Page 49 of Of Mercury and Mist

Ignoring my insult, Kiam stood and shoved his arms into the jacket he’d hung from the back of his chair. “I’ve got some things to do. I’ll see you later. Pick me up around ten.”

He threw some large bills on the table and exited, leaving me alone with my turbulent thoughts. There was simply no way I’d betray Josiah; it wasn’t an option.

SIXTEEN

Micha

There were a hundred fires for me to put out when I returned to the office. Problems with supply, shipping, graphics. All issues I had zero desire to be bothered with so many other things on my mind.

Della and her efficiency were greatly missed as the new receptionist was good for nothing other than forwarding problems to me she could’ve easily taken care of on her own.

A new assistant had been hired but was nowhere to be seen and was a glaring reminder of my failure to have Ashley fulfill that position like I’d once considered. I even went so far as to contemplate calling Karissa and forcing her to report back to work, only so I’d feel closer to the woman I was missing.

I would’ve done it, too, if Josiah wouldn’t have torn my bloody heart right out of my chest.

I was on the verge, regardless, when Stephanie finally showed up.

“You’re late,” I snapped at her. She faltered, scratching at her nose, before she clasped her hands at her waist.

“My apologies. The daycare needed?—”

Rubbing my chin, I interrupted her, “I don’t care what happened, it is your responsibility to report to work in a timely fashion. Your time management is your responsibility, not mine. Please refer to section ten, line A, of your signed contract if you need clarification on your duties.”

Her hand smoothed down her baby shit brown skirt. “Okay.”

I pinched my nose. “Excuse me?”

“I’m sorry?—”

“I don’t want to hear your excuses and youwillanswer me with either yes or no. If you’d like to remain employed, I recommend you say ‘yes’.” There wasn’t time for tardiness or room for laziness in this business.

“Yes,” she whispered. I raised a brow. “Yes, Sir?” She looked me dead in the eye.

After I tossed my Mont Blanc pen on my desk, I muttered, “For fuck’s sake... you’re not going to last a day.” My head was starting to hurt. Why was it so difficult for these people to honor the terms of the contract they signed?

Stephanie startled when I suddenly stood up. Who the fuck hired this mousey woman? After pouring myself a glass of straight blood, I sat back down. Her eyes widened after I took a sip. I was sure my mouth looked like I was drinking exactly what was in the bottle.

I grinned at her, and she shot out of the office. The stupid bitch was lucky the only woman I wanted to tear into was Ashley.

I picked up the desk phone and pushed the button for Belinda, the receptionist. “Trade with Stephanie, you’re being promoted. Report to my office.”

Satisfied with my solution to a problem I shouldn’t have been having in the first place, I texted Josiah the change, to which he replied with a question mark emoji making me think Della had his phone. Just as I set the device down, Belinda walked in.

“Can you solve this for us?” Twisting the laptop screen so she could see my dilemma, she leaned in for a better view.

“I don’t see why not. You want a new supplier, correct?”

“Yes. Secure one and send me the rates. Verify any legalities and forward me the information.”

She glanced at the screen again, nodding. “I think I heard some versions of product are get tied up in customs, but I’ll see what I can find for you.”

My fingers gripped my cellphone, squeezing it. “We have ways around any issues, just send me everything you come across.”

“Yes, Sir,” she replied, perfectly compliant. I knew promoting her would be an excellent decision.

“Look up lesser-known independent overseas shipping companies as well. Make a spreadsheet,” I called after her. We had a roster, but it couldn’t hurt to have more options.

“You got it,” she answered, closing the door behind her.

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