Page 12 of My Secret Snowflake
“At the box office,” I add. I liked both movies, but they didn’t seem to be what the market wanted.
“So, it doesn’t seem like the employees know yet?” he asks.
I shake my head. “I’ll let you know if I hear differently.”
“Xavier insists we shouldn’t worry,” Bob says.
Dream Company was founded by two brothers, who are exact opposites. Colby is the financial brain who runs all business matters. Xavier is the creative one who oversees the movie projects. They seem to get along, but they are two very different personalities.
“Colby says L’Etoile is deciding whether to close us down and just keep the New Mexico office,” Bob says. “Xavier is adamant that will never happen. Our presentations to the board about why L’Etoile should keep us is just to force us to look at all cost-cutting options. What’s the latest with the board presentation you’re working on with Ernest?”
“I’ll have it to you by the end of the day.” I stand. “Ernest has to make some adjustments to the numbers.”
“And remember to let me know what else you hear around the water cooler when this becomes public knowledge around the company. I don’t think it’s public yet, but people do crazy things when they’re desperate.”
I nod and then leave and walk down the hallway to my office.
Anothernotreassuring meeting.
Right before I reach my door, Xavier, our co-CEO, dressed in all black including his sneakers, appears in the hallway. Colby’s office is at the very end, next to the other senior executives: Legal, Human Resources, Marketing & Publicity, IT/IS. Xavier’s office is a floor below with all the other creative people. He’s always impressed me as a boss. He’s so quick in meetings, and it’s just so fun to work with him. And I don’t know how, but he knows everybody’s name.
“Sebastian,” he says. “Great job ironing out that issue with the union. Well done.”
“Thanks,” I say.
“What are you watching nowadays?”
I stop. “I have to be honest and say I haven’t had time to watch much lately because of work.”
“What are your friends watching?”
“My mom is watching Hallmark movies,” I say.
He wags his finger. “I’d like to greenlight another one of those. I need to brainstorm.” He nods, turns around, and heads back downstairs.
He does have his quirky side.
He also seems calm. He’s not giving off any vibes of desperation. And this is his dream company. But even if the company is safe, it doesn’t mean my job is safe if they’re looking to cut costs. Why was Bob so flustered when I walked into his office?
I enter my office and proceed to revise the contract per Bob’s latest comments and mull over his vague—and slightly ominous—instructions to haunt the canteen. Maybe I should ask him if there’s a specific department he wants me to socialize with.Do I have to attend the Accounting happy hour?The folders of work on my desk are piling up. That has to be more important than socializing.
I push up my rolled-up sleeves. My wrist looks fine.Iris Murphy. I chuckle. She always surprises me. I will definitely never forget seeing her half-hanging out a window, Jazmine trying to push her in from below. And her very attractive… I cough. I can still see her grinning and waving the key card triumphantly through the window.
As if on cue, a knock sounds on my door, and Iris sticks her head around the door.
“Do you have a minute?” she asks.
“Sure.”
Chapter four
Sebastian
Iristakesaseatin front of my desk and crosses her legs. My gaze remains firmly planted on her face, even if she does have attractive legs. It’s not like I could avoid noticing them when she was kicking them out the window.
These offices are small, but I’m lucky to have my own space—most of my colleagues sit in open-plan spaces, but Bob argued Legal handles confidential matters so we need privacy.
She says, “I’m sure you’ve seen the posters for the Secret Snowflake exchange—”
