Page 483 of Savage Bosses

“You’re welcome. We have to keep our employees happy.”

Deja cut her eyes at Stephen. She wanted to say something but decided against it as she sat with Jeff and Angie and ate her salad.

After eating, they went back to work. “Hey,” Deja began hesitantly. “Do you think we should consider a different approach to this section?” She pointed at her screen, hoping to engage him in a productive conversation.

“Sure, Deja.” Stephen’s words seemed to soften a little but were still dismissive. He looked around the conference room. “I have another meeting to attend. You all can finish the portion you’re working on, and we’ll meet back here at four o’clock.” He grabbed his jacket and walked out of the conference room.

Deja looked at Jeff and Angie. “Let’s get this finished.”

They worked a while longer. Deja stood and decided it was time for a bathroom break. She walked into the common area and saw Stephen talking to Lora. He was so kind to her. Now that she thought about it, he was kind to everyone but her. Was he treating her like that because she was black? She looked around the office again and realized that the office was diverse.

So, it’s just me he hates.

It was infuriating how hard she had to work just to get him to listen to her, let alone cooperate. A lesser person might have given up, but Deja was determined to succeed despite the odds stacked against her. She watched Stephen walk toward the elevator.

Deja walked to her office and quickly dialed the Olivia. “Hey Liv,” she whispered into the phone. “I need some advice on how to manage working with an asshole. Stephen doesn’t like me, and I can't seem to get through to him.”

“Deja, you just have to be as stubborn as he is,” Olivia advised. “If you show him that you won't back down, eventually he'll start to take you seriously.”

“Thanks, Liv. You’re probably right.” Deja sighed. “I have to get back to work. I’ll call you when I get home.”

“Cool, I’ll talk to you later,” Olivia said before hanging up the phone.

They were all back in the conference room at four o’clock. just as Stephen reentered the conference room. She steeled herself.

“Stephen,” she said, leaning over him as she pointed at the documents on the table.

Stephen leaned into her. His dick twitched at the feel of her so close. Her hand brushed against his and he felt a spark. He looked into her eyes and caught a glimmer of recognition. Stephen knew she felt it, too. He heard her clear her throat as she continued to explain her suggestion.

“I've looked over our strategy, and I think we should change the angle for this section. Trust me, it'll work.”

He studied her for a moment, something akin to respect flashing in his eyes before he nodded. “Fine. Let's try it your way.”

As the deadline loomed closer, their work continued late into the night, the darkness outside only matched by the dark intensity of their determination. The tension between them remained thick, almost palpable, but beneath it all was a begrudging mutual respect that neither would admit. “Deja,” Stephen said, his voice heavy with exhaustion. “We're running out of time. We need to streamline our process.”

“Alright,” she agreed, not allowing herself to feel defeated. “Let's divide and conquer. Jeff, you and Angie take the analytics, and Stephen and I will focus on the design. If we work efficiently, we can make it.”

“Deal,” Jeff said excitedly. Angie rolled her eyes. “Fine.”

“I think this will work.” Stephen said. That was the closest thing to an agreement they had reached in weeks. They worked side by side, driven by the same goals. Stephen and Deja were still separated by the invisible walls they had built around themselves. As the project neared completion, Deja couldn't help but wonder if they would ever find a way to truly work together—or if the tension between them would continue to smolder like embers in the dark.

The next day, Deja walked into the conference room. Stephen was already there. Thirty minutes later, Jeff and Angie walked in. They worked throughout the day and were finally finished at five o’clock in the evening. They forwarded the proposal to the client. Jeff and Angie went home, but Deja stayed back to finalize a report. She was about to close her laptop and call it a night when she received an email from the client. “Can you believe this?” Deja muttered, more to herself than to Stephen. She sucked her teeth in annoyance as she read through the latest feedback from their client. “They're suggesting we change a few pieces of the strategy.”

Stephen raised an eyebrow, finally tearing his gaze away from his laptop.

“We've already adjusted our approach twice,” he scoffed, his voice cold and dismissive. But for the first time since they started working together, Deja detected a hint of caring in his tone.

“Maybe… maybe they're right,” Deja conceded hesitantly, her own doubt creeping in. “I mean, it’s a minor concession to get the deal done.”

“Fuck it,” Stephen bit out, slamming his laptop shut. “Maybe we should call it a night and start again in the morning.”

“Maybe we need to talk to the client in person. Sometimes when you explain it in person, they get a real understanding of the plan. More so than trying to picture it on paper.” Deja suggested.

Stephen looked at her. “Maybe you’re right. I will set up a meeting tomorrow. I need you to be on your A game and win them over.”

She smiled. “I will.”

“Get your stuff. I’ll take you home.”