Defying the Crown

Chapter 3 #2

"You cool bro?" Piper asks, his head popping up over the cubicle divider like a particularly concerned meerkat.

Piper is my next door work neighbour, and is probably the only person in the office that I actually get along with.

With surfer vibes and long tangled blond hair he looks completely out of place in the office, but he has been here for longer than I have and somehow hits top performer targets every month while making it look effortless.

"Yeah I'm fine," I say absentmindedly, shuffling papers around my desk just to look busy.

"Really, cause you don't look fine," he says, raising an eyebrow. "What did the Dollar General Barbie have to say that has you so upset? You look like someone just killed your houseplant."

"Oh just the usual doom, gloom, and torture.

Basically threatening to fire me if I don't increase my rejection rate.

Apparently they want us to reject fifty percent of our claims now," I reply, trying to act nonchalant as I'm feeling a rising feeling of panic inside.

My hands are shaking slightly as I continue to reorganize the same stack of papers.

"Fuck, she is the Wicked Witch of the West isn't she?

Can you imagine paying what our clients pay for the shitty health coverage we provide then half of them getting told that their claims are denied for some bullshit reason every time they try to use it?

" His usual easy-going expression morphs into one of genuine disgust.

I snort, trying to hold back my laughter at his indignant response.

My anxiety eases slightly at his righteous anger on behalf of our clients.

"Funny enough I can, our health insurance goes through us as well remember?

They reject all my claims almost every go around.

Last time I tried to get my prescription filled, it took three appeals. "

"Ah, I almost forgot. Well fuck her and fuck them.

If she fires you, maybe that's a sign there are better things out there for you then!

Either way, this place isn't the final destination for you or me," Piper replies decisively, before ducking back down behind his cubicle wall, leaving me with that small nugget of hope to cling to.

"Thanks Piper, I guess we'll see what happens," I reply softly, finally letting my hands rest on my keyboard.

I collapse onto my bed face-first, still in my work clothes. The memory of Cassandra's smug face haunts me like a particularly annoying ghost. My phone buzzes - probably Jayda asking about dinner plans - but I can't bring myself to check it yet.

Instead, I roll over and grab my laptop from the nightstand. The forum loads up instantly. My fingers hover over the keyboard before I start typing:

"Today was absolute garbage. My boss threatened to fire me because I'm not heartless enough to deny people's insurance claims. Sometimes I wonder if there's any point trying to be a decent person in a world that rewards being awful."

I hit post before I can overthink it. Usually these kinds of rants disappear into the void, but within minutes a notification pops up. It's DePrimeretPrins - or whatever his real name is.

"I understand completely. Currently dreading a meeting where I have to sit through hours of people talking AT me rather than WITH me. They all expect me to just nod and agree, even when their ideas are terrible. Sometimes being 'professional' feels like slowly dying inside."

I sit up, surprised at the quick response. My fingers fly across the keyboard:

"At least you're important enough to be in meetings. I'm just a cubicle drone who's apparently not evil enough for corporate America. Though your meeting sounds mind-numbingly boring. What's it about?"

His reply comes faster this time:

"Trade policies and economic forecasts. Riveting stuff. I'd rather watch paint dry. And trust me, being 'important' just means more people watching you fail. At least in your cubicle you can roll your eyes without making headlines."

I laugh despite myself. There's something weirdly comforting about commiserating with a stranger who seems just as trapped as I am, even if we're trapped in completely different ways.

My fingers hover over the keyboard as I consider my reply. I want to match his wit and snark, but in my own charming way of course.

"At least your day can't be worse than mine - unless you're stuck in a meeting with Satan's middle manager too? My boss told my team today that all of our reports need to be color-coded by 'emotional resonance.' Whatever that means...maybe I need to get my chakras aligned to understand it?"

I hit send with a smirk, feeling pretty pleased with myself. Take that, anonymous stranger on the internet. Your turn.

His response pops up a few minutes later:

"This might be too forward, but would you want to continue this conversation over text instead? I'm enjoying our banter but I feel that this might be better done in private. No worries if not, I know swapping numbers with internet strangers isn't exactly recommended."

