Page 96 of Corporate Escapades

“It's been half an hour. I thought for sure they’d deal with the situation right away.”

A knock sounded at the door, and they both jumped.

“Who do you think it is?” asked Vic.

“I don’t know. More importantly, how did we miss someone approaching the door? What if it's one of them?”

“It's not,” stated Vic. “It can't be. They’d have both passed by the windows to get to your door. Just answer it.”

“Why don't you answer it?” she hissed.

“Because it's not my office, so whoever it is, is most likely here for you,” he said.

“I suppose you've got me on that one,” she replied. Grabbing the door handle, she cracked it open. Both Mya and Chase were waiting outside. “You two scared us half to death. Get in here before anyone else comes along.” She grabbed Mya's wrist and pulled her inside.

“Geez, paranoid much?” asked Chase as he trailed behind her. “You don't need to hide. They’re screwed either way.

“I don't want to create a scene,” replied Paris.

“Those two are so wrapped up in themselves that they probably wouldn't even notice you’re acting differently,” said Chase.

Vic nodded in agreement. “He has a point. Perhaps we’re being paranoid? They have no idea what's coming. Even if they knew, who cares? They deserve what they get.”

“Amen to that!” Mya agreed.

The group sat and watched for another twenty minutes, and then it happened. Mikel and Dom marched past Paris's office with four security guards in tow. Their stonelike faces staring ahead as they walked. What Paris wouldn't give to be a fly on the wall of Tom's office when he was told his services would no longer be needed at Sense of Adventure. She wished she could give him a nice kick to the yarbles as well for the emotional pain and suffering he’d caused her. At some point, she knew this story would spread like wildfire. She didn’t know if ADG could contain the situation or not.

“Well, shall we stay in here or go out and catch the show?” asked Chase, with a grin.

“Do we really want to witness this?” asked Mya.

“I think this is their shot to stand up for themselves and see this thing through to the end,” replied Chase. “If you have something to say, now’s your chance. Within reason, of course.”

“Let's do it,” said Vic. “Let's show them they can't hurt us. We’re standing our ground.”

“Okay,” said Paris with hesitation in her voice. “If you think it won't make things worse.”

“Don't say anything inflammatory, and you should be fine,” said Chase.

Vic reached out and grabbed Paris's hand. “What do you say? I’ll be right there beside you. We don't have to say anything if we don't want to.”

“Okay,” she said, “Let's do this.” She pulled her hand out of Vic's and marched over to the door. Throwing it open, she proceeded into the hall, followed by the rest of the group. Angela and Tom were in a nearby meeting room with Mikel and hisentourage. The door was closed, and she couldn’t hear anything. “Let's take a seat in the common area and wait.”

“Sounds good,” replied Vic. They sat down at the closest table. “I wonder what he's saying to them?” Mikel’s face was red, and he made several hand gestures as he spoke. Now and then, he’d look at Dom, and Dom would chip in with a few of his own words. At one point, Vic saw his father slam his fist down on the table. Angela and Tom sat on the opposite side, and both of them jumped. Mikel reached out and put a calming hand on Dom's shoulder, and Dom stepped back from the table.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen them so mad,” said Mya.

“I’m not surprised,” replied Chase. “Two of their top employees have done unspeakable things to not only their other employees but their children. This is personal for them on several levels.”

Vic winced at Chase's statement. He hated being considered a victim and didn’t want anyone's pity. He’d allowed himself to be played by Angela. Vic felt he should’ve been more vigilant. How stupid he was for falling for her bait. At the same time, he never intended for their relationship to be anything but sexual, though he preferred not to sleep with the enemy.

“Paris, are you okay?” asked Mya. Paris had a tear running down her cheek.

“I feel like an idiot. How could we have been so stupid?” she asked Vic.

“We were vulnerable, and they hit at the most opportune time. It is what it is,” he replied. “Now we have to move beyond it and grow stronger, okay? You can do this,” he encouraged. “You’re tough, and you will not let this break you, right? Get mad. This is a point when anger is warranted.”

“He's right,” added Chase. “You should be pissed. Don't feel sorry for yourself. Feel angry toward them for taking advantageof your genuine feelings. No one deserves to be treated that way.”

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