Simon Pascal Knowles De Leon

“You must be Nicholas. The merger guy.” A man walks over his hands clasped together “merger guy?” You ask with a slight confusion was this really a nickname you’d been given? “Yes everyone talks about how you stood up to Harry in that meeting. Very brave.” The man says at first you felt a little pride in yourself. Then a slight feeling of nerves. You’d already set up an expectation that you’d stood up to Harry would they expect it more? Think you’re fearless to face him? Like you aren’t petrified how your heart beats faster around him. You muster up a smile and nod “I did get a little passionate about the merger.” The smile fades at the unamused look on the man’s face “follow me.” Turning on his heel he begins walking you quickly follow behind stopping at a desk. “Nicholas Von Ronsenberg.” A receptionist says typing not looking up before she skids her chair over to a massive machine in the back pulling out a card “this is your ID card. Bring it in every single day to register your attendance. Tap in tap out. Don’t lose it. You’ll be responsible for any charges.” Putting it on the desk turning back to her screen and typing.

You grab the card and mutter a “thanks” walking inside the building. “Where is Harry?” You ask curious. “He’s not here yet. He comes a little late, but believe me once he arrives you’ll know.” The man leads you into an office. Almost double the size of your previous office. A large oak desk in the centre with a computer a desk lamp. Glass doors; and shelves placed around with a giant glass window with a view that felt almost too familiar. You look to the side. And saw the next door’s name plate ‘Harry Castillo chief executive officer.’ Your office. Right not to Harry’s office. How incredibly lucky you are. “Since you’re here part of the merger Harry wanted to keep you updated and expect updates during the finalising process. He thought it might help that you work together and closely.” The man says opening the doors. Stepping in you look around. “Thank you….” You say turning back. “Don’t mention it. If you need anything then just let me know. I’m Alan by the way.” A smile spreads on his face as he leaves. You turn back to the desk setting your briefcase on the table you turn your head to the small minibar you didn’t drink. But your body almost craved some solace of how close you were to the man. You find yourself pouring a glass taking a swig and head a sudden commotion outside.

You walk to the door looking around people running around. Sitting at desks, ear pieces on “Harry Castillo enterprises how may I help?” “Harry Castillo enterprises how may I help?” “Harry Castillo enterprises how may I help?” A phrase repeated so many times it felt deafening. You only come to some sort of other conscious when you hear beep on the elevator the door opens. Quick steps clicking on the marble floor slugged but quick. Everyone had their backs straight. A worker quickly coming up behind holding a cup of coffee. Those large hands wrapping around the handle silver ring gleaming in the light. He had sunglasses on oddly enough despite being indoors. You’d think it would come off in the elevator. As he walks past his head turns to you tilting his head down to look at you briefly without the lenses. Before entering his office. The second he’s in. A couple sighs are left from people. Backs are slightly slouched again. And all you can think is ‘damn’ all that intense energy filling the room for just a couple seconds when he entered. You’d never seen so many people rush into work mode. You turn back to your desk.

As you begin a transfer of files on your computer. Your door knocks and opens. Harry at your door. “You came.” He says a little smile in his lips but his voice sounding sharp like he wasn’t aware he was smiling. “I had to…..Jack thought I’d be the best advisor since I keep track of the documents.” You say sipping your drink. Harry’s gaze follows your hand to your drink his smile slightly intensifies. “Documents you said I couldn’t review because Jack didn’t give you permission to. But now…..” his voice trailing off with amusement. “Now you need to wait. Until the file transfer is complete and I’ll send you over the files that are required to send for the merger.” Harry walks closer “day drinking is quite odd for you. Celebratory?” Harry observes. You look at your glass a couple sips left. “Sure let’s call it that.” You nod. Harry takes another step standing directly opposite you across the desk. His hand reaches out grabbing the glass finishing the last sips in a gulp “I look forward to working with you, mr von Ronsenberg.” Setting the drink down he walks out.

