WAYLONPunching the keys on my laptop's keyboard to add my own comments to the copy of the report, I see that there has to be some mistake with the data. I scroll through the document, drawing it down the screen to eye the data carefully for the nth time. My fingers end up lining my lips, and a sigh escapes my mouth. Something catches my eye. I go back to the pile of brown boxes sitting near my work desk and uncover the lid. Then I fish out the files myself to recheck the recommendations made in the document by Ms Fischer.I don't have an idea why but my heart feels like it isn't ready to believe that she was the one who could have sabotaged the business deal. She might have been reckless in the past, but she somehow always manages to triumph over her minor slips in judgement. Furthermore, I have always seen her coming from a sincere place to help the company. So I can't comprehend what her deal is?How could she have gotten this wrong?Going through file after file, I see that the
WAYLON "Move that arm from my shoulder right now, man." Finn shakes his head as he moves away from me. "Fine, asshole." Then he shoots me a glare before grabbing the hot cup of coffee and walking to the tall high-rise window in the middle of my office so he can enjoy the stunning view of the cityscape. "What should we do about Ms Fox? She's proving out to be quite a nuisance. I don't know what I want to do with her. Maybe I should send her the email that tells her she's fired." Then I yawn big, stretching my arms behind my back. "But I don't know if I want to wreck the marketing department when it's already struggling. Maybe we need to put some feelers into the market and hire another competent person when the time comes. Something tells me that it's going to be soon. Then perhaps that would work even if it's sprung on the marketing department from nowhere." Putting a hand over my mouth, I yawn again. "The marketing department would somehow have to find their feet again." Finn
WAYLONWhen I step into the elevators, I think again about the new terms I have to negotiate with the client. The conversation with the head of the legal department echoes in my mind as I line my lips, mentally bullet-pointing all the necessary details. The head of the legal department further apologised for their lateness to the meeting when she came into my office to turn in the final draft of the new business contract I had her draw up to appease the client at the last moment.It's been less than thirty minutes since that meeting, and for the rest of those minutes, I have done nothing but try to consume more coffee and brainstorm better on the data before the business engagement with the client.My phone vibrates into my coat pocket. I fish it out to see another incoming text on the screen. Running my finger over the phone screen, I unlock the message.I might have run into a problem that needs someone on top of it right now. I must look out for it before it becomes a wildfire that
EVERETTI rush back to my office quickly, pick up the file and convert the document on my computer into a PDF file to send to his email. Then I print out the copies from the PDF file while putting my recommendations behind the back of the papers in the file as an additional document, and then break into a run to sprint back to the elevators.After pressing the buttons on the operating panel with shaky fingers, I fish out my phone from my pocket to check the time on my phone and realise that there's barely a minute left in his so-called 'I have six minutes before I head out for that meeting.'While I hold my breath for another minute, the doors slide open, and his muscular back comes into view. His silhouette almost feels sad, and I thwart the feeling of wanting to hug him to comfort him.Where did that feeling come from, again?"Mr Thorne?" My voice is soft. "Here's the file you needed, and I've put my personal recommendations in the back of the file. I think you might need them." The
WAYLONI stare at her from the corner of my eye as I drive the car to the expensive lounge for the business lunch meeting. She doesn't look at me as she stares out of the car's window, focusing her gaze on the passing trees nearby. My mind jumps from one thing to another. I try to concentrate again on the bullet points in my head till I can't anymore.Then a thought registers itself in my mind.Did I really make Ms Fischer uncomfortable by asking her to accompany me?When I clear my throat, she doesn't even bat an eyelash. It's like I don't even exist for her at this moment.Fine.I'll let her be.After driving my car through a steep street, we finally arrive at the lane in front of the restaurant building. I halt the car on the long street path facing the restaurant, and a valet quickly emerges to take care of the parking.I slide out of the driver's seat and bring my briefcase with the new reports in my hands. I softly cuss under my breath because Finn has chosen a fine day like tod
EVERETTMr Thorne stands next to me in the elevator and then backs off from the conversation for the second time since I've decided to keep him company. He seems detached from me and his surroundings. The sole reason I'm here with him is that he proposed the idea, and he wanted me to come. I made the mistake of complying with it. Blowing out a sigh as my eyes flit from his face to the metal doors, I wonder why he is behaving like I'm some imposition when he was practically the one who asked me to tag along.I can't believe he's ignoring me.And he's not even trying to hide his condescension.Well, what did I think?That he would actually care enough to be honest with me?Why won't he acknowledge that having me around sets him off for some reason?And the fact he didn't want my help in the first place was because he thought I was incompetent.He forced himself to request my help because of extenuating circumstances.The sole reason he came to me with the offer to create and complete th
WAYLONI loosen the tie around my neck after the client leaves, and I sit back on the seat, exhaling a huge sigh. I need a few seconds to recoup before I put out another fire or maybe check in with Finn about what other fires he had been putting out today to stand me up for the meeting."Well, that was quite stressful." Ms Fischer's voice comes out in waves. "For a minute there, I thought we'll lose him, but with good grace, he accepted the new proposal I put forth at the last minute. It all passed quickly."With a small smile playing on my lips, I nod."Thankfully, we managed to do what we set out to do, and now I think we should head back for the office."Ms Fischer blinks at me, tipping her chin towards me to run a finger over her lower lip. "You're probably right. We should head back. I still have a bit of work to catch up on."Raising the glass of cold water to my lips, I gulp down the liquid and then rise from my seat. I pivot to take lofty strides towards the bar's entrance af
EVERETTWe'll fix it somehow.His words reverberate in my head. Tears spill from my eyes as if someone has turned on a faucet behind my eyes.Why am I even crying so much in front of a stranger?But is Mr Thorne a stranger?He has to be.Seeing he doesn't want anything to do with me.For some strange reason, I can't seem to make up my mind. I can't even think straight, so I keep my eyes focused on the road. Neither Mr Thorne speaks after my admissions nor I. We quietly tag along for the long ride.Until my phone rings again.I pull it out of my pocket and receive the call after it shows who's calling me."Yeah, Juan. I'm still on for the shift tonight." I sigh as I hear his question. "Saturday late night? I think I can make it." I scratch the tip of my ear. "Also, I might be late for tonight's shift. I will try my best to get there on time, though."Juan's concerned voice on the static comforts me a little bit."Oh, yeah, right. It's Cody. I'm going to his school. Something has come u