RAVEN.
Chapter 31: The Devil

Chapter 31: The Devil

Harry was dressed immaculately in his dark blue suit; his hair was styled backward, highlighting his handsome face. Even from where she stood, Raven could still perceive his aromatic scent.

He smelled so... wonderful.

Harry threw the suitcase at her and she caught it. "There’s no need for us to review the contract." He said coldly, "If you impress me today, then you get to replace Perry till he recovers."

"I will do my best, sir," Raven replied and cutely brushed the strand of red hair – wig – off her face with the hope that Harry would be staring lovingly at her, but she was mistaken; her tactics didn’t work.

Harry was already leaving through the door.

Raven followed suit.

Okay, this is gonna be really really hard. Raven thought frustratedly. Captivating Felipe was easy but why is it hard for me to captivate this man? Is he gay or something?

The chauffeur was already waiting for them in front of the building; he raised an eyebrow as he saw his boss coming towards him with a plump red-haired woman.

But he didn’t question his boss about Perry. He knew better than to do that. He would find out eventually, anyway.

He gave a slight nod to Harry and then opened the car door for him. Harry didn’t even spare him a glance as he went in.

"Hello," Raven said charmingly, flashing the chauffeur a cute smile, "Nice to meet you. I’m Holly, Perry’s replacement."

The chauffeur’s eyes widened, "Replacement?"

"Only temporarily," Raven assured him, "Perry is currently in the hospital, so I’ll be working in his lieu."

"Oh! Okay." The chauffeur said, "Nice to meet you too."

Then they entered the car, and the chauffeur drove off to the company.

"Take me to Spring Hospital," Harry commanded, "I have to see how bad Perry’s injuries are that he has to stay for two whole months."

"Yes sir."

Minutes later, they were already at Spring Hospital; the chauffeur got out and opened the car door for Harry.

Raven followed him into the hospital. Another few minutes later, they were in Harry’s room.

To Harry’s surprise, Perry’s condition was more critical than he thought.

Perry lay motionless in the hospital bed, a tangled mess of wires and IV tubes keeping him stable. His right leg was suspended in traction, wrapped tightly in thick, white bandages, the swelling visible even beneath the layers. Deep bruises painted his skin in ugly shades of purple and blue, while fresh stitches zigzagged across his forehead. One arm was immobilized in a cast, his fingers barely peeking out. His chest rose and fell in shallow, labored breaths, a faint wheezing sound escaping through the oxygen mask strapped to his face. The accident had left him battered, broken—but alive.

Perry’s pregnant girlfriend was looking worried. She was sitting beside the bedside, and she quickly rose to her feet.

"You’re... Mr Hopkins... Perry’s boss, right?" She asked slowly.

"That’s me," Harry answered.

"He requested for the doctors to let you know about his condition. He was hurt pretty badly."

"I see that," Harry said, resigned.

He had hoped that Perry’s condition would not be so severe so that he could resume work.

Truly, he was the best assistant Harry had ever had. Ever since he took over Kins Corps from his dad, Mark Hopkins, Perry has been a constant presence in his life. He had grown used to him.

But now he was going to miss having him around.

Meaning, Raven was squirming happily with joy. Their plan had worked, Perry had pleaded with his doctor friend to help him. Everyone was fooled by the cast, bandages, bruises... they were all fake.

Their plan had worked!

"My condolences." Harry said genuinely, "Don’t worry about the bills. I’ll take care of it."

"Oh my God, thank you so much, Sir." Perry’s girlfriend thanked him.

"It’s okay." Harry said, "Hope he gets well soon."

Then with that, Harry spun on his heels and left down the hallway, with Raven trailing behind him.

They left the hospital and headed for Kins Corps. A few minutes later, they had arrived.

They alighted the car and headed into the building. Raven noticed that everyone was scared of Harry.

His presence was immediately noticed in the lobby, and everyone began to act orderly as they whispered among themselves.

Raven strained her ears and all she could hear was.

"That’s the devil."

"The devil has arrived."

"God! He’s so scary."

"And hot!"

"Who cares if he’s hot? He’s just a jerk."

"God, I wished he hadn’t come back from his business trip."

Raven glanced at Harry to ascertain whether or not, he was also hearing what she was hearing.

But whether or not Harry could hear it, Raven couldn’t tell.

They entered the elevator, and Raven also noticed that no one wanted to ride the elevator with them.

It made her wonder just how obnoxious this man was. His employees were clearly calling him the devil right in front of him.

The elevator closed, and they began their ride to the last floor. The whole ride was filled with awkward silence and Raven began to feel uncomfortable.

Why does this happen obnoxious evil man have this effect on her? She wondered.

Soon enough, they were on the last floor. The elevator swung open, and then they walked down the hallway to the cubicled hall.

All employees were already at work seated in their respective cubicles and typing away at their keyboards.

A guy stood up, "Good morning, Mr. Hopkins, everyone is present today."

Harry didn’t respond; he just kept walking without so much as a glance at the guy.

Raven began to hear another round of whispers.

"The devil is here."

"God! I hate him!"

"Who’s that fat lady?"

"Has he fired Perry? I knew it was only a matter of time."

Still, Harry didn’t pay attention to the whispers, as though he wasn’t even hearing them.

They were now in his office, and Harry was sitting behind his desk, while Raven sat before him.

"I know I said we won’t review the contract, but I want you to be clear on one thing." He said while Raven adjusted in her seat, "I don’t tolerate mistakes. You can be fired wherever and whenever and there’s no severance pay."

"Uh ... I have a question, sir." Raven raised her hand a little, "I know I might be speaking out of turn, but ... I gotta ask this. Don’t you hear all those whispers from your employees calling you the devil? Or is it just me?"

"What about them?"

"Huh?"

"Why would I react to the whispers?" Harry gave her a creepy smile, "After all, they’re right, I’m obnoxious, I’m toxic, I’m a jerk, I’m scary." Then he spread his arms in self-glory. "I am The Devil."

Raven stared at him in disbelief.

God! He’s crazy!