Milk_Is_My_Drug
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Chapter 6: The Chill Boss
🕑 Added 2025-05-14 20:37:59 +0000 UTCThe afternoon sun filtered lazily through the tall windows of Ashborn’s office, casting golden rays over the sleek desk where he sat, a tablet in hand. Shadows flickered across his face as he read through performance reports—Gizmo’s integration into engineering had gone smoother than expected; the kid was already improving one of their drone prototypes. Billy Numerous had broken a game build so efficiently the developers almost cried—then laughed. Mammoth had managed to bring down a condemned building in record time without damaging nearby infrastructure. Kyd Wykkyd’s teleportation range was still being tested, but so far, logistics loved him.
Jinx had no report. The villa had no staff to monitor and report her performance and he himself didn’t go there as he was busy with other stuff. But his shadows did monitor the girl and it seems she was trying to work with unexpected diligence, despite having no one beside her in the villa, she was going around cleaning and wiping dust. According to the shadows, she wasn’t a problem. But she wasn’t thriving yet either.
Just as Ashborn swiped to read the message from the head of the finance department, his monitor buzzed with an incoming video call.
The name flashing on the screen brought an amused glint to his eyes.
Lex Luthor.
Ashborn accepted the call with a casual flick of his finger. His expression didn’t change—still calm, still smiling.
“To what do I owe the pleasure?” he greeted smoothly, folding his hands.
Lex Luthor appeared onscreen, his signature confident smirk in place, seated in a tastefully minimalist office. “I received a call this morning from Wayne Enterprises,” he said with practiced ease. “Bruce Wayne is coming to Metropolis to discuss joining the Maglev infrastructure project.”
Ashborn’s smile didn’t falter. “You don’t have a problem with that, do you? The more, the merrier… right?”
Lex leaned back, matching his tone. “Your motto, isn’t it? Make friends when you can.”
Ashborn chuckled, nodding. “True. Glad you understand me so well already.” He let a pause hang just long enough before continuing. “I’m fine with it. But a word of advice from a friend…”
Lex raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
Ashborn’s smile dimmed just slightly, just enough to let the seriousness slip through.
“Be extra careful with Bruce Wayne. He can’t be trusted.”
That got Lex’s full attention. “Oh? And what makes you say that?”
Ashborn leaned back, his fingers tapping together thoughtfully. “Wayne Enterprises doesn’t need to join a Maglev infrastructure project. Their tech division is self-sustaining, their urban investments are Gotham-centric, and historically, working for the benefit of the world outside Gotham has never been the Waynes’ style.”
Lex narrowed his eyes as Ashborn continued.
“He’s not here for the project. He’s here for something else. It might be related to us—or we might just be the distraction. Either way, I suggest keeping an eye on him.”
Lex went silent for a moment, the gears in his mind clearly turning. Then he gave a small nod. “Thank you for the warning.”
The call ended moments later.
Ashborn leaned back in his chair again, this time with a thoughtful look that lingered in his eyes. He recalled Superman’s warning, which had been vague but genuine.
[Luthor’s planning something. And the Justice League is onto him, or at least they are doubting him] Ashborn thought to himself.
And now, Bruce Wayne—or perhaps more accurately, the big brooding bat —was entering the equation.
Ashborn smiled, a slow, amused curve of the lips.
“Let’s see how this plays out.”
___________
The night was quiet around the Black family villa. Inside, Jinx collapsed onto the grand, but lonely, sofa in the sitting room. The polished floor gleamed, the shelves were dust-free, and every cushion on every couch was aligned with obsessive precision.
She had cleaned the villa from top to bottom.
And for what?
She pulled her knees to her chest, resting her chin on them as she stared blankly across the room. The job felt like a punishment masked as charity. Being a villain had been wild, dangerous fun. Her powers were respected—even feared. Now, she was scrubbing floors and organizing cutlery. Not because she was the best suited for the job… but because she had nothing else to offer.
