Page 66 of The Incredible Kindness of Paper
Not Chloe.
Puja.
Shit.
A moment later, his phone chimed, indicating a new voicemail.
“Oliver—please call me asap.”
That was it. Just five terse words. Oliver swallowed hard. Puja was usually warmer than this; she was the kind of boss who led her teams like a favorite aunt, someone you respected because she had more experience than you, but whom you could also joke around with.
But like a relative, when she was disappointed, it came out blunt. And because Oliver admired Puja, letting her down stung. His hand shook a little as he hit the button to call her back.
She answered on the first ring. “Good morning, Oliver.”
“Morning, Puja. I, er, got your voicemail.”
“You know what this is about?”
“Probably.”
“What were you thinking?” Puja said. “Zac’s date? Really? That’s beneath you, Oliver.”
He sat heavily on his bed and sighed. “I know, and I’m sorry.”
“HR might have to get involved… But I might be able to circumvent them if you talk to Zac.”
“About what?” Oliver asked.
“To apologize.”
“What?He’sthe one who came at me swinging!”
“Oliver! That woman came to the gala with Zac.”
“Chloe was my best friend growing up and my girlfriend in high school.”
Puja let out a long exhale. “Oh my god.” In this moment she really did sound more like a long-suffering aunt dealing with her misbehaving nephews than a boss. “Look… Zac shouldn’t have tried to hit you. You could actually file a complaint with HR if you wanted to. But… you’re both extremely talented and valuable members of my team. I need youandZac. So I would like it if you two could make some kind of peace.”
Oliver pressed his free hand to his temple. “Puja… even before Zac and I realized we both had feelings for the same woman, he hated me. I don’t know what his problem is, but from the second I walked in the door at Hawthorne Drake, he’s had a target on my back. I’ve tried, I truly have, but I can’t work with him. I can’t do my job if he’s trying to sabotage me at every turn.”
Puja sighed again, this one tinged with resignation. He wouldn’t blameher if she was thinking how much easier it would be if she had two women mathematicians to work with.
“Are you heading down to D.C. for Neo Fintech?” Puja asked.
“Yes. My plane leaves in a couple hours.”
“Okay. That’ll give me a few days before you’re back in the office to figure out what to do with you two. I’ll… need to do some reshuffling.”
Oliver flinched, even though what she was saying was basically what he’d asked for. He couldn’t work with Zac. Something would have to change. Oliver just hopedhewasn’t the one losing here.
But Zac had been with Hawthorne Drake for years, with all the accompanying goodwill he’d built up over that time, whereas Oliver was new. Plus, Oliver didn’t socialize or network in the office; if he was going down, no one would speak up for him. He silently cursed himself for not being more friendly at those monthly birthday gatherings.
“Nevertheless,” Puja said, “you’ll still get the draft for the executive meeting done and to me by Monday at noon? That’s less than twenty-four hours from now.”
Oliver exhaled, relief flooding his veins. At least he hadn’t been kicked off the quant revamp project. Yet.
“Absolutely. It’s already in good shape, but I’ve got a little more to do on it today. I promise I’ll have it to you tomorrow.”