I pause, my thumb hovering over the screen. He's right, giving out my number to some random guy online is probably a terrible idea. Then again, terrible ideas are kind of my specialty.

I think of the long empty evening stretching out before me, another microwave dinner with Jayda and Caleb lost in their couple bubble. What's the worst that could happen? If he turns out to be a creep, I can always block him.

"Eh, you seem relatively sane. For now. Here's my number - don't make me regret this!"

I type out my cell and hit send before I can second guess myself. My phone buzzes almost immediately.

Unknown Number: Let the regret begin! ?? I'm Harald by the way.

I save the contact, chewing my lip as I debate my next move. "I'm Daniel. So...come here often?"

A knock at my door interrupts my texting and I hastily click send.

"Come in," I call out, not looking up from my screen.

Jayda bursts in, her platform boots thudding against the floor. "I heard about the Cassandra situation. That absolute witch." She plops down next to me, the bed creaking under our combined weight. "Want to hear my foolproof plan to dispose of her body?"

"Do tell. Also how did you hear about it; I didn't tell anyone about it yet?" I close my laptop, already feeling lighter.

"Easy; Piper texted me about it. He's actually a nice guy, despite the fact he thinks he has a chance with me and refuses to give up.

Anyway, back to the Cassandra situation.

So first, we drug her morning coffee with antifreeze - it's sweet, she'll never notice.

Then we wrap her body in copious amounts of chicken wire before dumping her in the Hudson where the fish and sharks will rapidly consume her leaving no evidence of the crime.

" Jayda's eyes gleam. "The wire ensures the body sinks and stays down when it, you know, bloats. More than it already is, that is. "

"Someone's been watching too much Criminal Minds." I nudge her shoulder.

"Please, this is pure Forensic Files knowledge." She holds up a paper bag that smells like heaven. "But before we commit the perfect murder, I brought dinner. Your favorite from that Thai place on 9th."

"You're an angel." I peek inside the bag. "Pad see ew?"

"Extra spicy, just how you like it." She pulls out containers and plastic forks. "Though I still think we should consider my murder plan. I also know how to dissolve a body in lye."

We sprawl across my bed, sharing noodles and plotting increasingly ridiculous ways to off Cassandra.

By the time we're scraping the bottom of the containers, my sides hurt from laughing at Jayda's detailed scheme involving three chickens, a rubber duck, and somehow making it look like a tragic shuffleboard accident.

"Feel better?" She asks, gathering up our empty containers.

"Much." I lean against her shoulder. "Thanks for always knowing exactly what I need."

Jayda bumps my shoulder with hers. "Hey. We're a team, remember? You, me, and Caleb against the world. Whatever happens, we've got your back."

I smile, feeling a rush of affection for my best friend. "I know. I don't know what I'd do without you guys."

As if summoned, Caleb appears in the doorway, a bottle of vodka in hand and a mischievous grin on his face. "You know what this calls for? Dancing and bad decisions."

Jayda's eyes light up. "Hell yes. We're going out tonight." She turns to me, her expression brooking no argument. "And don't even think about saying no. You need this."

I groan, burying my face in a pillow. "Guys, I appreciate the thought, but I'm exhausted. It's been the day from hell."

Caleb waves the vodka bottle. "Which is exactly why you need to blow off some steam. Come on, when was the last time we all went out together?"

I rack my brain, realizing it's been months. Between my soul-sucking job and Jayda's erratic coffee shop shifts, our schedules rarely align for more than quick meals or movie nights on the couch.

Jayda pokes my side. "See? You can't even remember.

That means it's been too long." She hops off the bed, pulling me with her.

"Now come on, let's get you out of those work clothes and into something that screams 'I'm young, I'm hot, and I'm ready to make questionable decisions with a sexy young finance bro. "

Caleb nods sagely. "Amen to that. I'll call an Uber."

I let Jayda drag me to my closet, too tired to put up much of a fight. She rummages through my clothes, tossing aside anything she deems unworthy.

"Nope, nope, definitely not, oh hello-" She holds up a pair of black skinny jeans I forgot I owned. "These are perfect. Pair them with that transparent net shirt where you can see your nipples and your doc martens and you'll be irresistible to all the boys."