You let out a sigh. You almost feel tense feeling the other works felt leave your body. Your eyes on the cup which he just drank from. the computer beeps the file transfers were done. Then a ding in the corner of the screen an email notification. You click on it. ‘Mr Nicholas. Call me old fashioned if you must but I’d like the files to be physical instead of digitally sent to me. Harry.’ Surely he was kidding right? That was almost thousands of documents to print out and bind together. And then another ding like he’d read your mind ‘by the end of the day I hope.’ This man was mental you think. You Stand up suddenly making your way to the door about to turn to give him a piece of your mind but something stops you. You didn’t know what. You couldn’t understand why but you knew you couldn’t. You turn back inside looking at your giant industrial printer. You turn it on and began the gruelling process of printing. The hum immediately fills the room.

Barely halfway done and already late afternoon the door knocks as Alan walks in. “We got a staff meeting.” Alan says “for what?” You look from the printer “it’s like a daily check in meeting Harry does making sure everyone is doing their jobs.” Alan explains “in meeting room two.” Alan adds. You look at the printer barely halfway you follow him out to the meeting room. It was much bigger than where the merger meeting was held. A grander rectangle table instead of circular. A couple chairs already filled you walk pulling a chair next to Alan. “Nicholas. Next to me.” You hear a firm voice enter you look and see Harry walking to the front of the table taking a seat you look at Alan who gestures his head to Harry. You walk over and take seat next adjacent to Harry. “Run me through the process of everything done today.” Harry says his hands clasped together on a desk. The far end speaks up slowly and gradually getting closer and closer to you. Each report was highly detailed and well spoken. You try to frame your own points but you didn’t even what to say. Your documents were barely printed out. You’re quiet not knowing what to say. When suddenly “Nicholas? Care to contribute to our meeting?” Harry’s eyes staring directly into your soul “or perhaps your celebratory day drinking went a bit too far?” He adds. That struck a little nerve inside you. Why would he even mention that? You speak with what little courage you felt you had “it wasn’t celebratory. And I did actually contribute. Ready to send the files over. But I figured that since you are in fact old fashioned I’d print out the files and bind them to give you.” You clear your throat quickly making your stance clear as a smile crosses Harry’s lips “intriguing. Like someone told you I was old fashioned.” Harry amused turns back. “Overall I’d say today has been a decent day. We’ve had a newer addition. So it’ll take some time getting used to. But I expect a much more productive day tomorrow and expect full reports to be completed.” immediately finishing his speech Harry gets up to walk out and you quickly follow behind him.

“Why did you do that?” You ask trying to keep with his pace “why did I do what?” His blunt voice. “Put me on the spot like that. Call me out for drinking.” You enter his office behind him the door closing behind with a soft thud as Harry turns to you from his desk. “Are you telling me you can’t work under pressure?” Harry says eyebrow raised. “No I’m saying I don’t like to be ridiculed for an obnoxiously long task you asked me to do. And expect it to be done by an afternoon meeting.” You snap slightly you felt an announce inside of you. “I didn’t expect anything. I expected the files to be done by end of day. It’s not end of day.” Harry folds his arms. “Coffee?” He asks gesturing to the table of refreshments “or perhaps your new favourite, whiskey?” That damned smug smile falling over his face. “Stop it.” You mutter “stop what teasing you?” Harry chuckles “while your files are printing help me with a quick task.” Harry adds. You let out nod expecting his next order Harry opens a file cabinet taking some files out. “Help me sort these out chronologically.” Setting the files on the desk “help me with this, and I’ll stop my jabs and maybe I’ll go easy on you in meetings.” You take a step forward looking the files.

Your hand reaches out examining dates you begin to work on the files placing them in order Harry sits on his chair observing a hand under his chin his chair swaying side to side his other hand rubbing his knee. You try to focus but you can’t help but notice the gesture of his hand on his knee it went for a little too long. Not like rubbing sweating off your hands. More like easing pain. You were sat back on your heels on the floor in front of the coffee table. “Is your knee okay? You’ve been rubbing it non stop for 5 minutes.” You confront Harry’s hand immediately stops looking at his knee then back at you a slight thoughtful look on his face like he was considering to tell you something “I’m fine. Just an old surgery that tingles every now and then.” You nod “serious?” You ask “no. Just a couple stitches is all. Car accident.” A part of you found it hard to believe a car accident led to a knee injury. But you also knew he drinks so it wasn’t too hard to believe he’d drink and drive. You turn back to the files.

