Ciana Pandora

ONE

[TEXAS, USA]

"Alright, Kade." Rodney puts his glasses down. "Here's the deal. We're not saying that you are not competent or anything. I'm just saying that you need to go home and relax. I know you've been having a tough time, but it doesn't mean you should let it affect your work. If the cops get involved with you, we'll be affected, Kade."

"So, you want me to face all my problems alone? Look, I'm your best friend" Kade grouses.

"Let's keep this professional. I have been tolerating your cantankerous attitude for years but you never seem to change, Kade. All the assistants I pick for you have the same complaint. You just can't seem to work with anyone. You can't be independent either."

"Rodney, I agree that Sam got on my nerves and I beat him up. But that shouldn't..."

"Have you seen the hospital reports?"

"Look..."

"Have you fucking seen the reports?" Rodney raises his voice.

"Yes." Kade replies.

"You broke two ribs, disjoint his collar bone, chipped his teeth, and broke his spinal cord. Because of you, Kade, Sam is at the hospital, on a wheelchair, smelling death." Rodney stops and exhales. "I am beginning to suspect that your behavior is due to drug abuse."

"Have you gone mad? You know I don't do drugs. Sam was molesting Nadine. What did you expect me to do? Sit back and laugh? She is my fucking sister and unlike you, I love my sister."

"Kade, you are yelling."

"You started yelling first. There was a crime situation against your best friend and instead of you getting the culprit arrested, you are firing me. Right now, I need you to explain to the cops all that had happened, Rod. But all you care about is your company." Kade retorts.

"You are guilty of a crime; the law will always be the law. This was the only thing my father left me when he died and I won't have you ruin it. Before I met you, dear Kade, I had a life. And that life was this company. You have over five criminal records and that is deterring people from coming to work here. Do you understand?"

"I understand. But you know everything, Rod. He almost raped my sister. Please, this is the only job I have. I've got to pay my sister's fees, pay rent. Plus without your testimony, I can go to prison."

"If I do that, Sam will also be arrested. I wasn't even on the whole scene."

"So? But you trust me, don't you? Take my word for it. And you were on the scene when it happened."

"Yes, I was. But when I got there, I only saw you hitting Sam. Now would you want me to testify that in court? Besides, Sam is very proficient. We need his services."

"Oh my God, Rod." Kade facepalms, shaking his head in utter dissapointment and disbelief. "I can't believe you were once my best friend. You just don't believe me, do ya? You think I'd lie about Sam trying to rape Nadine? Didn't you at least see Nadine half-naked, screaming at Sam? Didn't you see that? That is enough proof to believe me. So you need Sam's services when he's freaking paralyzed? Are you out of your mind? Why are you being so selfish? Look, I know you believe me. You know Sam had been making advances at Nadine for a while. Your problem is that you are so obsessed with your company that you cannot think of anything else."

"What about you? Aren't you also obsessed with your sister that without thinking twice, you assaulted a very important worker of your best friend's company? And not only did it create trouble for this company, it is also taking you to jail."