5. 5 Tori

Chapter five

5: Tori

I t's been a week, a week in which the guys allow me to ‘adjust’. In that week, I have explored this house top to bottom, trying to find a way to escape. There isn't one. I tried to use one of their phones to hurried talk to Alicia, but they caught on before I could ever make the call. I'm sure she's worried, but also it wouldn't be the first time I sort of disappeared for a week. I went on a spontaneous trip with a guy once. He just seemed so promising, but he was another failure.

Now that the week has passed, I've been told that I'll be going to work with them today. So the morning starts with me being told to cook breakfast. The boys quickly find out that I can’t cook worth a shit when they try to get me to make them breakfast. I get a lot of crap from each of them about it, but mostly from Blaze who wonders how I could ever put so much junk in my body. He was always so careful with what he consumed in high school, but I assumed it was due to the sports he played and wanting to stay fit. It would appear that had nothing to do with it as he still maintains the same habits to this day.

So now I get to have cooking lessons with Blaze, and he isn’t the most patient teacher. After breakfast, I am put in the back seat of a white Lincoln along with Blaze and Thorne. Apparently, these two don’t always drive themselves to work. You know, ‘cause appearances and all. Whatever.

The entire ride over, they’re both silent. Blaze has his eyes glued to his phone, replying to emails and messages I am sure pertain to work. Meanwhile, dark-and-broody over there is staring out the window like it holds all the answers to the universe. He doesn’t acknowledge my presence. In fact, any time my arm accidentally bumps into his, he flinches away like I burned him.

Twenty minutes of this insufferable ride, and we arrive at one of the most famous towers in our large city. It’s one of five that comprise the Green Movement. This one in particular is named ‘Lumina Tower,’ in charge of renewable energy generation. The other four are in charge of their own aspect in making the world more green. I had no idea this was who they worked for.

As I follow Blaze out of the car, I step into the shadow of the towering giant. The sheer magnitude of the structure, with its gleaming glass exterior, astonishes me. This is the first time I’m seeing it up close, having only looked at it from afar for years.

As I tilt my head back to take in the full height of Lumina Tower, the way the sunlight reflects upon the sleek surface of the building is so blinding, it’s difficult to see, almost as if the roof is a part of the sky itself. I must have been sightseeing too much as Thorne’s voice, agitated and rough, whispers into my ear.

“Did you forget how to walk?”

I realize Blaze is almost to the door, and I’m still standing by the curb, gawking like some sort of tourist. Snapping back to my senses, I rush after him, feeling I have a better chance at life with Blaze than Thorne right now. The moment the glass door opens, cold air blasts down on me, freezing me to my core .

Thorne urges me forward, rolling his eyes, annoyed with everything about me today. “It helps get rid of the germs we enter with. The entire building has circulated, purified air with UV-C filters and disinfectants. We try to keep a very sterile environment in our workplace,” he oddly explains to me before pushing ahead and whispering something to Blaze.

Next thing I know, he walks toward the right of the building and Blaze to the left, leaving me to wonder who the hell I am meant to follow in this situation. It takes me all of two seconds to make my choice, walking to the left, given he was somewhat kind to me this morning.

I guess I made the right choice as he speaks to the woman behind the reception desk to ask for a day pass for me. He instructs her to make a permanent ID by the end of the day and have it delivered to his office. She bats her eyes, does some light flirting as she asks questions, all of which Blaze ignores, only nodding his head at times and engaging when he has to. She takes my photo with her webcam and promises to have it brought to him before lunch.

I’m handed a white temporary badge in a clear sleeve with a gray lanyard that has the words ‘Lumina Tower’ sewn in black thread. The next few hours are a whirlwind as I follow Blaze around, seeing everything he does and the way he interacts with others.

All the while, I am stared at with curiosity, but any time someone even thinks to speak to me, Blaze intercepts in a way that no one notices what he’s doing. Eventually, we end up with a free moment, taking it in his expanse of an office.

“Sit.” Blaze gestures for me to take a seat across from his glass desk, not a single fingerprint or speck of dirt in sight.

His office is elegant, with the same modern feel of the building. The chair I sit in reminds me of the kind I had once seen in a mafia movie beside a fireplace. It’s made of black leather with silver-threaded seams and a nice cushion for my ass. The only uncomfortable thing about this seat is how cold it is due to the temperature of his office.

You're always cold, Tori. You need more body fat.

“Ryder is personally packing and getting your things for you today,” he announces the moment I park my bottom.

I blanch at the thought of Alicia having to deal with him, not knowing what’s going on. She’s going to hate me for all eternity. “Isn't that beneath him? I thought you guys would hire someone, or something.” I don’t want him anywhere near her. She’ll get herself thrown in jail fighting him off. She still has that silver bat in her closet with all three of their names on it. The intent to kill wouldn’t be hard to prove.