It had been a couple days since your confrontation with Harry. The entire moment stuck in your head. You couldn’t get of out of your mind. Especially your slightly stupid comment ‘you’re just sad’ you remember saying. You immediately left out of embarrassment you didn’t even want to acknowledge what his expression. Probably that same irritated look he gave his assistant. Like you’d personally offended him. Luckily you weren’t his direct employee so he couldn’t fire you. You tried to get your headspace back to normal. But you couldn’t even making a cup of coffee seemed like it was a task. Your mind drifting to him making the coffee the way he burnt his finger and brushed it off. The slight warmth of his fingers contrasting his cold ring with that green stone inside of it.

At the office. You tried your best to work, fixing up a report before it was sent into the archives. Typing felt somewhat odd too. You felt so trapped of how such stupid mundane things reminded you of Harry. You couldn’t focus. Whether it was feeling flustered by his somewhat gently gestures or the embarrassment of calling him depressed. It was consuming you. “There’s my work husband. So I was thinking you, me lunch break for some sushi. New place opened up around the corner.” Edward walking a big smile on his face. Normally you’d be happy and excited to go out for a lunch break. Especially with Edward. He was quite the goofball when needed to be. Talking about whatever random scenario entered his mind. “I’m busy today, Ed. Maybe another time?” The words came out of your mouth and you felt guilt immediately. But you just couldn’t go. At the pace you were working you weren’t even sure if you’d be able to finish this report by the end of your shift. “You need a break you’ve been working for hours.

Come on a little walk might do you some good.” Edward walks to over the desk pouring a glass of water for himself. “I can’t. Jack needs this done by end of day.” You reply back trying to keep a level of calm. Somehow you felt yourself getting a little heated for what? You couldn’t say.

“Come on, Nick, fresh air, sushi, stupid banter. What’s better than that?” Edward says with a laugh. “Working Ed, working, which I will continue to do as soon you as you leave me be.” You snap slightly the words came harsher than you wanted to you saw your fists clenched which you immediately unclench. Edward looks a little surprised at your response setting the glass down he takes a step back. “Alright, man, just take it easy.” And without another word Edward leaves. Immediately you leaned back in your chair hands over your face in shock and embarrassment of what you’d said. What was wrong with you? Why did you even say that? You didn’t know why you were so on edge. Why the only thing you could think about this entire day was Harry. Why you wanted him to say ‘Nick’ again. You tap your head slightly “get it together Nick. Get yourself the fuck together.” You mutter to yourself. Taking a sip of your water you begin to type away pausing every once in a while. Wondering what Harry would be doing right now.

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Harry, in his office was sitting on his chair tapping on his desk slowly swaying side to side before moving his chair forward opening a drawer and taking a packet out filled with a whit powder he opens it and adds a little onto the desk using a business card to shape it into a line and then sniffs it. Giving his nose a quick rub. He waits a moment letting the high of the drug kick in. “Jessie!” He says loudly another pause “Jessie!” A man quickly enters “yes sir is everything okay?” His voice was slightly nervous almost fearful. “Where’s Jessie? Who are you?” Eyeing up the guy like he’s some nuisance. “You fired Jessie, sir at the meeting.” The man replies his hands behind his back. “Fuck…” Harry mutters under his breath. He forgot he fired his own assistant. Realising he didn’t have anyone to keep his affairs in order he thinks for a moment comping to a quick epiphany. “Get me a line up for new assistants.” Harry barks out almost amusingly like seeing this poor man tremble was a source of slight entertainment. The man quickly nods. “Oh and get Nick. Tell him I want to go over some logistics over the merger.” Harry nods “very good sir.” The man replies leaving quickly.

