Chương 142: Chapter 141 – Another Day in Paradise

Elios entered the office feeling like he hadn't slept in days. His eyes felt gritty, his head heavy, and his entire body carried the sluggish weight of someone who had been awake far too long. He was late but didn't care; it wasn't like Hardscrabble would be in at this time, especially after the big night at Mordak's house. In all the years he had served the bastard, not once had he been invited over. Not even for a holiday party. Not even for scraps.

"Whatever," he whispered as he pulled out his chair, the legs scraping across the floor in a tired groan that matched his mood. He took a glance around the room. Other than a few scattered co‑workers, the place was a virtual ghost town. The overhead lights flickered in that half‑awake way fluorescent bulbs do while they are deciding whether or not to cooperate. A few monitors glowed dimly, casting pale rectangles of light across empty desks.

Even the office plants looked droopy, like they had given up on life sometime last Tuesday.

"Odd," he whispered to himself as he checked the clock and shrugged his shoulders. Maybe everyone else had the sense to call out after last night. He pulled out the report he knew Hardscrabble would be asking for when he finally strolled in. He rolled his eyes when he looked down at what could only be described as "busy work" and picked up the pencil before grabbing the stack of papers he needed to fill it all out.

This is so mind‑numbing, he thought to himself as he flipped from page to page writing numbers into their appropriate places. You know I could just make up shit and put it in, it's not like he would know the difference. He snickered. I don't even think he looks at it. He scoffed, slamming the pencil onto the desk. I should go see how Trula is today. I'd be willing to bet he is pretty hungover, wishing for death right about now. He thought, chuckling to himself.

Maybe he took my advice and called out, his mind randomly said. He raised his eyebrows at this thought, then shook his head, sweeping the thought away. He didn't know Trula as well as he hoped to in the future, but he knew enough to know that Trula wouldn't be that irresponsible. He would show up for work even if he was dead, just to keep his attendance award. He picked up the pencil, flipped through the papers, then wrote a number on the sheet.

"Looks right to me," he said to himself out loud, mostly to break the oppressive silence.

"Morning, Mr. Tusk," a young woman muttered as she walked past him, clutching her emberbrew like it was the only thing keeping her alive. The nutty scent swirled deliciously around Elios as she passed. Elios looked up from the report.

"Yeah, morning, Betty," he said flatly, knowing full well she was no more interested in a conversation with him than he was with her. The young woman suddenly stopped and turned back to Elios. Her brow furrowed, her lips pressed tight, the kind of expression people wore when they had overheard something they wished they hadn't.

"Hey, Mr. Tusk, do you have any idea what is going on down in Wentworth's area?" she asked, hopeful that maybe he could shed some light on the rumors.

"Seems there has been a lot of well…" she paused, trying to find the right words, "well, I guess the only way to describe it would be screaming coming from inside." Elios looked at her and remembered what Trula had told him about what was supposed to happen today with the Elf. A small chill crept up his spine.

"I'm sure it is just that experiment they were planning to do."

"Experiment?" Betty asked.

"From what I heard, it sounds more like an execution." She scoffed, but her eyes darted nervously toward the hallway. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

"You know as well as I do, Betty, Wentworth does some pretty…" he paused, "pretty messed‑up stuff down there," Elios said, brushing it off.

"I'm sure it's nothing. Enjoy your day," he said dismissively.

"Yeah, you too," Betty replied as she walked away, though she didn't sound convinced. Elios had completely forgotten about the Elf. He knew Trula was dreading what he and Wentworth had scheduled for today. From what Betty just described, he had no choice but to assume everything was going according to plan. At break I think I will go bring Trula an emberbrew, but from the sounds of what Betty just said, he may need something far stronger, he thought as he turned his attention back to the report.

"Elios!" Hardscrabble called, walking into the office, looking like he had been ridden hard and put away wet. His hair was crooked, his shirt wrinkled, and his tie looked like it had given up on life entirely. What the hell went on at those gatherings at Blackwoods? he asked himself.

"It's right here, sir," he said, holding up the report. Hardscrabble looked disappointed at Elios' efficiency.

"What about the…" He broke off as Elios held up another set of documents.

"Right here," Elios said, more smugly than he had intended.

"Oh." Hardscrabble replied, snatching the papers from Elios' outstretched hand.

"I need emberbrew, none of that machine crap either. Go to the executive cafeteria and get it," he said, handing Elios his keycard.

"Take your time, I…" He broke off.

"Ah, Mordak, you're early," he said, flustered. Elios froze. Mordak's presence always felt like the temperature dropped ten degrees. Even the fluorescent lights seemed to dim out of respect.

"I was just sending Elios off for emberbrew. Would you like one too?" Hardscrabble asked, doing his best to sound happy to see the man.

"No, Jethro, I'm not here for emberbrew, you know that," Mordak said, glancing at the clock.

"I'm not early. I said I would be here at ten sharp and it is now ten‑oh‑one," he said, visibly annoyed.

"We have a lot to discuss, Jethro, so we need to get to it."

"Yes, sir," Hardscrabble said, waving Elios off and heading to his office door.

"Take your time, Elios. Mr. Blackwood and I have a meeting, and I don't need you lurking around creating a distraction." Elios stood up.

"Yes, sir," he muttered as he left the office and headed down the hall. Thanks for the keycard, Jethro, you just gave me the access I needed to see Trula without having to beg to get in. Elios smiled as he headed to the elevator. No worries about taking my time either, sir. I will be more than happy to savor every drop, especially because it will be on your dime. He laughed. Oh, I'm sorry, sir, I misunderstood. You wanted me to get YOU a cup of emberbrew.

When you said to take my time, I just thought you meant I should take my time and enjoy it. I'm sorry, would you like me to go get you one now? he thought, unable to wipe the silly grin he knew he had on his lips. He entered the executive lounge. The lighting was soft, the chairs plush, the air warm and scented with roasted beans and expensive upholstery. How I miss this place, he thought longingly about the perks he no longer had access to. The chairs are just so soft that they suck you into them, giving you a…

He broke off as the attendant asked for his order.

"Just two large emberbrews, please, Jimmy. One black, no sugar; one cream and three sugars," Elios said, largely ignoring the dirty look on the man's face.

"Cheer up there, Jimmy, my boy. It could be worse… you could be up to your elbows plunging out the toilet. Pouring a couple of cups of emberbrew is not so bad," he said, feeling newly found hope.

"Who shot a ray of sunshine up your ass today, Elios?" Jimmy asked as he carefully placed the lid on one of the cups.

"Last I heard you were demoted to peon status like the rest of us," he said, sliding the emberbrew toward Elios.

"Having a moron for a boss who gives you their keycard makes everything seem brighter, Jimmy. Chin up… maybe somebody will drop a big bill on the floor or something."

"So, I'm guessing this is on Hardscrabble's tab then?" Jimmy asked.

"Absolutely! Jimmy, my boy. Ab‑so‑freakin'‑lutely," Elios said, almost embarrassed by his enthusiasm over a cup of emberbrew.

"Swipe," Jimmy said, looking down at the machine. Elios did as instructed.

"You want a tray?" Jimmy asked as he ripped off the receipt and handed it to Elios.

"Nah, I think I can manage," he said before reconsidering.

"You know what, give me one anyway. I wouldn't want to drop a drop struggling with the card and the doors," Elios said, looking down at the cups.

"Whatever, man," Jimmy said, shaking his head as he grabbed a tray.

"Thank you!" Elios said, brimming with undue enthusiasm.

"You have a great day, Jimmy!" he said as he headed for the door.