talking to him

a day in his life

𝖙𝖗𝖎𝖌𝖌𝖊𝖗 𝖜𝖆𝖗𝖓𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖘 𝖑𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖉 𝖎𝖓 𝖆𝖚𝖙𝖍𝖔𝖗'𝖘 𝖓𝖔𝖙𝖊

</3

karl saves the progress he has made on his presentation, double-checking that the file is saved correctly before logging out of his work computer and shutting it down.

he glances around, locating his phone and dropping it into his bag along with his empty lunch container before getting up out of his desk chair. his body feels stiff from not moving for so long and he tenses his arms to stretch his back and shoulders, holding in a satisfied groan at the responding click.

taking his bag from the floor, karl gets up and moves away from his desk. he works in a large room with multiple other people under the same company, most of them doing different jobs within the network, and flimsy half-walls section off each of their desks.

you'd think they're pointless, considering they're so thin and short, but they actually do quite a good job of separating everyone and leaving karl isolated enough to actually get on with his work. sometimes he hears people chatting but he's quite good at draining it out so he can focus. the pros of the shitty walls are only emphasised when karl glances around to find he is one of very few people still in the office.

he hadn't even noticed anyone else leaving.

this isn't unusual though. karl is often one of the last people, if not the absolute last, because his boss has always had a habit of putting ridiculous amounts of work on him. the brunette tries to tell himself that it isn't personal but he can't help but wonder how everyone else is managing to leave on time every day if they have the same workload...

he shakes off the thoughts, not wanting to victimise himself, and makes his way out of the main office room and down the hallway. he passes a few conference rooms on the way and the sight only daunts him, reminding him of the high-case presentation he has to make in a few days. it's the sort of deal that could be really good for the company and, really, multiple people should be working on it. or, at least, someone who had pre-existing knowledge of the company that they're trying to make branches with.

karl is nervous about it but he knows that he is capable of doing a good job as long as he stays focused and gets everything done.

the brunette stops outside his boss's door, pausing for a moment to mentally prepare himself. considering the circumstances, karl's job should have an easy bias and he should love going to see his employer, but that just isn't the case.

he takes a deep breath, swallowing his nerves, and knocks twice.

the responding voice calls, "come in!" and karl's stomach rolls with immediate discomfort as he reaches out to push open the door before stepping into the office. he keeps the door held open as he takes in the space and the man before him, who grins slowly when he sees the brunette at his door. "everything alright?"

"yeah, i uh- i just wondered if you'd seen my request for a few days off?" karl asks, trying to remind himself that there is nothing wrong with him taking days off. he has designated days to take for holidays and he's never used them before, it's not like he's breaking any rules.

plus, the plane to london is already booked, so his boss sort of has to say yes or karl is stuck in a very sticky situation.

"i did, yes," the older man nods, his eyes darting to his computer before landing back on the brunette. "i figure it should be fine, so long as your presentation with gray-price goes well."