Harry feeling a little more confident with the drugs kicking in walks over to the coffee stand his hand moves to grab a cup before he pauses and then grabs a glass and pours whiskey instead of coffee taking a sip and having a small sigh. Delightfully Harry was able to see you again. At least making an excuse to. He wanted to know what you meant by those words before you left ‘sad’ like he’d known you for so long and somehow knew he’d collapsed. Fallen into a deep void that couldn’t be fixed unless Harry was drunk or high. Just for a few hours to not be the great Harry Castillo that everyone thinks is perfect and upstanding and reputable. Just for a few hours to be normal. The drugs and alcohol did that. But somehow with you it felt almost better than the highs. He felt grounded. Harry gazes at his phone opening his contacts Whether it was the drugs or simple recklessness, Harry found himself hovering over your contact. perhaps he’d give you a piece of his mind. Perhaps indulge to see if you were doing okay. But he hesitated. At that moment a notification pops up ‘call Lucy?’ a tremble in his hand and suddenly the spike of confidence was gone. A rush of a distant memory he thought he’d tried pushed back came into his head. Not one he wanted to to relive he immediately shuts the phone tossing it aside. He checks the phone again and sees the notification was gone. Checking his calendar and appointments there was no such notice with Lucy. Like the notification didn’t exist at all.

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Just as you were ready to leave for the day hoping to catch Edward to apologise for your harshness. You hear your name from Jack. “Come into my office for a moment.” Jack says as you follow behind into the office. You walk in. “Harry called. Or rather his assistant I guess.” Jack says sitting down his hand steeping together. You’re a little confusedz. Did he replace his assistant that fast in 24 hours? You push that aside for a moment what did Harry calling have to do with you anyways? “Yes and?” You ask an eyebrow raised. “You’re going to be transferred over to Harry’s department to sort out the merger. Finalise all the documentation that needs to be sent from his side to our side and from our side to his side.” A slight shock goes through you “and you want me to do this?” You voice trembles the idea of working in Harry’s building being hands on with Harry. Seeing him everyday as if thinking about him wasn’t enough. “Yes of course what better person to send than the one who knows most of the company files and also works in the archives. I think you’re perfect for this. Harry seems to think so as well. Says he wanted to ask before but couldn’t due to my permission. But you have my permission now.” Jack says with a smile. That sly calculating prick you immediately think. Of course he’d somehow got permission for Jack to send you to give him files. “Well I’ll try my best to not disappoint you.” You fluster out your hands already turning red and sweaty your fingers clenching into your palm nails digging in which leave marks. You turn around walking out. To the elevator. You look in the mirror. To see Harry everyday. To see him in the elevator when you enter. To see him in the office when you work. To hear him speak in the office. All of it every day your mind began to unravel not knowing how to process how you could think to face him. Was this spite for what you said? Was this some plot to show he’d had power over you? Was this genuinely business related? You gasped at straws hoping to find an answer knowing you wouldn’t. Not when you can barely face the truth. You stared at yourself in the elevator mirror, trying to ignore the truth settling heavily in your chest.

The ride to Harry’s office was painfully long and silent you followed Harry’s gaze as he looks at the numbers going up and up all the way to 50th floor. It was surprisingly fast ride up the numbers ticking up fast. But also slow and awkward “you look like you’re being led to an execution.” Harry says breaking the slience. “I’m not sure if you are.” You reply back with an unease trying to figure out why Harry wants you in his office to talk about something you legally can’t talk about. “Relax if I wanted to execute you I’d not do it in my office. Blood is quite the task to clean.” Harry replies as the elevator dings and the door opens. He walks forward you stand in the elevator for a second trying to piece together what was happening when the door begins to close you quickly walk out.

Harry’s office had massive windows that could see almost the entire city. From the Statue of Liberty to the empire state building and the massive Central Park. The giant windows showed it all. You could only imagine what it looks like at night all lit up and sparkling. That was the first thing you noticed the beautiful view your eyes then towards harry frantically walking around moving bottles of alcohol around. That’s when you noticed it all. The bottles, a couple syringes. The sofa in the corner with a crumpled blanket and a blazer over the arm rest. The arm chair had a couple clothes on it. Did he live in his own office and just exahust himself before drinking and getting high? You knew he’d work hard and was cruel but you assumed a rich guy like him had some massive mansion or something to go back to.

