Page 63 of Five

Lori is not engaging in the banter with my brothers as usual. Why?

This morning, I passed by his cubicle and heard him laughing, but it sounded forced. I gazed at him while talking to one of the associates, and when he thought nobody was watching, a frown appeared on his face.

Something is wrong. He didn’t even spare me a glance. It’s odd. He never misses an opportunity to tease or challenge me. Ignoring me is not like him. I expected anger or some kind of petty revenge.

Also odd that I found myself going out of my way not to let my gaze linger on him. A passing glance of admiration has never been something I’d stress about, but Lori’s high brown boots, snug shorts enveloping his high rear like a second skin, and loose yellow sweater falling down his pale shoulder kept catching my attention and somehow distracted me from work. Nothing has ever taken me away from my job but my foster family.

Lori: Any news on the revenge front?

Rami: Still looking for Bailey. Nothing yet

Lori: And Bird Turd? *poop emoji* *angry emoji*

Rami: Phoenix? Nada. But those bastards will make a mistake soon. I can feel it

Lori: I will yank so hard on his balls that all his organs will come out as well!

Fuck, he’s sexy, Bez whistles, and it’s too damn loud inside my head.

Ollie: Reel that untrained murderous ass in

Sari: I don’t think that’s a possibility

Sari: The yanking of the organs through the testicles part

Michael: The reeling part as well, in Lori’s case

Lori: I need my revenge. It’s not fair!

Uri: Fair is the stupidest word humans have invented

Sari: Aren’t you human as well?

Uri: I’m 100% sociopath

Raph: Tough luck, everybody knows psychopaths are better

Not wanting to witness another socio-versus-psycho argument, I place my phone face down on the desk. I try to go back to the pile of files on my desk, but my mind is not into it. I feel my uneasiness crawling under my skin.

Go to him, Bez whispers.

Who?I feign ignorance.

Fucking go!

Why?

Because you need to.Sometimes I envy Bez’s simple way of thinking.Haven’t you figured it out yet?he insists.

I decide to go see Evelyn again instead and see if I can speed up the process of finding a new temp PA. Bez’s long exasperated sigh echoes in my head as I cross my office.

I’m opening the door when I hear a loud thud and then a moan of pain, followed by some gasps and a few chuckles.

I search for the source of the commotion, and that’s when my eyes fall on the reason for my distraction. Lori has a hand over his face while waving the other at the worried-looking receptionist.

My feet, guided by Bez, take me to him in a few seconds. I send a hard glance at the people milling around, and they quickly go back to work.

“What happened?” I ask the receptionist.