“The final thing is, how do we get them to agree to any of this in the first place? We’re almost 500. Heads are going to clash.” complained JMONEY.Benjamin turned to Michael. “You, test everyone for the upcoming operation. Cut out anyone you feel isn’t competent for the job-““But Benjamin!”“Relax, we’re not kicking them out. We’ll be creating a black ops of sorts, within the Ivy Leagues, led by Michael.” “To what end?” asked Michael. “You think segmenting an already shaky group will yield the results you’re looking for?”“Shaky? You guys told me you were doing well!” cried Benjamin. “Jonathan?”“Well” started JMONEY “there have been a few rumblings here and there. The freshmen don’t exactly seem to get the objective of Ivy Leagues. I mean, they all go on patrols and are aware of their responsibilities, but there’s something…missing. Or so they say”Benjamin blinked his eyes. “We’re a Vigilante group.”“What about a company vision? Or so to speak. What exactly is Ivy Leagues trying
JMONEY’e eyes parted to nearly three times their size. “What did you just say?” he asked, confounded.“You heard it properly the first time, Jonathan. Claire Black is being wed this Saturday,” replied Benjamin.JMONEY waved his fingers around, trying to trace the logic in Benjamin’s statement.Michael got in the first word while he continued to fumble with himself."Claire Black? Isn't that your fiance?" he asked, earnestly."You would be partially correct. The proper term now is Ex-fiance" smiled Benjamin."Since when?!" exasperated JMONEY."Ever since the Black family kicked me out of their manor" Benjamin replied, without skipping a beat. "Did I not tell you about that?""No!""Hmm. It feels like I have though""You think I wouldn't remember something as crazy as that? What the hell happened?"Benjamin continued to brush his sleeves, only looking up once or twice to address his audience. It was unclear if the topic was a[parently uncomfortable for him to discuss or not."Just a lit
"The GRIDATTA is currently not dispensing reservations at this time, Sir. May I show you the door?" Benjamin smirked."Are you sure? It looks so empty in there" he remarked. It was true. From what he could see, only two couples were at their respective tables inside. At least 10 more tables were free inside."Well, yes those tables have already been reserved." said the attendant, but of course, it had to be a lie.The attendant pointed to the exit elevator again. "May I show you the way out, Sir?" he asked again."Before that" started Benjamin, but thought You're a special kind of prick, aren't you? "Take me to your manager."The nerve on this man! thought the attendant."I am the manager, Sir, and I'm telling you to leave."Benjamin used [Appraisal] to scan the attendant's heart. He was lying."Do I look like some run-of-the-mill fool to you? Where is your manager?!" Benjamin raised his voice, but in truth, he had achieved his mani objective. The boy in front of him was not the manag
"What is the problem?" asked Benjamin."You see, this card, is a level too low for our establishment, Mr.Benjamin" started the man. "GRIDATTA requires a Gold Alliance card for entry""What?"The man flung the card back to Benjamin's chest. "That Black card has no power here. In fact, if you had shown it to my attendants outside, they wouldn't have even batted an eye" he explained.Benjamin examined his black card. So I've reached my limit with this, have I? he thought. "So, like I said before, Mr. Benjamin, please show yourself out. And you?! What are you still doing here?" exclaimed the man, talking about the attendant.What to do? thought Benjamin. Do I order the attendant to assault this man? No, that wouldn't make any sense. There would be too much of a commotion to even demand something like a reservation. What next then? [Bow Down To Me] wouldn't work on a manager who is at the top of the food chain like him. Should I get the receptionist?Benjamin activated [Appraisal.][Apprai
"What was that you said?""I said, you got your stupid reservation!"Benjamin shook his head. "Seems like you need to learn some respect still. Alright! Start with his pinky finger" instructed Benjamin to the officer. The officer spread out the fingers generously,"No, no, no, no, no, no" and used the bottom of the bottom to whack the shaft of the index finger."Oh, my god!!" wailed the manager in pain, ducking his head under the desk.Benjamin couldn't help but wince looking at the mangled finger. It was his first time up close and personal with such soft gore, especially one of his doing."Eugh" he retched. "That looks pretty bad. Sure do hope it heals right" He paused. "Alright. The next one" he signalled to the officer."You son of a bitch!" cried the manager, popping his head up from the desk. His face was red from a flush, and small amounts of tears were forming in his conjunctiva."You're a tough one, Mr," said Benjamin. "It looks like that one didn't even hurt at all, seeing a
"So, how the hell did you manage this? I half-expected to come here, and find you sulking on the pavement because they refused to listen to me."Benjamin chuckled."And there's no one either. What's going on?"Benjamin shrugged and clasped his hands together. "I have my ways. You know that""Okay, Mr. Mysterious. You didn't beat up the manager or anything like that, right?" she laughed.Benjamin joined in. "You're pretty funny," he noted."Oh, please" she dismissed him. "So" she spread out her hands "Here I am. I believe you had something to say to me"Benjamin twirled with some thoughts in his head. "Let's have a drink first""Oh, you! Naughty naughty""What? Me?" chuckled Benjamin. "Come on. The evening's nice enough""Mmm" Benjamin signalled for Gunther, and he came to take their orders."Let me use this chance to say, I'm so sorry I'm late," she said."Let me guess. It has something to do with the office.""Okay, smarty-pants."Benjamin arched one of his eyebrows"Okay, yes. We've
"Where do you see yourself in five years?"Benjamin took the time actually to think and respond candidly."On top of the world," he said casually.Amber laughed, putting down her glass. "Really? You mean, like, World Domination?" she asked. It was uncanny, that she had used those exact words."Something like that" he replied, grinning. "Does it seem far-fetched?""Farfetched, is certainly one way to describe it. It's a cartoon plot" chuckled Amber."Well, I happen to like cartoons.""Very funny, Mister. But now I need a real answer" she said. Her skin was beginning to glisten even more under the warm spotlights of the restaurant's roof. Benjamin swallowed a gulp to calm his nerves, and think of his next rely."I suppose" he started, moving his legs aside, "richer than ever.""Quite materialistic, no?""I am beginning to appreciate the finer things in life, yes. Of course, my--" Benjamin was about to bring up Ivy, being alive and well by that time, but decided against putting too much
"So" he returned to her. "Which one am I ?""What do you mean?""Am I the Obese man, or the attractive gym rat?" he asked her.She leaned in and parted her red luscious lips seductively. "Wouldn't you like to know?"Benjamin took another sip, but it wasn't working. His hormones were raging, rising, climbing more ferociously than they had ever done before. And she was the cause. Compared to being with Claire, Amber was a bonfire, hot enough to keep the cold out, and also make his blood rush."I would, actually," he said, setting down the glass. She folded her arms."Really? That's your coup de grace? You brought me here to find out what I think of you?""Seems only fair, seeing as I've already told you mine.""Or you just want to feed your ego?" she smiled."You think I have an ego? Quite the compliment."The attendant had become closer than a few feet from the table before he stopped abruptly. Amber, startled by the sudden pause in movement, looked towards him. And yelped in shock. "Y