Sword and Coin

The Kings Pub

The first week was almost over, Marjorie entered the office with enthusiasm. The weekend was just around the corner, and she could finally devote herself to her private life again. She wanted to continue watching her TV series and read the book she had started.

But when she entered the office, the Knight family was waiting for her. Roger was standing next to Autumn, who was sitting at her desk and looking intently at the computer in front of her. At Marjorie's desk sat Reece, who was the first to notice Marjorie and gave her a grin.

"... You're coming this year! I can't afford for you to miss the Christmas party again!" Roger's voice was quiet but still strong and intimidating.

"Yes, father," Autumn replied quietly.

Marjorie coughed to make herself known. Roger immediately wheeled around and put a false smile on. "Marjorie! Good to see you! Have you familiarise yourself yet?"

"Yes, thank you, Mr. Knight. I'm getting on very well..." Marjorie saw how tense Autumn was sitting there.". Autumn is a great help with everything."

Roger's fake smile fell slightly. " Is that so?... nice to hear. Well, I won't bother you any longer." He left the office.

Marjorie looked after him sceptically. What was that all about? She turned her attention to Autumn. And although she tried to maintain a neutral façade, it was more than clear that there was a certain fear in her eyes. Reece, on the other hand, sat there, relaxed and grinning.

"You heard him, little sis. This year you have to turn up." He rose slowly. "See you around, Margie."

That was one step too many. Marjorie crossed her arms. "I don't know who you think you are! But I'm not Margie! I'm Marjorie to you, and if I have to expect such disrespect from you again, I'll have to go to management!"

Reece was surprised. He hadn't thought Marjorie had the courage to say something like that to him. For a moment, Marjorie recognised something like remorse in him. But this disappeared immediately, and the dirty arrogant grin reappeared on his face. "As you wish, Marg.... Marjorie..." he walked past her, deliberately so close that his arm brushed her shoulder.

"What was that? Autumn, are you all right?" Marjorie asked worriedly.

Autumn couldn't even look her in the eye. "That's something you don't need to worry about."

This incident was on Marjorie's mind all day. Autumn was generally a person of few words, but today, she spoke even less. Her thoughts seemed to be elsewhere. As soon as closing time arrived, the deputy disappeared in a hurry.

Marjorie, on the other hand, was stopped by Charlotte on her way to the exit. " Hey Marjorie, do you want to join me Sorscha and Winter at the Kings pub tonight? To celebrate your first week as manager?"

Of course Marjorie couldn't say no to that, she was delighted that her new colleagues had accepted her so well as the manager.

Marjorie arrived at the pub a little too early. Luckily, she didn't have to wait long for one of her colleagues. A car pulled up right next to the pub, the passenger door opened, and Sorscha got out. Marjorie saw a woman behind the wheel, who smiled warmly at Sorscha and wished her a good evening. When she saw Marjorie, she waved to her.

"Hiya, nice of you to come," said Sorscha. "The others aren't here yet?" She took a packet of cigarettes out of her trousers and lit one.

"No... Was that your wife?"

Sorscha grinned proudly. " Yes... Clodagh... She's just wonderful... but don't tell her I've started smoking again... it's the stress of her pregnancy..." she said sheepishly.

"It's all right, I understand. I used to be a stress smoker, too."

A short time later, Charlotte and Winter arrived. The Kings Pub was naturally very busy. The group found seats right at the bar. After everyone had ordered their drinks, the conversations began. As Sorscha and Winter were involved in an intense discussion about what the best alcoholic drink was, Marjorie took the opportunity to speak to Charlotte. Maybe she could find out what the deal with Knights was.

"Charlotte, I have something to tell you. Mr. Knight and his son were in my office this morning. Mr. Knight said something to Autumn about a Christmas party she has to attend? Do you know something about that?"

Charlotte raised her eyebrows and took small sips from her wine glass, then she leant towards Marjorie. So that no one could hear her answer. "The Knight Nursery Christmas parties are always a big event. It's not just the staff who comes, but also the investors. Roger always wants to make the best impression to them, but Autumn doesn't play along. She always tries to avoid attending these parties."

Marjorie nodded understandably. Now, she felt even sorrier for Autumn. She thought of her own relationship with her mother. Autumn also seemed to have unrealisable expectations be put on her.

But Charlotte said something else that made the manager even more curious. "It will always be a mystery to me why Autumn took the job in the first place. She had actually once studied law. But apparently, she didn't make it through her studies or had to drop out, I don't know exactly."

"Oh really.... and Reece, what's the deal with him?"

When Marjorie mentioned that name, Charlotte just rolled her eyes. "Reece only became a deputy because Roger didn't want him to be a professional son as a job and squander all his money."

Well, Marjorie could have guessed that Reece gave the impression of the spoilt rich kid.

After her second glass of wine, Marjorie had to go to the restroom. As she left that again, someone caught her eye. Sitting in the corner of the pub was none other than Reece, with his arm around a woman and talking to her intimately. At first, Marjorie thought it was Mia, but it wasn't - it was a completely different woman.

Marjorie watched the whole situation startled when Reece suddenly kissed the stranger. Now Marjorie wanted to leave quickly. She didn't want to be dragged into this. But when she was almost at her seat and with the others again. She caught sight of a familiar person. Mia was just about to leave the pub. Marjorie actually wanted to get back to her colleagues quickly and forget about what she had just seen.

But then she thought that if she herself was engaged and her fiancé was kissing another woman behind her back, then she wanted to know about it. So Marjorie quickly went after the redhead.

"Mia!"

The redhead, who was almost at her car, which was parked near the pub, turned around questioningly. When she saw Marjorie, she raised her eyebrow sceptically. "Do we know each other?"

"No, I'm Marjorie. But I know Reece. I don't really want to get involved... but... well... I just saw Reece..."

Mia grinned suddenly." Kissing another woman, is that what you want to tell me?"

Marjorie is now even more surprised. "You know about that?"

"Of course... let him do what he wants. This nice lady will be another notch on his bed frame." Mia looked Marjorie up and down closely. "You should watch out, Margie, you might be next." With that, she turned around and got into her car.

Marjorie stood there completely perplexed. Another notch on his bed frame? Margie?! But Marjorie knew one thing for sure, she would never get involved with Reece.