Sitting down, the table is in the middle of the lobby. The cafe isn't that small or big, just right in the middle of medium size.

Perfect for anyone wanting to grab a drink and go.

There are a few empty tables around us as more people keep coming in and out, making the workers scramble to hurriedly clean tables so people are able to sit in them.

Staring down at my coffee, I have nothing to say. I shouldn't have anything to say. Chopard wanted to 'get to know his boss more'.

So why isn't he saying anything?

Looking at my watch, it has already been ten minutes since I walked out of the office. Ten minutes–that could be me working or catching up on anything.

I should be using my time to be productive and work, but instead, I'm sitting down with someone who can't even start a conversation.

God, I feel like I'm babysitting a toddler who doesn't know their ABCs.

Probably a minute goes by and no one has talked yet, and I don't want this to drag on forever.

"Ask" I said suddenly.

Chopard finally looks up from his lap as he stares at me with the most confused look.

"I'm sorry?" He asked, raising an eyebrow, as if he didn't hear well.

Clearing my throat, I stated my sentence for clarifying, "If you want to get to know your boss more, like you said, I suggest you start talking, Chopard"

Maybe this was a decent decision to let him tag along. This will give me the opportunity to get to know his real motive, and then I can plan my way around him and get a couple steps ahead.

He quickly takes a sharp breath in as he ask, "I have been reading articles about you and what you are like when I first applied to your company" he pause, gathering his thoughts, I assume, "And some past employees and other said that you were a 'cold and heartless' CEO, and I have to ask–Why are you so strict within the company"

I guess someone has done their homework. It's not surprising that someone new to the company would read some articles and blogs about what their possible future boss would be like, so they can prepare.

I have to say, the media and what they have said about me works out for me, I hardly give interviews, so everyone comes up with anything to paint me in whatever light they see fit.

Fortunately, the image they chose for me suited me quite well. But that is unfortunate for them.

Having past employees and other people that come across in my path label me as, "Cruel", "Evil", "Heartless and Cold".

But it doesn't affect me at all, in fact, that is how I wanted people to see, a cruel bitch that will fuck anyone over to get what she wants.

It's all in the plan, to make sure to send the message to other people and companies not to mess with me. And if they do, they will endure the consequences.

I knew if I walked into the corporate industry with a weak mindset, then I would be eaten, chewed up, swallowed and spit out within minutes.

So I acted as if I am the most evil villain in everyone's eyes all throughout my career, and it worked.

It's best that way.

Looking at Chopard in the eyes, I couldn't help but give an honest answer, even though my brain is telling me that it's a bad idea.

"Well–to be honest with you, I just want to have control of everything, I guess people label me as strict because I want to run my company the way that I want" I paused, the words in my mind trying to push out of my mouth so fast that I can hardly keep up, "My company is my pride and joy"

I never thought that I would admit to someone who I don't trust right now that my company is my pride and joy.

Now there is more at stake, he knows my weakness now. He's going to use it to his advantage, he is most likely going to try and hurt my company first, god knows what he's going to do.

Then that will damage me, getting me blind-sided and then that's when he is going to strike.

I know it's a stretch to imagine that scenario, but I still have my suspicions about him.

He hummed at my answer, nodding his head as if he's going to do a follow up question and say something stupid.

"You know" he dawns, "You can be able to run a successful company without being umm–" He pauses, trying to figure out the right words, but little did he know is that I wouldn't be offended by his opinion, "Well, cold and cruel, I guess"

I scoffed as I continued to slip on my coffee, almost half-way done, "You have a lot of things to learn about this industry if you want to be a CEO yourself one day"

"What do you mean?" He asked, as if he is completely clueless about what I'm talking about.

Remembering his robotic answer that he gave me when I asked him why he wanted to work at Cantrell Corporation, he claims that he just wants to get to know the business industry and he wants to know the experience of being a CEO.

Like he forgot why he wanted to work here in the first place, or so I thought. His lies are catching up to him and he's trying to play it safe.

I go along with it, "Being nice is what gets you killed in this world, you can't go into any or every industry with a nice and kind personality. People will see that and use you until they suck all you can get out of you" I go on, "And personally, I don't want to be used and manipulated, so I chose not to trust people"

It's sad, honestly. Many people don't know the dark side of every industry, even if they display a healthy work environment, all industries want the consumers to know that they can be trusted and if you work here, then you'll be happy.

Then when people get into an industry, most of them have the impression that they can trust everyone, and that everyone has their back and the people around them have their best interest at heart for them.

But that soon all comes crashing down when their kindness is taken for granted and they get manipulated left and right and all they are is a walking bank for the industry.

Then the person ends up leaving due to the extreme pressure and being taken advantage of. Unfortunately, that's what happens to a lot of people, their dreams crushed as their chosen industry goes to the next person they can profit off from.

I promised myself that I wouldn't end up like that, not now, not never.

No matter what, don't trust anyone.

