Chapter 12: Bad Karma

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Chapter 12: Bad Karma

The next day at work the office was buzzing. Whispers and shuffling to carry news were the main intentions since I clocked in this morning. Unable to hide my curiosity anymore, I turned to Claire with round eyes.

"Why is everyone such a busybody this morning? Did something happen?"

"Haven't you heard?" She inquired in disbelief.

I tilted my head at her in confusion. "Heard what?"

Clearly thrilled by the prospect of being the first one to break the news to me, she gestured with her forefinger for me to lean forward.

With a bit of hesitancy I did the deed, and she leant in then whispered, "Mr. Gomez got fired."

I pulled back in state of shock. "What?!"

"Shhh!" She hushed me up quickly, hand covering my mouth.

The couple heads that turned at my outburst gave us weird looks before getting back to their own gossiping session.

Hypocrites, I thought sourly.

After getting over my initial shock, my eyelids lowered to indicate for the girl to release my mouth.

Almost unwillingly, she retracted her hand before a dust of pink covered her cheeks.

Claire coughed before mindlessly wiping her hand against her skirt.

"As I was saying, the spawn of satan finally got burnt by his own flames."

"What do you mean? Why did he get fired? Did he do something?"

"One question at a time, sweetie." She advised and I slowed down, taking a much needed breath. "And if you must know, he's been caught for sexually harassing female workers and asking personal favors of them. Betty who has that odd butterfly tattoo on her leg and another woman spoke up about the allegations against him. They said they too had once fallen victims to his predatory acts. About ten minutes before you came, he was escorted out by the investigators."

"Wow," I blew out a deep breathe filled with amazement.

What were the chances that just yesterday he had tried the same thing with me?

Unfortunately, it seemed I wasn't the first one he had done it to.

That got me thinking just how many females had he offered that 'promotion' to?

No, the bigger question was: how many of them had fallen for his filthy tricks?

As sad as it was, not everyone was brave enough to deny someone like him.

There were people who broke in the face of others whom were considered powerful by societal standards. Not to mention the fact that there were a few who could have been tempted by the idea of getting ahead in life with a new job title.

I shivered at how vile and evil all of this was.

Had Mr. Gomez always been this disgusting human being?

"How did they find out in the first place? Was he caught in the act?" I blocked the view of my words with the base of my hand while asking in a hushed voice.

She shook her head.

"An anonymous person blew the whistle with video evidence."

My brows lifted at that.

That meant somebody was probably onto his crass behaviors for a while now.

"After Betty and that other woman spoke up, it was a sealed deal." She continued with a grim expression. "I feel bad for them. They're gonna have to find a job somewhere else with all the gossiping about them."

I nodded in agreement.

"But what I don't feel bad about is that fat fuck finally getting what he deserves."

My head snapped at such a prim and proper girl like her speaking such words. I didn't think I have heard anything remotely offensive come from her in all my years of working here. To say that it was a culture shock would be an understatement.

"Bad karma at its finest, huh?" She chirped before turning away to sit back in her cubicle as if we had just finished talking about how lovely the weather was.

"Yeah." I agreed still dumbfounded.

To say that I wasn't happy with the news of my boss, or should I say ex-boss being brought to the light for all the bad things he's been doing would be lying. However, it didn't change the fact that I had another problem awaiting me and what did you know, he was a male as well.

Dressed like the sexiest man to ever walk the earth, my new superior greeted everyone with a bow of his head. The white dress shirt he wore clung to his body like a second skin, the top two buttons left unbuttoned. He probably did it on purpose. Such a tease. His black slacks fit perfectly and his shoes was shining brighter than his million dollar smile. Everyone took him in as he made his way to the break room, the drool on their chins visible from where I stood. I couldn't help the scoff which left me. If they only knew how much a crazy pervert he was.

His head snapped in my direction and I almost stumbled by the force of his gaze.

Slowly, he lifted his index finger and with a purse of his lips, the man shook his head in disapproval. It was almost as if he knew I was ridiculing him in my mind.

What the actual...

My mouth fell open.

I couldn't believe those brown eyes of his still had the same effect of his silver ones.

They disturbed me to the point that I had to catch myself from pressing my legs together at the sight of them.

It was so wrong, and I had to keep reminding myself of that fact. It didn't appear to be any effective though because my mind started to swim with thoughts of us. How it would feel to be scrutinized up close by those stunning eyes beneath the moonlight. Or sunlight. I wasn't a very picky person.

