Page 38 of Obeying His Rules

“Um, all right…boss–um, Marlon. What’s up? Sorry for being on the phone for so long, it’s just that it’s Charlotte’s and my six-year—”

“Six-year anniversary.” I nod. Brian’s eyes light up, clearly surprised.

“Oh, you didn’t think I’d remember something like that for my number two?” I ask. “My second-in-command?”

“I…I guess I didn’t…” Brian replies, sounding slightly ashamed.

I reach into my pocket and pull out a thick stack of bills and hand it to him. He coughs and looks up at me.

“Few grand.” I grin. “Let’s just call it a bonus for all your hard work. A token of my appreciation for how valuable you are to this company.”

“Marlon. You’ve got to be joking.”

“Do I look like I’m joking?” I chuckle as I stand up and come around the desk, extending a hand to him. He quickly takes it and shakes it firmly.

“Jesus, Marlon. Thank you!”

“You don’t have to thank me, Brian. You’ve been with me every step of the way since I started building this company. I couldn’t have done it without you.” I release his hand and give him a sly look. “I mean—I could have, but it would have been a lot harder.”

We both laugh, and I take my seat again. I can see Brian wants to count the stack I’ve given him–which amounts to five grand–but he remains polite and resists and just stuffs it into his pocket.

“Say, Brian. Can I ask you something?”

“Sure, boss. Anything.”

“You and Charlotte. Six-years. That’s impressive. Really impressive. And I don’t mean to bring this up on your anniversary, but…does it ever worry you?”

Brian frowns. “Worry me?”

“Well, let me put it another way.” I pause. “How have you two made it work for this many years?”

“Ah.” Brian smiles, chuckling to himself. “People have asked me that a lot actually. But I never thought six-years was a lot, if I’m being honest. Charlotte and I just love each other. That’s really all there is to it. There’s no secret. We just love each other, so it works.”

“I see…” I nod.

For some reason, I notice a scratch in the top of my desk that I somehow haven’t noticed before. It will need to be refinished.

“Hey, boss?” Brian says. There he goes, calling me boss again. “Is there something on your mind?”

I quickly look over at him and give him the practiced smile I use in business meetings when I want to make sure I’m not upsetting a client.

“Nope,” I lie. “I guess I was just interested.”

I stand, causing Brian to stand, and go to the corner to get my coat.

“Well, thanks for the bonus! Seriously. Charlotte and I will be living it up tonight!”

“I hope you two have a great time,” I reply. “I’m gonna head out. Take tomorrow off too if you like. You guys enjoy yourselves.”

“Seriously?” Brian all but gasps as I walk past him and out of the office.

“Seriously.” I wave over my shoulder.

“Thanks, boss!” he calls after me.

There he goes with that boss thing again.

I take the stairs down and find Chris waiting for me out by the car. He’s texting someone and looks up as I go over to him.

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