THE CULPRIT'S VERDICT
CHAPTER 5

"Are you sure you are going to apply to that company?" Lex asked while pointing at a convex 24-story high-rise building captivating his eyes from the window of his car. Its semi-baronial style and high-class structure were quite impressive that it kicked other buildings out from ones' sight.

"Wouldn't it be hard for you to move on when you're there?" There was so much worry in his voice as he spoke, and I understood where it was coming from. But I couldn't think of him in that instance, there was something more important than what they feel, and that was my desire to know the truth about my parents' murder and if the Serobia my mother once mentioned before had something to do with their demise.

"I'll search patiently for pieces of shredded evidence they had left and work hard to form the picture-puzzle of the culprit. I will make them pay for what they've caused me. And this place shall witness my initial step."

The seat belt was probably screaming as I tightened my grip on it and it wasn't far from the current state of my heart. It was screaming with pain and hunger for justice.

With black pointed shoes, a pencil-cut skirt, and checkered inserted, I stepped out of the car and walked towards the building.

It had been a long time since my last visit to this place. Last time I checked, I was with my mom, and now I had to come alone. Recalling its look from before, it did change a lot.

I looked around and searched for familiar faces, but there were only a few. They were busy, not even aware of my presence. My shoulder-length hair waved as a warm wind brushed from behind me. It felt like it was pushing me through.

I walked towards the elevator floor and waited for it to open. As I stood there, the steel sheet with a crimson touch on its sides allowed me to see my reflection. My almost one-year effort of losing weight worked just fine and gave me a figure of a petite lady. The face that was once so ordinary changed a lot as I became eager to enhance myself. This way, those few staff I'd encountered here before would not be able to recognize me.

I just wish my mom is here to witness this change in me.

For like minutes, the elevator finally opened, and It was empty. I made my way in and searched for the button where the HR floor was, the 4th floor, then pressed it. With my eyes closed, I sighed and relaxed. Things might not go the way I planned it but I have to be strong, for the sake of knowing the truth and seeking justice.

The elevator's gate slowly slid to close, good thing there weren't many people. My phone beeped as a person in a gray tuxedo ran to stop the electronic sliding door from closing with his hand. His cool perfume scattered as he made his way in. "You saw me coming, yet you didn't stop it from closing?" he grumbled.

I raised my eyebrow and eyed him. His face was closed to that of Adonis and his attire was nothing less than the ordinary suits of employees. Not knowing who he was and his position in the company, I calmed my nerves. "If I saw you, I would have had."

The door slid close, leaving the two of us with a tension that I didn't know if I was the only one who could feel.

"You-"

He paused as I busied myself searching for my phone that sent vibration from my shoulder bag.

"You didn't miss me that instant do you?" I welcomed Lexter's call with sarcasm.

["I'm sorry. I'm worried you didn't reply."]

"Don't be. I can handle things just fine."

["You know you don't need to do this"]

"Thanks for your concern, but I made up my mind, "I told him and put my right hand on my waist level, frustrated as I couldn't see an end to this discussion.

"Ehem." My gaze drifted to my right side. I almost forgot that someone was with me in the elevator.

["Who's there?"] Lexter inquired. He was quite vigilant.

"No one. Just a stranger," I replied

"Stranger?" Their voice perfectly blended as they ask the same thing at the same time, and with the same tone. I looked at the person beside me from my shoulder and gave him a 'shut up' look. Something in him suddenly made my blood boiled.

"Yeah, I'll call you later." The elevator door was about to open. I fixed myself and sighed as the view of a cream-lighted hallway grew wider in my eyes.

I stepped out. The paintings and wallpapers dangling on every part of the wall caught my attention. Most of it was abstract, dark, and shadowy.

Creepy.

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I made my steps forward while staring at each like I was in an art gallery. The painter must be lonely, as his masterpieces hid a lot of messages behind these crafts.

Suddenly, I felt a presence behind me. I walked at a fast speed, but a hand grabbed my wrist from behind causing me to twist it and put it right to his back.

"Ouch... Ouch!" The guy whimpered as I twisted his arm. I studied martial arts in case I will be put in this kind of situation.

"Who are you and what do you want?" I demanded.

"I'm the 'stranger' from the elevator. I just wanted to return this!" He emphasized the word stranger in between his agonizing groan, then showed me a handkerchief - my handkerchief. "You left this in the elevator. " "Oh." I grabbed it from his left hand and let his right arm off. I didn't notice it was missing.

"Th-thank you," I mumbled.

"Thank you? Is that all?" he said. I sensed some anticipation in his voice but I didn't give him what he was probably asking for.

"What about a 'sorry' for almost breaking my arm?" he added.

I raised my eyebrow at him. Why would I? I didn't do anything. It was his fault that he made himself look suspicious.

I noticed that he lowered his eyes to the folder I was holding on my other hand, so I hid it behind me. "Okay, it seems though that I don't have to ask for it."

"What are you saying?"

"You'll know," he grimaced.

Asking for help is not in my vocabulary.

"JA NEH!" (Goodbye) he said as he disappeared from my sight. I lost my concentration because of him.

Relax Max, you have to concentrate on your interview. You have to make it in or you might lose a chance to fish for information essential for your family's case.

Juliet concluded that someone from this company might be responsible for the extinction of our family as culprits usually hid their masks behind a decent image. I wasn't convinced really, but with the ambiguous case in my hand, I had to make

a move.

~~~

"You are hired! You can start your job now." After like hours of waiting, a lady in gray slacks and a creamed-colored tuxedo appeared in front of me. She had a delicate and natural beauty with pinkish white skin.

"T-thank you," I mumbled. I didn't expect the process to be that easy, knowing that it should be a hot potato in the first place.

"I need you to bring some papers to Mr. Ryle Llaneda's office," the lady said.

I was offered the position as a secretary to the COO, and I enthusiastically took it. The higher the position, the more access to information.

"Where can I replace Mr. Llaneda's office?" I asked. His first name slipped out of my head.

"From the door go straight, then ride in the elevator going to the 24th floor, go left. Finally, you go right and look for his office." "O-kay."

That was a bit confusing. Anyway, I'll just figure it out.

I shadowed her as she made her way to her office.

"Don't leave until he signs all of it. These are escalated papers and need to be signed immediately. Can you do it?"

"I can d-do i-it?" At first, I was confident, but my jaw dropped as a bundle of papers appeared in front of my eyes. I didn't expect it to be that many.

I kept my spirit up. I can still manage this one.