Secrets and Things (MxM)

POV: Nerovsky

"I'd like to thank you again. Truly. For going through with this horridly risky plan."

We were half-way back to our building and everyone in the were in a cheerful mood. You could clearly see the heavy weights lifted off Cindy's shoulders and she was now relaxed back against the sit, humming along to the radio. Something tells me she can't be this carefree. Especially with a daredevil boss like him.

"Well Leo... it wasn't like I did it out of the greatness my heart. I now have three favours to cash in, at any time so frankly, I'm a happy man."

Leo chortled at that and turned from the passenger seat to display a playful look. "That is true. Frankly, I now regret giving you such power as I'm afraid what you might actually get me to do. Although... I wouldn't mind... certain demands." He expressed a lowkey seductive smile at the last statement which kind of began to fry my brain's circuits but I avoided showing it on my face. Instead, I successfully played dumb (for the first time ever) and put on an innocent smile.

"Well. You will just have to find out when the time comes, won't you? I have a more serious question that needs immediate answering."

"Oh?" He did the hot left eyebrow lifting thing.

I looked at him with a serious and straightforward face. "Do you seriously approve of your nickname Mufasa? This is very important as my respect for you is dependent on your response."

Almost instantly, Leo put both his hands to his face and groaned in frustration and dread. A full-blown laughing fit came out of me and Cindy, who was completely zoned out till then, joined me. Boss sir glowered at us scarily, in order to get us to stop but it just made it worse and we were laughing all over again. He continued to frown at us until we'd calm down and could breathe a decent amount of oxygen without losing it again. Leo then grimly spat out,

"No. I sodding don't approve of such bullshit. It is only ever Leah who calls me that and I have no idea how it came into play. Everyone around me finds it just as weird. How did you even find out?"

"Oh you know... Leah and I are SUCH good FRIENDS."

"You used every last ounce of sarcasm in that statement just then didn't you?"

I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms behind me. "You don't say, Sherlock."

"You know, I'm still your boss and have the power to fire you for the unneeded sass."

"That I do know but you're not going to fire me. After all, I did just save you and your company's ass, Mr. Mu-fa-sa~."

"I swear to fucking god. Do you want to take this outside?"

I gasped in mock shock and displayed a look of disappointment. "Mufasa sir! You shouldn't be swearing in a professional environment. It is still working hours."

His forehead throbbed in utter irritation and he suddenly declared, "That's it. I'm going to strangle you." He began climbing through the gap to the backseats and I started panicking. Oh shit I'm actually going to get killed right here, right now. "This isn't the Simpsons! I'm not Bart!"

But before he could make it past his seat, his head was pushed back so he was plunked back onto his seat by some very soft looking hands. Cindy sat back again and scolded the both of us.

"Nero! He's your boss. Stop disrespecting him like that... as fun as it is to do so. Leo! Stop being childish and grow up. You're 4 years older than the man and you still triggered by such childish comments."

We both apologised but I still pouted and Leo grumbled something under his breath. It sounded like curses and I could refute back like a child but I am a grown-ass adult. Boss sir sat up properly once again and asked Cindy while looking out onto the road,

"Who are we meeting again in about... 15 minutes?"

Cindy exhaled in annoyance. "Honestly Leo. Have some awareness around you and actually remember gist of what's happening each day. We're meeting with the vice-president of The Hane Group, Mr. Chad Murphy."

Everything in my body came to a halt and I instinctively yelled out, "WHAT?! YOU'RE MEETING WITH WHO?!"

Both Leo and Cindy gave me a puzzled look and Cindy slowly asked, "Chad Murphy... Why?"

I opened and closed my mouth to say something but nothing was coming out from the sheer shock. Nero. Calm. You're safe. They don't know anything. He wasn't the one who did anything to you. He's just another piece of garbage that should probably stop triggering you. Get off this topic of conversation now! I felt the stares as I closed my eyes and took a deep breath in and then out again. I look ed back at both of them and calmly voiced, "No... It's nothing."

"Are you sure? You look a little distressed from the announced information."

"No. It's fine. Really." Leo gave me a nod but clearly wasn't convinced. 

But would Leo really work with a man like that? The only reason I'm working under MegCorp in the first place is because they have the least dirty history or deeds under their name (let's be honest. No company is clean). Leo doesn't deal or work with dodgy people like Murphy in his past... has that changed? I mean considering how he's having the meeting, it would mean that they've joined the dark side as well, right? Unless... he doesn't know? But he does his research on everything before moving forward. Then again... Murphy has hid his activities pretty fucking well. The only reason we found out was because of Aiden and Aiden is a different species completely when it comes to uncovering dirt. Now I really need to know. I don't want to raise alarms and cause suspicions against me. He already thinks I'm dodgy from last time. But... I respect the guy and more importantly, I'm very much attracted to him. He's not only hot but he's genuinely sweet and kind when he wants to be and that's fucking rare. If I find out he be like one of the other fuckers, it's a major deal-breaker and I'm going to distance myself from him immediately. Saves me the heartache as well.

"Actually... there is something..."

That recaptured the attention of the other two members. The stared and say nothing with curiosity, which gave me the cue to continue on.

"Sir, it's just that... I've heard rumours about the man you're meeting. I'm just wondering if you've heard of them?"

"What rumours are we talking about here?"

I hesitated a bit before adding on, "He uh... um... He um... He... He sexually harasses um women... as well as give positions of power to certain employees... if they do sexual favours for him for a period of time."

The two pairs of eyes widened (and I swear I saw the driver's eyes widen as well through the rear vision mirror) in surprise and I quickly added on, "Um th-these are al-all rumours I heard s-so I could all just be sp-speculation. I just wanted t-to know if you knew of the fac- I mean rumours."

Leo still looked a bit shaken but he slowly shook his head in disagreement. "No... I don't believe I have heard of those rumours."

"Oh. Ok. It's probably just haters or trolls spreading misinformation then." I didn't realise I had been holding my breath and promptly I released it in relief from the newly learnt information. Leo didn't know. He wasn't one of the bad guys. 

Leo and Cindy were still looking at me sceptically so I just give them a small smile and looked out of the window, praying that I do not meet the sickening man before the 3 day due date.