Dirty Past (2)
1342 Words
Chapter 9: Dirty Past (2)
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Days later we had all began working on the new promotion for this big time author. What made Haley Williams special was because she was not only extremely young and talented but she was already in the public eye. Meaning that promoting her will be fairly easy and her promotion will also serve to bring in more business to our company. At least that’s the way I understand the situation… Even thought there is something bothering me a little bit…
The CEO asked me to go to his office and I’m headed right there while my heart is beating at great speed. No, I don’t have a secret crush on my boss, don’t be silly. The thing is… I’m nervous, why would he ask me to go there out of all the editors?
“You came quicker than expected!” A voice behind me said cheerfully, I instantly recognized it as Mr. Carelesse’s voice, I wonder why he’s not in his office but behind me instead…
“I didn’t want to keep you waiting sir…” I said in a professional tone while doing my best to smile all the while avoiding eye contact with my boss.
“Are you nervous? You don’t like looking people in the eyes? That’s fine, let’s go inside and talk!” Mr. Carelesse quickly urged me to go inside. He read me like an open book, as if all my thoughts had been laid bare in front of this man’s eyes… but what was even more surprising than all of that was the fact that he didn’t touch me. Does he know of my condition already?
“You’ve worked here for a while, right?” He asked me after sitting down on the opposite side of the table. His piercing gaze seemed to be looking right through me, but I wasn’t as uncomfortable as I thought I would be. Somehow he’s so charismatic that it’s reassuring me that everything is alright.
“Yes, sir.” I answered his question straightforwardly.
“Do you like your job? Is it difficult?” Those two questions I hadn’t expected to receive…
Do I like it… I guess so, I’ve never really had that kind of time to think it through personally. But if I had to give a straight answer then… “I do enjoy working here. As to whether it’s difficult or not, I don’t think there are easy jobs but I find this one interesting and I don’t mind the extra work it involves.”
Those were in essence my true thoughts… well I might have made them a bit prettier and more professional. If I had to be completely honest I could spend a day and a half complaining about various things involving the authors, the other departments, co-workers and such… but as for a simple answer that was enough.
“I see… then would you be willing to work a bit harder for another author?” Mr. Carelesse said as she crossed his legs, this man literly radiates dominance from his entire body.
I got a bit confused by the second question so I asked him. “Other author?”
“I’ll be blunt, would you be willing to end working with Takano Masamune and Dominic Laventon to make way to work for another even more popular author?” The CEO in front of me seemed to have simplified his words to the maximum and still I had a hard time understanding what he wanted from me.
Are we talking in speculation? If I would be willing to do something… or does he mean to actually give me another author thus asking me to leave the two I’m currently working with?
“I don’t know, sir… I’ve worked with both of them for a long time, and both of them also have great potential…” I said in a bit more quiet voice than I wanted to.
“Hm… That’s a bit disappointing, I was excepting a very straightforward answer but that wasn’t a ‘no’ either so I guess I’ll accept it…” He looked away for a moment and then back at me without saying anything more. I guess he’s waiting for me to say something else…
“What other author would want to work with me, sir?” I asked in a timid voice. I can’t help it, okay?! You would probably be just as stressed as I am right now if you were in my place… Not to mention how damn intimidating the man is.
“Haley Williams, she wants to work with you personally… So I was hoping you could focus on her and leave your other author’s works to other editors.” The CEO explained and it left me speechless.
Why would she want to work with me? I’m not really popular for anything besides being a mysophobic i***t that doesn’t know when to take no for an answer when it comes to manuscripts. And those aren’t really desirable qualities, you know?
None of this makes sense…
“I would love to work with Miss Williams but I find it hard to believe she would want someone like me… Our editorial department is full of very capable people, Richard, Kevin, Daniel, Brian, all of them are more than capable to work with her.” I said, you might think I’m being humble but I’m just scared, I never would have expected to work with a big name author off the bat. So I don’t want to risk doing anything wrong.
After all, I’m completely content living my life in such a simple way as I have up until now…
I don’t have any strong desires nor do I have strong distain for things, I live in a lukewarm state you might call it… I find it comfortable and that’s enough for me.
If I were to work with someone insanely popular and mess up, it will all be on my shoulders. And to be completely honest I don’t have that much guts nor dignity to take up such a large responsibility… I’m a coward, okay?
“Yes, the other authors are capable indeed… but you were requested. I don’t know why Haley wants you to be her editor but please do consider it. I’m sorry to be harsh but if you don’t agree there is a huge chance that she will no longer want to work with us. And if that happens then I’ll have to let you go… it will be like taking responsibility for your actions, you know?” Mr. Carelesse’s tone suddenly changed from that of a gentleman to one of a demon…
I see what’s happening now… He’s not really giving me a choice in the matter. He’s simply telling me what I must do… and if I reject his offer and Miss Williams refuses to work with us then I’ll take the fall…
What’s with this? I’m screwed if I take the job and mess up… but if I refuse the job I’m screwed even worse…
If that’s the case then… “Mr. Carelesse, I’ll accept the job.”
- Writer
