Clad
Laughter echoed through my phone. Loud. Annoying. Relentless.
"Oh, that was a good one! Damn, Clad, I can't stop laughing—"
I ended the call.
Not even a second later, my phone lit up again.
I exhaled sharply. Persistent idiots.
Still, I pressed the green button. "What?"
"Why the hell did you hang up?" Liam's voice shot through the line, practically screaming.
"You said you couldn't stop laughing. I simply helped you stop. And look—it worked."
I leaned back in the leather chair, gaze shifting toward the office I'd been moved to. Despite my protests, security had insisted I wait here while they "sorted things out."
"Jerk! You seriously couldn't stand being the source of laughter for five minutes?" Liam scoffed.
"No. I've never been the joker type. Why start now?"
He clicked his tongue, but before he could go on, Max spoke up.
"Anyway, Clad, I spoke to management and sent them your portfolio. They should be clearing up the misunderstanding soon—"
"So?" I cut in. His voice sounded rushed, nervous even. "Still got something to say, don't you?"
Max hesitated. Then, in a single breath, he asked, "Are you planning to take further action?"
I went silent. My fingers drummed idly against the desk as I considered it. I hadn't thought about that. Should I?
"I don't know. Haven't decided yet," I answered, my tone unreadable.
"Then don't," Liam said quickly.
"Yeah, don't," Max added. "We don't need bad publicity right now. If you show mercy, then—"
"Max." My voice cut through his nervous rambling. "Have I ever been the type to show mercy?"
Max fell silent.
Liam scoffed. "Oh, come on. It was a harmless prank, Clad. You're not petty."
"Harmless?"
"And funny," he added, clearly entertained. "Didn't know Harley could pull that off."
"It would've stayed that way if you hadn't forced your way into my conversation with Max," I shot back.
"I was on a call with him first!"
"Uh-huh. And he's my manager. So, you should've ended your call, not thrown a tantrum about being included in mine."
"You—"
"Guys, stop," Max groaned. "The point is, Clad, you're not taking legal action, right?"
I shrugged. "Don't know. I hadn't thought much about it—how to get back at her… yet."
"Oh." Max rushed in. "How about you don't do anything? You already took her purse. That makes you even. Otherwise, you're just being petty."
I scoffed. "I didn't take her purse. She dropped it. And the opportunity to return it conveniently presented itself after she pulled her stunt. What did you think? That I'm Santa? Of course, I didn't give it back then."
"Whatever," Liam cut in. "You should've been the bigger person. She lost her job because of you."
I arched a brow. "You seem to be losing sleep over that fact. You need a prescription?"
He clicked his tongue. "Tsk. Just saying."
"Same here."
Before I could say more, the guards finally returned. Their posture was different—less authoritative, more… deferential. Typical. Money was a scary tool.
"Hold on," I told the guys on the call, though they could end it for all I cared.
A familiar guard stepped forward. "Mr. Clad."
I nodded.
Three more followed—two in formal suits and one familiar attendant. She looked rattled.
The attendant rushed forward. "I'm so sorry. I—I don't know how I mistook you. I should've recognized you." Her words tumbled out fast, her tone desperate.
I nodded. "It's fine. Am I free to go?"
"Yes, yes, of course." The guard's tone was eager, bordering on apologetic. "Our management wants to apologize in person."
Another man stepped up. "Mr. Clad, we deeply regret this incident. We'll train our staff better."
"It's okay. Could've happened to anyone." I forced a smile, knowing it didn't reach my eyes.
Not that they cared.
"Not at all! It's entirely our fault. How could we treat a partner so poorly?"
I nearly rolled my eyes. That contract hadn't even been finalized yet.
But what caught my attention wasn't his words—it was the way the attendant stiffened.
I cut the conversation short. "Not at all. Now, I need to go. I'm still on a call." I lifted my phone as proof.
They nodded hastily. "Of course, of course. But before you go, could you sign this?"
I hesitated. Then took the pen.
It was my first autograph outside New York.
"Thank you."
I nodded, slinging my bag over my shoulder. "Are you guys still there?"
"Why would we hang up? We're not as rude as you," Liam shot back.
I ignored him. "I'm leaving the airport."
"And you're leaving Harley behind?"
I rolled my eyes. "More like she left me behind."
"Serves you right."
Before I could respond, I heard rapid footsteps behind me. For a moment, I thought it was journalists.
But then—
A hand tugged my jacket.
I turned.
The attendant.
Her expression was panicked, eyes glassy with unshed tears. "Please, don't make me lose my job…"
I frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"They fired me." Her voice wavered.
My brows furrowed. "I never asked for anyone to be fired."
"But they said…" Her lips trembled. "They said it was because of you."
"That's unfair dismissal," I stated coolly. "You followed protocol—even if it was a false claim. You can take them to the relevant authorities."
"But can't you make them give it back?"
"No." I didn't hesitate. "Take them to the authorities. They'll reinstate you."
Silence stretched between us.
Then she swallowed hard. "Thank you."
I nodded. "Goodbye."
"That was cruel. Even for you." Liam's voice rang in my ear.
I ignored him.
"Max, we have a contract with this airport, right? A project on airline advertising and motorbike races?"
"Yeah," he confirmed.
"Review it again. Have the legal team do the same. We might need to cancel it."
"Got it."
"Dude! Why are you ignoring me?" Liam whined.
"Because I'm not Santa. Only he would entertain your complaints."
"Yeah, but she lost her job because of you," Liam muttered.
" She's not the first, remember? She should take it up with her employers." I said as I kept walking.
Then—
"Looks like you still attract attention wherever you go."
I froze.
That voice.
My fist clenched around my bag. But I didn't stop.
"How long are you going to ignore me, Clad?"
I ignored him.
Then he said,
"Met your high school sweetheart, by the way. Harley, wasn't it?"
I stopped.
"What?"