“I adjusted the timetable for the marketing department,” Nuri said as he took in the spread on the table and began selecting what he felt like eating. Even though it was just the twoof them at the table that could seat sixteen, there were several packed dishes to choose from.
The cooks had long since learned their lesson where Silver was concerned, and knew it was best to always offer him up a variety unless he specifically requested something. His mood was too mercurial; no one could ever guess what he’d feel like eating.
“I also spoke with sales last night. Tir is still the top-selling product on the market. So long as the numbers remain steady, we’ll make double our monthly quota. As soon as marketing begins the promotion for Link, its estimated sales will rise again anyway.” Nuri took a break to eat a strip of thur, a thinly sliced meat that was fried in a flaky batter and smothered in berry jam. It happened to be his favorite and was one of the few bright sides of being forced to spend the night here. “Royal Ike would like for you to contact him before the week is through, and Mr. Hill from accounting has requested a meeting.”
“Enough,” Silver stated, setting his tablet down on the table with a light clicking sound. The look he sent Nuri was one of annoyance as he lifted his coffee cup a second time and drained the rest of its contents.
Nuri frowned, trying to figure out what he’d done wrong. Going over the schedule was typically how they began their days, whether they were here or in the car on the way to work, and while Silver wasn’t all that fond of Royal Ike, it wasn’t like it was Nuri’s fault the man wanted to speak with him.
“Eat.” Silver ordered, motioning with his chin toward Nuri’s mostly empty plate.
He grabbed a slice of toast and dutifully took a bite, chewing and swallowing under the Emperor’s scrutiny.
Satisfied he was listening, Silver picked his tablet back up and resumed reading as if the whole ordeal hadn’t happened at all.
Nuri must not be the only one having a bad morning, he surmised, glad that he could be left alone with his thoughts a bit longer and just enjoy the hot food. Inside the mansion, the temperature was carefully regulated, but every time he glanced over Silver’s shoulders at the windows he inadvertently shivered.
There were few things Nuri disliked more than the cold, ironic, considering he’d been born on a planet that was considered a winter wonderland to the rest of the galaxy. People took ski vacations here all the time, tourists swarming both the major cities and rural areas of Ignite, lining the locals' pockets with even more coin. It was cold here, but it was also prosperous, so Nuri couldn’t really complain, especially since as a secretary, he was rarely forced to spend more than a few minutes at a time outside when the weather was bad.
N.I.M. bumped into Nuri’s foot and he glanced down to see the tiny orb light up green from within, indicating there was a company-wide message that’d just been sent. Frowning, he twisted his wrist and opened his email. He hadn’t sent anything—
He blinked at the message and the name signed at the bottom. It was brief, only a single sentence, written curtly.
Signed CEO Silver Rien.
“‘Due to inclement weather, all employees are free to work from home’,” Silver said, voicing the exact words he’d used in the email. At Nuri’s silence, he glanced up. “Isn’t that what an employer who cares about his employees would do?”
“I—” he cleared his throat, “Yes.”
Silver sighed. “Of course, I could care less about that, but since public opinion is so important in order for me to keep my position as CEO, I suppose it can’t hurt to be a little more lenient at times like these.”
“Do you mean times when there is five feet of snow outside and the storm is still raging?” Nuri asked, a bit drolly.
He cocked his head. “You weren’t exactly looking forward to braving the cold. Now you don’t have to. Stop pouting, Narek, you’re ruining my appetite.”
“I wasn’t pouting.” He straightened in his seat, slightly affronted by the accusation.
“Sulking then.”
“I’m not a child.”
“I wasn’t aware only children could sulk.” Silver placed his tablet down more gently this time, and propped an elbow on the table. Resting his chin on his hand, he stared unblinkingly at Nuri, as if searching for something.
His interest wasn’t personal, something Nuri frequently had to remind himself whenever he gained the Emperor’s undivided attention like this. He was merely curious. Silver was most likely memorizing his expression, the lines of his face, the form of his mouth, and tilt to his brows, so that he could emulate it at a later date if necessary.
Silver had feelings just like everyone else, but they were also…different. He lacked empathy and understanding. For all intents and purposes, he didn’t have a conscience. If he knew a situation called for him to react a certain way but couldn’t muster that emotion himself, a lot of the time he would simply fake it or use Nuri as a shield.
“You’ll stay,” he said then, breaking the silence.
“What?” Nuri wasn’t following, but it didn’t seem like Silver was in the mood to explain.
“It’s been decided.” He rose from his seat, collecting his things, including the coffee cup which had been refilled during their unofficial staring contest. “When you’re finished with breakfast, meet me in the study.”
Nuri nodded in understanding, listening to the soft sound of Silver’s retreating steps. As soon as he was alone, he blew out a breath, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. At least theEmperor had taken his comment yesterday to heart. With the blizzard ongoing, it wasn’t safe for anyone out on the roads. Why he’d felt the need to point out that Nuri couldn’t go anywhere either was beyond him.
Of course he wasn’t going anywhere. Warmth was one of the few things Nuri craved, and since inside was warmer than out, it was sort of a no-brainer. If the rest of the office didn’t have to brave the weather, he wouldn’t either. Would he prefer to be at his own apartment instead of here? Yes. But there was nothing that could be done about that now.
Finished eating, Nuri picked N.I.M. off the ground and went to meet the Emperor.