“Drink?” He says walking to a table cleaning the bottles dumping in to the near trash can “or coffee instead?” He says almost too quickly like realising drinking might be a bad thing like his office wasn’t working overtime filled with bottles “sure I’ll take a coffee. A little creamer and 2 sugars” you say standing there hides by your legs one hand clutching your suitcase like a lifeline. Harry began to make the coffee his movement was all over the place like he’d never made a cup of coffee before. Something he’d have his assistant do. But couldn’t anymore since he fired her.

“Are you always like this?” You ask not insultingly, you just wanted to know what drove the drugs and the alcohol everywhere. Harry doesn’t reply for a moment his movement around the table to make the coffee “Only on days ending in Y ” Harry says swiftly adding the coffee grounds into the machine. There’s another long pause. He hands you the coffee you mutter a quick “thanks.” As Harry turns back to the table for another cup. The coffee was hot and tasted almost perfectly made a little too much actually coffee though you couldn’t really know if that’s just how Harry liked his coffee or if he didn’t know how much coffee to add.

“You were cruel to her.” You say suddenly making your stance firm on how him firing that poor assistant was. Harry turns to face you there’s a visible shock on his face his eyebrows raised slightly like he was trying to confirm whether you actually had the nerve to say that to his face. He schools his face back into a quick seriousness “she made a mistake. Too many of them. It was a long time coming.” Harry defends himself. You felt a slight irritation in you it was a poor defence “and that justifies embarrassing her in an entire room of people?” You say putting the coffee on his desk a thudding sound showing just how upset you were about this. “You’re expecting far too much from me, like everyone else does. I’m sorry I don’t have time to hold everyone’s fucking hand and baby them when they can’t do simple tasks, like having correct files for a meeting.” Harry says his voice raising as he stirs the coffee cup faster and faster voice getting louder with each word until the burning hot coffee spills over the edge of the cup of onto this thumb Harry recoils his hand back a quick “fuck!” Leaves his mouth.

“Are you…..” you say a little concerned “I’m fine….” Harry says defensively “i don’t need to hold anyone’s hand and I don’t need anyone to hold mine either.” His voice is sharp and clearly he’d taken offence to what you said. He walks to his desk putting his coffee down and sitting on his chair pushing forward. “It’s not about holding hands. It’s about being respectful.” You say back your voice softer now wanting some form of understanding from him. “Respect? For what? Not doing the job you’re required to do? A couple mistakes is what gets you fired.” His voice is still firm and defensive like he doesn’t want to accept making some form of a mistake himself “how do you expect someone to learn and do better if you fire them for mistakes?” You ask “you can’t have everyone be perfect all the time.” You add Harry eyes stare into you. His eyebrows twitch slightly before he looks away turning to his computer screen

“I know….” a soft barely audible whisper leaving his mouth followed by a sip of his coffee. You look up from him slightly at the bulletin board behind him a bunch of sticky notes of different tasks needed to be done. ‘Schedule meeting with Jack’s company for merger at 9am.’ Your eyes take in the different tasks then landing one in particular ‘message Lucy for dinner?’ Your eyes linger for a second specifically on the question mark. Why was it questioned? And who was Lucy? You look back at Harry who’s focused on his screen clicking and typing a moment passes by and nothing is said nor does he look up at you “why did you want me to come up here? You said you wanted to ask questions about the archives. But you likely know that’s not something I can discuss.” You say affirmatively wanting it clear coffee and a conversation wouldn’t get you to violate your company policy. “I know. I wanted to apologise actually.before we had a the slight disagreement over my former assistant” Harry says looking up at you.

You’re surprised by his words. An apology for what? He didn’t specifically do anything wrong to you did he? “That night at the gala when you were trying to help and I pushed you away. It’s been in my mind the past couple days. You were trying to help and I reacted like it was some sort of insult.” his voice has dropped several octaves softer now a genuine tone of guilt. You process his words you wanted to say your already forgotten about that moment but that wasn’t true you also thought about it not just him pushing you away but the entire meeting with Harry was something you couldn’t stop thinking about. For a moment you see that look in his eyes the same he had at the gala. You couldn’t tell what it was then and neither could you now. But you somehow felt enchanted by it.

