ROGUE

Do What You're Supposed to Do

Following my encounter with John, which I hesitate to even call a "meeting," I make my way back to the main floor of the store.

As I walk past the registers, I catch a glimpse of Emily bagging a customer's items. Her brown hair falls softly across her face and for a moment she looks up, meeting my gaze. I feel my heart skip a beat. But just as quickly, she looks away, her expression unreadable. I know she has been avoiding me since the rumors started swirling about Mark's death.

I make my way to the front of the store, slipping effortlessly back into my role as manager. If John's trying to fire me because of what I assume Emily has done to my brother, he has another thing coming.

My hands itch to wrap around Nathan's throat, yet some flicker of conscience holds me back. Perhaps Mark's enduring faith in my humanity has left an imprint, despite my efforts to smother it. I want to be the good man he believed I could be, but the compulsion is too strong.

Rounding a corner, I spot Nathan entering the store, an easy smile on his face as he walks up to Emily's counter. What the hell is he doing here? Does he not know she's supposed to be working? My teeth grind together at the sight of their couple-like interaction. It's getting harder to keep my anger in check. Making a mental note to sabotage their relationship, I saunter off to the lumber aisles, heart pounding in my chest.

Despite my looming thoughts, I refocus on the work at hand. The lumber order needs to be checked out. My hands move automatically, though my mind is elsewhere. The smell of freshly cut wood fills my nostrils and I find some solace in the familiar routine of my job. But as I come to the end of the aisle, I catch sight of Nathan and Emily again, this time Nathan's hand rests on her hip, their bodies almost touching as he casually leans in to speak to her. A playful smile creeps on his lips and Emily's cheeks flush.

My stomach churns with jealousy and anger. The audacity, but mostly, the balls on this guy is huge. I clench my fists, the urge to confront them building within me. But I force myself to turn away and continue with my work, not wanting to cause any more scenes in the workplace.

As I head to the reception area, I find Victoria standing by an overturned shelf. Wide-eyed and trembling, she looks up at me — not with fear, but something akin to relief. For a brief second, our eyes meet in mutual understanding.

"Are you okay?" I ask tentatively, trying my best to sound concerned rather than accusatory.

She nods weakly in response and just like that any shared moment evaporates as she quickly busies herself with picking up scattered items from the floor. And once again, an invisible wall is erected between us.

"I'm fine." She says.

Victoria's hands shake as she hastily picks up the fallen items. Her eyes dart around, avoiding any direct contact with mine. I can sense her fear and unease, but I don't understand why. We've never been close, but we've worked together for years without any major issues.

"Are you sure you're okay?" I ask again, a bit more forceful this time.

"You're the last person I'd want to check up on me right now, Dex." She says, avoiding eye contact. Her expression is sour, focusing on the mess in front of her and gathering items with trembling hands.

I furrow my brows, taken aback by her sudden change in demeanor.

"Why exactly do you despise me, Victoria? Is it because I am an easy target for your anger, or do you truly believe I am capable of murder?" Victoria stops in her tracks, her trembling hands now still as she turns to face me. There is a flicker of hesitation in her eyes before she speaks.

"I don't despise you," she says in a low voice. "But I know what you did." My heart sinks at her words. I had hoped that the rumors surrounding my past had not reached this small town. But it seems like they have and Victoria is aware of them.