Chapter 4: Entangled

Lauren was rudely awakened by her alarm clock. “It’s Monday again,” She said while gritting her teeth. She reluctantly stood up from the bed, mentally loathing the new week work load and having to put up with Louis insufferable attitude. She dressed up in a hurry, downs a cup of coffee and leaves for work. Lauren swiped her security card, the familiar beep even adding to the discontent brewing within her. Another day at Hallow Enterprises. She opened the elevator and is met with none other than Louis Willer himself. “What a way to start your day”, the voice in her head whispered. “Good morning, sir” Lauren greeted Louis with a fake smile plastered on her face. “Oh, Lauren! Good morning, how did your weekend go?” Louis responded to her greetings. Louis noticed she was dressed in an orange gown which brought out the color of her eyes perfectly. “She really is a beauty to behold” he concludes in his head. “Very well, thank you sir” Lauren responded curtly. “We have a board meeting today by 10 and I think it’d be great if you join us” Louis offered. “But sir, I’m just an intern” She stated with uncertainty lacing her voice. “Nonsense!”Louis thunders. “You should be there” “Alright sir, I will” They come out of the elevator and meet Beth just about to enter the elevator. “Good morning, Ms Beth” Lauren greeted her. “Good morning, Lauren” Beth answered warmly. A prickle of suspicion ran down Lauren's spine as Louis, her boss, invited her for the board meeting, she was just an ordinary intern who had no business whatsoever in the company’s board meeting. She noticed his usual arrogant demeanor was softened with a practiced charm, a flash of white teeth accompanying his praise for her latest report. Louis' recent behavior was a confusing web. The unsolicited gifts, the frequent compliments, the lingering touches during meetings – they all felt calculated, a carefully crafted performance. Lauren wasn't naive. She knew Louis didn't genuinely like her. He was up to something, and she was the unwitting fly caught in his web. The question gnawed at her. "What did he want?" Lauren couldn't shake off the feeling that Louis was using her, her skills, her dedication, for some unknown purpose. The thought fueled a quiet fire within her. She wouldn't be a pawn. She'd play his game, yes, but on her own terms. She'd be vigilant, decode his maneuvers, and maybe, just maybe, turn the tables on him. Lauren, with a smile as sharp as her mind, was ready for a game of her own. The board meeting was very uneventful. Lauren meticulously listened to Louis' latest presentation, silently correcting his grammar and outrageous boasts about the company's "unparalleled brilliance." Each change was a silent rebellion, a tiny act of defiance against Louis. Lunch was a solitary affair. Lauren hunched over her salad at her desk, drowning out the distant sounds of Louis' boisterous lunch meeting with a well-worn audio book. His laughter, even muffled by the thin walls, annoyed her greatly. Not long after lunch, a familiar figure materialized in her doorway. Louis, a frown creasing his perfectly sculpted brow. "Lauren," he began, his voice laced with something that almost resembled concern, "having some trouble with the Energy Saving campaign?" Lauren took a deep breath, summoning every ounce of her self-control. "We're managing," she replied, her voice calm and professional. Louis hovered for a moment, his eyes scanning the room. Perhaps he sensed the simmering tension, or perhaps Lauren's steely gaze finally pierced his self-absorption. Whatever the reason, he retreated with a muttered "good" and a curt nod. As the clock struck five, Lauren packed her bag, a sweet satisfaction settling over her. She may have loathed Louis, but she had survived another day. The war might be a silent one, fought with meticulous reports and well-placed smile, but in this battlefield, Lauren was a warrior, and she wouldn't back down. Leaving the office, she stepped into the cool evening air. The city lights shimmered below, a promise of a life beyond the confines of Hallow Empires. Lauren smiled, a genuine one this time. Almost immediately, she received a call from her best friend, Layla. “Hi, Layla. What’s up?” Lauren fired. “Hi, Lauren. How are you? How was work?” “Hmmm, where are you right now?” Lauren asked her friend, Layla, considering if she should meet up with her after the day’s works. “I’m home. You know some of us actually work from home right” Layla joked. “Yes, I know. I’d be at your doorstep very soon” “All right, babe. I would be expecting you” Lauren boarded a taxi to her friend’s apartment, feeling the need to relax after a very stressful day. She and Layla have been friends since elementary school at Leceister City. She remembered the first day they met each other on the playground of Willow Creek Elementary. Layla, with her infectious laughter and playful spirit, was the life of the class. Lauren, on the other hand, was shy and reserved, preferring the solace of books and her own imagination. Despite their contrasting personalities, a spark of connection ignited between them that day. As they shared secrets on the swings and chased each other through the fields, they realized they had found a kindred spirit in each other. Lauren reached Layla’s house and screamed her name “Layla” out loud. “I’m coming. Calm your horses” Layla retorted while laughing. Layla opened the door and Lauren comes in. Lauren noticed Layla’s apartment had been rearranged, her favorite blue couch had been moved out, the wallpaper formerly ivory colored was now pink. She exclaimed suddenly. “Oh my God, what did you do to your place?” Lauren’s mouth still wide opened reeling from the shock that her best friend re-arranged her house and did not inform her. “In my defense, I wanted it to be a surprise” Layla said with her hands up in the air signaling a posture of surrender. “Why didn’t you tell me?” “Like I said, I wanted it to be a surprise. I’m sorry, I should have told you” Layla apologized as she moved in to hug Lauren. “I’m sorry, I have been distant for a while. Work has just been a lot” Lauren apologized too, genuinely feeling sorry. “I understand, Laur” Layla assured her. “Now, tell me what has been up?” “My boss is acting a little suspicious” Lauren explained to Layla with a frown etched on her face. "Suspicious? How? Do you think he likes you?" Layla asked genuinely curious. " That is the thing, I do not know, but I don't think he genuinely likes me. He gets me gift, showers compliments, takes me to exquisite events and even invited me to join their board meeting this morning. I'm just an intern for crying out loud" Lauren narrates. "So, why then are you agitated, Laur? I think he likes you, genuinely at that. How many men would do these for a woman they do not like?" "Louis is a casanova, please." She responded dismissively, "he would do even more just to get what he wants" "Or do you think he wants to sleep with you?" Layla asked looking shocked " With men, you never can be too sure." "Now, young woman, do you see yourself maybe...." Layla doesn't complete her statement but continues to wink seductively signalling if Lauren sees herself entangled with the boss. Lauren picked up the pillow beisde her, hitting Layla gently, and saying "You are a fucking whore" Both of them laughing and laughing hard.