Page 3 of Married to My Grumpy Minotaur Boss

I hurry out, dash down to IT to have them set up the projector, then go to the kitchen and snatch a water. I make it to the multipurpose room just as the last employee is filing in,ready for Mr. Kernos’ address. Today’s talk is for the production teams of all Bullseye Media’s reality TV programs. I recognize a few people from the research I did before applying. I hurry to the podium at the front and set down Mr. Kernos’ water, cringing when he gives me a look which, by rights, should crush me into the floor. I take my seat at the front, getting out my phone and setting the timer.

People in the audience talk quietly. They stop instantly when Mr. Kernos begins. “Aren’t you sick of the same thing day in day out?”

I blink.Yes, stern minotaur daddy, I am. How did you know?

“So are our viewers.”

A murmur rises within the crowd.

“Of course they are. We’ve been feeding them the same tired muck for the last ten years. Same as all the other networks. We’re working in the age of streaming services and short-form video. We need to hook their attention quickly and keep it. But how do we do that?”

I lean forward, timer forgotten as I listen. “...needs to be fresh. Relevant. Sexy. Most of all, it needs to make them feel like they're right there in the moment.”

I frown. What does that even mean? They’re all just buzzwords. I still don’t see what he wants us to do differently.

Well, what he wants them to do differently, since I’m just his junior assistant.

I glance down just as the timer ticks over to five minutes five seconds and give him the signal. He nods to acknowledge me.

He goes through some slides with the falling ratings we’ve all had beaten over our heads for the last month. This is nothing new, either.

Then he brings up a slide with our network next to our three top competitors. I gasp out loud. The ogress beside me turns to give me a sneer, but I ignore her.

“Everything shows a downward trend in television viewing in general. Analysts have been saying that traditional media is on the way out. Only our top competitor, Catchcall Media isn’t following that trend. Their ratings are on a steep spike up, ever since mid last year. So what the heck are they doing that we’re not doing?”

I stare at him. What are they doing?

I hope whatever it is doesn’t spell the end of my favorite shows!

I almost miss another ten minute marker, I’m so distracted thinking about what he’s saying.

TWO

Justine

When I head back to Mr. Kernos’ office, my head is swimming with a hundred different ideas. All of which do me exactly zero good, since he won’t be interested in hearing them. I’m not paid to think. I’m paid to make things easy for him and make sure he has everything he needs.

The look he gives me when I knock and peep in through the door makes me want to turn and scurry away to hide in a storage cupboard somewhere. Instead, I bravely walk in and take a seat in front of his desk. I tuck my hands under my thighs so he won’t see how much they’re shaking.

Mr. Kernos pushes his chair back a little and folds his arms across his broad chest. “Well?”

I wait. I’m expecting him to say more, but he just glares at me.

Eventually, I fold. “OK, I saw the email when I bumped the mouse and then I needed to know what Asha sent you.”

“Hmmm.”

Unwisely, I continue. “And then it made me mad because it’s dumb and shortsighted and... You don’t want to hear that do you?” I trail off awkwardly under his continued scrutiny. “You want to hear I’m sorry and I’ll pack my things.” I stand to go do just that.

“Wait.”

I freeze.

“Explain what you mean.” His voice is gruff and demanding. I’d really rather just scurry off and hide now. I don’t know whaton earth possessed me to blurt that all out, but I get flustered under pressure

He’s waiting for an answer. Do I dare to give it to him?

I try to read his expression. His nostrils flare a little, but other than that he still isn’t moving. Isn’t giving anything away.

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