“What do you want to do?” Angie asks. “We can escape for lunch, so you can avoid being around the two of them together. Maybe the sushi place? It’s always quiet.”
Before I can process, my desk phone rings. I answer it, and Darryl Peterson’s assistant calls me to his office.
“Maybe go on to the sushi place without me,” I tell Angie. “I’ll join you if I can.”
Quickly, I send a text to Elliot, telling him I’m sorry this happened and that I’m here.
I walk to my boss’s office, my heart pounding. There’s no reason he would be calling me in about Elliot’s problems. At least, I certainly hope he isn’t.
When I step in, he offers me a chair, a gesture that makes me even more uneasy.
“What can I do for you today, sir?” I ask.
“I reviewed the funding issue that you flagged regarding the casino boat.”
Oh, that. “Yes, I noticed the discrepancy between budget and service after our incident. When I looked closer, the numbers don’t add up for that event, and for several other company functions. But I’m sure the COO has an explanation. He manages that budget.”
He leans back and unfolds his hands. “That’s why I called you in. We’ve been tracking some apparent corruption for the past couple months, but hitting brick walls. Your keen eye drew us to the COO’s office, and the pieces began to fall into place. Beyond embezzlement, he’s been busy circumventing arms embargoes and tax codes for a few select clients. I’ve alerted the FBI, our COO will resign at the end of the day, and we’re going to cease doing business with the Octal First Corporation.”
The information stuns me. This must be the crisis that’s been broiling at the executive level.
“It’s unfortunate,” he continues, “but I have chosen to move forward with clarity of purpose rather than to try to cover this up. It will hurt, but the way to affirm our reputation is to do what is necessary.”
“I am heartened to hear you say that,” I tell him, thinking quickly.
He nods seriously. “Begin preparations immediately within your department. Guide us through this crisis as I know youare capable, and in the future, you may continue to rise in the firm. Your moment of insubordination disappointed me, but it’s one blemish. Succeed, and I see a path for you to the highest executive level.”
Some relief washes over me that I might not have to lose this job after all, although I’m skeptical this will be enough to compensate for the fact that I’m secretly dating Elliot.
“I appreciate your confidence.”
The phone beside him buzzes, and when he hits it, his assistant announces that Elliot is here.
“Send him in,” he says as he stands. “I suppose you two aren’t strangers.”
I stand, too. “No,” I manage, my head spinning, “I suppose not.”
Elliot enters, surprised to see me. He’s in a nondescript outfit, a gray shirt and loose tan slacks, which I know he has chosen because he’s trying to avoid media attention and appease his father. Every instinct in me demands I hug Elliot and comfort him after his bad news today, but I maintain my professional neutrality.
I look to Darryl Peterson. He must have brought Elliot in here because of the news story, but he doesn’t appear angry. He’s practically stoic.
Although with the firm’s own crisis, there’s plenty to occupy his thoughts.
Elliot hesitates, glancing between us. “What’s this about?”
“Mr. Hansley and I were discussing some changes to come at the firm. You’re lucky to have had a reliable man like him during your ordeal.”
Elliot doesn’t look at me. “Okay. But can we please have privacy to discuss this?”
He narrows his eyes. “To discuss what, Elliot?”
“Why did you ask me here?” Elliot asks.
I clear my throat, wishing I could flee. “I should go,” I manage, but I’m ignored.
“Because there’s a very large story breaking in the news today, Elliot,” Mr. Peterson says, referencing the scandal we were just talking about, but Elliot doesn’t take it that way.
“Yes, Dad. Everyone knows that I draw kinky gay illustrations of goblins and superheroes. It’s out, and there’s nothing I can do about it now. And like I told you last night, you can either accept me or not. Your choice. But I will not hear your opinions about it.”