“Not worth the money. Besides, Ryder owes you.” His eyes grow dark with anger for a split second before returning to their aloof state. I wonder what he means by this, but decide not to question it.

“I don’t think you realize the trouble it’s going to cause-–”

“If you mean because of your roommate, you don’t have to worry. She’s been busy with your fuck boy in the hospital.” Bren. The image of him lying in the parking lot plagues me once more. Of course she’s visiting him in the hospital, Tori. Don’t be stupid.

“Right.”

It dawns on me that maybe Bren might be my saving grace despite me being his downfall. Surely he’ll press charges, and maybe these three will finally face some consequences for their actions. They can’t just shove this away, or intimidate people the way they did in high school. I hope you all get what’s coming to you.

As if he could read my very mind, the corner of his lips twitch up into a menacing grin. “Oh, and don’t worry. He hasn't said anything, nor will he.” The way his muscles coil in his white button-up shirt as he rests them over his desk speaks volumes to the anger he’s holding back, anger I should be feeling. “It’s easy to silence scum when money is involved, especially when they owe some scary people a lot of it.”

I furrow my brow at his statement, unable to wrap my mind around that tidbit of information. Surely he’s lying, but what do I know? I knew Bren for a total of maybe three hours before watching him get the shit beat out of him. All I can picture is the stark contrast between his sweet smile and the malice in his eyes.

“Do you have any idea what he planned to do to you on your date?”

“No way of knowing now, considering the way you ended it for me.” I plaster another fake, maniacal grin on my face, tilt my head to the side while batting my lashes at him and say, “Now tell me what I can do for you.”

The act irritates him as he scoffs, sitting back in his chair, almost offended at my response. Prick.

“Go get our lunch. It's on the third floor. Follow the signs for the cafeteria and tell them you’re there to pick up my food. They’ll give you the right order.” He waves me away, turning the back of his chair towards me, tired of seeing me already. You’re literally the one who wanted me to follow you around.

With a roll of my eyes, I proceed to leave his office, stopped by his voice as I reach the door. “And don’t forget, no talking to guys, Doll.”

I give him both my middle fingers before storming out of his office. Suck on my giant ass balls, Blaze. I’ll talk to whoever the hell I want.

My feet are practically stomping as I make my way to the elevator. A thirty-floor ride down and a few right turns later, I reach the massive cafeteria, brightly illuminated by the natural light that floods from the glass exterior wall. Why use so much glass when making a fifty floor tower?

I join the line, hoping it’s where I am meant to be as I watch everyone ahead of me, and observe what they're doing to get an idea of how this line works. It's an à la carte sort of buffet, but Blaze said to tell them he had an order. So, where exactly do I do that?

Clearly I look lost as someone taps my shoulder behind me, gaining my attention. His eyes are as blue as the clear sky outside the glass wall, reflecting the sunlight so clearly. The gentle smile on his face suggests he's friendly before he ever opens his mouth.

“Are you new here?” He leans in slightly, his eyes wide with interest as he waits for my answer.

“I am.” I stall the line for a moment as I forget to take a step forward until the kind stranger motions with his head for me to go.

“This place can be confusing. I started last week and it took me a second to get it all down. I still don't think I have it all, but this,” he gestures to the cafeteria,”I have figured out.” He lightly chuckles at the embarrassment he probably felt last week. “Need some help?”

“God, yes!” immediately leaves my lips, causing blood to rush to my cheeks, that red, clay undertone shining bright beneath my caramel complexion. I clear my throat as if that could erase my first response. “Yes, please. I was told to pick up an order, but I don't know where to do that,” I whisper, hoping no one else hears my stupidity.

“Oh,” he points with his finger to the far right of the cafeteria where a sign dangles with the words ‘ Pick-Up Orders.’ You fucking idiot, Tori. That's so embarrassing. The red in my face deepens as I mentally slap myself on the forehead. “That's over there.”

I can see the way he's trying to hold back his laughter as he notices my face, but I need a good laugh. So, instead, I giggle at myself and he joins in. We catch the attention of those around us for a moment before they lose interest just as quickly as they gained it.

“I'm Chad.” He extends his hand out in greeting, to which I quickly take and shake .

“Victoria, but you can call me Tori,” I smile back, the first relief I've felt since last night's events.

A theory brews in me as I'm reminded of the person I am, the person I've become without them in my life. In this small moment of reprieve, I pull on the strength I've managed to find in the years I was left free and bring it forward.

