(1:47 p.m.) Imagine the consequences for the stock price.
(2:50 p.m.) Does this mean I’m CEO? Does this count as formal notice of my promotion?
(4:30 p.m.) PETROV
(5:47 p.m.) Michael’s coming to find you, you deserve this.
Aleksandr sighs. He sets his phone aside. Instead of getting up, he starts playing with Lili’s hair.
“Is this really necessary?” He twists a strand around a long finger. “I’ve seen the numbers, I signed off on the report weeks ago.”
Michael looks like he’s about to have a conniption. “Yes, it isnecessary.”
“I think he’s going to just stand there until you go,” Lili stage-whispers to Aleksandr.
“The stray child is correct,” Michael says. “If you don’t bless me with an hour of your time now, you’ll have my resignation.”
“Fine,” Aleksandr says, getting out of bed. “Let’s get this over with.”
As they leave the room—Aleksandr ignoring the shirt Michael throws at the bed, Michael grabbing it with a grimace—Lili finds her own phone. Scanning her messages, she finds a new group chat, sans Amina.
Jackie(5:59 p.m.) ok ok ok. tonight’s the night, gallery doors are open. ETAs?
Jackie(6:00 p.m.) amina’s nervous but don’t comment on it, you’ll get a black eye
James(6:01 p.m.) on mercer, be there in 15!
James(6:01 p.m.) with varsha, hassan, and everyone
James(6:01 p.m.) we’re just grabbing flowers
James(6:04 p.m.) actually update tommy’s relieved me of my duties
James(6:04 p.m.) apparently there is a LANGUAGE of flowers? and i’m illiterate
James(6:04 p.m.) i was about to friendzone my girlfriend by getting her sunflowers?
Jackie(6:07 p.m.) lol ok perfect!! just waiting on marwan to crawl out of her sex dungeon
Lili(6:08 p.m.) HEY
James(6:09 p.m.) SHE RISES
Jackie(6:10 p.m.) SHE LIVES
James(6:10 p.m.) be honest now, are you able to walk? do you need help?
Lili(6:10 p.m.) Ha. Ha. Ha. i’ll be there around 7
Jackie(6:11 p.m.) but does that account for how your limp will slow you down?!?
Smiling, Lili throws her phone on the pillow. Sitting up in bed, gathering her hair into a loose bun, she starts mentally calculating how long it’ll take to walk over to the show, how much time she has to get ready—she should pick up flowers for Amina, too, that’d be sweet—
Her phone starts to buzz, muffled.
Lili glances at its screen, half-distracted—and then freezes.
Incoming call from Jane Remnick.
