I was slightly taken aback by his statement...

"Why would you have to take responsibility?" at that point he turned around, holding onto his mug. I didn't know what else to say...

"You're right..." he walked towards me and I looked up at him when he stopped. He stood beside me as he spoke, "after all, your inheritance is your insurance, but... could you live a life without being a painter?" I looked up at him. I couldn't believe it. Was he trying to be sympathetic?

"Look... I don't know if I haven't already established this with you, but I'm not here solely as a money collector and yes, I should be more careful because you're right, outside of this place, I rely on my hands to create the art that I love... I understand how burdening that would be for your family, especially after what happened with Charlie, but what I don't understand is... if you're just trying to say that you would feel sorry for me if something happened to me, or that you don't want to see me get hurt, can't you just say so in a matter of fact? I mean, if anything, Jackson is the one that owes me an apology for bringing in that jerk."

I stepped back and crossed my arms. That seemed to break the tension. He cleared his throat and then stepped back.

"You're reading too much into it. I just don't want you to get hurt and cause me more problems," I rolled my eyes.

"Alright, Mr. President, I'll be much more careful from now on, alright?" he stiffened up like a board and scoffed a little. "Oh, right, Nathan told me that you're already planning the charity event and that I'm taking part in it?"

The change of topic seemed to relieve him.

"Yes, you're going to be greeting guests," he started walking away and I turned around a little stunned by the revelation.

"Why me?" he stopped again and turned around to respond.

"Because you're the current heir and major shareholder at the company now. Most of our clientele, old and new, have not met you. So it will be a good opportunity to meet them," I sighed. That was the last thing I wanted to do. Before I knew it, he disappeared and I was left to mull over the role that I would have to play...

I messaged Nathan after I got my snack and he told me that it was true. That was what I was going to be doing that night. He also told me that I would be given the opportunity to get a fancy new outfit for the event.

I couldn't help but think that this sounded like a rags to riches story. It made me uncomfortable knowing that I would be wearing that fashionable get-up for one night only and it would probably be worth an entire month's paycheck for me...

I knew Nathan wouldn't let me bargain shop or find something at a local shopping mall... the thought of what I would end up wearing terrified me... I get that I need to leave a powerful impression, but I had no clue about fashion nor did I care about it.

Nathan convinced me that he would find me something perfect to wear ...

*

The next day I arrived at Ravenwolf Co. to attend a meeting about the development of the commercial for their product launch happening the end of the quarter. Everything seemed like it was going well and from what I could tell the board was equally impressed with the theme and creative design.

After the meeting with the Marketing team, Nathan came up to me to tell me that I could spend some time in different departments. I was going to head to the site later to see a portion of the filming but I needed to kill a bit of time before that.

I decided to go downstairs to see Peter and his team.

When I arrived there was a warm reception for my arrival. Peter's team was always genuine, and I appreciated that they treated me normally and didn't question my authenticity of wanting to get to know the ins and outs of the company.

"So, what is it about this event that's important?"

Peter had invited me to sit with him on one of the benches beside their main office. He was taking a bit of a break because his knee was acting up. We were talking on and off about the upcoming product launch, the commercial, and the weather.

"Think of it like... striking down two birds with one stone... you're pre-launching the new line while contributing to a great social cause of their choice. The rich get to feel like they're helping the people; helping boost their image while getting an opportunity to contribute to society, right?"

"I guess so," I sighed, thinking about the interesting dynamics at play here.

"The theme... or rather, the concept this time around is... what's the word... sentimental? Bringing all people together. Along the generations, so to speak?" I nodded and he smiled, "well there you go. Old and new clients will get to feel special and our company can make a profit from it."

"The more you talk about it the more manipulative it sounds."

"It's just business. They all know it," I nodded, thinking about how calculative it all was... even for the sake of Ravenwolf, I really hoped that they did have the best of intentions.

I talked to Peter for another ten minutes before heading back upstairs. I didn't want to be late. Nathan wanted me to be back in a half hour...

So when I got up on the top floor, I had a few more minutes to spare before meeting up with them again. I decided to head to the break room to make myself some tea, but before I was able to walk in, I could overhear some employees talking.

"I heard that she liked his grandson all along,"

"Really? Then maybe it was all a ploy so that she could get into the company?"

I tried leaning in to hear more of their conversation because it vaguely sounded like it could be about me. I only dipped my head forward far enough so I could hear what was going on...

"I think she's nice."

"I think she's a wolf in sheep's clothing," they were giggling now.

"I wonder about that... but you know, you can't deny how close she is to the president."

"Yeah, I think I even saw them kissing," I rolled my eyes, thinking about how hard I wanted to break up this gossiping session...

"You know, maybe they are together... like romantically?"

"I think so."

"Maybe the old president was just a pawn? Like we were thinking? Now that's he's gone, they can be together?"

"Oh gosh... don't say that..."

"I still think they're secretly having a rendezvous."

They were cackling now at my expense. And talking shamelessly about the old man. That's where a line needed to be drawn. I stepped back, rolling up my sleeve.

I would give them a piece of my mind... but before I could do that, someone grabbed my hand and dragged me back. I stumbled a little, walking forward. My head was still reared the other way, focused on intercepting their conversation. I was trying to release my hand while looking back.

I could hear some footsteps behind me. I turned the corner with the person who held onto my hand and I could hear the office workers whispering in the background. Wondering if they were caught, perhaps?

While we turned the corner I naturally moved my body and it pressed against the wall. I looked up and saw Kai there. What on earth was he doing?

"Hey..." I whispered at him, protesting.

"Shhh," he said, curtly. I glared at him as he looked over making sure they were gone.

"What was that for?"

"Are you trying to make matters worse?"

"Not saying anything means that we're accepting the rumours. Let me handle it," I tried walking forward but he pushed me back.

"You shouldn't."

"I should."

"Shouldn't."

"Should," I glared at him and he brought his hand up and placed it on the wall next to my face.

"Listen, as much as I don't want to be associated with you in the context of those rumours, you have to think about this carefully..." I looked over to my left shoulder where I saw a part of his arm. I sighed.

"Do you mind?" he then stepped back and we stood in front of one another quietly.

"Not intervening means we aren't denying it," I said, crossing my arms.

"Perhaps, but acknowledging it and putting up your defenses, is just going to make them speculate. They might be wondering why you're being so defensive. They might believe it is true, and as the President of this company, I don't need my image to be sullied by gossip."

"Do you... share a brain with them? How would you know?" he sighed.

"Look. I'm telling you that this is the best way to handle people like them," I rolled my eyes and then brushed my hand over my hair.

"How frustrating..." he then stepped back a little more and I watched him as he reached for his phone.

"Where did you come from though and how did you know what they were talking about?"

"There's another side entrance to the break room, right?" I paused, thinking about it momentarily and then nodded. "I overheard what they were talking about and when I turned the corner I saw you and put the two together."

I glared at him as he texted back someone. He then answered a call. It was from Nathan. He was waiting for us downstairs. As soon as he walked forward, I calmly collected myself and then followed him shortly after.