These boys are used to a compliant, frightened me. They very obviously brought that side of me back out when they beat a man in front of me, but I refuse to allow them to think that is who I still am.

They'll learn that's not me anymore.

They may still beat up my dates, but those are strangers to them, people that don't matter. Something tells me they won't do the same to the people they work with, the people they have to see every day, and I'm going to prove it. I won't risk Chad for it, but I'm going to talk to as many guys in this building as I can.

Let's see what you boys do.

“Thank you for your help, Chad. I better go grab the food before I get my head bit off. I hope to see you around.” I step out of line with an awkward wave, flashing a quick smile before bee-lining it to the pick-up area.

I let them know who I'm there for and am handed two to-go boxes, not made of Styrofoam, but of sturdy, thin cardboard. The straws are paper, the utensils biodegradable. What else could I expect from a green building?

I chat with a random, friendly stranger in the elevator—also a kind hearted male in a tailored suit. He screams rich and important, yet he's the one to initiate the conversation once he gets my floor number. At the mention of Blaze's name as my boss, he grows stiff and deliberately gets off on the wrong floor when more people pour in. The action is so visceral, I'm left wondering what Blaze has done to the man.

Of course they'd rule their workplace the same way they ruled our high school.

Lost in my thoughts, I robotically make my way back to Blaze's office, unaware I'm being followed the entire time until he leans over me to open the door. I look up to find Thorne's chiseled jaw, his face its usual disinterested mask as he stares ahead.

Blaze takes the food from me the moment I walk in, placing it at the coffee table in front of a couch that matches his chairs perfectly. That same black leather and silver seams.

“Sit,” he commands me like a dog, adding in an “Eat,” as he opens the container.

Just as I'm about to protest, knowing nothing comes free with them, my stomach growls. I sigh, sitting on the floor on the other side of the table so that I won't have to be beside him. Thorne takes a seat to the right of Blaze, leaning back against the corner of the couch as he stretches his arm out over the back. His eyes are glaring holes into the side of my face when he finally spits out what he's been dying to say.

“Tori, do you know what happens when you break the rules?” he asks me, causing Blaze to stop midbite, mouth open and ready to ingest the sweet potato and kale salad stabbed through his fork.

“Another form of torment from you?” I shrug my shoulders like it doesn't matter to me, pushing the fear he's trying to resurface way down. Swallow the fear, Tori. Don't fucking show them!

“What did she do?” Blaze turns towards Thorne in question, putting his fork down as if he's suddenly not hungry.

“Spoke with the new intern in the cafeteria.”

“Kendall?” He arches his brow realizing two seconds later who Thorne means. “Chad?!” he almost explodes, booming the name as if it's the most disgusting thing on the planet .

Thorne only nods his head, bending his arm and pressing his index finger over the line of his lips. He's thinking, and not pleasant thoughts. I know this face. He plans on punishing me right now, but would he actually? We're in an office full of glass walls. There may be blinds, but how much privacy do they really provide?

“We said no talking to guys, Vic. What's so hard to understand about that?”

“Um, all of it,” I blink back like they're both a pair of idiots for thinking that could actually be a rule.

“Oh, Doll. You're going to wish you'd listened.” Blaze's eyes reflect the dark abyss of his soul as they dance with excitement, as if the very idea of punishing me makes him happy.

Oh, no you don't, fear. You stay buried deep, deep inside.

“Will I though?” I shrug, standing so that I can look down on them for once. “This isn't high school anymore. You can't just threaten me into doing shit.” I cross my arms as if to further drive my point, but feel childish the moment I do.

“Are you sure about that, KitKat?” Ryder surprises me, appearing behind me like the stealthy lion he is. His arm wraps around my waist, seemingly his favorite spot, as his chin tucks into the crook of my neck. “We can do a lot to you, or even to your roommate. I remember her. Alison?” He snaps his fingers together as he tries to recall her name. “No, not Alison. What was it again?” He presses his lips against my ear, whispering, “That's right. Alicia.”

I freeze, that fear I swallowed now rushing back up and lodging itself in my throat. I can take what they throw my way. It's what they'll do to the ones I care about that I can't stomach.

“Don't.” My voice betrays me, barely audible over the hum of the circulating air .

“Don't what?” he taunts, grazing his fingers over my neck as he moves my hair out of the way.

“Don't say her name.” I shake as his lips meet my skin, too warm and soft for the threats he just spoke.

“Don't break the rules. It's very simple.”

My eyes meet Blaze's, then Thorne's, seeing them stare at Ryder rather than me, their hands fisted at their sides. They're angry, but to my surprise, it's not directed at me right now. It's directed at Ryder.

Maybe the easiest way to get rid of these boys is to tear them apart. Destroy them from the inside out.