respect to my superior, Mr. Bane. His 6'2 tall model figure and his silver hair with blue highlights made him stand out from the crowd. Not to mention his demeaning at whatever room he walks in. In actuality, Mr. Bane is a close friend of my boss, Mr. Waltzwolken. They have been friends ever since childhood because Mr. Bane is the son of one of the head members of the Board of Directors here at RITMEN Corporation Mrs. Quinn.

Just their family alone is enough to destroy a whole other company that is lower than ours, which is why they're a feared family within the companies. The thought of Mrs. Quinn sent shivers down my spine, she's like a lioness ready to eat you whole anytime.

"Is Luther upstairs with the big guys?" Mr. Bane asked, looking directly at me with his gem-blue eyes as we walked towards the elevator.

His assistant pressed the 20th floor, "Yes Sir. The meeting is ought to have begun for a while now." I shortly responded to his prior inquiry.

"Ah, with my mother I'm assuming." He lit his Duke pipe up, wow, what a classic.

"Yes, Sir."

"You sure act professional, Maelstrom. Say, isn't it tiring working for that prick of a boss after all these years? I would have assumed you'd leave after the incident he put you through five years ago. Seriously, the bastard need to be taught a lesson." Was that a joke? I don't know. What I can only apprehend from what he told me was the "incident from five years ago", but I tried to brush it off as soon as the thought came to me.

Mr. Bane is a good guy, I have been around Luther enough to know. However, there are instances like this when I'm reminded of how different our societal statuses are. Pipes are now relics from our past ancestors. They have been modified and improved to follow the latest trends. The available pipes on the market these days are metal pipes, it's rare to see wooden ones around.

Compared to me, Mr. Bane and Luther are like princes while I'm merely a commoner, or maybe something higher than that, but still lower than them. My eyes looked around, landing on the nervous assistant of Mr. Bane. He was wearing a black professional suit, my eyes canned him. Whoa... he paired these clothes with rubber shoes? Neat. I'm afraid I still haven't gotten his name. I wonder, maybe later I can make friends with him, I smiled.

After the long silence, the elevator doors opened and Mr. Bane walked out first and we assistants followed behind. The metal black halls of the 20th floor and its unusual quietness compared to the lower floors made it clear that it's specifically for the elites. Perhaps it was my imagination working, but the vibration and mood as we walked in began to get heavier with every step.

We've reached the end of the hall, and behind the thick clear walls at the end of the hall separated the Board of the Directors from us. Other assistants were outside waiting for their respective bosses so I aligned myself with them. Mr. Bane opened the thick glass door and his mother Mrs. Quinn welcomed him with a kiss on the cheek. I know I've seen Luther yesterday, but it's a fact no one can deny that he looks perfect when he gets all professional.

I tried to keep my laughter in as I remembered Luther's childish behaviour as compared to when he's around the likes of his. Yes, he does belong here. It was weird though, how he changes so fast when other people are around as if it was innate to him or as if it was his second personality. When other people come around, he changes his demeanor not only to them but also towards me of course. I never asked Luther about it, it might have been his own way of coping with the pressure of being the head of the company at such a young age of 27.

The other board members conversed with themselves, seriously talking as if they were tackling something very important. Their brows were knitted in disapproval, what could they possibly be talking about? My body itches to listen. I lost track of the other board member when I met eyes with Luther.

I traced my index fingers upwards of my lips, forming smile curves. I chuckled when I saw a glint in his eyes, but it shortly disappeared when Mrs. Quinn said something I couldn't decipher. His handsome face turned into a frown as if he was conflicted with what Mrs. Quinn had told him. I tried to read their lips, but they talk too fast for me to make up what they were saying. Luther placed his thumb and index fingers on his forehead. Is something wrong? He only does this when he's stressed about something.

Before I could even worry about him, Mrs. Quinn turned and looked my way. She looked into my eyes as she talks to the other members with her inaudible words. Why is she looking at me? I felt the shivers run up through me once again when she rang up the phone connected to halls outside in case the heads needed something done for them. They avoid doing this as much as possible though, so...why now?

"And you believe that that's what should be done? Isn't that a little too risky? There's a possibility of getting our cover blown up" Mrs. Quinn shot her hand up, signaling one of the head figures in the company Mr. Blue to zip his mouth.

Mrs. Quinn's gaze was directed towards me while I walk to Luther's side. When I stopped, she smiled before responding to Mr. Blue's concerns.

"I have just the right person for that, Blue." Mrs. Quinn was still staring at me.

Her dark orbs glistened with interest as she did. She explained to me what she wanted me for. I am to act as a spy and pretend to be a teacher at the Burrham Academy, one of the largest schools in the Educational Sector. She also explained to me the ranging conflict between the RITMEN Corp and the Government over the years due to the Government silently wanting to overthrow the Corporation at leading the world's trading system. If the Government is to handle the trading system of the world, corrupt leaders will arise and everything that the RITMEN Corporation has worked for will go to waste. As a loyal employee of the RITMEN Corporation, I must do what I can and be of help to our company. I was quick to agree without thinking twice about it. Luther looked at me, without words, he was asking if I'm sure about it, and I nodded to reassure him.