The Escort S2

Part 14: Fowl phony bitches and scandal

I slide my phone in my pajama pants pocket while shaking my head and stand. Before I can take a step, my phone rings again. I grit my teeth as I look at it. It's Namjoon and I pull in and let out a calming breath before I answer it. It's late there which I find concerning.

"Namjoon, is everything okay there?"

"No, we're good. I just called to say hi."

"Can't I catch up with my much beloved brother?" He says, followed by a nervous chuckle.

"Much beloved. So, what's up? You need me to assess some risk or crunch some numbers? As long as Tae doesn't catch me working, I can take a look at it. I'm sure you're missing me in the office."

"No, the business end is going well. I do miss seeing you and talking with you. But since you asked, there's another area I could use some help with."

"Tell me and I'm on it." Namjoon may have his qualities that I don't care for but he's no Chanyeol.

"You have always managed the employees. They like you and look up to you." This is not where I thought this was going.

"No, they don't like me, they fear me. We pay them very well and they want to keep their jobs. That is our relationship. Are you having problems with the staff? What are those fuckin hoodlums up to?"

"Well, I can't babysit their asses, and each week you're gone things are getting looser and looser around here. I think they're taking advantage of me in your absence." They definitely smell blood in the water with Namjoon in charge. He doesn't do people well and would rather not get involved. But this is his business too and they are his responsibility when I'm not there.

"Of course, they're taking advantage. Tell me specifics."

"Uhm, I have a list," he says, and I roll my eyes hearing him unfolding paper. He clears his throat and I settle back down on the bed.

"Did you reinstate Taco Tuesdays?"

"Hell no! Those savages blew up the microwave! I ordered a new one and stopped Taco Tuesdays.

"Okay, how about changing 15-minute breaks to 30 minutes breaks and 2 hour lunch breaks on Thursday?"

"Fuck no!"

"All this week, flip flops, sweatpants and shorts allowed. Teo says it's employee relaxation week."

"What the fuck. I'll relax my foot in his ass when I get back. Please stop." I've heard enough.

"So you did not sign the purchase order for the new mega TV in the break room?"

"Namjoon, you're killing me. How did you let them get out of hand? You know how they are."

"Well, they just kept saying you approved it, but when I walked in the break room to heat my coffee, the microwave was greasy, and the service department was installing the TV so I thought I should check this out with you."

"Those lying bastards," I hiss. "They're good. They waited for me to leave to pull their shit."

"So, I'll scratch those off the list. The last one was 11:00 am start times on Mondays."

"What the fuck! Namjoon, how many times have you heard me tell you to treat that bunch of deplorables like caged animals?! You're the lion tamer and you have to crack the whip on their asses! That's all they understand."

"Kookie, you know staff relations is just not my area."

"Well, for the next week it is. You have to put your foot on their necks and apply pressure. That's the way to handle that wild bunch." I really don't need this. I'm glad Tae can't hear me getting worked up, he wouldn't like it. This vacation is supposed to be stress free, so I'd better end this call. "Are the reports getting done on time and are the numbers correct?"