Elementa Naturae - A Cold Day in Hell

William

9:05am EDT

The continuous tap of William's fingers striking the keys filled both the room, and his consciousness. Tilting his neck, he glanced at his watch. Five minutes past nine and no sign of his protégé. He'd deal with him later.

Closing his laptop, he stretched his arms and stood, turning to face the city. It made a spectacular backdrop for his office, rows of skyscrapers grazing the deep blue sky. Miles of traffic filled the spaces between the skyscrapers, and crowds of people filled the spaces left over. It seemed as if they were an immense colony of ants, leaving a trail for miles behind them. The sun shone brilliantly, reflecting across the Hudson River. All in all, it was a view to die for. And yet, William felt that it left a lot to be desired.

"So, the mighty Augustus Williams finally gets his name on the wall. Well done." The boy strode into the office, satchel bag at his side, a grin fixed firmly to his face. Dumping a file on his desk, he fell backwards, lounging on the leather sofa as he sighed contently.

"You know I don't like that name, Connor." Though he couldn't help but return the smile.

"Oh sorry Mr Williams. Can I get you anything Master Williams? A glass of water for Sir Williams?" Connor had his head tilted, staring at him, challenging him to rebut with an equally sarcastic response.

William looked down. He considered for a moment, sitting back in his chair, reopening his laptop, and began to type a response to the stack of emails in his inbox.

"I've done it haven't I? I've left you speechless!"

"Speechless by how much time you're wasting. Have you found a solution for the merger? Or are you just laying around for no reason?"

"Damn alright, alright, straight to business then. Where do you think they are?" Pointing to the newly placed stack of paper sitting on William's desk, he closed his eyes, feigning rest.

William skimmed through the endless paragraphs, filtering through file after file. Stepping out of his chair, he slapped the paper back on the glass desk, eyeing Connor up and down.

"Connor?"

"Yes?" he replied, opening one eye playfully.

"Off the sofa."

"OK, OK." Connor rose with a burst of energy, standing upright eagerly.

Leaning against the desk, William pulled his phone from his suit pocket, scrolling through meaningless dockets of information.

Standing awkwardly, Connor looked at William, coughing expectantly.

"Yes?"

"Well?"

"Well what?"

"The files? Are they... y'know?"

"Good? Yes, well done."

"That's all?" Connor replied in mock surprise. "I did that in three hours."

"All I'm saying is, I could have done it in two."

Connor gave him a piercing look before turning on his place and striding out of the room, sighing deeply.

"I'll take that water now!" William called after him, a sly grin on his face.

Content with the havoc he'd wreaked, he grabbed the files and positioned himself comfortably on the sofa. The boy now safely out of earshot, William shook his head in amazement. The things that Connor had done since his arrival to the firm had been incredible, verging on impossible. William was almost certain that he couldn't have made name partner without him.