“Basic eggs, bacon, and toast today. I hope you don’t mind.”

Reaper peeked over to see if there was anything for him.

“Reaper?”

“Yes?”

“What’s with the mask thing?”

“What’s with your face thing?”

Reaper, the scary oddball, never took his masks off. We never questioned it much and probably never should. It was curious, though. I had to try just once.

––––––––

“That’s this week in operations.” James stood from the table to stretch his legs.

James kept me in the loop of company operations after Evans kept secretly passing documents to me. He held out hope we could turn this ship around. Plus, the board could work to undermine Slyvia’s plan to dismantle the company.

If they were the loyal types.

“So, the progression for the developments in Switzerland are going smoothly? I think the marketing team should be doing more for the client experience since we have expanded to some other countries and need to dial in some messaging. The last few months look a little sloppy. With how strong things have gone up until last year, I’d say we’re at risk of some poaching.”

He rubbed his chin for a moment, taking in my words. “I can pass this along to Evans and the execs since your external meeting tomorrow is about other topics. You’ve come a long way this semester from learning the basics of business to understanding some nuance in the company.”

I closed the file with a thump. “If I’m being candid, the things behind the curtain may be leaking into business as a whole across the board of families. Personal vendettas are getting hotter. I need to see what the Vaughns have been dealing with topside too.”

Dave entered the room. “You rang? I’m swapping with Reap for babysitting tonight. Mr. Vaughn is excited to see you at the party tonight.”

I wasn’t excited to see him. Since he took on an even bigger role for his grandfather, I kept him at arm's length. When we fucked that night after he gave me a bath, I promised myself no funny business after that.

A promise I wanted to keep to myself. For my sanity. Even though I kept breaking it.

The look on his face when I told him to leave again sucked. Like really sucked. But it was better for us both that way.

“I don’t want to see him. Tell him to avoid me, will you?”

He chucked a box on the table and laughed. “No can do. One, you’re not the one signing my paychecks. Two, I don’t care enough to. He sent this.”

I opened the box to reveal a golden dress. A floor-length gown with shimmering fabric that would make me stand out, not fit in. That was his message to me—stand out and show them who you are. “He must be out of his mind. I'm not wearing this.’