When someone was threatened with their position in life, he would try to think of ways about how he could eliminate the person who he considered as a competitor.
One of the most important things in a human's life was their pride. It was to feel that they were much superior to others. It was their way to boat their self-esteem and appear more confident in front of everyone.
However, to some, pride was considered a point of weakness. The feeling of being on top and suddenly falling down was a nightmare that others do not wish to have.
And that's the tool that Hugo was using. With him working beside Julius, whom Rome adores so much, he can use this as an opportunity to make him experience the feeling of being unimportant.
To make Rome desperate for attention and recognition from Julius, as if he was a lost puppy looking for care and love.
'Desperation… the last time that I felt that I died." Hugo couldn't help but chuckle as he remembered it.
Rome came back to the office with a forced smile on his face. He arranged the utensils and the glass cups on the table before calling both Julius and Hugo.
"The table is set, Sir." he bowed his head before standing on the side.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtJulius nodded as he invited Hugo to join him at the table. The two of them shared the ice cream that Hugo bought while Rome stayed on the side, just watching them.
When Hugo saw it, he immediately called Rome's name. "Come and join us, Sir Rome," he uttered before showing a smile on his face.
Rome silently nodded as he went near them.
"May I ask how many years have you been working here, Sir Rome?" he curiously asked since he doesn't have any idea about it.
"More than 5 years," Rome simply answered as if he didn't want to have a conversation with Hugo.
When he noticed it, Hugo found this a sign to ask more questions that would annoy Rome further.
"You have been working for a very long time here! I guess Mr. Julius trusts you with a lot of things."
"Yeah, obviously." Rome boasted around. He smirked as his brows shot up. "And I doubt he will trust other people other than me." he shrugged his shoulder.
Hugo nodded as if he was agreeing with what Rome said. His eyes went to Julius, who was just silently eating on the side. "Sir, may I ask what time should I come here tomorrow? And where will I stay?"
Julius placed the spoon back into his glass before adjusting his seat. He glanced over at Rome and uttered, "Move your desk and occupy the office on the second floor. Hugo will be taking over at your place." He announced.
"W-What?" Rome's eyes turned into horror. "But we currently don't have a spare desk available at the moment, Sir." He tried pointing it out in hopes that Julius would take back his words.
Julius's brows formed an arc. "Then, clean your desk and give it to Hugo? Is that even a problem? It's time for you to go back to the lab and focus on the tasks there."
"Alright, sir…" Rome breathed out as he held his clenched fist under the table. His breathing grew thin and ragged when he felt as if he was being replaced by someone below him.
Hugo grinned. 'Yes… Just like that, show me your anger more.' He was calmly leaning against the leather couch, eating peacefully. He could already feel the sweetness of victory in his mouth.
"Oh no, Sir! Isn't that too much? Mr. Rome came here earlier than me." He anxiously asked, looking at Rome with worried laced on his mind.
Julius shook his head. "Don't mind him. He can already manage on his own and besides, he has other work to do. He is one of the main scientists of ELO," he shrugged his shoulders, obviously not showing any care about Rome.
"Oh, is that so?" The mockery in Hugo's tone didn't escape Rome's ears.
"Are you trying to pick a fight with me?" He declared as he threw the spoon on the table. He stood up from his seat and turned his body to Hugo.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmHugo pretended as if he was shocked by what had happened. "W-What did I do, Mr. Rome?" He smirked at Rome when he saw that Julius wasn't looking at them.
"You asshol—!"
"Stop it, Rome! You are disgracing me!" Julius angrily shouted, interrupting Rome's words.
Rome was startled when he heard the angriness in Julius's voice. "S-Sir?" his voice stuttered when he remembered that Julius only use that tone of his voice when he was really angry at someone.
"Leave all your work on Hugo. You can go back to the lab now and don't bother coming back here unless I call you," Julius shook his head. He looked at Rome from head to toe as if he wasn't needed in his life anymore.
"B-But, Sir…"
"You heard me. Teach Julius all the things that he needed to learn today. I will be going out, so make sure that you teach him all the things. If he ever did any mistake, then you will be held accountable for that!" Julius spat.
When he saw that Rome wasn't willing to do what he said, Julius's eyes turned into a glare. "I nurtured you for years and yet you are acting like this in front of me? Do you want to embarrass me in front of Hugo?!" His voice thundered.
"At such a young age, he had already proven his worth by being the top in their school, while you? At his age, you were wandering around the streets because of how idiot you are!" Julius took a deep breath as he calm himself down.
He glanced at Hugo for the last time and said, "You can leave after Rome had taught you all the things that you should remember." He informed him.
"Yes, sir." Hugo bowed his head as Julius stormed out of the room.
Glancing over at his side, Hugo saw how Rome's face reddened in anger after they were left alone.
"Y-You! What are you planning to do?!"