Percepta

Ethan, also known as the Apex Protector, was summoned by the higher-ups.

The Chosen 5 was just a public face, in the end, it was business as they were not invincible.

They answered to the head of these companies because they paid their salaries and offered them multiple benefits they couldn't get elsewhere.

People gifted with supernatural abilities made it their life's work to get into one of the top superhero groups as this was the holy grail for the gifted.

The Chosen 5 was a group created by a company called "Percepta" and they quickly rose to fame when they recruited Ethan, who was later dubbed "Apex Protector".

Percepta eventually added to their numbers and coined the term, The Chosen 5.

Ethan didn't get along with any of them because they saw the world through different lenses and as such, was rarely in the same room as them except if it was of utmost importance but they all knew not to mess with him, his strength was no rumor.

He walked into an office, it was designed with frivolous furniture and expensive portraits.

Ethan looked irritated as he wasn't happy to be here because he knew what was coming, it was the nagging and bickering of the Vice President of Percepta, but that was all she could do.

He sat down, and looked at the chair turned away from him, he braced himself for the usual as she turned to face him.

It was a bespectacled red-haired beauty with medium-sized breasts, she was a lady in her mid-forties but she looked like she was in her early thirties.

Ethan noticed she had her work suit unbuttoned to reveal the top of her cleavage, this was something she did often so he thought nothing of it. She was older than Ethan by over 7 years and there was nothing supernatural about her either.

"Ethan, dear Ethan…" The lady said, getting up to her feet and walking towards him, her black heels knocking against the floor as Ethan heaved a frustrated sigh.

"Mrs. Naomi, it wasn't one of my own," Ethan said as he watched Naomi walk behind him with her hands on his shoulders.

"Shush Ethan, that isn't why I called you here," Naomi muttered, as her hands gradually went lower from his shoulders, down his chest.

"I know you're trying your hardest, Ethan…" Naomi said and her touch seemed to ease his anxiety and calm his mind.

"I just believe we should be the only group of superheroes… These other people ruin it for us…" Ethan said in a low tone, succumbing to the touch of Naomi.

"I know Ethan, I know. You should be the one to lead them all." Naomi comforted him.

"I brought you here to tell you that our company is making a move to buy out the other companies," Naomi said, removing her hands from Ethan as she walked to a cabinet.

"Buy out?" Ethan questioned, he wasn't a fan of this news.

"Yes Ethan, we want to buy out our competitors and bring their superheroes under our company name," Naomi said with a smile, taking a bottle of whiskey and two glass cups as she elegantly walked back to where they were seated.

Dropping a cup in front of Ethan before returning to her seat, crossing her short legs, she was 5 '2 so she was quite short.

"We cannot be everywhere, I'm not questioning the strength or integrity of your group but we need to expand, don't you think?" Naomi said but Ethan remained silent as he poured himself some whiskey.

"Do we ever actually save people? I don't mean the stupid public stunt we do with the small-time crooks because there are fucking evil people out there. I can't even count the number of heroes that have died in the last week." Ethan said, taking a sip of his drink.

Naomi had to make sure he was satisfied because she was aware that others were trying to poach him from them, this was the burden and blessing of having someone as famous as Ethan.

"Hahaha! Ethan, you know we save people." Naomi said, trying to invalidate his worries but Ethan wasn't having it.

"Naomi, just stop… I know this is a business that puts profit above the lives of the innocent, I'm not a child so don't treat me as one or I will get mad." Ethan warned.

Ethan already understood why it worked the way it did, they were never put in situations where one of their heroes could lose a fight and a camera was 'conveniently' there most times. But some evils lurked, evils that killed heroes for sport, and they were left to wander freely. A thought that didn't sit well with Ethan, but there was only so much he could do as he was under contract and had an obligation.

"Did you just threaten me, Ethan?" Mrs. Naomi questioned the superhero in front of her and Ethan raised a brow at this question.

"And what if I did…?" Ethan questioned.

"Then you will have to show me how you intend to 'punish' me if I do make you angry," Naomi responded, watching Ethan get to his feet and walk up to her slowly.

"You're married yet act like such an.... uncivilized woman," Ethan said, grabbing her by the neck, watching Naomi bite her lower lips in anticipation of what he was going to do to her.

Ethan was disgusted by this sight and his hand slowly constricted, restricting the air in her throat, choking Naomi in the process but the look in her eyes. She liked it.

Ethan let go of her neck, he didn't let his intrusive thoughts win and controlled himself at that moment.

"If you move to buy them out, I'm leaving," Ethan said, right before leaving the room.

Naomi was breathing hard, catching her breath because of the look in his eyes, Ethan wanted to kill her at that moment as Naomi traced the imprint of her neck.

"That man…" These were the only words to leave her lips.