Jesus Christ, Isabelle! Could you please get a hold of yourself?

Grabbing at the air for my lost senses, I spun around to get the rest of my tasks done.

Just because one person got fired that didn't mean the entire workplace fell apart.

If anything, we had even more things to get done.

•••

"...And just like that, I mixed up his mother and father's birthday! But B, why should I be getting heat shit for this? I don't even remember my own parents' birthday half the time!" Genie ranted from the other side of the phone. I was half way through working when she had texted me saying it was an emergency. She even had the liberty of adding the red blaring emojis. I was quick in wrapping up what I was doing and headed for the empty staircases, thinking she really was in some kind of danger.

Turns out it was another rant about her not so perfect relationship with her boyfriend, Eric.

"Genie Howard, you are aware that I'm still working, right?"

She paused almost as if she never considered that I'd call her out like this. "Hold on. Just a little longer. I need to get this off my chest and sadly I don't have any other friend who won't use my personal issues against me if we fight."

I rolled my eyes at her reasoning and braced myself against the railings. "You're being ridiculous. Just tell Eric what you've just told me. That you've got the memory of a toddler when it comes to stuff like this."

"I would," she agreed. "I really would but you should've seen his face—he was so disappointed in me for forgetting his mom's birthday. Damn, I've only met the woman twice! How am I supposed to keep track of stuff like that with how busy I am all the time?"

"Does he tell your parents happy birthday every year?"

"Yes," she confirmed with a frustrated groan.

I blanched.

"Why does he prioritize the most irrelevant things? Not saying his mom's birthday isn't important but why do I have to be forced to walk the plank for forgetting it?"

I could get where she was coming from this time. It wasn't hard to see that Eric had put too many expectations on her for something like that. No—too many in general. It was almost as if he was mending her to fit into the format of the girlfriend he desired sometimes. It was clear he loved her for who she was but when he did things like this it got me questioning his true intentions.

I sighed.

"Did you at least try and talk to him about it though?"

"I wouldn't be talking to you if I had." She snapped.

"Touché."

"Well, I don't know what else to say but try and talk to him. It's not the first time you've had a misunderstanding. You'd think with all of the others from the past you'd have enough practice on how to tackle future problems. Communication is key, babe. Just talk to him."

I could see her dispirited form before me as she exhaled deeply. "And if that doesn't work?"

"Go down on him."

She gasped. "You're such a slut!"

"I keep telling you to stop calling me that. I'm not getting any action to be praised in that manner." I held my hand to my heart dramatically. My eyes expanded when I realized there wasn't even anyone here to be humored by my little act. How disappointing.

She giggled, sounding much brighter than before.

"I'll take that as you being in agreement."

"With which one of your options?" She asked.

I wrinkled my nose. "Don't act like you're not going to do both regardless."

She cracked up at that.

A smile found itself to my face at it.

Genie sniffled a bit before clearing her voice. "You're right. What was I even thinking?" She said in a sarcastic tone, making me play along.

"It's a shame that you were even contemplating something else. It's medically proven to be the most effective way for reconciliation in a relationship." I advised in the most faux know-it-all voice which I could have conjured up.

Her eye roll was felt from the other side of the line as I held the phone closer to my ear.

"Anyway, thanks for listening to my sob story. You're the best."

"At least you know it." I mumbled.

She clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth. "How about that perverted boss of yours? Has he made any moves on you again? I still can't believe you can't get promoted after slaving away for so many years because you refuse to suck him off. The world we're living in."

"Actually, he's been caught red handed. Investigators found about what he's been doing here and got evidence of it from a random person. It's all on tapes, Genie. He's done for."

She practically squealed at this new piece of information.

"Guess the big man upstairs is fair after all." She blew out after a pensive thought.

"Never doubted Him for a second."

I glanced down at the watch on my wrist and my brows met at the middle of my forehead. "I'm sorry, Genie, but I'm really gonna have to hang up now. I'll clock out in the next two hours though. I'll call you back then."

"That's if I'm available then." She said in a sing-song voice.

"And who's the slut?" I questioned pointedly, making her scoff.

"Whatever. Talk to you later, babe."

"Bye."

Just as I pressed the ending icon on the phone, I spun around to go down the stairs. Not expecting anyone to be there, I was scared out of my mind and screamed so loudly it echoed, frightening even myself. I lost balance and almost fell down the flights below me but thankfully, an arm wrapped itself around my waist.

