Six stops. Five days.
Paul gave me the greenlight for in-store appearances with Alexander last week, but he’d wanted to go over the finer details this morning. He’d initially requested to do it in person, but I pushed back. I said I’d do it online only and in coordination with the Brewed team. The distance and additional people in the meeting provides an additional layer of protection.
Though for whom, I’m still questioning.
My breath just about catches up with me while I connect the laptop to the HDMI cable. Julie enters the room and hands me a glass of water, giving my mismatched look of grey sweatpants, white T-shirt, and a blue flannel shirt the once-over. She shakes her head disapprovingly as she leaves.
“Morning everyone, sorry to keep you all. My last meeting over-ran.”
My attempt to take deep slow breaths is immediately thrown out the window as I see Paul and Connie sitting next to each other. The hairs on the back of my neck rise and my fists clench. My body has the same visceral reaction every time I think of Paul, and by proxy, Connie, eventhough I have softened somewhat toward her after her apology.
Paul’s decision to push forward with the VMAs and Alexander’s behavior had nearly cost me my job for the second time in four months. If it wasn’t for the fact that we were already down two team members, I’d be hitting the streets with my resume.
Everyone exchanges pleasantries as I glance back at Paul’s agenda.
Logistics.
Campaign update.
Requests.
“So, we’re all in agreement on the routing and dates for the activation events?” Chloe jumps straight in, brushing her brown locks off her shoulders.
“Yes, we’re happy to proceed with your recommendations,” Paul says, smiling. His tone is cheerful as Connie nods beside him.
My jaw slackens. That was easier than expected. A littletooeasy.
“Great.” Chloe is seemingly as caught off guard by Paul’s response as I am.
“And the final edit for the commercial. Are you happy with all the revisions?”
“All signed off on our side.”
I nod my head in agreement, shell-shocked at Paul’s response.
A growing discomfort rises inside my chest.
In the little time I’ve known him, Paul’s never been this agreeable. Something must be up with Alexander. Either that, or Paul wants something in return for being so amenable.
“And the proposed start date for the campaign launch is still today?” Paul asks, grabbing his pen and opening his diary in front of him.
“Yes,” Caryn states firmly.
“Ah, right.”
Paul places his pen down and clasps his hands together.
His absent tone sends a jolt of anger through me.
I’ll be damned if they continue to mess with this campaign and my life.
“Is that a problem?” I interject before Caryn can respond. I pull the stress ball from my pocket and imagine Paul’s throat as I squeeze it.
“No, no. Just, Alexander isn’t due out of the treatment facility for another week and a half. The social posts from his account might need to be pushed back, that’s all.” He reaches for his pen again as his nose crinkles.
“How is he?” Caryn asks, addressing the elephant in the room.
I instinctively lean forward, wanting to know.
