After Effects

Chapter 29 • After Effects

Oh no, why did he have to do that? Why did he have to call the man by his first name?

My head flashed back and forth between both men as I panicked. I had never heard anyone call him by his first name before so I didn't really know how he would react, but knowing him, it could not be good. And another thing, somehow Mr. Remora was gonna bring this back to me, I just knew it. I had never met Josk ever before in my life, and I was positive that he had known the first name of Mr. Remora like everyone else, but still, those facts in Mr. Remora's head would without a doubt translate into 'it has got to be Ms. Harrington's doing'. The problems just kept on coming didn't they?

As Mr. Remora slowly turned in our direction, I tried to discreetly sink into my chair. I wanted nothing to do with this, especially since I was going to be the only person who would be leaving with Mr. Remora. The table of people seemed to catch up with us both in that moment however as they all shut their mouths and watched with wide eyes. Oh, now they decided to do this?

I don't know if it was very long or a short time span of five seconds, but sometime after Mr. Remora's magnificently intimidating head turn, the man rose from his chair and made his way over Josk looking freakishly nonchalant. I almost took the opportunity to leave the table while I still had my head on.

"I see we have a comedian with us, have we?" Mr. Remora asked, his hands stuffed into his pocket as he stared down the younger fellow. I gulped. I don't know how, but he had a way of doing normal things that made them scarier than they should be. I mean, usually, when a person smiles it warmed your heart and made you feel welcome right? So why on earth did the smile that was presently etched unto Mr. Remora's face making the situation so much more frightening?

"Well there has to be somebody here to keep the party going, right Riddian?" I proceeded to slap my hand to my forehead as my mouth hit my empty plate. Did he not learn his lesson? Forget it, he will eventually. I was sure of that.

Only a few people dared to laugh this time, and they were more like snickering than laughing. I of course didn't take the risk, and it was a good thing too since I was the first person Mr. Remora looked at after that joke was made. He narrowed his eyes at me even when he saw that I was not against him in the situation, but then looked away finally, going back to this Josk. I sighed in relief and a small smile stretched my lips. I had made the right decision. Whew! I mean I still had it out for the man, but I was trying this new thing called 'being professional and actually doing the job you are supposed to do'. Besides, it was better than all my other plans in my opinion so the least I could do was stick with it for a while or so.

"Mr. Henry, I appreciate your-"

"It's Mr. Cover," Josk interrupted Mr. Remora as he began speaking again.

I sealed his death sentence. First name calling and interruption while talking, yep, I would be calling his family and giving my sympathies any moment now.

Mr. Remora narrowed his eyes at him and glared. "Pardon me Mr. Cover as I am not one to focus on remembering the names of people of little importance in my life," was Mr. Remora's response as he tilted his head to the side with a challenge me expression masking his face. The whole table gasped in surprise though mine must've been the loudest out of them all.

"And continuing with what I had been saying, I appreciate your attempt at trying to make yourself seem more..." he looked Josk up and down, seeming as though he was staring at a bland article of clothing, "how should I put this... interesting than normal? Yes, interesting! I appreciate your attempt at trying to seem more interesting in  hopes of gaining the attention of our fellow CEOs so as to, I assume, get them to offer you a better job? But let me tell you that if that is your ultimatum, you will never reach any higher than where you are now you worthless, lackadaisical, imbecile."