I lean slightly against the counter, as she checks whatever she is on her tablet. I wonder if it's showing off, since there's a computer in front of her, but after all, it's none of my business.

"I've got you- Senior Economist, ES Tech. I'll take you to Mr. Thelonious. You must know him- he's the CFO of the company," she drags on as she walks me towards the elevator. I nod like I know who the fuck Thornton or Tonton is, but in all honesty, I was too busy tipping the new economist at my previous workplace. Dude is as scared as a wet cat, and I bet it'll be two weeks at most for him.

The elevator works its way up fast, but the building doesn't seem to end. The only things that keep me going are how laid-back and culturally innovative the office  is designed to serve. The office also houses private workspaces including an editing suite with a separate sleeping nook for video team members working late nights. Unique finishes include a light installation of scrap pipes, antique brass wall fans, and a fully functioning antique rotary phone. Fifteen-foot-high glass arched windows provide a lot of natural light.

"Here we are," she announces, before leading the way into and into the building. Like I said, the building seems like it would never end. Some heads straighten up when they see me; I'm not  surprised. I actually made a breakthrough into the Forbes list last year which was quite a talk in the field. The looks and the eyes- I'm used to it.

The woman stops in front of a charcoal colored door, marked Chief Financial Officer in silver colored calligraphy. She bows at me and leaves without another word. I reach behind to soothe the nape of my neck, since it feels awkward. This is no interview, but I have a nagging feeling of something going amiss because of the bad coffee I had in the morning.

I push the door open, cursing loudly because that's the time my laces choose to go awry. I swear on Jesus and what not, like a drunken sailor, and I bend down to mess it up once again. Once I'm done, I get straight again, just to let out a low gasp.

"Bro?!- ah shit, wait bro?!" 

I almost half growl in surprise and half in indignation. I pinch my cheek, expecting the man before me to fade out on the effect of my pinch, but nothing happens. Instead, he doesn't look surprised. He's smirking.

"Wait," I breathed, not leaving his eyes, and letting everything else fade in my periphery, "Does that mean it's Nico-"

"I'm never surprised with the racket you carry around you, honestly."

I'd recognize the other bastard's deep, dragging voice. I'd be able to distinguish his voice among the voices of a hundred thousand people, no bragging. Here I stood in front of the people I hated the most, and we'd still worked our way up from kindergarten to university.

"Okay, harebrain," I felt the fucktard's deep, smirking and dangerous voice cut through my thoughts, "I'd seen a Crimson scribbled on the application paper, but I didn't know it was you. Why was I not informed, Nico?"

"Apparently the human resources thought we were picking people out after judging them in the looks department, you know. But they weren't half as wrong; those few chicks were good fucks. Especially the two redheads that ven-"

"Can you keep me out of your sexcapades? I'm like any other woman here, making a living?" I made a mocking request, and I swear I noticed how Wolfe's jaw twitched. "Chicken. Look at us, we still bagged a chick without knowing it. I'm loyal, I'd leave you to Wolfe. However, do not hesi-"

"God, you guys need to shut up," I held my hands up in half mock surrender and half vexation. I cocked my head to both the sides, and felt hot air exhaled by my ears. Nico chuckled, and Wolfe had the same mocking smile plastered to his face. "And if we don't, Isa?"

"Would you ever stop calling me that?!" I almost screamed again. Damn, professionalism existed, though? Fuck the building and fuck the awesome job with an equally awesome salary. Could I get away from these douchebags?

"Nope." He answered with a straight face, and his arms came to rest on the edge of the expensive glass table, as he looked over his shoulders to laugh with Nicolas. I probably said that out loud. I didn't give a fuck.

Wolfe had gotten more gorgeous over the years, if anything. His dress shirt was stretched across his chest and abs, sinfully tight, like it might burst open any moment, but it didn't. The top button of his shirt was open, and I didn't see his suit anywhere near. Could he put on a blazer or a rug or something? I was dying from the heat out here. His sleeves were rolled up to his arms, and his tattoo peeked from beneath the rolled up sleeves. His eyes were charcoal grey, just as before. His dress pants were just like the shirt, stretched across his tight muscles and calves. His shoulders were broad, but he would still be called lean muscled. His hair was just a bit longer, falling above his eyes, and a shiny onyx color.

Wolfe, was just a new level of sexier since after Uni. Obviously, he worked hours in the gym for that? His face was scrubby, worth two days of stubble or so? I couldn't disagree that Wolfe was well built since high school.

I was more than shocked and maybe even exasperated on being here. All the pieces began to fit to form the big picture in my mind- Theodore and Co was theirs.

Never in my worst nightmares had I thought that I'd end up here. Damn me for being so careless. I'd leave the job happy and content, but the pay was just too much- almost twice of what I made at my previous, shitty job, which tended to like me overworked and overcooked. Moreover, this was an odd time of the year, definitely not the time to employ new people.

The job was a good chance for me; it would lead me to a new chance of huge recognition, with real opportunities and challenges in my way. At such a crucial point in my career, I couldn't let my temper fix my ways. I had to adjust and mold to this fucktard's ways.

"Spacing out, Isa? Not good for you. With your fifty kilos of emotional baggage, no," Wolfe sneered, which made my hand shoot out to slap him, but he gripped my wrists even though my move was fast, and then smirked. The moment he let his guard down, I wedged my knee between his legs, and a look of wariness clouded his face, but thankfully, I didn't make the blunder I was so tempted to make. I froze my leg mid-air, and stared blankly into his eyes, digging hard and deep. He didn't shrink back, and his rich cologne hit my nostrils, making me subconsciously waver, but my entire attention was on his charcoal grey eyes, the one I hated with a fierce passion.

"Still feisty and childish, Isa," he whispered, bending to the level of my neck, since he was a good four inches taller than me, "But that's not how you play this game."

I stepped back, feeling on-my-toes and half filled with hatred. Making a sour face, I lifted both my hands, and curled them until my middle fingers were straight. "FUCK YOU, Theodore."

"Fuck isn't a word for Princesses fed with silver spoons like you, Achelois," he challenged, "I asked you to say duck. It's elegant," he pauses and his lips twitch, an evil grin taking over him, "And about your offer, no thanks," he grunts, "I don't do twig bitches. I like my women curvy."

 He looked back at Nico again, who seemed pretty amused by our heated (literally, heated- like, angry, heated) exchange. I stomped away and shut the door as loudly as I could, in intense indignation.

Which is when I remembered that I knew nothing about this Herculean building, neither my work, nor the files, nor the rooms. I didn't know shit. Taking a deep breath, I pushed the door open slowly.

"Hi, guys."

____________________________________________________________

A/N:-

I'm beck, my lobely people. This chapter isn't bootiphool, but it's just the warm up before the real drill starts. I know the summary suggests gore and darkness, and that's what is gonna happen, but the stage needs to be set. Heb patience. Y'all will be rewarded handsomely. 

And to all my lobely bootiphool readers, I'd lobh it if you could give me a shoutout on your feeds if you like this book. I'd be overwhelmed. Y'all mek me heppy. I know english, thank you; using typos is just super incredible. Also, I'd ask you a question every chapter. 

Q:- Do you watch horror films?!

Ftr, I have polished all the horror movies in english ever available. Watching them at midnight when everybody else is asleep is like ascending into another dimension! My favorites might consist of Ouija, Dead Silence, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Oculus, Annabelle and Conjuring (I mean, of course), Shining and IT part 1. I almost like every horror movie, duh.

Stay tuned. The next update might come by Sunday?! 😈Comment, like and share if you really liked it.

Xx,
Disha🌝