The others, Gizmo, Billy, Mammoth, even Kyd—were thriving. Using their skills in places that made them smile. She wasn’t stupid. She knew Ashborn had only taken her in because the others refused to leave her behind.
And as if to punctuate that lonely thought, her gaze drifted to the empty hall.
Ashborn hadn’t been home since she started working here three days ago.
No staff came or went. The food supplies were stocked when she arrived, and the villa had been spotless. If she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, she would have thought this place was long abandoned.
So who was taking care of this mansion before she came?
Her musing was cut off by the sudden chime of the front doorbell. It echoed through the marble halls like a whisper in a cathedral.
Jinx blinked, confused. She hadn’t been expecting anyone.
She stood and made her way to the large, ornate door, half expecting to find a courier or maybe the old assistant.
Instead, she found Gizmo, flanked by Billy, Mammoth, and Kyd Wykkyd, each one holding a box of pizza or a drink. Gizmo laughed the moment he saw her.
“Didn’t think I’d live to see the day you’d be in a maid outfit,” he cackled. “We brought food. Thought we’d hang out a bit.”
A small, reluctant smile twitched at her lips before it faded again. “It’s better if you don’t stay,” she said, voice low. “Ashborn might not like it.”
Billy waved a hand dismissively. “Nah, he’s chill. Won’t care if his good employees have a little fun.”
Jinx shook her head, concern creeping in. “He might not care about you guys, but this is his house. He probably doesn’t want people lounging around it.”
Gizmo, as usual, didn’t care for logic. “It’s fine! We’re not trashing the place.” He stepped inside like he owned the villa, and the others followed without hesitation.
Jinx stood frozen in the doorway for a moment, then sighed and followed them in.
They gathered in the guest lounge, sprawled across couches, pizza boxes open, laughter bubbling as stories were shared. Gizmo was building something new with the engineers and loving the creative freedom. Billy had nearly broken the simulation program with his clones, much to everyone’s amusement. Mammoth had been nicknamed “The Wrecking Crew” by construction workers.
They were proud. Happy.
And Jinx… smiled along with them. But it didn’t reach her eyes.
Then it happened.
Billy cracked a joke at Mammoth’s expense—something about brains and wrecking balls—and before anyone could stop it, Mammoth picked up a glass bottle and hurled it straight at Billy.
Billy ducked instinctively.
The bottle didn’t shatter.
A loud thud echoed behind Billy. The room froze.
All heads turned.
Ashborn stood in the doorway, completely still—holding the bottle in his hand.
The room was dead silent.
Ashborn raised a brow, eyes scanning the frozen faces before him. “Throwing a glass bottle at me the moment I walk in?” he said, dryly amused. “Really? Even if someone hates their boss, that’s excessive, don’t you think?”
Mammoth’s hands shot up. “It was an accident!”
Ashborn tilted his head. “If that was an accident, I fear for what your intentions look like.”
The group stiffened, unsure if he was joking.
Then Ashborn chuckled and stepped forward. “Relax. I know it was an accident. I’m just messing with you. But if you must fight, do it outside. I'd rather not wake up one day buried in the rubble of my own home.”
Gizmo, looking unusually sheepish, scratched the back of his head. “Don’t worry, boss. Won’t happen again.”
Ashborn smiled. “Good. And remember, Jinx is the one who cleans up your messes. Be considerate. Don’t make her job harder.”
That made them all pause.
He turned, plucked a slice of pizza from the box nearest him, and glanced back casually. “I’ll be in my room. Stay here if you want. Just don’t burn down the place.”
He started walking away, then added with a smirk, “Thanks for the pizza. And the drink.”
He vanished down the hallway.
The moment he was gone, Billy grinned wide and slapped his leg. “See?! Told you the boss is cool and chill.”
The others nodded, relieved.
“Anyone else would’ve at least yelled,” Gizmo muttered, shaking his head.
Jinx watched them with a strange feeling stirring in her chest. Maybe… just maybe, even if this wasn’t where she wanted to be, she wasn’t entirely alone.
