Incendiary

5. Again...

Theo

it's 7:30 in the morning when I get to work. I barely slept last night, and I don't want to be here.

Walking into the building, I am immediately greeted by my assistant, Lane. She's tall with curly brown hair and caramel skin.

She got hired because she had a good resume, and I just desperately needed an assistant. She's worked for me for the last two years.

She's shy, and I'm fairly certain she's scared of me, but she does her job well. She's wearing a simple blue pantsuit, and she looks like she got a good amount of sleep.

Lucky.

I see she has a planner in her hand while she is walking up to me. She reads my face and grimaces.

"Good morning Mr.Black," she says tentatively.

I nod. I hate greetings, they're so weird.

Lane's heels click against the floor, signifying her presence behind me as we walk to the elevator.

We both step into the mirrored space, and I press the 20th-floor button. I look at myself on the mirrored surface and realize how apparent my eye bags are. My hair is messy, and my suit is wrinkled. I look like a mess.

I can't find it in me to care.

I can only think of two things, and neither of them has anything to do with how I look at the moment.

1. I shouldn't have gone to that fucking club last night.

2. I need coffee.

The elevator door slides open, and I step out.

I have an office on every floor since I run the entire building, but the one on the 20th floor is my favorite because it has the best view- especially at night.

"You have analytics to send your father today," Lane says.

I knew that. I always keep up, especially with the things that involved my father, so I nod, insinuating for Lane to go on.

"You have two contracts that need to be overlooked," she continues.

"And, you have the new representation meeting today," she says, and I freeze.

"There's a fucking meeting today?" I seethe.

"Um- yes Mr.Black. There is," she stutters.

"Can you reschedule it?" I ask genuinely.

"I- no. I'm sorry. This is the meeting we have been preparing for, for the last two months." She says quietly.

I can't do a meeting today.

"Is there any way you can get someone to fill in for me?" I ask, desperate.

She shakes her head. "Jordie has to attend the-" I don't let her finish.

"Excuse me?" I ask, and she flinches. "Say that again."

She swallows before speaking again, "Jordie has to -" I stop her again.

"Say that again but slower."

"Jordie-" I stop her for the last time.

"Who told you to call him that?" I ask curiously.

"H-he did."

"Right." I nod. "And since when do you listen to him?"

"Never," she breathes.

"Just making sure," I nod. It's fun going back and forth with her on shit like this but it also pisses me off to hear my assistant call someone by a terrible nickname.