TP - Successful Infiltration

A car stopped in front of a high towering building in Grovehart. After spending many years in the cold of Wintervale the warmer temperature of the grass ridden city was a blessing in disguise. A woman stepped out of the car, clutching a briefcase in her hand and closing the door behind her. This is it, she thought. This woman was Melinoe. Or rather, no. Diana, she was now. Interviewing for a highly sought position as a secretary knowledgeable in business management. She’d be lying if it wasn’t something she’d been studying for for years. The man in charge was… someone of interest.

“Ms. Laine?”

A voice called out and she looked over to see a white-haired man- a goon of some kind she was sure- watch her in return. She nodded in affirmation and walked towards him.

“You weren’t expected for another twenty minutes.”

“What can I say, I like to be sure I leave the best impression.”

She smiled and he narrowed his eyes a little but accepted the excuse.

“You’re Max? Alexios’ bodyguard.”

“Mr. Rodellis. Yes.”

He was a man of little words, she noted. That suited her just fine. When he moved to walk inside the building without ample warning, she was more startled than surprised but quickly found her footing and followed- the clack of her heels sharp against the tiling.

“So, any tips?”

She asked as they walked past the other numerous business people in the lobby, straight up into the elevators. Max brought his wrist against it to catch it up to the story they needed to be at.

“No small talk.”

“Ookay then.”

She held the briefcase in front of her as they entered the elevator, doing a little twirl on one leg and almost soldier-like pressing her legs together. Max just seemed to… watch her from the corner of his eye, but she could see the amused glint in them. The music in the elevator made the experience even more awkward than usual, though, as the both of them stood silently watching the number go up and up.

“He sure lives up high…”

“Mr. Rodellis likes the heights. Should’ve done your research.”

“Hmm, I did. Wanted to see if you’d take the bait.”

He let out a chuckle and Diana smiled victoriously. She quite liked the look of him- it wouldn’t hurt palming him into her hand as she got closer to her father. It’d be a fun time at the very least, she reckoned. She eyed him up and only then averted her eyes when the ding of the elevator alerted them to their destination. The elevator opened to a bright white and golden hallway, and directly opposite the doors was another set of them. The golden trim around the frame reflected the warm light from the hallway which only emphasized the luxurious surroundings. It made her a little nervous. Sure, she expected this sort of sight, but actually being face-to-face with it was different.

“Dropped your balls?”

Max snickered, obviously noticing her immediate discouragement. Diana shook it off, quite literally, releasing a ‘brr’ under her breath before she smirked and faced the other man.

“Thank you for the escorting. I’m sure we’ll get to know each other much better.”

He seemed a bit taken aback by the return of the confidence before he laughed as if he couldn’t believe it. She’d show him, she thought. Max then walked ahead and towards the door, pressing a hand towards his TD to let Mr. Rodellis know they were there. After a few more moments he nodded to himself and opened the door.

“Good luck Missy.”

“Diana. Let’s get on a first-name basis, hm?”

She smiled as she walked past, her hand gently caressing the front of his fancy jacket before making her way inside. Mr. Rodellis lived and breathed his business, so the entire story of the building was his office and his home. She could see the decorations reflecting this, as the inside of the room was just as luxuriously decorated as the outside. The door behind her shut audibly and it echoed throughout the room. Diana stood aimlessly for a moment, not entirely knowing where Mr. Rodellis would be. She heard the quiet ticking of a clock- and then the whimpering of a person.

“Please–”

“Shshshsh.”

Her head followed the sounds and soon enough she saw a man leaning back, seated on a leather sofa. His feet were perched on the head of a man, tied with what looked like a tie behind his back.

“Ah– I can… come back.”

Saying that Diana was startled would be an understatement- but only because she didn’t expect it to be happening on the first day. She knew her father, she knew his business. A smirk appeared on the man’s face as he lifted his head, a cigarette between his lips.

“No. Stay. You applied for the secretary position, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Well, then. You’ll need to know the order of business.”

He moved his feet off the man’s head then- no doubt the lack of the shoes against his scalp eased his pains just a little. She could see him heave a small sigh of relief- for however long it lasted.

“Diana Laine?”

“Yes, Mr. Rodellis.”

“Alexios, please.”

The man held an amused expression as he leaned forward to dip his cigarette in the ashtray, leaning back again after though leaning his leg over his other for now instead.

“Might I ask you for your opinion, Miss Laine.”

“Of course.”

“You see. Mr. Garcia here thinks we should lend our money and be lenient on when to expect it back. He has signed a contract with us detailing the exchange of money with an increased interest rate should he not pay it back in time. Time flew by while our money has been spent gambling and Mr. Garcia has filed for bankruptcy. But now, where is our part of the deal, hm?”

He looked to the man then who did everything to avoid his gaze. His eyes flickered between him, and Diana, who stood anxiously with her briefcase in front of her still.

“I say it is only fair that Mr. Garcia returns the money through any means necessary. A debt is a debt. So- what are your thoughts?”

She blinked a few times and looked between the two men, stammering a response.

“I.. well..”

Diana hesitated and Alexios sneered- standing up and making her way over to her. He placed one of his gloved hands on her shoulder as he walked around to stand behind her and lean down to her ear. She heard the leather squeak against the fabric of her top for just a moment before he spoke.

“Don’t concern yourself with morality. Morals change, laws change- but money? Money remains the same. We incurred a heavy loss here- We’re the victims.”

She blinked a few times as she listened, averting her eyes away from the man on the floor. Thinking to herself– even if she disagreed with the views, she needed this. And giving the wrong answer wasn’t how she would find herself with the job.

“Mr. Garcias should pay through labor then.”

“My thoughts exactly.”

The man looked up in shock and started pleading, but Alexios was quick to shush him again, going as far as stepping away from Diana and back towards Mr. Garcia, kneeling down and taking off his gloves before shoving it in his mouth to gag him.

“Excellent view Miss Laine. Consider yourself hired.”

“Of course. And call me Diana.”