Page 41 of Hating the Boss

He leaned back in his armchair and drummed his fingers against the armrest. He smiled back at me. A real, genuine smile. Maybe he did just want me to be happy, but it was his version of happy. I felt a pang of guilt for lying to him, but pushed it down.

“I liked her,” he said.

“You barely met her.” I laughed.

“She’s very pretty,” he continued. “Reminded me of your mother.”

I rolled my eyes at his sappiness. Aside from Sarah and my mother both having brown hair, I didn’t see the resemblance.

“The board will like her too,” said my father, his wistfulness gone. It was back to business now. “She needs to be more visible. Needs to be at your side.”

“Right.” I nodded.

“You need to take this seriously, son.”

“I know that.”

“If we lose Music Now…”

“We won’t,” I assured him.

“He’s very old-fashioned, you know? Like me. It sounds like he wants to work with a family man.”

“I get it, Dad.”

“Then start acting like one before we lose everything.”

Chapter 17 Sarah

I watched cars pass as the town car made its way down the block, Stellar Industries coming into view with its glass walls that led up to the clear blue skies, making it seem like it went on forever. I stacked the unnecessary copies that Brad had asked me to make at the nearest print shop. At least, I thought they were unnecessary. I didn’t snoop too much, but I did see a printed out takeout menu in there somewhere.

I rolled my eyes as I read over Mr. Chow’s famous egg rolls.

I hadn’t come into the office with high expectations. After yesterday, I was certain Brad was pushing my limits to see if I could handle this job. Either that, or he really enjoyed seeing me suffer.

Suffer was a strong word. Though my feet would disagree. Hence, the ballet flats I slipped on as I headed out the door this morning.

At least I got a coffee out of it. I ended up going back to Café Lola for his ridiculous coffee order that I had somehow grown addicted to since yesterday. The barista would never have to know that I was now ordering it for myself, and not for my strangely particular boss.

I sipped on it now as the town car pulled up to the curb. I almost didn’t want to get out. I was settled comfortably against the cool leather, enjoying the blast of air conditioning on this brutally hot summer morning.

“We’re here, miss,” said the driver, looking at me in the rearview mirror with a warm smile.

“Thank you!” I went to reach for the door, but he had already hopped out and rounded the car to open it for me.

I thanked him again, tucking the papers under my arm carefully and stepping out of the car clutching my cappuccino. I hadn’t even bothered to ask Brad if he wanted one. Served him right.

I stepped out onto the curb and spotted a sharp-dressed older man exiting the building. I recognized him from somewhere. The thick white hair. Bushy eyebrows. Stern features. I racked my brain to think of where I knew him, when the memory popped in my brain. I had met him at the club last week. Brad had introduced me, but I couldn’t remember his name.

As he walked toward me, he did a double-take before giving me a smile. A smile like he knew something I didn’t. I opened my mouth to say something, but he passed by me and slipped into a waiting town car.

That was strange.

I shrugged it off and walked into the building, preparing myself for whatever else Brad had in store for me. I hoped we would stay in the office like he had mentioned, partly for my own selfish reasons, but also because even after yesterday, I wanted to be around him.

“I have your copies,” I said, waving them in the air as I entered the office.

“Thank you, Sarah. Please, close the door behind you.”