Mercy On Me

Damian

Ever since Angel and I went to the fundraiser three weeks ago, things have shifted between us. In a good way. Our transition from two people dating and enjoying each other’s company to boyfriend and girlfriend has been seamless. At least, I think so.

Angel doesn’t come into the office much at all, so there’s been no issues from mixing our business and personal lives. As far as I know, everyone has been treating her well, which tells me their fear of me doesn’t extend to her. Though I’m sure they censor their true feelings about me when she’s around.

Mr. Nicholls has called me into his office for a one-on-one, which hasn’t happened for months. He’s a hands-on CEO, but aside from the frequent check-ins via phone call or email, and monthly department manager meetings, he doesn’t often require me to come to his office. Sitting in the reception area, waiting for the big boss who built this company on his back, makes me feel the same way I did all the times I sat outside the principal’s office as a kid.

“Mr. Taylor? He’ll see you now.” Nicholls’ receptionist, Whitney, gestures for me to enter his office. He got one with solid walls, so I’m unsure what I’m walking into.

I knock twice and swing the door open to enter. The septuagenarian is seated in his cognac leather office chair, which seems to grow each time I’m here. He reminds me of my father, in a way, because he’s given everything to this company, and now he has no life outside of it aside from a wife he never mentions. He’s in his early seventies, but he’s made no indication he’s planning to retire.

“Damian, have a seat.” He closes a file folder and slides off his thick gold-framed glasses, placing them on the desk beside his computer mouse.

I drop into the seat across from him. “It’s good to see you, sir. Hard to believe we work in the same building and go so long without a face-to-face meeting.”

“Well, as long as each department manager does their job, it makes mine easier.”

This is so much worse than being chastised by the principal. My stomach sinks at his implication that I’m not doing my job.

“First thing’s first. You and your lady friend made quite an impression at the fundraiser a few weeks back. I spoke with Mr. Horvath earlier and he informed me you insulted his daughter.”

I jolt in my chair, wanting to jump up and shout over the outrageousness of that claim, but I gather my thoughts before replying. “That’s not even remotely true, sir.”

“Yeah, yeah. I figured as much. I’ve known that girl since she was small and she never did take well to being told no.”

Do I laugh at that? I want to laugh, because it sounds a lot like Serena, but Mr. Nicholls isn’t so much as smirking. This is awkward, but sometimes the truth is. If the situation with Serena taught me anything, it’s that sidestepping the cold, hard facts is only prolonging the inevitable. Better to get it over with.

“I’m sorry if we reflected poorly on you or on Harbour Campaigns, sir, but Miss Horvath was angry with me and behaved… well, she was really childish and I told her as much. I wasn’t going to subject my girlfriend to that, so we left.” As strange as it feels discussing personal matters with my boss, it’s a relief to explain my reasoning.

“Nor should anyone have to put up with that. Bill Klein and I met for a drink a few nights ago and he told me what actually happened. It sounds like you did a fine job of representing us, son. That’s not why I called you in, though.”

The tension that had dissipated for a moment is back with a vengeance. I’m clenching the leather chair cushion at my sides to keep my hands from shaking. I’d take my public school principal, Mr. Peever, over the man holding my livelihood in his hands any day.

“There’s been some mumblings around the office that your department is descending into chaos. Now, the reason we fired Mr. Woodward from your position in the first place, was because his teams had become ineffective. I won’t let history repeat itself.”

I’d hardly call it chaos. We’ve still met all of our deadlines and put out good work. The biggest issue is that my team has a distinct lack of confidence and wastes time running things by me or running away from me. But the blame doesn’t belong to them. I’m the one who was pushed into this role and I’m the one who has to figure out how to make it work.

