Chapter 40 - What's the most gruesome murder method?

POV: Nerovsky

"You know, that reaction kind of hurts. I was expecting more something along lines of what the other two showed me."

"Does it look like I care?" My blank face remained.

"Ouch." Behind me, Mr. Erwin Fonzo clutched the front of his shirt, over his heart in mock hurt. He was sitting on the chair that was back to back with mine, his coffee cup sitting on the neighbouring table. His shoulder length light chestnut hair was flowing down like it's the silkiest thing in the world and he was in a white suit with a blue tie. The amusement on his face was out of this world as if he was seeing the funniest stand comedian alive. Which just further pissed me off. This man pisses me off a lot and he hadn't even done anything extreme to get himself to this point. Had my tolerance really dropped that badly? "Ok but what have I done to you to deserve the cold shoulder?"

I ignored his questions to ask mine since it was deemed more important. "How long have you been eavesdropping into our conversation?"

"Well I wouldn't say eavesdropping, I just—"

"It's eavesdropping"

"—happened to be here coincidentally. Since the beginning. I was here before you sat down."

"... So you heard the entire thing?"

"Unintentionally, yes."

"It was intentional."

"... fine towards the middle I was eavesdropping purposefully."

"Does that mean it was you snickering obnoxiously earlier?"

Erwin was offended. "It was not obnoxious."

"Uh, yeah. It was. Along with snobbish and loud."

"... I'm coming to really dislike you."

"The feeling's mutual. And all you've done is breathe."

We had a glare off, putting all our distaste into our eyes to show the other how unappreciated their presence was and it would've gone on for longer if there wasn't some fucked up coughing noise coming from the front of me. I had forgotten we aren't alone and hadn't been for the entire interaction. I turned back around to face the girls who had their jaws basically drooping to the ground and their eyes were widened in shock and befuddlement. You know, I realised how easily Leah just blends into the background. It hasn't even been like two minutes. But one day, this is going to bite me in the ass and I'm going to say something I shouldn't because I'd have assumed no one was there. They should really do something about their presence. Or maybe just become a ninja. That'd be cool. Both girls were clearly blanking, not knowing what to do or what to say in front of the one the hottest CEOs of the decade (quoted from the magazine). Usually, they'd probably respectfully greet him but I think I may have ruined the usual system. Considering my position, I should've greeted him politely myself but I couldn't help it. Last time we interacted, he ticked me off.

It was funny seeing the girls malfunction and the sudden urge to mess with them overwhelmed me. A smirk crawled up my lips when I mocked obliviousness and asked, "Are you two ok? You both kind of look... broken?"

The question definitely didn't register and they both said, "yes," in a dazed manner. I looked back to the CEO to find him also smirking in enjoyment. He was clearly having a field day. He asked me once again, "So are you going next Friday?"

I already knew my answer to the question but I put a finger on my chin anyway, pretending to think about it. It took a full ten seconds which apparently was a surprising thing to do because the two girls snapped out of it and were looking at me in disbelief. Erwin just looked smug as always. That might be the reason why he irks me so much. Finally, I shrugged my shoulders and answered,

"Nah. Probably not."

Immediately, it turned silent among the party. If they were in an empty room, they could probably hear a pin drop. The silence remained for a short while before there was an outburst from the two ladies. They did the freaky synchronise thing again and this time, a shiver went down my spine (and I'm pretty sure Erwin was freaked out as well but he's good at hiding it. the twitch in his eyebrow was what gave it away).

"WHAT? WHAT DO YOU MEAN? YOU'RE NOT GOING? DID YOU NOT GET A TICKET?"

I gulped in fear. "Uuuuhhhh it means I'm not going nor do I plan to go. I never tried for the invitation."

"WHY?"

Shrugging, I said, "I thought you guys figured out my answer ages from my lack of knowledge with this thing. Anyway, it's not really my cup of tea. I'd rather stay home and sleep. The thing sounds cool though."

Claire broke out of their synchronisation. "But you have to go or at least try to go!"

An odd look formed on my face. "Um why?"

"Because it's the biggest thing of the year."

"Yes I think you already mentioned that earlier. Quite passionately as well. But like I said, I have no care for such events. Also why does it matter to you whether I go or not? It's not like we're friends."

"Wow, are you always this blunt?"

"Right?" Erwin inserted out of nowhere.

Shrugging, I agreed with the question. "I'm just being honest and if that's seen as ruthless or blunt, then yeah, I guess I am."

