Our Cruel Hearts

Chapter Ten

𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡.

"You wanted to see me," I say, Mr Marbrois door is wide open so I don't bother knocking. He looks up, already expecting me from the looks of his desk and office. There are no files, or anything of any substance on his desk. The room has been cleaned spotless and for a moment I wonder if it's because he recognised me the other night and feared I'd start snooping - I definitely would so that's smart on his end. 

"Yes Miss Reyes, please come in." He closes his laptop and positions himself as ready for a conversation. His eyes follow and bore into me as I cross the room and take a seat on one of the chairs in front of his desk. Mr Marbroi's beard is grey and overgrown, he's a short man but eludes pure power. Griffin looks nothing like him, rather a lot like his mother. But Griffin also eludes that power his father does, I wonder if its hereditary. I take my seat and he just looks at me for a moment, his gaze strong and could easily push an enemy into immediate submission if necessary. I don't let it intimidate me.

"How are you settling in, Miss Reyes?" His voice is flat and hints at nothing.

"Everything is swell, sir." I answer, not exactly a lie but not exactly the truth either.

"I've been keeping an eye on all the work you've been doing for Griffin," He pauses and my heart threatens to drop, "You're the best personal assistant we've seen in years." I let out a deep breath.

"I'm so pleased to hear that," Instinctively my voice goes really high, sort of a secretary tone I don't really recognise. It takes effort not to cringe when I realise this. "This is the best job I've had in years, I'm thankful to be here." The truth, at least I get a break from killing people as a job, that's definitely something to be thankful for. Maybe my brain- or rather my heart- will at last get a chance to recover on its own without therapy.

"I've heard you've also gotten to spend time with other employees, it's good to see you merging well." He says, and I sense something more behind his words and now I'm just wondering when he'll drop the but.

"Yes Mr Marbroi, it has been lovely joining your company." My words aren't my own anymore, but rather the words of the persona I'm upholding while I'm on this mission.

"I must warn you though," Here we go, called it, "There are many things you are still unaware of, this is merely the tip of the iceberg. You have a lot to learn for however long you plan to work here. But there are things better left undiscovered. Be careful." He sits with his hands folded over each other and holds my gaze, clearly sure and satisfied with himself. That's something he and Griffin have in common, I nearly roll my eyes at the thought of Griffins punchable smug face. 

"Is that a warning? Or a threat?" I ask, and once the words have left my mouth I realise how stupid that was of me.

"A threat?" He says, his tone suddenly innocent and no longer flat, "Why would I threaten my son's assistant?" His tone drops again.

"I was not accusing you, Mr Marbroi, merely an observation." I say, clenching my jaw to maintain my control.

"Thank you Miss Reyes, keep up your good work, you may leave." He smiles as he speaks, a hollow and empty smile. The complete opposite of Griffin's the night he walked me back to my apartment. 

I smile and stand to leave but just as I reach the door he clears his throat.

"There are things that shouldn't be heard in this place, Ayla, don't go getting involved where you shouldn't." He speaks with finality and it takes everything in me not to turn around and strangle him so I just walk away. If there's one thing I hate, it's being underestimated.

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬!