It was Kyle Peters.
Even if Channing hadn’t shown Max a photo of Kyle online, Max might have guessed it was Kyle. Maybe it was his ultra-flashy suit, his smug grin, or his extravagant electric scooter that gave him away.
Whatever it was, Max knew it was time to have a word with Kyle – and make it a word or several that Kyle wouldn’t be forgetting in a hurry…
‘Yo! Kyle?’ Max hollered, immediately drawing the attention of the man. ‘Yo! Wait there.’
Max began to walk toward Kyle with a look of cold vengeance on his face. The thought that he was approaching the man who had put his darling boy through so much unnecessary pain was making Max’s blood boil.
Don’t lose your shit.
Stay in control.
This is just a warning shot…
The closer Max got to Kyle, the more he could see that Kyle looked nervous.
Did Kyle know who he was?
Whether Kyle did recognize him or not, Max knew that he was in total control of the situation.
‘The name’s Max Manchester, and we need a serious talk about Channing,’ Max said, his voice gruff and firm. ‘I don’t like how you’ve been treating Channing. You need to wise up, and wise up pretty fucking fast.’
Max could tell that Kyle was panicking.
‘I…um… who the hell are you again?’ Kyle said, clearly trying to worm his way out. ‘Channing?Um… I don’t think I know a Channing?’
Max was seeing how much of a sneak Kyle was.
Of courseKyle knew who Channing was.
If words weren’t going to work, then Max considered that he might have to get a little more physical…
‘You’ve got one more chance,’ Max said, stepping closer to Kyle and putting his hands on Kyle’s expensive suit jacket. ‘Are you going to be nice to Channing or not?’
But before Kyle could answer, Max felt a hand on his shoulder.
The hand however wasn’t a Green Sky Future security officer, it was in fact Channing’s…
‘It’s okay, I’ve got this from here,’ Channing said, a look of steely determination on his normally so sweet and angelic face. ‘As thenewFuture Organization Development VP, I want to have a real serious chat with one of my employees.’
‘W-w-w-what?’ Kyle said, a look of shock and horror on his face. ‘But…’
‘Of course, I welcome you onto my team wholeheartedly,’ Channing said, a cold, calm control in his voice. ‘But I’d understand it if you wanted to consider your future too, Kyle. Whatever you choose, I’m cool with. Just know that I’m here to stay and I’m not going to tolerate any negativity or selfish behavior from my staff. We’re in this to help the world, not look after our own interests. Why don’t you take the morning off to have a think about what you want to do Kyle?’
Max stood with a big smile on his face.
It was impressive to hear Channing talking with so much authority and confidence – so much so that it was clear that Channing was born for this role.
‘Screw you!’ Kyle blurted out, prompting both Max and Channing to chuckle. ‘You can take that as my formal resignation letter!’
With that, a seething Kyle turned and ran back to his scooter, never to be seen at Green Sky Future again.
It was no loss.
And it meant that Channing would be able to bring in a new hire whocaredabout the work over their own career ambitions.
‘Thank you, Daddy,’ Channing said, turning to Max.
