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"It's on hold because of the CEO's upcoming visit, but the director said it's as good as mine. I wouldn't have gotten it if you hadn't put in a good word for me."
"You got it because you're hard-working, Kofo," I remind him. "Hard work always pays off. It is sad that I'll be losing such an incredible assistant, but I'm happy for you."
"If you are willing," Kofo begins, nervously, "my cousin is looking for a job currently, and he's worked as an assistantbefore. I could give you his resume and you could see if he would be a good replacement."
"Email it to me." I nod at him. "And thanks for the coffee."
He looks relieved, and as he walks out, I blink. "Hold up. Did you just say we have the CEO visiting?"
"Oh, yes." Kofo turns around. "The company has been in talks about a change of ownership. I heard a new CEO was decided upon a week ago, but all the details are very hush-hush. None of the other directors know who he is either. He's coming to the office tomorrow, so Director Beyern said that until his inspection and visit are over, we're not going to change anything."
I've been busy with some promotional work I didn't hear about the new CEO. But it's strange. The directors should have been informed.
"Do you know how long he's coming for?" I ask, curious.
"No." Kofo shakes his head. "But rumors are that he plans to shake things up, especially with the senior and middle management."
My lips press into a thin line.
"I see," I murmur. "Go back to your desk and pull up the files on the Drocker project. I need to review the promotional material for the game's launch."
Kofo hurries back to his desk, and I lean back in my chair before pulling it forward and checking my email. There's no mention of a CEO visit. We should have at least been forwarded an email.
I have a bad feeling about this. I don't know why. I just can't shake it off.
The feeling intensifies by lunchtime when Gregory Black, one of the senior managers of my department, strolls into my office. Gregory reminds me of Norman, and I always get tense around him. He's a cocky little bastard, arrogance drilled into his bones. A year ago, when the previous director was about to step down, both Gregory and I were in the running for the Director of Marketing position. Unlike me, Gregory resorted to every means possible to get the title. He even went so far as to sabotage one of my projects, which would have cost the company a loss of two million dollars, something the company could have subsequently sued me for. He had bragged about it in front of me and taunted me as I had been dragged into despair over the ruins of my work. He didn't care that I had a child to feed. In fact, he had made disparaging comments about what a pity it was that Riya and I would become homeless as a result of the lawsuit.
He's like a human version of Norman.
However, he underestimated me.
His sabotage was his undoing. I spent nights fixing everything, and the result was much better than the original work. It was on the basis of that, that I ended up getting the position of director.
"Can I help you, Gregory?" I sigh in unveiled irritation.
"Did you hear about the new CEO?" Gregory makes himself at home in my office, sprawling on the couch, his arms spreading over the back.
"Yes." I pick up one of the game character designs for the poster and study it. "It's hardly news to me. You know, being a director and all."
I sneer at him at the last part and enjoy the way he bristles.
"Yeah, well," he narrows his eyes, "I heard he plans to do some cleaning around here and us managers will be called in to offer our reviews about how our departments are being run."
"Well, that's a pity," I comment nonchalantly. "The poor man will have to listen to you talk. Oh, well, we all have our crosses to bear."
"You'd better watch your attitude around me, Cynthia!" Gregory jumps to his feet. "You could get fired if I open my mouth."
"Oh, no," I say blandly. "I'm shaking. Now, get out of my office. I have work to do."
Gregory storms out, hissing some expletives under his breath that my wolf ears catch.
I roll my eyes.
However, a few minutes later, I set down the designs, frowning. Gregory is quite an accomplished liar. If he manages to buddy it up with the new CEO and starts spouting garbage, will my job really be in danger?
By the end of the workday, we all get emails that the new CEO will arrive tomorrow so we should all be there to greet him. I still don't understand all this need for secrecy about him, but maybe he's some weirdo with a penchant for being mysterious. Aside from Gregory's nonsense, my department has been flourishingunder my leadership, so he should have no reason to fire me. Unless, of course, he doesn't like my face or something.
I head out to pick up Riya from Tony's place. He usually picks her up from the preschool and looks after her until I get off work. As I drive to his apartment, grabbing some dinner for the two of us, I find myself musing over the past. Ever since I was freed from the blood debt and was pregnant and alone, my wolf became fiercely protective of the child within me. Now that Tony and Maya have helped me shift a couple of times, we all go on runs on the weekend, late at night. Riya is too young to shift right now, but she enjoys riding on our shoulders. Being able to shift has done wonders for the connection I share with my animal. And it's also made me realize that, despite the happiness Maya brings us, my wolf is still lonely. It's the kind of loneliness I can't understand. It expresses no interest in any male, but there is a grief inside me that I can't shake off.
