Page 86 of Serpentine

After stuffing all my things away and taking a quick tour, Isabelle leads me into the central portion of the factory to the most significant area—the line.

All eyes are on me, and I know why. I’ve made national headlines since I was lost and again when I was found. They know who I am, and it will make my life here a living hell.

But I need to be here to keep up the ruse. My father needs to think I want this. Looking around at what he’s built is mind-boggling as Isabelle leads me to a station next to an older woman in her late fifties. She gives me the stink eye and then goes back to inspecting parts as they roll past. She throws some into a massive discard bin behind her right as the conveyor rolls through and gives her a new one.

“You’ll work on the inspection line per your father’s orders. I don’t know how long you’ll be here, I’m afraid,” Isabelle says, lifting a page on her clipboard and reading whatever’s on them. She shakes her head. “Nope, no date for you to promote elsewhere.”

The woman inspecting parts scoffs, and I clear my throat. “No, that’s completely fine. He told me I’d be on the line indefinitely.”

It’s a little white lie to appease the looks I’m getting from the other workers. One that gives Ms. Stink Eye a respectful edge to her face as if my father treats me like garbage, too, so she’s going to be kinder.

I’m likely misreading the moment.

“Alright. If you need anything, my office is on the third floor, right off the elevator. Please inform me how you’re settling in this first week.”

I smile at her as I step in beside the woman working silently. She takes in my exchange with Isabelle and dismisses HR like anyone else here would.

“Low man on the totem pole, hm? Daddy doesn’t love you as much as he shows on the television?” She’s got a slight Russian accent, and I’m momentarily surprised.

I lift the first part off the line, not knowing what I’m looking for, and slowly turn it over in my hands. The line doesn’t move too fast, giving us plenty of time to inspect correctly and get a perfect product to the next person.

“He said I had to start at the bottom. Now that he’s finally decided that I don’t need to marry for him to gain a son to run this place,” I tell her. “That only took twenty-five years of convincing. Though I’ll admit, I don’t know why I want a piece of this fucking place.”

My honesty startles us both. She nods toward my hands. “All we do is ensure no physical damage from the crafting process. If you see anything that looks like scratches or dings, throw it away. They’ll melt it down and start again. There are people above our pay grade down the line who will inspect it against guidelines and regulations,” she tells me.

I turn the piece over, not knowing what it is, and inspect it. When I see no damage, I put it back down and go to the next piece she lets pass her.

“How long have you worked here?” I ask, and she eyes me with concern.

I sigh, setting the piece I inspected down to go down the line to the next person. “Listen, I’m not close with my father. Nothing I speak to you or anyone else will get back to him. I promise you that. I’m here to do my shifts and make him see I can work as hard as any man can.”

She nods, letting another piece pass her to get to my station. “I’ve been here twenty years.”

Her eyes go back to her work as my mind whirls. She likely knew Braxton and Miles’s mom. But I don’t want to ask those questions directly and raise red flags in the ranks.

“And you’ve worked in this same position or…” I trail off, remembering Dad said I would start at the bottom. But there’s no way she’s worked here for twenty years and hasn’t been promoted.

She nods once. “Happens when you make the big man upstairs mad.”

Even though she sounds as if she’s referring to God himself, I know she isn’t. What could she have done?

It seems my first day is gaining me more questions than answers.

The day seems to slip by. I learned my inspection partner’s name is Anya. She and I talk about everything and nothing. I don’t push further into anything about her past here or if she knew Brax and Miles’s mom because I want to gain favor with her. I don’t want to cause suspicion.

A horn blasts, and suddenly, the conveyor belt grinds to a halt. I screech at the sudden intrusion of sound while I am lost in my head, working for the last hour.

Anya giggles and covers her mouth. “Break time,” she announces, and I follow her and the rest of the workers out of the room towards the break area.

Once I have lunch out of my locker, I sequester myself away from everyone and text Miles to check-in.

How are things? I started work today at the factory. Just wanted to check on you.

Things are alight here. Same old, same.

That’s precisely what I was worried about.

Are you trying to say we’re always up to no good, princess?

---