Page 23 of Conning Her Dragonkin Boss

Since when do you care about nightlife?

Khanner

I don’t. But it would keep our staff from wandering into unsecured areas of the city.

Urul

You mean it would keep a certain assistant from going to places you disapprove of?

I don’t respond.

His laughing emoji is answer enough.

I exhale slowly, unlocking my front door.

This isn’t a problem.

It isn’t.

I’m just doing my job.

That’s all.

Chapter Eight

THE TOTALLY ETHICAL SICK DAY PLAN

Sunny Adlawan

“This isthe worst thing that has ever happened to me.”

Mei’s face fills my screen, unimpressed. “Really? The worst thing?” I grew up with Mei Tan so she understands that I need to vent and overthink about the smallest little thing before I can move on. And right now, it’s trying to figure out how I can get to my convention while also go to my work conference.

It’s Saturday. I’m wearing my pajamas and I have my fabrics spread out ready to finish my back up costume for the convention. And Mei is simply not feeling enough rage for me to properly enjoy this vent session.

“Yes, Mei.” I throw my arm dramatically over my eyes, sinking into my couch cushions like my entire world has collapsed. “The quarterly business meeting is the same weekend as TheWyvern’s Dawn next month. It’s even hosted at the hotel across the street. So close, yet so far. I am cursed.”

Mei squints at me through the camera. “You mean the work thing you do not care about is happening at the same time as the thing you are passionate about and have been planning for months?”

“YES.” I groan, rubbing my temple. “And no. It’s not that I don’t care about work. It’s just that—ideally—I would like to be able to accomplish both.”

A loud snort erupts from the other side of the phone. “You just want to avoid conflict, you little people pleaser, you.”

Like you wouldn’t believe,but Mei wouldn’t understand. I can barely say no to any work obligation, even when I’ve hated my job, let alone say no to a job I actually enjoy doing, working with people who actually appreciate me. “What am I supposed to do? I can’t just request the weekend off.”

“I literally think that’s what you can and should do,” Mei interjects.

I ignore her. “They’ll think I’m unprofessional. Or worse—unreliable.” Gods that would be the worst thing ever. “What if they decide I’m not serious about my job and fire me?”

Mei’s face is the physical manifestation of judgment. “Sunny.”

I clutch my phone tighter. “What?”

“You already had this trip planned before you got hired.”

“And?”

“And that means it’s a prior obligation.”

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