Like right now, “Iris” is more of a curse than a name.
“Yes, Mr. Franklin?” I’ve worked here for years, but for some reason it feels appropriate to be more formal. Like calling him Oliver will just further piss him off and demonstrate my supreme lack of professionalism.
“Have you seen the news?” He doesn’t turn around, doesn’t look at me.
I assume he means Karen’s exclusive interview, which of course I’ve been avoiding like the plague. “No.”
“More of your neighbors have given statements. Sloan has given another statement.”
Shit. Sloan was already dragging my name through the mud; what else could he have had to say?
I try to keep my voice even. “What are they saying?”
Oliver finally turns around, and the expression on his face startles me. He doesn’t look angry; rather, he looks apologetic. His features are soft, and his dark eyes almost appear sad. Whatever his decision is, he didn’t come upon it lightly, and he doesn’t like whatever it is he’s about to do.
“Have a seat, Iris.” He gestures for the rigid, straight-backed chair in front of his desk. There are numerous couches and settees scattered around the office, so his choice of seating doesn’t bode well for me. Why have me sit in the most uncomfortable seat in the house unless he’s not expecting me to be there long?
I smooth the back of my skirt as I sit, and Oliver takes his massive office chair on the other side of the desk. He rests his forearms on the desktop and leans forward. I brace myself for the worst.
“Iris, I have to ask you: Is there any credence to these rumors?”
“No! The only truth is that I’ve been dating Micah since shortly after he moved in, and I don’t see what’s so wrong with that. We’re both adults, and I get along with his daughter. None of that is even anyone’s business.”
“So, you never dated Sloan Maverick?”
“No. Sloan asked me why I didn’t date him when Micah and I brought him to Micah’s house for dinner after rehearsals, and he didn’t like my answer. He got mad, and Micah kicked him out when he started threatening me. Aside from that one night, I’ve never seen Sloan outside of work.”
Oliver nods. “And this Karen business? How much legitimacy should I put into her tales of drugs and parties?”
“None. I’ve never done drugs in my life, and I hate parties. The only person I’ve had over to my house is Micah, aside from some DoorDash drivers, and I never letthemin.” I keep my hands in my lap, so Oliver can’t see my fists. Rage pulsates through me, though, and I feel the skin of my cheeks and neck heating up from the anger inside. “No orgies, nothing scandalous. I live a very boring life, Mr. Franklin, and I don’t know where Karen gets these wild ideas.”
There’s a long pause before Oliver sits back and scrubs his face with his hands. “The problem, Iris, is that both Sloan and your other neighbors are corroborating these ‘wild ideas.’ I might be able to mitigate the damage to your reputation—to my company’s reputation—if it was just some Stepford wives spreading shit, but Sloan? His voice carries weight, and right now he’s throwing that weight around.”
I bite my lip, trying to resist the urge to roll my eyes. “Sloan’s just one actor, though, one voice. I’ve worked with dozens—hundreds—of actors over the years. Are you really going to determine my future based on one butthurt asshole?”
Oliver levels a glare across the desk. “That ‘butthurt asshole’ is willing to come back and reshoot the commercial if I fire you.”
A sudden wave of dizziness hits me as realization sets in. I’m doomed. When compared to an award-winning actor with the pull that Sloan has, I’m nobody. My years of dedicated service to this company, my years of success, mean all of jack squat right now. Oliver has a chance to save the campaign and keep the client, not to mention reap the benefits of Sloan’s star power.
If I was Oliver, I’d kick myself to the curb regardless of the truth of the rumors.
“Now, we’ll have to recast the kid, which will be a pain, but it can be done. Your boyfriend’s girl is cute, and she’s a natural, but kids like that are also a dime a dozen. I already have new auditions set up for this afternoon.”
Poor Hailey. She’s going to be devastated when her commercial doesn’t get aired.
“I don’t suppose anything I say will make a difference at this point.”
Oliver shakes his head. “I’m afraid not. If it’s any consolation, I’m giving you a full severance package. All of your outstanding PTO and sick time will be paid out. You’ll be eligible for unemployment benefits. I’m trying to make this as easy on you as possible, Iris, but given the circumstances, given the business that we’re in, I just can’t afford to keep you with this kind of reputation hanging over you. I need to consider the future of this company, and it’s a better future with Sloan on board than it would be if he decides to run us through the mud.”
“So you’ll just let him runmethrough the mud instead.”
He sighs and waves a dismissive hand. “I’m doing what I must. Surely you understand that?”
No, I don’t understand. I don’t understand at all. I’ve done everything right, and now thanks to a busybody neighbor and a jerk actor, I’m unemployed. That severance package will only carry me so far. Between my mortgage, HOA fees, and other bills, it’ll be spent in no time.
I think I’m going to be sick.
Seemingly oblivious of my distress, Oliver stands and gestures to the door. “I’ve already had legal draw up the paperwork. Just head down there to sign after you’ve cleaned out your desk.”
