just that one has matured a lot more than I ever thought possible.
It’s also suspicious. I haven’t let go of the paranoia that this is all a trick on Jason’s part. Grudgingly, I have to admit that George was probably right. Not to mention, this Jason probably wouldn’t risk his current reputation regardless of how he feels on the inside. Still, it’s hard to let go of the thought, especially when he’s acting so differently than I was expecting.
“Opal?”
I jerk my head up as Jason steps through his office door, too deep in thought to notice him coming closer. “Yes?”
“Has an email come from Pandent Supplies yet?” he asks. “I’m expecting several packages from them for our cell phones, but they’re late.”
“I haven’t seen anything,” I say, running the memory of the emails I read that morning through my mind. I flick quickly through my planner to see if I made any notes about it, but there’s nothing. “I’ll look again, if you want.”
“Just keep an eye out for it,” Jason says, shaking his head. “No sense going through the trouble when you would have definitely remembered it.”
That’s the other thing. Jason has become oddly considerate. He doesn’t just demand, he asks for my opinion, listens to what I have to say, and is happy to collaborate with me and exchange ideas. It’s fascinating, and I’m trying so very hard not to be taken in by it all. I have no idea whether Jason is still the same womanizing bastard that I remember, only subtler.
“Oh, and we have a meeting today,” Jason says suddenly.
“We do?” I ask, confused. I don’t remember seeing anything on the calendar.
“Sorry, I set it up last night and forgot to message you,” Jason says with a nod. “I don’t think you’ll mind too much, though. We’re going to the technology sector, which is why I was asking about the packages.”
It takes me a moment to realize what he means. The technology sector is where I was working for my internship. I would have become part of that flagship had I been offered the job I was actually going for.
“So… We were going there to deliver packages?” I ask.
“No, we were going there to keep a promise,” Jason says, his grin all teeth. “After all, I finished collecting all the evidence I needed last night. There are a few people that we need to sit down with to discuss the future of the company.”
I can’t help the smile that’s growing on my face. This is what I’d been waiting for.
“What time?” I ask, flipping my planner open again.
“Two o’clock,” Jason says. “Please make sure that our building is aware of my upcoming absence.”
“I’ll send a company email around right now,” I say gleefully, turning to my computer again after writing down a note.
I hear Jason chuckle as he heads back into his office. Maybe it’s vindictive, but I’m really looking forward to seeing Paula and Sandra’s expressions when they realize that I’m still in the company. And then, the looks on their faces when they realize what I’m doing in that meeting today.
Hopefully, the takedown of those two women will lead to proof of further corruption. I stretch my arms over my head and drag up a new email, tagging the emails of every employee in this building.
Regardless, one area of shadiness will be eradicated today, and I couldn’t be happier about it.
I can almost feel Jason’s amusement, but I can’t bring myself to care right now. I’m almost fidgeting as I ride in the elevator, well aware of what is awaiting us when we get to the right floor.
For once, I don’t even feel upset with him. I can’t say I particularly want to be here with Jason, but he’s also the one who has made it possible, so I guess I’ll take what I can get.
When the doors open, it takes all my effort to keep myself from running away. I see several people look up as we step onto the floor, and I slide automatically behind Jason, watching the way eyes widen and low mutters start at the sight of the new CEO.
“This way,” Jason says, striding confidently forward.
I follow him, clutching my supplies as I speed up, suddenly realizing just how long Jason’s legs are. He doesn’t look either left or right as he walks, ignoring the way everyone is talking about him.
I fall into his shadow, no one noticing me at all. I find that I’m not too upset by this.