"Yes ma'am." I give her a mock salute before stripping off my slacks and button-down. As I shimmy into the jeans, I have to admit they do make my ass look fantastic. Maybe this isn't such a bad idea after all.

Twenty minutes later, we pile into the Uber, Jayda in her signature goth getup and Caleb in his usual hipster attire. The vodka gets passed around as we head towards the club, the burn in my throat a welcome distraction from the day's events.

By the time we reach the club, I'm buzzing pleasantly, the stress of work and Cassandra's threats feeling far away. Jayda grabs my hand, grinning wildly.

"Ready to dance your ass off and forget about the corporate world for a night?"

I grin back, letting her pull me towards the pulsing music. "Absolutely."

We push our way through the writhing bodies, the beat pulsing through my bones. Sweat glistens on skin as the crowd moves as one to the thumping bass. Jayda and Caleb dance close, lost in each other's eyes, while I let the music take over, my body moving of its own accord.

After a few songs, I gesture towards the bar, mouthing "drink" to Jayda. She nods, still wrapped up in Caleb. I weave my way off the dance floor, the press of bodies giving way to cool air as I approach the bar.

"Whiskey sour," I call to the bartender over the din. As I wait, I feel a presence beside me. Glancing over, I'm met with the sight of a handsome older man, salt and pepper hair artfully tousled, suit jacket straining against broad shoulders.

"Hey there," he purrs, eyes raking over my body appreciatively. "Can I buy you that drink?"

I swallow hard, suddenly feeling out of my depth. It's been so long since I've flirted with anyone, let alone a gorgeous man like this.

"S-sure," I stammer out, internally cringing at how lame I sound.

He smiles, signaling the bartender. "Two whiskey sours." His eyes find mine again. "I'm Liam."

"Daniel," I manage, taking a large gulp of my drink as soon as it's placed in front of me.

Liam chuckles, leaning in close. His expensive cologne fills my nostrils. "Nervous?"

I laugh shakily. "Is it that obvious?"

"It's endearing," he murmurs, tucking a stray hair behind my ear. His face is inches from mine now, his intentions clear.

Panic rises in my throat as memories of Alex flash through my mind. I jerk back, nearly toppling off my barstool.

"I-I'm sorry," I choke out, shame heating my cheeks. "I can't do this. It's too soon and I'm not ready for this..."

Liam straightens, disappointment flickering across his chiseled features before being replaced by a polite yet cool mask. "No worries. Your loss though, we would have had a lot of fun." He winks, knocking back his drink before melting into the crowd.

I stare into my glass, the amber liquid blurring as tears prick at my eyes. What the fuck was that and why did I chicken out? Will I ever be ready to move on?

The tough looking bartender catches my eye as I blink back tears, her brow furrowed in concern. She leans over, her voice raised to be heard over the music.

"Hey, you okay? Don't let that guy get to you. He's a regular here and trust me, you dodged a bullet. Pretty sure you'd catch something nasty from him." She winks conspiratorially.

A surprised laugh escapes me and I feel some of the tightness in my chest ease. "Thanks for the warning. Guess I should be more careful who I let buy me drinks, huh?"

She grins. "Stick with me, kid. I'll steer you right."

I raise my glass in a toast. "To dodging bullets and not catching STDs!"

We clink glasses and I down the rest of my whiskey sour, the alcohol burning away the last of my embarrassment. Setting the empty glass on the bar, I flash her a grateful smile before turning to head back to the dance floor.

Jayda spots me and waves me over, her face flushed and glowing. "There you are! We were about to send out a search party!"

I force a laugh, letting her pull me into the crush of bodies. "Just needed a drink to keep up with you two."

Caleb slings an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. "Stick with us, we'll keep you young!"

I let the music take over again, my body finding the rhythm. But even as I lose myself in the beat, I can't help but feel a pang of emptiness as I watch Jayda and Caleb dance, wrapped up in their own little world. The love they have for each other is so tangible I can almost reach out and touch it.

I close my eyes, trying to push away the ache inside me. Maybe one day I'll have that again. But for now, I'll dance until I can't feel anything at all.