Leah meant to mutter something to herself but I happened to catch it and a secretive smile formed on my lips. "you sure don't look it, manwhore." Someone's salty.

A necessary sigh was released before I asked, "When do tickets come out anyway?"

"They come out in an hour," Erwin filled in. By now, the man was sitting on my armchair, similarly to Leo.

"So essentially, I never have no chance of going anyway. I'm not on break during then. So what are you two yapping about? You just crammed unnecessary information my head."

"IT'S NOT UNNCESSARY," they said it at the same time again, "Plus, during the release, no one actually works in order to get the tickets." I think I'm finally getting used to this alien shit.

"Sounds counterproductive."

"It's to reduce as much traffic as possible," informed Leo's best friend, "Anyway, you don't have to worry about invitations but you are going." The bastard sported a knowing smile and his aura was screaming I KNOW SOMETHING, THEREFORE I'M SUPERIOR THAN YOU.

My tone was incredulous when I replied, "Uh no I'm not."

"Yeah, no he's not." That was a completely unneeded input from Leah but at least it let me know she didn't actually want me there and her earlier outburst was probably a happy surprise.

Erwin inspected his nails in mock distraction (what a diva) as he reinstated, "he is indeed going."

"As mentioned before, I'm not going. You can't force me into going either. I'll just not buy a ticket and I'll rip any that's bought for me but I doubt that'll be an issue."

Erwin looked at me with that same stupid knowing look. "No, I can't force you to go but someone else can. And like I mentioned before, you don't have to worry about buying a ticket for yourself."

It was Leah first who asked, "why?" in a panicked tone, followed by Claire but her tone was curious. I stared at the man next to me before squinting my eyes at him in conjecture. The cynicism seeped through my voice when I claimed, "You know something." There wasn't any question in my voice because I knew he knew something.

Erwin's burst of laughter answered it all and I was about to pester the shit out of him but he quickly added on, "All will be answered in due time. Now, don't you have to get back?" I instinctively checked my wristwatch (great investment) and find that yes, I was meant to be at my desk... three minutes ago. "Oh shit," before I bolted towards the elevators, leaving my ¾ finished cup of coffee behind. Wait, why does he know when I go back? This guy isn't some stalker is he? Because it'd be dangerous to leave him alone with the two girls. Wow, I really do just think of the worst when it comes to this guy. Still... it's a bit odd.

As I was sprinting, I could hear Erwin laughing again and Leah directing a question towards him. Her tone sounded frantic, so something told me it might have to do with that cryptic comment the dude made earlier. But I didn't care enough to find out then because I was late and Matthew was going to chew me up. Being late was his pet peeve which was highly ironic considering he was late half the time himself.

I told myself earlier to ignore Erwin's remark but as I boarded the elevator, I couldn't help my mind wonder towards said remark, creating several different theories on what it could mean.

♤♧♡♢

Luckily for me, Matthew seemed to be busy with something else at the time to chew my head out but it definitely didn't go unnoticed. After a couple of interrogation from Pearl and Mason for my tardiness ("Later"), everything was smoothing sailing (my migraine had now dropped down to tolerable) and usual, with a couple of moments where my mind wondered off to Erwin's earlier claim. I managed to push it down long enough to get some work done and by the time I was done, I'd completely forgotten about it.

Except right now, it was coming back to me again and finally, I understood what the asshole was on about.

Matthew had gathered the entire team into one conference room (this was after we finished work) and just notified us that he got everyone tickets to the Anniversary ball.

"—I have enough tickets for all but if you really cannot make it, let me know now or at least two days before so I can give them to someone else. But I really encourage everyone to go because there is a competition every year where the sector with the most number of members attending not only get to shine on the dance floor for ten minutes on the night but they also get six months of free coffee from the shop downstairs. Also, if someone already got tickets, they have the option of using the free one or their one. Free one requires everyone in the department to sit together but your own one is whatever you chose. Up to you really."

Loud murmurs and talking broke out as soon as our boss finished talking, many excited and discussing outfits as well as hyping up for the free coffee. A lot began outwardly worshipping the older man for giving them this opportunity. I swore a couple of them were sobbing and it was beginning to weird me out. I'm getting creeped out a lot today. Is it already Halloween? Matthew gave it thirty seconds before he cut through the noise again. "So anyway, if anyone is sure they cannot go next Friday, raise your hand. Please make note that once you opt out, you cannot get the ticket back. So think about it wisely. You also have to give me a reason right here and now unless it's super personal. Then you tell me in private after this."