“Accept my apology?” He says after a long silence between you both. Still quite lost in thought to speak you nod offering a small smile of gratitude. “I’m just glad you had a driver and didn’t drive yourself.” You say soft and hint of nerves in your voice. You worried a lot that day for whatever reason. That he’d make it home safely. “I’ve come to a habit of taking my driver wherever I go. Just in case I drink a little too much.” Harry says turning away to look at his watch before glancing at you “why do you drink so much?” Harry glances around the room at the bottles some of which he’d rushed to get rid of as you entered the office.

“I don’t know, guess it’s just something I’ve gotten used to doing after so much disappointment.” his voice is vulnerable. His eyes you still couldn’t help but want to know what he was really thinking. “You should get going though it’s getting late. I can arrange for a car to drop you home.” Harry says swiftly back to a more studied and focused tone as he taps the table and gets up buttoning his blazer you quickly nod finishing your coffee and get up as well “thank you….” with a smile full of gratitude as you walk to the door Harry watches you. “Nick?” You hear him say. A nickname commonly used for you but your heart beat increased somehow hearing it from his own voice. You turn back to look at him. “You’re not disappointed are you?” He asks a hopeful look on his face. “No…..I think that you’re just sad….and…it’s okay to be…” you say softly you quickly turn around and shut your eyes for a moment in complete stupidity before opening and walking out the elevator as you enter and press the button you say Harry still stood looking through the giant glass door as the elevator door closes.

It was a new day, the sun came through your window, your alarm clock going haywire. You pressed the snooze button. Pulling your blanket over your face, you were so exhausted and your head hurt. You didn’t even drink anything last night at the gala, so you had no idea why your head felt like it had been banged against a wall ten different times. You lay in your bed, hoping it would go away, but it didn’t; instead, the snooze timer finished, and your alarm started ringing again. You snapped it shut and groaned, sitting up, hands rubbing your eyes. Your hair was sticking up like a hedgehog. You didn’t want to go to work today. But you couldn’t take a day off. The bills had to be paid somehow. You forced yourself out of bed, dragging your feet one after the other. First, an aspirin, hoping this headache would stop. Then, to the bathroom for a shower. You entered the shower, cold water spraying over your face as you looked up the shower head, eyes closed, letting the water be absorbed into your skin. The second you shut your eyes for a second. It was filled with flashes of Harry from last night. ‘Sweetheart,’ you heard from his voice, the way it rolled off his tongue like it was some sort of magic spell luring you in. You could almost perfectly visualise the way his mouth said the way his lips pouted and then a smile. You didn't even realise how lost in thought you were until you took a small step, dropping your shampoo bottle on the floor. “fuck…” you muttered as you picked it up and quickly snapped back to reality, taking a shower.

You quickly got ready and headed to the bus stop to head to work. You entered the office, sitting at your desk, getting to work to organise files. Your job was simple but complicated; you were basically an errand boy doing the tedious tasks that none of the executives wanted to do, like making sure the files were in proper order, making changes to reports, sending documents between departments, and sometimes you’d go on coffee orders for the executives when they were in meetings. You’d had this position for two years now. Despite having praises sung in your ear about how good of a job you were doing and how you were ‘the glue to holding this company’ from your boss, you weren’t given a raise or a promotion. Still, you continued to work and did your best, latching onto hope that someday you’d be rewarded. You did have your own office though; after weeks of pestering your boss, you wanted one. It was small and probably a supply closet at some point, but you were happy with it. Working in the office, cubicles were a nightmare, constantly hearing chatter from the other works and phone calls, printer noises. The office was much more peaceful and quiet, and you could work at a much more calm, happier pace. And people had common decency to actually knock on your door to talk to you instead of sliding their chair over to you. You began to work, typing on your keyboard, fixing a report, when you noticed the report in particular was a merger deal report. The name immediately stuck to you: “Castillo Enterprises.” Castillo as in Harry Castillo, your firm in cahoots with Harry’s firm. You didn't even realise they were working together. You quickly got up and headed towards your boss’s office, knocking on his door. “Enter.” You hear your boss’s voice. You walk in and stand behind the desk. “Jack, care to tell me why a merger with Castillo Enterprises is being brought to my attention now?” you ask, wanting your answers. “No good morning or how was your day?” Jack asks taking a sip of his coffee looking at you with amusement, “it was only recently done, the firm was going to made aware of it at the monthly board meeting tonight, which by the way will be taking place at Castillo’s building, he’s hosting a dinner for it to celebrate, the entire firm is invited including you.” Jack says like this was some sort of casual meeting and not with what could be one of the biggest deals this company has ever done. “You’re a lot more calm for this considering how much of a big deal this is.” You say, raising an eyebrow

