SWNOVELS Chapter 53
53. Reputation
Lemon is right. The next day, the bruises become nasty, purple swellings, and everyone stares.
It’s horrible and I feel like a show pony. But hey, I made this bed, so I am going to have to lle on it. People come up to me to ask
what the hell happened to me, but in more polite terms, and leave me with their sympathetic remarks after I lie to them that I got
mugged the night before. That is what Gerald ordered me to say because he did not want any potential clients of our company to
get the wrong idea that the COO of Zelt Tech was an adrenaline junkie who went out of his way to get involved in barfights with
frat.
boys.
“Whatever you do, do not let them know that you actually hit someone else. Make yourself to be the victim, they dig things like
that.” Gerald had told me, and I had stared at him because a.) he said ‘dig’ and b.) that made no sense.
“I was under the impression that strength and endurance are important assets for an executing officer,” I’d pointed out, and
Gerald had scoffed.
“Young master, people already think that the only reason you are the COO of the company is because of nepotism. The last thing
we want them to think is that you are someone who picks fights at low-level establishments like bars. If you give them that
impression for even a moment, they will have it fixed in their brain for the rest of your career. No matter what you do, you will be
the nepotistic, adrenaline-driven lowlife in their eyes.”
He had a point, I would give him that, but “Aren’t I the COO of Zelt Tech exactly because of Nepotism, though? I mean you guys
didn’t even hire Coraline because her CV didn’t have enough talent. I got this job right after I came home to my estranged
father.” I pointed out, amused.
Gerald huffed, “When it comes to the sons and daughters of owners, founders, and CEOs, nepotism is a given. Everyone
expects the higher position to go to their next-of-kin, and so it’s overlooked in a way. However, getting the job is easy, but holding
on to it is difficult. No matter how closely related to the higher-ups you are, in order to keep the job, you have to work hard as the
next worker does. Otherwise, you will have to be replaced with someone who is capable of actually doing the job.” He’d looked
straight. at me, “you can get a job out of nepotism, yes. But in order to excel in it, and keep doing it, you need to have
considerable talent. And those talents should include making others see the abilities beyond your
last name.”
I am not going to lie Gerald gave me a lot to think about. So, when everyone questions about the bruises. the next day, I lie to
them easily.
I have a reputation to create, after all.
***
Thanks to our lucky stars, we do not meet Carlton Collins again. Neither do we visit any bars at night or get into fights. The rest
of the forum sails smoothly, and thus our mini vacation from all the chaos at home ends.
The gala is a nice event, if not a bit bland. But the food is great, and I even get to dance with Coraline for a classic waltz number.
Of course, my dancing is abysmal, and I try my hardest not to step on her feet, which is a task that monopolizes my attention for
the most part, but in the end, Coraline is laughing her head off at my antics, and Gerald is shaking his head at the sidelines.
All in all, it is a rather enjoyable evening.
The day the forum ends, we decide to visit the Lowdown bar again to say goodbye to Lemon. Of course, Lemon had been
visiting us every night after his shift because, to quote his words, “you people are so
damn interesting! And trust me, I’m in New York! This place is brimming with interesting people! So, tell me how people are
getting shot in your city.”
Lemon had the most morbid interest in the criminal activities of Clandestine city.
He is also obviously saddened by the news of us leaving.
“Well, damn, thought you were going to stay longer,” he says, pouting, “you didn’t even go sightseeing anywhere, did you? How
could you come to New York and not visit the Central part? Or even the Empire state building, I mean, even the very thought is
sacrilegious!” (
I have to say that I wished we could stay a bit longer and do all those things. Ever since we got here, we had been busy
attending the conference. That night at the bar was the only thing that broke the monotony of the three-day-long stay. And as
much as we would love to stay for longer, Clandestine city and our jobs there were calling.
“Well, we wish we could stay,” Coraline replies with a sad smile, “but well, can’t stay away from home any longer.”
Lemon’s pout disappears into an expression of contemplation, “hmm. Clandestine city, right?”
“Yeah. Besides, I for one am feeling homesick.” Coraline announces. I raise a brow at her. “What? I’m not that good with long-
term travel.”
“I thought you were dying to get out of there because of all the danger and criminal activities.” I retort. “That city of yours sounds
really interesting,” Lemon muses, “who knows, when my stint in New York ends, maybe I will move there.”
“Your stint?” I question.
Lemon nods, “yeah, I am what you call a nomad. Staying in one place gives me the creeps, and as soon as I start to itch, I move
towns.”
“Wow. You must’ve been to so many places, then!” Coraline comments and Lemon nods again, even more enthusiastically than
before.
“I think it’s safe to say that I had covered most of the East coast by now. I saved the best, New York for last.”
“How long have you been doing this?”
“For a while. Ever since I got out of high school when I was fifteen.”