Symphony of Crossing Voices

I cannot focus.
Despite the peace surrounding me in this great library, my own thoughts and feelings remain as the loudest distraction in the room.
For some reason I keep thinking about today’s “competition”.

She’s using me. That I know.

Who comes to you and asks you to write something for them? That’s clearly someone trying to scam you into doing free work.
The only evidence of this going against her is her proof of saying which last entry came out better. So it may very well be that she’s just doing as she says again. However, with how she kept poking at my feelings, I doubt it.
This is very clearly different from what George has been doing. It’s just a pure extraction of emotions from her. George at least is doing this while wanting to stay. It feels like when I’ll give her what she wants she'll leave.

This doesn’t sit right with me. I shouldn't be doing these “competitions” for her if they’re for her benefit. I am not here to do work for these elites. I’m here to show them that I am better than them. I have accomplished this goal with Alice. If she’s trying to use me for her own ends, then she sees that she cannot beat me. That's what I'm aiming for. If she continues these attempts at selfish gain underneath the guise of competition, then I’ll have to cut all contact with her, as I’ve done with others.

All of these emotions are preventing me from thinking clearly. With such an unstable mind, I decide to wrap it up early and head back to my place. The walk throughout the empty library brings no new challengers to my path, and the receptionist politely nods as I left the building.
Outside a group of suit wearing people stood. This time their suits were a navy color, suggesting that this group of goons are of a different faction.
    “Hey, isn’t he out early? Is our info off?”
    “Who cares. He’s here now, so we'll take him now.”
Just like last time, a man steps forward, oozing with the aura of a leader.
    “Good evening, Mister Smyth. We heard from one of our partners that you turned down their employment offer. I’d like to confirm this fact in person, if you could entertain my whims.”
    “Your information is correct.”
I shot him a straight answer. There is no point in beating around the bush with these guys.
    “I see. That is indeed good news for you, Mister Smyth. We have a proposal that’s far better than our partners.”
The leader of this group seems fully intent on getting me under him. His flow of words shows no doubt in his confidence.

However.
    “I’m thankful that you’d want to hire me, but I reject.”
    “Wow. Mister Smyth, frankly speaking, I’m shocked. Are you not even going to consider this deal?”
    “No. Thank you for your time.”
I stepped aside and tried to make it through the group. Unlike last time, they did not try to stop me leaving. Their leader shot out a salty comment.
    “So, you truly are Brillion’s dog.”
I’m what?
I spun back around to see the leader looking smugly with annoyance at my location. Is that what I’m viewed as? As George’s underling?
    “Ah. Speak of the man.”
This caused me to spin around again to see George approaching from the main building. His manner of walking matches with his pissed off look he’s directing at the leader.
    “He does not belong to me.”
    “You cannot expect us to believe that Brillion. Everyone thinks Mister Smyth is your servant, with how often John sticks to your side.”
It’s the opposite. George is the one that has been sticking to my side. I never asked for his engagement. I tried to add more clarification into this situation.
    “I do not work under him. We’re not even friends.”
    “Ouch. You hear how ungrateful your dog is? You should have trained him better. In fact, I believe that we can take better care of him than you can.”
The last time I saw George this serious was when he first told Alice to stay away from challenging me. You could see the same stare of death being directed at the leader, which does make him visibly shake the longer he notices the stare.

Everyone stays silent.

The leader nervously awaits for George's reply.
    “I do not own him. Back off.”

…
Another brief period of silence followed.
The leader spoke first.

    “Well, Mister Smyth, as per Brillion’s request, we’ll be on our way. Don’t be surprised by the next offer. It may be your last with how things are going.”
And as such, they left. You could hear the leader faintly mumble to himself.
    “Oh, so he’s under Bedwyn? But that would mean his info was off.”

…
Another period of silence enveloped the space around the two of us.

    “Sorry, John.”
    “You don’t need to apologize. This is what I am looking for. They have their eyes on me now. They know that I am better.”
    “If I may ask, what is the plan?”
    “Continue as I am.”
I began to walk away from George, towards the main building. However-
    “Wait! As an apology for getting you wrapped up in this, let me treat you to another dinner out.”
    “Not this time. I have to keep up appearances.”
First Alice, and now George. Do I have the heart to believe what this elite is trying to do to me? Is he trying to manipulate me like Alice? What does he want out of our interactions?

For the past year I could not decipher what his intentions are. For all I know, he might be playing the long game. After a few years, when we built up friendship, then he’ll have me under his command.

The thought of such a betrayal almost makes me vomit on the spot.
I won’t repeat the same mistake.
    “John, I implore you, please-”
I cut him off.