And I'm surprised Chopard doesn't know about that, given his father's work experience.

"You know, not everyone has bad motives, there's still good in the world and not everyone is out to get you"

I squinted my eyes as he quickly looked down, trying to avoid my glare.

But nothing came to mind as a comeback, instead I drank more of my coffee, the taste of bitty and sweet is really starting to leave an after taste in my mouth.

As I thought about what he said, the only thing I thought of was, 'That is a talking of a very privileged person'. He's only saying that because of how privileged he is, he grew up in a rich neighborhood, with rich parents, and assumed that he got whatever he wanted up until now.

I bet he didn't even work a day in his life, didn't have to worry about someone beating him at something in school or had to lift a finger.

His parents would do it all for him.

But he is right about one thing–there is still good in the world, although that may be true in some sense, the "good in the world" gets sweeped under by all the bad things happening.

It's a sad world, yes, but I'm here to capitalize on that. Cruel? Yes, do I care? Not really.

All long as I win in the end.

I then responded, "That's just just the world works, Chopard, people out there can be brutal"

He didn't say anything else, just continued to drink his coffee, and based on the expression every time he takes a sip of it, he doesn't seem to enjoy it.

His face scrunches up a little bit as his mouth tries to enjoy the taste but can't.

Which concludes that he didn't know what to order, or he just picked out the same things as me because he was put on the spot.

But when he first asked me if he could tag along on my break, I said while in the elevator that we would be going to a small coffee shop, so that gave him plenty of time to figure out what he wanted.

So no, he didn't want to get coffee with me and get to know me more. He is planning something more sinister.

I just don't know what yet.

Leaning forward towards him, "So, Chopard, you came along with me just to grab coffee and chit chat?" I questioned.

Catching his attention, he answered, "Yes, Ms. Cantrell, I just wanted to get to know you better, as my boss, of course"

Nodding my head, I took in the answer, but it wasn't good enough, "Why don't you tell me the real reason you wanted to tag along"

I might be looking into this so much, but I don't care. I have no reason to believe the words coming out of his mouth, I know there is something there and if I keep pushing, then I'll get it out of him. Evidently. 

"Ms. Cantrell, all I wanted to do is to get to know you better. That is the real reason"

"You know" I paused, almost laughing, for thinking that I'm stupid, "I am a lot of things, but I'm not stupid, Chopard." Leaning more forward with my arm crossed, "So, why don't you tell me the truth right now"

At this, he became intimidated, I can tell. He begins to tense up, his shoulder not resting as one of his hands grips the mug handle so hard, the veins and muscle in his hand begin to pop out. The sweat on his forehead started to show.

Then, just when I think I'm about to see him crack, all the tension goes away.

For one minute, he looked like he was about to burst, then the next, he calmed down, and focused on his response.

He composed himself, letting go of the mug's handle, then wiping his forehead with his arm sleeve, forcing his shoulders to relax.

Chopard did that all in a minute, as if he was faking the tense moment, to come up with an answer to my question and he did that to buy himself time.

"I'm sorry ma'am" He voiced, "I know I shouldn't lie about my intentions with you. I wanted to come with you because–" He paused, as though he was embarrassed of the real reason.

I waited. On the outside, I would have appeared normal and just waiting for his answer, but on the inside, I was dying inside. I was waiting impatiently. I felt like I was on the edge of my seat, but that seat was on a very big cliff, and there was fire all around the seat, and I was tied down to the seat and the only way to escape was to fall or get burned alive.

That is how I feel right now, and I don't understand why, but I felt like he was about to drop a big bomb onto me.

This is what I should be expecting, I asked for this, I pushed him to give me the truth, and now it's about to be revealed, I don't think I want it anymore.

He looked away as he picked up where he left off, "I wanted to get to know the mindset of becoming a CEO, and I might want to become a CEO one day. And I thought you were the person to observe for that"

His cheeks became a tint of red as he finished, he continued to look away as I said nothing.

That was it? I thought.

What the fuck was I getting all work up for? For that simple answer.

I mean–the answer sounded pretty believable, I guess that was why he was asking me questions about the company, but if I would have known what his true intentions were, why didn't he say so?

That just makes him even more suspicious.

Even though I half-believe his statement, I decided I wanted to toy with him, even if the 'hunger game' is on pause as of this moment (not occurring outside of the office).

"Well" I said, after a moment of silence, the second the words left my mouth, Chopard turned all his attention to me, waiting for my response, "If that's the case, then I should give you a piece of advice"

He leans forward in his chair, coming off as nervous as ever.

I notice the differences between us, I'm able to conceal my emotions and not show them off as much. He is the opposite, he can't seem to hide what he is feeling, every emotion ever to come to mind, he expresses it through his body movement and face.

Putting my elbows on the table, tucking my hands up against my chest, I said, "Learn how the real world works first"

Looks like we got to know more of Hailey.

-Summer Roe