“It’s a shitty situation, this whole thing, but I promise, this is good for everyone. We can move on from it. People will forget. Maybe you could even sell the design to a small company for cheap, rather than my other suggestion. See, we have options.”
I sit back in my chair. “I’ll look into it. Is there anything else you need from me?”
“Maybe a signature or two, but I’ll let you know.”
“All right, then. Thank you.”
I end the call and spin in my chair to look out the windows. It’s cloudy today, chilly, and rainy. Not shocking for spring, but summer will be here soon and hopefully the warmth will be too.
There’s a soft knock on the door and it opens before I call them in. The only person who has ever done that is Cassius, so for a split second, I wonder if it’s him surprising me at work.
“I have something for you, Mr. Stone,” Oliver says.
I spin in my chair to face him, disappointed. I don’t expect Cassius to leave his sister today, but I was happy thinking I’d get to see him sooner rather than later.
Oliver is standing on the other side of my desk, looking… less than happy. Tired, almost. Maybe annoyed. I can’t quite tell.
He’s offering me a thin manilla folder. I take it, holding his gaze while I flip it open.
I bring my attention to the papers inside the folder and don’t understand what I’m looking at. It looks like screenshots of conversations. I didn’t ask for this, and I’m not sure why anyone in the office would need such a thing. I close it and offer it back.
“You have the wrong person.”
He doesn’t move, not even taking the folder from me.
“I don’t think I do,” he says carefully.
I raise a brow, staring him down and waiting for an explanation.
“Oliver, I am not in the mood for games today,” I say, jerking the folder toward him.
His hands go behind him, and he rocks back on his heels.
“Is Cassius coming by today? Isn’t he starting work?”
I hadn’t told him about this. It wasn’t any of his business, or anyone else’s on this floor, since he won’t be working up here. There’s no reason Oliver should have this information unlesssomeone in the office is gossiping. I don’t fucking like gossip. And how did this start, anyway?
“Is there something you need, Oliver?” I ask firmly, keeping my face as neutral as possible, but bringing up Cassius rubs me the wrong way. Something about it feels off, and I’m already in a bad mood.
He stands up straighter. “Yes, actually. There is,” he says flatly. “Open the folder.”
“No,” I say. “Tell me what this is about.”
“If you’d open the folder, you’d see.”
“Whatever is in this folder has nothing to do with me.”
“That’s where you’re mistaken.”
I grit my teeth, leaning forward and feeling murderous.
“Tell me what is going on, right this second, or find yourself a new goddamn job,” I grit out.
He smiles, slow and sharp.
“That won’t be happening. In fact, I think I’ll walk out of here today with a promotion.”
I huff a laugh. I can’t help it. “Have you lost your mind?”