“Well, the deal is closed, plus Harry and I go way back. This deal was bound to happen.” Jack says, taking another sip, “I’ll see you tonight at Castillo’s building.” You walk back to your office. 

Your mind was reeling; part of you was excited to see Harry again and see that handsome face and the witty, charming humour, but part of you was nervous. He was quite drunk when you’d talked to him. And the way he’d dismissed wanting your help even though you persisted and he let you, you didn’t know how awkward it would be to see him and to know that you’re essentially working for him in some degree. You attempted to be reasonable; maybe he won’t care, maybe he knows you’re working for him since he checked the company, maybe you’re overthinking and things will be fine. But you couldn’t help but overthink. You try to focus on your work. While you work, you don’t realise the time going by until Edward knocks on the door and you look up. “Ready to go? To your boyfriend’s?” Edward says teasingly. “My boyfriend’s?” You ask, confused, clearly not catching on. “Yeah, Harry’s office. You were quite smitten with him last night, so maybe you and him are getting it on.” Edward says, laughing obnoxiously, proud of his own joke. “I just helped him get home because he was drunk. It’s called being a nice person.” You try to defend yourself: “Right,  of course, and to meet new, sweet, adorable people.” Edward mocks Harry’s words, and you couldn’t help but blush at it, realising Harry was looking right at you when he said those words. “Whatever. We’re not together, and he’s highly unlikely to even be into me.” You say, still wanting to defend yourself, as you get up and head to the door, putting on your jacket.

Arriving at Harry’s office was easy; it was the getting out of the car that was hard. Panic ensues quickly: what do you do now? Greet Harry like you didn’t meet him? Acknowledge it’s nice to see him again? Ask if he’s okay and not too hungover? Your heart pounding. Your hands beginning to go red from sweat, and you could feel your breath going heavy. You feel more sweat over your head, and before you know it, your eyes are blurry, and hyperventilating begins. A full-blown panic attack. “Nick? You okay?” Edward says, trying to rub your back, hoping it’d find some comfort. But it doesn’t; your mind goes to places that you knew were unrealistic, but your mind is reeling and making the panic worse. “Nick, calm down. It’s going to be okay. Just mention it’s nice to see him and you enjoyed the speech, and you hope he’s okay. Let the conversation fall where it may. Just remember you’re on business,” Edward says, trying to ground you. Your hands are balled into tight fists, digging deep enough to your nails, stabbing your skin. A harmful coping mechanism you’d developed to ground a panic attack. You breathe slowly, slowing as you consider Edward’s words. He was right; this was business. The chances of him acknowledging the night before will be unlikely since he’s going to only talk about the business stuff. You take another shallow, shaky breath, unclenching your hands. The crescent-shaped marks on your palm. You manage to pull yourself together. “I’m ready.” You nod as you get out the car and head inside. 

