Sit, Stay, Roll Over ✓

(10.5) Bad Company

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"GOOD MORNING MR. PRICE, it's a pleasure to see you again," the receptionist greeted me when I got back to EXRay Media's main office where Dane usually works.

     I was asked to return to the office as per the chairman's request. Dane's day off is today too so it's a lot more convenient for me since I won't be able to see him here. I'm meeting the chairman after all, and I don't want Dane to be here when I speak to him.

     "He's on the 30th floor. He's been waiting for you since earlier," the receptionist says, and I nodded my head and thanked her before heading to the 30th floor to finally meet this chairman.

     When I got out of the elevator, I walked straight to the chairman's office, instantly knowing the way even though no one told me the specific directions. When I got there, I took a deep breath and prepared myself, knowing full well that the man waiting inside isn't going to be the best company. After fixing my shirt, I finally entered the office without knocking. Inside the office was the ever-so-famous Herbert Orlando, better known as chairman Herbert, the founder of the well-known entertainment and publishing company, EXRay Media.

     Mr. Orlando was reading a magazine when I got there, but when I closed the door behind me, the chairman puts his magazine down to look directly at me with his intimidating brown eyes.

     "Weren't you trained to knock...Hunter?" he asks, and the way he looked at me automatically made me feel irritated.

     "It's Noah Price," I corrected, but Herbert ignores me and says instead, "You're late. Do you know what time it is?"

     "I arrived, didn't I? I still had to go to the companions association to talk to Johnson. You know that my actions are limited. I have to make sure I'm not going to get caught," I answer, and even though he didn't invite me, I sat on the chair in front of him and crossed my legs. Herbert then looks back at me and stares at me from head to toe.

     "Anyway, congratulations big guy, that outrageous plan of yours actually worked. What now?" he then asks.

     "Give me more time," I answer, and Herbert sighed, massaging his temple to ease himself from the frustration that I was bringing him.

     "Time...all you ask for is time, yet you're wasting it. I'm giving you all the help and the resources you need, but time? I can't give you any more of that."

     "Please Herbert, Dane's still—"

     "In love with someone else?" He quickly says, cutting me off.

     Herbert saw my reaction so he adjusts himself in his seat and looks at me seriously. "Mr. Todd Cooper; I've seen him once. Charming and prideful, yet he's been beside Day for such a long time. They might have broken up, but Todd was a very important person to him, especially since he was there when Dane's uncle died. No matter how broken someone has left you, they'll still be willing to pick up the pieces for them."

     "That's not going to happen. Dane wants to move on, I can see it. And it doesn't matter if Todd's been with him for all those years because I've been with Dane longer," I quickly reminded him.

     "Yet where were you in all those? Huh, Hunter?" Herbert then fires back, instantly making me shut my mouth. "Let me remind you, Mr. Noah Price, that Dane doesn't know all that. All he knows is that when he was at his lowest, Mr. Cooper was beside him, not you,"

     The truth pierced right through me, but I didn't say anything. I knew he was right, and knowing such a fact angered me even more. Herbert then takes a deep breath and massages his temple again, staring at my face with an expression that showed that he pitied me, even for a little bit.

     "Look, I did what I can do. Now you're the new face of my company. What else do you want me to do? What else are you planning?" He asks, and I shook my head and told him, "You did enough. Just do your part and I'll handle the rest."

     Herbert chuckles, probably amused that I was bossing him around like this.

     "You're lucky I'm close with your boss because if I wasn't, I wouldn't even be entertaining you right now," he truthfully states, and I just stood up from my seat and ignored his comment.

     I turned around and got ready to leave, but then Herbert tells me, "You can't do this Hunter. Even if you're the most handsome boy in the world, or if your dick is as long as a 12-inch ruler, you won't make someone fall in love that quickly. Everyone in the association already said it. Day will see you as nothing more than a pet."

     I wanted to ignore him, but his last statement finally made me snap, so I quickly turned back to him, and without any warning, I grabbed him by the collar and pulled him off his chair so he could face me.

     "Don't speak as if you know him," I warned.

     "I know you're trying your best, throwing out all the possibilities that will help you, but Dane got broken into pieces ever since that day, and Todd Cooper was the only one who was there for him. You're too late Hunter. You were always too late."

     I clenched Herbert's collar even tighter, almost making him choke.

     "It doesn't matter. What matters is I have a chance now, and I'm not gonna let go of him anymore. I'm going to make things right for Dane and for him. As long as I am alive, his Will & Testament will be followed," I tell him, and Herbert reaches out for my hand, trying to push it away.

     "H-He was a close f-friend of mine too. When you were gone...I...r-reached out and gave him a c-comfortable life," Herbert struggles to say, and I finally let go of him.

     Herbert drops and quickly catches his breath. I then clenched my fist and got ready to swing, but just when my knuckles were inches away from him, I immediately stopped myself.

    "You can't do that," he says while fixing his collar.

     I growled and looked away from him. "I know," I answer as I walked toward the exit and got ready to leave, but as I grabbed the doorknob, Herbert tells me, "They're watching you, Hunter."

     "I know."

     "And you can't protect Dane forever."

    I opened the door and looked over my shoulder, staring at Herbert for one last time. "I will...and you or the association can't stop me."

     I slammed the door shut and hurriedly left the building. As soon as I got out, my mood changed in an instant as I was excited to see Dane who was waiting for me at home. The conversation with Herbert left a bad taste in my mouth, so I desperately wanted to see Dane so I could be reassured that I still had a chance.

     But as I was heading my way home, I saw a familiar man standing outside a grocery store, laughing with someone who instantly made my blood boil.

     "Dane doesn't know that. All he knows is that when he was at his lowest, Mr. Cooper was beside him, not you,"

    My anger got the best of me, and so I barged toward Dane, unsure of what my actions would lead me next.

END