Chương 151: Chapter 149 – Second Chance or Another Nail in the Coffin?

Elios lingered in the shadows, praying to remain unnoticed. The last thing he wanted was to draw Mordak's attention and find out what "see to it" meant firsthand. He watched from the corner of his eye as Mordak loomed in the doorway to what had once been Hardscrabble's office, his office. Silence hung in the air like an oppressive weight. Employees cowered as they passed, trying to make themselves small, hoping to slip by without catching Mordak's eye. Being seen could prove fatal.

At the very least, they might lose their job for sneezing or worse, end up wherever Hardscrabble had gone. Mordak grumbled to himself as he crossed the room and dropped heavily into the chair.

"Elios!" he bellowed, loud enough to make everyone within ten feet jump. Their eyes snapped toward him, filled with fear and sympathy. Oh shit. Elios scrambled toward the door, his heart racing so fast he thought it might reach the office before he did. Was this it? Had Mordak figured out what he had done? He knew he had been playing with fire when he set Hardscrabble up. The only question was how badly he was about to burn.

"Yes sir," he said, trying to appear casual. He had to remind himself to breathe. He had somehow forgotten how.

"Get in here and shut the door," Mordak ordered. Elios obeyed, pressing his back against the door, hand still gripping the handle.

"Come in!" Mordak growled.

"Sit." Elios took a deep breath, possibly one of his last, and eased into the chair across from the desk. Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. Mordak's demeanor shifted. He smiled pleasantly.

"Well, as you know, we have an opening." He rested his elbows on the desk, fingers steepled beneath his chin. Elios eyed him skeptically.

"I am assuming you mean my old job. The one you gave to Hardscrabble?" He immediately regretted the phrasing.

"Hey, you are learning. Why beat around the bush?" Mordak said with a coy smile.

"I know you felt slighted when I demoted you, but Elios, I could not just let your mistakes go unpunished." His eyes narrowed, studying Elios' face.

"I have a reputation to maintain. You did not leave me much choice." So giving my job to that asshat was supposed to teach me a lesson? How stupid do you think I am? You thought he would show me up. Well, who showed who, you lying sack of shit? Elios nodded thoughtfully.

"I understand sir."

"I do not have time to look for another candidate, so I am hoping that you…" Mordak stood, moved to the corner of the desk, and perched on it casually.

"…that you have learned your lesson and we can put this awful mess behind us."

"You mean like it never happened?" Elios asked.

"Of course. Just like it never happened," Mordak said, grinning wildly.

"I want ten percent more than you were giving Hardscrabble," Elios blurted, "and an assistant of my choosing." Brilliant, you idiot. Why not just ask him to kill you while you are at it? Mordak's grin widened.

"Maybe this experience was good for you Elios. It seems you finally grew a backbone. Done." Elios blinked. He had not expected that.

"Now get this place cleaned up and get that mail situation under control," Mordak said, standing and placing a heavy hand on Elios' shoulder.

"Disappoint me again Elios, and…" He paused.

"Well, I do not think I need to explain." He left without another word. Elios exhaled shakily. He had his job back. More pay. An assistant. And somehow, he was still alive. For now.