Walking in, you see the pristine and modern architecture of the building, a giant marble desk with three receptionists repeating the same phrase over and over till it was deafening: “Harry Castillo Enterprises, please hold.” Walking past, you enter the main conference where Jack had already been, going through files. “Glad you guys made it.” Jack says, looking at you, his eyes heading through you like he was analysing every small detail of you. “You could’ve chosen a better tie.” John says, slightly irritated. “It’s the most expensive tie I’ve had.” You say, “Just take it off; it’s too much.” John says, turning back to the files, “You take the tie off, stuffing it into your pocket.” At that moment, Harry walks in; his hair was a complete mess, like he’d just strolled out of bed, not even bothering to groom himself. His tie was loosened and crooked slightly off to the side, his shirt was half tucked in and half out, and his eyes were red. An extreme hangover look. One loose strand falls over his face. Every fibre of your being fought to not simply push it back with your hand. “Good morning, team. Let’s get down to it, shall we?” Harry says, his voice slightly raspy and gravelly, unbuttoning his blazer as he takes a seat. The soft clanging sound of his coffee hitting the table. His eyes linger on you for a moment too long, like he’s trying to decipher why you’re here. He turns his attention to the desk and opens the files. His smile, that plasters his face, suddenly turns cold. 

“What is this?” Harry asks, turning to his assistant who is sitting next to him. The assistant looks up, a slight confused expression falls on her face. “I don’t understand what you mean.” The assistant replies back. “This isn’t the file I asked for. I wanted the file that addresses the merger, not the file that talks about the companies’ financial statements. I swear sometimes I feel like I’m talking to a brick wall.” Harry says, letting a scoff. The assistant trying to apologise is quickly shut down by Harry. “I’ve had it with you. All these mistakes you keep repeating again and again. Disorganised files, wrong files for the meetings, and not to mention you’ve not even given a proper briefing of the meeting. And I’ve been lenient, but it ends. You’re fired. Effective immediately.” His voice was incredibly cold and indifferent, clearly not caring to realise there was an entire team of people here for a meeting. The assistant’s face is in slight shock.  “That means you can leave now. Goodbye.” Harry says firmly back at her, waving his hand dismissingly. She gets up and quickly walks out. You could almost see the tears in her eyes. “Harry puts his thumb and forefinger to the bridge of his nose, letting out a heavy breath before rubbing a hand down his face and forcing himself back into a business-ready expression. The entire room, including you, suddenly has a serious look on your face, a massive tension of nerves filling the room. You couldn’t even believe this was the same man you’d met yesterday at the gala. How could someone so sweet and charming be so cruel over a small mistake? It was unnerving. You knew what Edward had told you that he was cruel and ruthless, but you didn’t expect this. You thought it just meant he preferred to have things done. But firing an assistant over a small mistake was not something you considered. Besides thinking how different he was from the gala. This deeply worried you for the merger going forward. 

As the meeting goes on, the tension remains, like everyone was somehow expecting Harry to snap at something again. He continues to talk about the merger and how beneficial it would be. Every now and then, he looks at you, studying you as you take notes. When you look up and notice him staring, he quickly turns away, continuing to talk or pay attention to whoever else is talking. “Nicholas,” suddenly you hear. You look up from your notes and turn to Jack. “Nicholas, here is quite smart, actually. I’m sure he has thoughts on this merger, don’t you?” Jack says, nudging your shoulder. And now all eyes were on you, including Harry’s, as they waited for your opinion. You didn’t think this merger was a good idea. “Well, I uh… think that this merger will be quite different since it’s a conglomerate merger. There’s not much our business has in common with yours. Simply doing it for merger financing. Both are companies successful in their own ways, and this merger feels more like an insurance policy than an actual partnership to work together.” You say you’d already read up about Castillo Enterprises and how successful their company was and how their so-called mergers were only partnerships done to create more financial stability for the company rather than actual business growth.  The room is slightly surprised at your reaction. Harry’s face flickers with surprise, then something almost amused, like he never expected you, of all people, to disagree with him. A small laugh escapes him. “You’re not wrong, yes. This merger is more of an insurance policy for both of us. Wouldn’t you agree?” He says, turning to everyone as they agree. But you couldn’t tell if it was because they actually did agree or if it was fear that Harry might snap. “So all in favour of a merger?” Jack says as everyone raises their hand; you keep your hand down. Harry’s eyes are on you, studying you, looking right through you. “And all not?” Jack asks. You look at Harry and raise your hand. “Well then I see this merger is happening.” Harry says with a smile over his face his eyes on you. Everyone claps and toasts. “Good to be in partnership with you Harry” Jack says shaking his patting his shoulder and walking out. You grab your briefcase and your coat  to leave as well