Tuesday afternoon was opened with the semi-annual company meeting at the headquarters where Ivaylo worked. Of course, it included the Chairman, Vice-president, Board members, and all Chief executive members from the whole country. At first, everything was going like usual, until the Chairman came up with a new "innovation"...

Ivaylo was fixated on taking notes of everything that he deemed important, so he could later introduce it to his people at the company. He was known as a notorious pedant in this business. Everybody knew he was already selected as a candidate to join to be one of the Board members next year.

"I would like to announce a novelty in our company. Something that will move us forward, into a brighter future. I would like to incorporate into our field of business a new type of manpower... Human employees..."

A slight scratch sound of a pen on paper coming from Ivaylo caught the attention of the Chairman. Their eyes met. The tiger-hybrid man looked at our half-blood. He analyzed him a little since he knew Ivaylo openly expressed his opinion on humans but he continued with his speech.

"From the start of the next month... so in one week, we will welcome two human females and one human male at our department here at the headquarters. It will be a great opportunity and partly an experiment. So please, treat them like equals and with respect..."

Murmur filled the room. Ivaylo leaned into his seat putting the pen on the table and resting his chin on his left palm. He let out a frustrated but silent sigh. How could the Chairman do this to their company? Employing those nasty creatures. Forcing fellow Beastmen to interact and open invisible wounds...

When the meeting was over Ivaylo waited for his chance to personally talk to the Chairman. "I beg you pardon Mr. Chairman, but... I think you made a huge mistake with the new agenda you are trying to implement. There is a reason why Beastmen and Humans were separated..."

The chairman who was a little taller than Ivaylo placed his hand on Ivaylo's shoulder. "I appreciate your concerns, but they are unjustified. A century already has passed by, we need to move forward. We can't stay in the same spot forever. Even you should give it a chance. Let them positively surprise you." After... the tiger man left.

Disappointed, Ivaylo turned on his heels and speed-walked to his own office. He slumped down into his chair feeling like a migraine was creeping in on him. He had the need to push his claws into his flesh again... Of course, at work he couldn't do that, he couldn't risk anybody witnessing such a thing.



In the evening, he was invited to a family dinner with his parents and grandparents. Just a casual talk about mundane stuff. Ivaylo mentioned what transpired at work today. His grandpapa from his father's side frowned.

"I have no clue why the youngsters are getting so crazy. Who with a right mind would employ a Human?! They already live on the outskirts of cities. Someone told me they even raise Human cubs and even have them work as housekeepers. It will be too late when they wake up and chaos will be at the door again..." He was frantically pointing with his cutlery in the air.

The mood of the dinner shifted and also made Ivaylo think. His relatively peaceful office work life will change drastically from next week. It will add up to his mental health. He worried about how much more stress he could endure. Right... on the outside, he is a sophisticated as well collected individual. But on the inside a huge storm of anxiety and insecurity rages around.

"My son... you should keep something to protect yourself with." Ivaylo smirked. "I am pretty sure, I am capable of beating any enemy. Don't forget who owns a black belt and was a top fighter during his military service." Granddad patted him on the back. "That's the spirit, that's my boy!"

His parents were more neutral than his grandparents. His mother had different stuff on her mind. For example future grandchildren. Her dream for Ivaylo was to get married and have babies. Despite being a half-blood, she together with her husband had more animalistic features than their son. He was kind of a genetic anomaly. Secretly as a woman, she also preferred Ivaylo's handsome look.

"Did you know my friend's son will organize a mixer, not this but the next weekend? I asked if you could join them too." Ivaylo was annoyed by this kind of meddling but he didn't express it on the outside. "Interesting, maybe I will go..." His mother clapped with her hands. "Great! Then it's done! You will go!" That took Ivaylo by surprise. In the end, he had to go with the flow...

Back at home he was sadistically clutching his shoulder in his claws... blood gushing out everywhere. He was worried and stressed by the turning of events. He didn't want to see any "human" in his close proximity, let alone in the same workspace. That was out of the question. What should be his next step? Will he be able to cope with it? Should he resign? Despite all the work he put into his career growth?