Breach

Chapter Six

Imagine a grand stadium where you could watch an NBA finals. Imagine the seats turn into shelves after shelves of books around five feet tall. Imagine the sections of the seatings are the divisions for the basis of segregating genres. Imagine the court turn into a semi-complex alleyway of counters, around fifteen different check out cashiers if one is willing to count. Imagine the smell of vanilla and fresh prints in the air.

Welcome to The Stadium, "where every reader lives the dream."

Margo and Malory went here like regulars. They'd come here when one of them is unhappy or irritable or plainly for no reason whatsoever. Malory met her first love in between the shelves of the Dickens' section. It would take a whole of three days just to explore the vast shelves of The Stadium.

But today, Margo wasn't quite in the mood to proceed to the fiction section so Malory had to drag her all the way there.

It has been always like this. The dragging, the little giggles like high school girls. It was almost nostalgic that Margo had to push it back before tears start to brim her eyes.

"Miss Schult, I never expected you to be here."

"Elrich," Margo stopped cold and so did Malory. Both women looked at him with surprise. Elrich gazed at Malory knowingly and nodded. With disgust, she backed out and proceeded to the shelves while watching them. Margo and Malory's eyes gazed at each other for a brief moment which made Margo sigh in relief. She was rooting for her.

"How about a cup, Miss Schult? If there is nothing else you'd rather be doing?" Elrich's grin would be irresistable, if Margo is one of the other girls.

"Forgive me, but as you can see I'm helping a friend find a book. It would take two to take on this mammoth of a place," she said more flatly than intended.

"Oh Miss Schult, I insist you come join me for a cup." he moved to one of the carts filled with books yet to be shelved properly in their section. This particular book someone caught Elrich's eye. "Unless, I have to make you join me." He said it like a threat that made Margo shiver with disgust. Their grey eyes met, a storm brewing between their gazes.

"You no longer are the boss of me, Mr. Addison."

"So it's Mr. Addison now. No more Elrich? You are such a tease Miss Schult, I don't know what to do with you."

"I know. Leave me alone."

This time, he laughed. Almost loud enough for some people close by to hear. "I don't think so Miss Schult. If you don't want trouble, you better come with me. One cup. And when this is over, you are free to go."

Margo's face creased with confusion. She was done the moment she handed her resignation. She was free. Why does she have to go with him. After her resignation, Marko had been busy. She didn't expect that her resignation would place a toll on her boyfriend. But Marko kept insisting that it was alright. With her gone, Marko got the associate editor's job which was decided by the majority of the board. And it is pretty obvious that Elrich voted against it. Lucky for Marko, Elrich hated him so much that he wouldn't let Marko make his black coffee. So at least there was something good about the promotion.

"Iz there zomething wrong here, Zir?" A female security officer in mid-thirties with an accent that Margo cannot pinpoint asked.

Elrich made an effort to charm the officer and somehow he managed to convince her that there was nothing to worry about. "Just a colleage argument on whether paperbacks are better than hardbounds." he smiled.

"Ah, Ze usual fightz. Carry Oun! I have no buzinezz wid argumentz like thoze." and with that she walked away.

Elrich turned back to Margo with a grin of triumph drawn all over his face. "So, coffee?" Then he strode with confidence towards The Hot Brew.