I blinked in the darkness to see a pair of silver flashing like warning signs.

"What the—"

My eyes became wider upon realizing that it was none other than the person I least wanted it to be.

"Angelo?"

"We're in a professional setting so I think Mr. Moretti is more fitting."

I scoffed at him.

"What? Is there a problem?" He asked innocently.

"There will be if you don't let go of my waist."

"Is that a threat?" He asked, his voice projecting in the empty space.

What really caught me off guard were his eyes. They were those frightening grey, but beyond a point I have never seen before. It almost consumed his irises completely. The image of it startled me with dumb fear, unable to respond.

"What?" He whispered, eyes roaming my face. "Cat got your tongue?"

At that, a wave of déjà vu flooded me and I was reminded of the first time we met.

He had said the same thing to me during our little flirtatious exchange in the club.

The recollection of the disaster which followed incited me to ask the next question without much consideration.

"Just what are you?"

His smugness was wiped clean.

Maybe he was offended by me saying what instead who but we both knew that was the right terminology in this case.

My eyes remained on him in deep examination. Ironically, he didn't seem to like being put on the spot like this and turned away.

"I already told you what you would have to do in order to find out."

"I'm not sleeping with you."

"Hmm, like I've never heard that one before."

My mouth fell open as I tried to get his filthy paws off me but his hold was like an iron-grip.

"What are you made of, steel?"

"No, I'm just naturally stronger than you humans."

"And who are you, God?"

His neck snapped back in my direction as the temperature seemed to drop to a single digit.

"What did I say about those thoughtless comments?"

I attempted to hold my hands up in surrender but then paused. They were still in captive because of his strong hold.

This wasn't the first time he had snapped about a comment made about the higher one.

"I take you're very religious. See? Another reason why we're not a good match. I'm actually atheist."

"Like hell you are."

"I'm serious!"

His eyes narrowed. "Why don't I remind the extent to which you're unbearably holy?" With that, his lips didn't hesitate to descend upon mine and I screwed my eyes shut in panic.

"Don't!"

"Why? I'm only trying to help. You're curious about me, aren't you? You've been asking the same questions over and over. Who I am, where I'm from, what do I want with you—don't you want some answers? Submit to me and I'll gladly give you some." He purred seductively.

I was one hundred percent sure giving me some came in more ways than one.

"No thanks," I held onto my strong will. His pupils stilled at the seriousness with which I delivered my message. With disappointed eyes, I regarded his own weird ones firmly. "If it means I have to learn about you by doing something like that then forget it. I don't think I'm interested anymore."

At that, I felt his grip loosening considerably. I took the opportunity to slip out of his hold and go a couple steps down. He stood in silence as I took in his indecipherable attitude towards me.

"If that's all you have to say then I'll leave it at that then, Mr. Moretti."

I carefully made my way down the stairs before his voice called out to me once more.

"Well, if that's the case then you're going to need the help of a magician."

"What?" I questioned against my better judgement.

I didn't even hear his footsteps but he made it before me in the matter of seconds. "A magician," he repeated. "That's the only person that will most likely be able to restore your memories."

"Wait, don't tell me." I put my hands on my hips. "You've got a license for engaging in that job as well?"

He gave me an unimpressed look at my mockery.

"I could rip the veil off your mind but that would be detrimental to your frail, little human body." He sneered in retaliation.

"I'll have you know that I tower at approximately 5'8 and am fit as hell!"

"Hell isn't fit, it's hot."

"Well I'm hot as hell!"

His upper lip twitched in amusement and my eyes caught it.

"What's so funny?"

He coughed to wipe the expression off his face. "It's just that..."

"What?" I snapped, feeling at the end of my patience.

He gave me a hard stare but it didn't last long before he revealed, "You still get worked up over someone insulting your figure. It's cute."

"Oh."

His compliment went straight to my head like the gullible fool I was.

"If you truly are seeking the truth I can aid you in finding it," he suddenly became serious. "That is after you have given me your consent."

"Consent in the form of..."

He cocked an eyebrow as if he couldn't believe the way my brain worked.

Yeah, judge me, buddy. It's not like I'm the one who's constantly talking about us doing it together.

"The magician," he brought up again, "I can bring you to see one."

***

bibbidi-bobbidi-oop.


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