Chapter 16: Kickbacks

Knocking on Noah's office door, I let myself in using my elbow to push the handle down.

"I got you a coffee, sir," I say happily, "and I thought you might want a cake."

"A cake?" he asks, looking up from his work. "What do you want, Eden?"

He's suspicious. Damn it.

"I was just wondering…"

"I'm not telling you," he cuts in.

"But…"

"Let me guess," he says. "Everyone is asking you which product concept won?"

"Er… yeah but…"

"But you're not asking for them," he continues, leaning back, his arms crossed. "You want to know too?"

"Yeah. That's right," I reply, placing the coffee and cake on his desk.

"I'm not telling you," he repeats.

Frowning, I want to argue back but he doesn't look like he'll be moved. Instead, I pick up the coffee and cake once again.

"Hey! Hang on," he says, getting to his feet. "Where are you taking my cake?"

"When you refuse to be bribed, you don't get to keep the sweetener."

His eyes are dark. He's not impressed as he leans forward over his desk.

"You're not serious?"