Two nameless men raised their hands up, stating it was personal. One female raised her hand up, saying that she was going to Greece the day earlier for her honeymoon and I'm pretty sure a tear ran down her cheek, heatbroken that she couldn't make the ball. I also raised my arm up and when he got to me and am about to give my reason (I don't want to go), he interrupted me and said the most unbelievable thing I'd ever heard. "Nero, you're not allowed to say no."

"Uh... what?" everyone in the room had shut up and were paying attention to the conversation.

"You have to go."

Not again. "No, no I don't. Because this isn't a compulsory event."

"It's not compulsory for everyone except you and some other higher ups."

"Excuse me, what?"

"You see Nero, usually, I wouldn't be able to request this many tickets for the department. I could probably take about half. HOWEVER, I proposed an ultimatum that Leo I mean Mr. Covell agreed upon. Hence why I could get this many tickets."

"... and how is this relevant to me in any way?"

A shit-eating grin morphed on my bastard of a boss's face when he sing-songed, "because, my friend, the condition was that you HAVE to attend the party and on top of that, break it down on the dance floor. Oh, and you have to dance with Leo for at least one song."

A couple of gasps and laughs ran through the room and I was completely... bamboozled. My initial thought was that the laughers were underestimating my dancing capabilities before I realised that wasn't exactly the point. Where on earth did these ridiculous terms come from? Why were these agreed upon, especially the last one, by Leo? Remind me to call in favour one out of three to opt out. They're definitely toying with me, probably found out my unwanted crush on the bachelor. That was the only possibility, right? The only question that came out of my mouth however, was, "Who was it that proposed this ultimatum first?"

"Why, I'm glad you asked. It was me." This man had a death wish, confirmed. He wanted to die an early age. He was clearly suicidal because he knew better than to fuck with me. I was gonna murder him. In the harshest way possible. And then hook his wife up with some Brazilian model to add salt to the wound. Even though he'd be dead by then. Luckily, I managed to keep my murderous intent within me when I further questioned, "Why?"

"Now that, I can't tell you. But regardless of the reason, you have to go. Everyone is counting on you."

Everyone was looking at me in desperation, waiting for my answer. I looked back at them and at this moment, I come to realise... how much less of a shit I gave about any of them. So I looked Matthew dead in the eye and said, "Fuck. No."

All hell broke loose and everyone was shouting at me or trying to convince me and it was chaos. I was legit about to fly through the ceiling to the next floor to escape but Matthew's booming, "QUIET," did the job. He returned to normal levels when he questioned back at me. "Why?"

Well shit. If I say I don't want to go, I just made enemies with my entire department and I'll be forced to look for another place to work at. That's a hassle. Bullshit it is then. "I have other urgent matters to attend to. And what we're doing is technically cheating. We're getting more tickets than the rest of the department."

"Like what? And it's not cheating."

"Personal. And yes it is."

Matthew just snorted at my explanation which visibly startled me. "Nice try. Can't say I wasn't expecting that though. And it's not cheating, end of discussion."

"Huh?" I'm so lost. And this man is stubborn for the wrong things.

"Leo and I got in contact with Aiden. He made it very clear that you only have plans with your PS4 and Nando's chicken. He also offered to help you get to the place as well. Isn't that nice of him?"

"That conniving little bi—"

"Oi, workplace."

"I legit just said fu—"

"I wasn't expecting that. Anyway, don't put your anger on him. It was my idea."

"Who the fu- who the hell said I wasn't pissed at you? I'm going to murder you all in your sleeps."

"Yes, yes but do it after Friday, yes?"

"I just said n—"

"FRIDAY, yes?"

I could keep fighting but something told me that even if I got my way, I was going to lose a lot along the way. Stuff that wasn't really worth losing. I exhaled in resignation and gave one more attempt at pulling myself out of this. "Is there really no other way? Where both sides win?"

"Nope," emphasised on the 'puh',

I groaned out loud and tugged at my hair in utter frustration. I wouldn't be surprised if people thought I was going insane by that point but I eventually stopped and blankly said, "fine. However, that doesn't mean I'm not going to slit all three of your throats and feed you guys to the hounds while I send a bottle of your blood to satan so he can get drunk off that shit. So be careful. Especially when you're lying in bed."

The threat was ignored by everyone in the room as they began whooping and cheering, loudly talking about their future plans. Everyone except Matthew, Mason and Pearl. Matthew had turned sheet white and looked ready to wet himself whereas Mason and Pearl look worriedly at the both of us, more sympathetic towards me.

The migraine's intensity had increased ten folds.