As soon as I think they are all done laughing at me, Dominic invites me to happy hour. This episode of my life should be titled “Dazed and Confused.”
“What is going on?” I mutter. The chant picks up again. Right after “a luz sabe” is done echoing in my ear three times,her words follow. The pendant light is reflecting against my computer screen.
“No longer taking a back seat, I see…”
It takes everything inside of me not to respond, only focusing on the clashing of my fingertips against the keyboard as the buzzing notifications continue throughout my day. I don’t respond to a single one until Lena’s chat comes through around one p.m.
Lena:Are you okay?
Charlotte:Of course, I have cake now.
Lena replies with a laughing emoji. I sink in my chair, knowing that if any holiday party were to happen, I would hunt down whoever ordered this cake and draw a dick on their face while they’re shit-faced.
I press my fork into the middle of the cake and dig in. At least they got the flavor right. Carrot cake is always the right choice.
With a mouth full of cake, it hits me.
My name hasn’t been shouted across several cubicles, all day.
Charlotte:Where’s Chris?
Instead of Lena typing back, she pushes her chair to my cubicle, quietly saying in my right ear, “He is with Albert.”
“Why are we whispering?”
“Albert coming here two days in a row is not great.”
“What’s going on?”
“I’m sure you figured it out yesterday… We are spending more than we are making.” Lena says a little too calmly.
My mouth hangs open as we watch Albert and Chris walk out of the conference room. This time, they aren’t fighting but shaking hands.
Right before they go their separate directions, Chris locks eyes on me as a crooked smile tugs at the corners of his mouth.
Chapter twelve
Blackburn’s Plan
Press Release - July 29th, 2025
Holden Strauss Announces Upcoming Debut on the Harvey Wilder Show: Ready to Let It All Out
Holden Strauss, best known for his long-running showAll or Nothingand recent pivot into blockbuster films, is set to make his highly anticipated debut on the Harvey Wilder Show on Saturday, September 6th.
This appearance comes despite challenges with his latest film projects, including a notorious video showing him disrespecting crew members and alleged drug abuse.
In trueAll or Nothingfashion, Holden is prepared to lay everything on the table. Holden has stated that he will not fade into the background without the world knowing it all.
Tune in on Saturday, September 6th to catch Holden Strauss’s debut.
This is the first thing I set my sights on when I start work. A forwarded link that has been dropped in our company wide chat for all to see. Not even coffee can revive me.
Katrina:Smart move, Chris
Mateo:This is exactly what Holden needs
It’s one after the other just pouring in about a job well done. Nothing about this should be praised.
