“Will do.”
“I’m sorry to interrupt your plans, but this is important.”
He doesn’t sound like he’s sorry at all. What about the part where he interrupted my lunch? Do I get an apology for that?
“Raven, did you hear me?”
“Yes, and no worries. This account comes first, sir.” I say ‘sir’ a bit surlier than necessary, and I don’t doubt he heard it, based on the way he clears his throat.
“Good. Thank you, Raven.”
I put the phone down and stare at it for several minutes. I got my thank you, although he practically snarled it.
Charles is making it very clear that he’s my boss, and if nothing else, he’s treating me like everyone else in the office.
Ugh. In the office. God, I hope he doesn’t play this Jekyll and Hyde routine every time we go somewhere.
I sigh as I realize I need to cancel on poor Asher after I practically begged him to come out with me.
This is important for my job. I have to make a good impression.
The only way I’m ever going to succeed is if I work hard. He’ll understand.
But spending my evening with Charles... stuck in his office with nobody else around... no thank you.
I gulp and quickly change my stream of thought.
I won’t think like that again.
It’s not healthy.
It’s not right.
Yet it’s all I’ll think about for the next several hours.
Fuck my luck.
I get to work sending Asher a message to inform him about the change of plans.
Asher is naturally upset but assures me he’ll be badgering me tomorrow for another dinner date.
I finish up my lunch, throwing it into the trash and making my way back to my office. My phone beeps, and I look down to see one last text from Ash.
Asher: I’m proud of you, Raven. You’re kicking ass at Cavendish.
I know in that instant that he definitely wasn’t involved in the Summer debacle.
Not Asher.
He wants me to win just as much as he wants to win. He’s my cheerleader and confidant, and it’s one thing I don’t have to worry about ever losing. We’re in things together.
The evening rolls around quickly, and I nervously make my way to Charles’s office. I glance around and see that only two people remain. One is packing up, and the other is Shelby, who’ll undoubtedly leave within the hour.
“Hey, Raven. Getting ready for a long night with the boss man?”
I lean over her desk and whisper, “What kind of mood is he in?”
She smirks. “Lucky for you, he’s in an exceptionally chipper mood this afternoon.”