Empire of Deception (Harry Styles AU)

Chapter 42

 April's smiling face is the first I see that morning. On her desk is a giant bouquet of sunflowers and she grabs them as I approach her. "Good morning, Mr. Styles," she beams, "These are for you."

"From who?" I say, taking them with confusion.

"From us—the whole floor. We wanted to thank you for what you did yesterday. Honestly. You were incredible and none of us expected it." Her smile is real and for a moment last night's disappointment with Victoria fades away.

"Thank you," I say before turning to the interns and employees who have gathered around me, "Thank you all, especially for not rioting when you found out about the difference in salary. You guys are honestly one of the best teams I have worked with, and I am really going to try and get you all a raise. I know it sounds weird when I say that I don't have all the power when it comes to finances, especially when I am appointed director, but I promise you there will be some changes around here. Although the press was very bad for Bolton, I am glad it happened because I am not more aware of situations that don't directly apply to me, but are significant because it effects my team. As your boss it is my duty to make sure that you are all put into an environment that will help you thrive, whether it's work atmosphere or take home salary. Again, I thank you for your patient in this matter, and I hope to make enough headway throughout the next couple weeks on this issue so that I can send out updates or something." I finish with another smile before April waves everyone away, ordering them to get back to their posts.

"You had two meetings today but Ms. Clark called me and said that I needed to reschedule them, she wants you without obligation for the entirety of the day," explains April as she walks me down the hall to my office.

"Did Ms. Clark say why?"

"She said a meeting is going to be called today, but she doesn't know when and she needs you to be ready. Our floor may be stoked about yesterday but a lot of people are not—mainly people who sit higher up in the corporation."

"And what about the public? What is their view on it?"

"They couldn't be more content with yesterday. I mean, the headlines pretty much wrote themselves: 'Harry Styles, corporate heir to Bolton Empire stands with the people, going against not only his father, but the generations who worked before him!' that's pretty damn crazy, Mr. Styles. It's more than crazy; it's unheard of. Never in the history of anything has a corporate head—especially someone as high as DOF—actually stand with the public on something with no hidden agenda. Mr. Styles... You made history yesterday."

"It doesn't sound so bad when you say it like that," I say with a yawn, utterly exhausted as I enter my office and flop down in my swivel chair. "Everyone I talked to was livid with me because I didn't warn anyone. I just... That question. 'What are you going to do about it' took me by surprise... Because what was I going to do about it, April? I didn't know. I knew what steps I was taking to calm down the public, but this was a real issue. I had to do something, but I didn't have enough time to think about what I was going to say. All I knew in that moment, was that I agreed that there was something unjust, and I felt like the only way I could get my message across and shut that damn reporter up, was to go outside."

"You did the right thing. Every day you amaze me because amidst all the corruption, you have always done what was right. Whatever you need, Mr. Styles, we have your back. All of us."

"Thank you, Miss Maurice." April turns to walk out the door but stops, "Oh, and Miss Soderstrom from Malik Enterprises called and told me to remind you that Jeremy's graduation is tonight, and you better 'be there or be square'. Her words, not mine, sir."