The Outsider (Outsider #1) ✔️

Chapter 79 : Beware of Luke

In spite of her protests that she is not the CEO, Futurista emptied the CEO's cabin for Dusk Hale's use. She sat there and attended her classes using Remote Classroom. She laughed as she remembered how on the first day at Uni-Viva, Susco had told her of the feature that she could use while sitting in the garden on a beautiful day. Now, both she and Luke (she wondered if he was even bothered with studies now) were using it repeatedly from 2,500 km away. She felt like she was back in college days when she attended classes from the Remote Class Centre in Longburn.

Susco walked into the room. She had flown in from Ci'gazze to Regis for the Shareholders meeting. She sat playing with her communicator and catching up on social media while Dusk completed her courseware.

"I resigned from Uni-Viva." She told Dusk when she finished. "But the President refused to accept it and gave me a lecture for an hour on how I was being stupid to resign when it was not necessary. How is it not necessary if I cannot get time to do my work? What is the justification of continuing to draw salary from there? All this work as Officer of Court, administration of Techredulous, now I am a Director on this company which is in another city, meaning I have to travel regularly... And Daniel is asking me to be on Board of Micro-Mega... I can barely get time to ask for updates from my 2 assistants. They are working pretty well as student counsellors on their own."

"It makes sense. This place is a mess and our work in Ci'gazze is also going to get more complex. We need someone, so if you take over as Executive Director of Techredulous, I will give you a salary equal to what Uni-Viva is giving you. You are doing most of that work there anyway. Plus, I will give you an Executive Director position in Futurista also. How much do you want to get paid?"

Susco looked up with a smile which changed to concern and she stood up in a hurry. Dusk's face had suddenly paled and looked like she had a severe stomach cramp... She looked like she was going to throw up.

Susco ran to her side and holding her arms, asked, "Dusk? Dusk? Are you all right? Shit! What happened? Wait, I will call for medical help."

Dusk shook her head and held Susco's hand telling her to wait. Then she gave a weak smile, forced herself to calm down and replied, "No it is not necessary. See if you can get me a drink instead. I wouldn't mind alcohol but otherwise, spirit will do." She picked up the glass of aerated juice on the table and took a tentative sip.

"Dusk, what is the matter? Are you sure having a drink in this condition is good for you? For that matter, since when did you start asking for drinks? I have seen you always trying to avoid them!"

"Susco, dear, don't worry, its nothing like that. I am not turning alcoholic."

Sesco sat next to Dusk and held her hand in concern. Dusk had changed since the days they had first met. She hoped Dusk had not been careless or done something stupid.

"Susco, I am a mess... There has been a lot going on here and I got sucked into all of this and I think I have become careless." Seeing the deep concern on Susco's face, she continued, "See the way I just spoke to you! I just came out and offered you money, to replace the one you will lose from the University. I didn't even ask. Just said I will match it. HOW? With whose money? Not even my money. But just because people say I have decision making rights, I have become so arrogant! I have spent too much time with Luke and Rosemary. I even shouted at her, yesterday I got into a sort of fist fight with her! I am changing, and I don't like it!"

Hearing her concerns Susco relaxed. At least it was not what she feared. Then suddenly her face erupted with concern. "Did you say you got into a fist-fight with our boss, the Princess? Surely you didn't!"

Dusk nodded miserably. "Yeah, and where? In the Emperor's Palace. We all got punished, but I am lucky it was only a punishment in the form of a Military Exercise Run. My head is still on my shoulders. I got an hour's lecture from the Emperor on how I need to adapt and change and be what I am supposed to be – a tech entrepreneur, not to worry so much about business risks since someone else is taking the money risk..."