After some deep thought, I respond, “There’s been a breakdown in communication somewhere along the way. It’s an issue I’m aware of. I’m trying to rectify it, but it’s a diagnostic issue. The symptoms can have many causes, so I’ve yet to figure it out. I promise you, sir, I’m doing everything in my power to lead a successful team.” I almost say, “nothing is more important to me than the success of this company,” but that would be a flat-out lie. Sure, I want the business to do well, and I’ll do my part to make that happen, but it’s not at the top of my list of important things. Never will be.

“Let me know what you need from me to make that happen. Our food and beverage division is our bread and butter, Damian. I entrusted it to you because I saw your promise. Don’t make me regret my choice.”

“I won’t let you down.”

“Very well. I just wanted to discuss that with you man to man. I’ll leave you to get back to work.” Mr. Nicholls has a reputation for saying what needs to be said without saying it. That’s why he’s built a successful marketing and public relations company. What he’s saying now is “get out.”

“Thank you for speaking with me. If you have any concerns or suggestions in the future, I’m all ears.” I stand from my chair, re-button my suit jacket, and turn to leave.

As I’m a few feet from the door, Mr. Nicholls calls, “How’s that new freelancer working out? I was wondering why you never asked why I hired someone for your department without consulting you. Most managers take issue when I go over their heads.”

I spin back around to face Mr. Nicholls. “To be honest, sir, it didn’t occur to me you went over my head because you are over my head. If you think a decision is right, I’ll support that.”

He gives me a stoic nod in reply.

“And for what it’s worth, you were one hundred percent right about her. She’s been an incredible addition.” Personally and professionally, but I don’t add that. Even though that’s a very clear truth, not everything needs to be said.

I return to my office a few minutes later and find a meeting happening in the boardroom across the hall. I’m not sure how to feel about what Mr. Nicholls said, but I am sure who I want to talk to about it. With a quick tap of my touchscreen, my phone is ringing in my ear.

“Hey. I was just thinking about you.”

That makes my smile grow twice as wide because I know she isn’t just saying that.

“Hmm. What were you thinking?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know. I’m just taking a break to tend to Genie’s incessant need for belly rubs. It’s a mystery how she ever survived when I was working full days at Harvest.”

“Maybe I’ll have to implement a pet-friendly policy in the office. She wants you there; I want you here. One of us is missing out.”

Angel stays silent for a count of ten. “I think it’s best how things are. Too much of a good thing, you know? Like how microwave radiation isn’t harmful once or twice, but after prolonged exposure…”

Did she just…? “Are you relating yourself or me to radiation?” I furrow my eyebrows, even though she can’t see me. “Never mind. Neither of us are harming the other with our microwaves or gamma rays or… neutron rays.”

She snorts a laugh. “Are neutron rays a thing?”

“Angel.” I say her name how she told me not to say it when she was mad at me. “Point is, I wish I could see you more.” I got so distracted being jealous of Genie’s belly rubs, I forgot why I called, so I revert to my planned conversation and away from Clingy Damian. “Mr. Nicholls called me into his office today.”

She doesn’t seem put off by the abrupt subject change. “Oh, really? What did he have to say?”

I relay the pertinent information, leaving out the nonsense regarding Serena because that situation is over, as far as I’m concerned.

“Descending into chaos? That’s a bit much.”

Her matching reaction to mine makes me chuckle. “That’s what I thought. Don’t get me wrong; a lot of work needs to be done, but it’s hardly chaos.”

“I’d offer to play double agent and find out who the rat is, but nobody really talks to me and I wouldn’t be good at being deceitful.”

That bothers me. Probably more than it should. I was under the assumption her relationship with me didn’t affect her position with colleagues. That was naïve of me. Maybe my department is in chaos.

Before I can say anything else, I glance up to see Elliot waving me into the boardroom from the other side of my wall of windows. “I’m sorry. Duty calls. Can I see you tonight?”

“Same time, same place.”

We say our rushed goodbyes, then I walk out into the hallway.

Elliot looks tentative and afraid. “Sorry for interrupting. We were hoping we could get your input on something.”

Of course they were.