Page 56 of Rich and Bossy

“I’ll scan them in and email them right over. You won’t be disappointed.” John manages to sound professional as he says it.

I hit mute on the phone. “Twenty bucks says his old dick gets hard one last time.”

John keels over in his chair. Then suddenly, I hear Bree laughing.

Fuck, I think I accidentally went to her line instead of muting it. “Sorry, Bree.”

I click back to the conversation and hold a hand up at John, likeplay it cool.

This time Dan is speaking. “Okay, we’ll have a look at the numbers.” Fortunately, he’s in his sixties and isn’t a complete condescending fuck head. He’s always even-keeled, unemotional. “And we look forward to hearing nothing more about the warehouse issue.”

“Sounds like a winner.”

I wish Hazel could see this side of the business, the shit I have to deal with. I get it, it sucks.

We have to kiss a little ass and smooth some ruffled feathers from time to time. Everyone thinks a CEO is the best and easiest job in the world. It has perks, but it’s stressful as shit, trying to balance everything. A parent has to make a couple kids happy. Ihave to try to make hundreds of thousands of people happy, not to mention millions of customers who will tell me to fuck off in a second if I do something they don’t like.

Neither man says a word, so I press on. “The warehouse issue is dealt with. John’s overseeing it now.”

John nods.

I feel myself balling my hands into fists because I know they’re going to talk about it some more. They need to take their good profit reports and fuck off until next quarter. I don’t owe them shit beyond that.

“It needs dealt with immediately.” Mark’s old voice hardens a little.

“Well, we’re managing the company. So thank you for the advice.”

“That is true.” Mark takes a deep breath like he’s struggling for air. “And we can dump our investments at any time, and that will cascade, the same way a bunch of union organizing will.”

I do so love having my balls in a vice. I especially love it when some old fucking geriatric bitch who never worked a day in his life, living off multiplying an inheritance, wants to tell me how to run my company that’s made him over a billion dollars.

“Well, if you want to dump a winning investment, be my guest. I thought you were good with money. Show the world you’re not.”

John’s eyes get big.

“You know what, kid, I actually like you. The fact you’re willing to fight, makes me think maybe you are going to do something about the problem.”

I’m so done with these assholes. I want to break this old man’s neck for calling mekid. Now I know how frustrated Hazel must’ve been when I called her a child.

I need to go court some different Wall Street guys, maybe force these dicks out of their shares. The problem I’m facing isthe same one Hazel doesn’t understand, that she’s not thinking about. Who would replace them? And would they be worse?

Either way, this is a shit sandwich. Dress it up however you want, it doesn’t change a fucking thing. I have to find a way to get Hazel to stop, or it’s going to get ugly around here, no matter how good our projections are.

“Already done.”

The men seem to accept that and even manage to sound upbeat before getting off the call. John must’ve sent them the reports and they’re looking at them when they hang up.

John’s smart enough to read the room and can tell I’m pissed off.

Before he leaves, he makes sure to look at me likeI told you so,asshole. He closes the door behind him, and finally I can release the breath I was holding.

I grab the edges of my desk and squeeze, as hard as I can, until I hear the solid maple starting to crack.Motherfucker.

Even now, after all that, all I can think about is one thing.

When can I see Hazel again?

Soon. That’s when it’s going to happen. I don’t give a shit. I’m not done with her.

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