Page 40 of Hating the Boss

“I just heard some news. A rumor, really…”

“Okayyy?”

“Our biggest client, Music Now, is considering pulling out of the deal for next quarter.”

“What?” I exclaimed.

Music Now was a huge client. They brought in about 30% of our revenue for the year. Unlike any other streaming platform, they gave listeners exclusive live, acoustic sessions or concerts with the biggest artists. If we lost them, some other company would swoop them up for their patented idea.

“Now, it’s just a rumor,” said my father warily, his forehead creased with concern. “But apparently, the owner doesn’t find you to be very sensible.”

“What the fuck does that mean?” I asked, irritation coating my voice.

“Don’t get your panties in a twist.” My father held up his hand.

“Who the hell are you hearing this from?” My voice rose.

“A friend of mine,” he said calmly.

“How trustworthy is this friend?” I asked, my fingers in air quotations.

“Very. He’s just looking out for me. For you. For Stellar Industries. He overheard Music Now’s CEO at a luncheon, and relayed the information to me.”

“How kind,” I muttered. “So, what else does Music Now have to say about me?”

My father took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“He says you’re not very down-to-earth.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

I was getting exasperated with this so-called rumor and slights.

“Probably what I’ve been telling you…”

“Not this again,” I muttered.

“Yes, this again,” said my father firmly. He stood from his chair and clasped his hands behind his back, beginning to pace in front of my desk. “You need to look like you have your life together. That means settling down. Being a family man. Not continuing to be this bachelor billionaire the press paints you out to be, money-hungry, and uninterested in real life.”

I was growing tired of hearing the same thing over and over, especially when it could potentially harm business. I couldn’t understand why people were so consumed with their old-fashioned ideologies and pushing them onto other people. They weren’t looking at what mattered, which was the hard work I had poured into this company. The money. The prestige.

As ridiculous as my father sounded, and as annoyed as I was with this situation, I needed to get him off my back. Needed everyone off my back. I needed to reassure him. I knew how important this client was. If they needed to see a different side of me to stay signed with Stellar Industries, then I would need to move forward with the plan Anton had thought up. I just hoped Sarah would be up for it because I was about to put it in motion.

“That shouldn’t be a problem,” I said with a casual shrug.

My father stopped in his tracks and looked at me.

“Oh?” he asked, raising his white brows high on his head.

“I might have found someone,” I said. “The one.”

“Well, I’ll be…” My father sat back down slowly, in disbelief.

It felt good to have finally found a way to shut him up.

His eyes lit up with a thought. “Is it that girl? The one from the club? Sarah, was it?”

I simply smiled at him.