Secrets and Things (MxM)

Chapter 26 - How much pain shall ensue?

POV: Nero

Chad Murphy was on the floor, backed up against the wall, looking for any opportunity to escape. I was crouching in front of him, looking down at him with a blank look. I thanked the meds for this or else I'd seriously've been embarrassing myself in front of the audience member. Shivering and quivering in my trousers. Oh, and he'd probably figure out who I was but let us forget about the what-ifs.

Murphy was unquestionably trembling from terror and looked ready to pass out but he held out and even managed to return a glare. That's good. It would've been boring otherwise. Although... I kind of need to do this quickly, since my tranquillity is going to end soon. In an indignant tone, Murphy growled out, "Who are you and what do you want?"

I groaned in annoyance. "Not again. Honestly! Look it doesn't matter who I am. The second question is more what I'm looking for. I am your worst nightmare mwahaha... no? Not appropriate for this context?"

The other man just stared at me like I'd gone crazy and I swore I heard a snicker from the other side of the room. Ignoring it, I cleared my throat and went back to being serious. More or less. "Well I was just trying to lighten up the atmosphere but clearly, that didn't work. To answer your question seriously though, I am here to beat the shit out of you and hand you over to the police or something. I don't know. I just know I don't want to deal with you afterwards."

"W-What? Why?!"

I gave him an are-you-serious-right-now look. "You're kidding, right? Are you Patrick the Starfish or did you seriously play ignorant the entire day today?"

"B-But none of t-those are true! Even if they were, there are so many cases that it would've been impossible to hide them all! I would've been caught out years ago."

I observed him with disgust and put my left finger under his chin to make him meet my eyes. "And yet somehow, you've managed to keep it under wraps for so long. I wonder how... don't answer, I already know. I also know that you just spewed a shit ton of bullshit just then. All the evidence against you, all the testimonies, all the allegations, they're all true. How do I know that you ask? It's because it was me who released them."

Shock and rage crossed his face, which made him grab at me by the sleeves of my tank and brought me in closer. I let him do so since I was interested where this was going. Murphy practically yelled in my face, "IT WAS YOU WHO LEAK- I MEAN FABRICATED ALL THOSE VIDEOS AND EVIDENCE?! HOW DARE YOU! HOW DARE YOU GO AROUND, POSING AS ME AND FRAMING ME WITH ALL THESE SHAMELESS ACTS!"

"... you done?" I pried his hands away from my top. I pushed him into the wall, hard, which knocked the wind out of his lungs, causing a fit of coughing. I stood up and really looked down on him. "Wow! I've never come across a human who actually had the guts to touch us, let alone grip at us. Credits for that. Anyway, if you haven't realised already, I'm about 167cm in height, way below average height. So do you really think I can pose as you? On top of that, I have better things to do with my time than to frame you for something you supposedly didn't do. Everything released is 110% factual and 200% all you. It was you and only you had ended up creating about 53 different victims, excluding the ones who consented for the higher positions in the company. Honestly, denying any of it is just a waste of time at this point so you might as well just confess. It's only Leo...nardo and me. Plus, I think you owe the other man an explanation of some sort, don't you think? Also just so you know, even if you don't admit to it, I'm still beating you up. I might just go easier on you if you do confess. Your choice."

Murphy stayed quiet and looked down at the office carpet. I'll give him twenty seconds. I used the time to look back at Leo, to find him still in his chair, studying our interaction with seriousness. Our eyes met and we held it there for what felt like an eternity. Whether it was to tell me something non-verbally or not, I couldn't figure. I was too busy reappreciating his eyes. The staring competition was broken when a grim voice came from the ground.