Page 74 of Insufferable Boss

I had to make a decision, or else things would continue to drift apart between us, and there was nothing that could be done about it. From being people with a casual relationship, we would eventually become people without any relationship, simply coworkers. This was supposed to be the plan... it had always been the plan. However, I was no longer satisfied with it.

I couldn't let this passively fade away like it had been doing, yet I was still uncertain about what decision to make. It had been a week since I last left her apartment with the intention of it being the last time. We were both extremely busy individuals in charge of major departments, so it wasn't difficult for us to avoid running into each other. However, I still receive reports about her department daily, about how she managed and excelled with her staff, even making adjustments to the design by removing colors that were too bright.

I enjoyed observing her from a distance, but during times like these when things became too distant, and all I wanted was to be near her, I was forced to rethink my decision. Currently, I was staring at a photo of her reviewing equipment for the laboratory she was setting up. Though there was nothing explicitly sexual about the image, the coat and glasses she wore couldn't hide the elegance and beauty she possessed. She was sophisticated and focused, and the more I watched her in this way, the more I realized that she might have been what I had been searching for but never truly believed existed.

When I was with her, things seemed too good to be true, but now... I wanted them to be this way. However, it would take me a little while longer to gather my thoughts and eventually present this to her because, with her, there was no turning back. On one hand, I loved that it was this way with her, but on the other, I truly wished it wasn't the case because I didn't know if I was ready. But as life had taught me so far, I might never be ready.

Suddenly, there was a knock on my door, pulling me out of my thoughts. I had been losing focus of my surroundings, getting lost in thoughts of how to resolve this situation.

"Sir, Mr. Mercer wants to see you," my secretary said, and I frowned at the announcement. He was the last person I wanted to be dealing with at the moment. I checked my watch.

"It's almost eleven. Do I have a scheduled meeting then?" I asked.

"You do, Sir," he replied. "A meeting with the marketing manager."

"When it's time, come right in and insist on it," I told him. "This could run longer than it's supposed to."

"Yes, Sir," he replied and left the room. A few minutes later, Dylan entered the office. Of course, his face was stern and guarded, but I had no interest in wasting any more of my precious time catering to him.

"I come bearing gifts," he said, and I sighed.

"What do you want?"

He went silent for a little while, then took a seat across from my desk. I was forced to look up at him.

"I want out," he said to me. "You were right, and I don't want to be managing this company. But that doesn't mean I have to lose my inheritance, does it?"

Upon hearing his words, I looked up and pondered the response to give.

"Actually, it does mean that you lose it. That was the point of your father stipulating that you have to work for two years—emphasis on the word 'work'—before any of it is vested to you."

"Well, I'm the kind to eat my cake and have it too, and it's difficult to change."

His words reminded me of why this conversation was a waste of time, so I ignored him and tried to refocus on my work.

"I'm serious, Lazarus," he said. "Having me out will make things easier for you."

"So, what do you suggest I do?" I asked, and he sighed.

"Drop the lawsuit and, in exchange, just buy me out. Or reach a settlement with me equivalent to my equity, so when it vests, it's all yours."

I frowned as I tried to process what he was saying.

"So, pay you now and keep your equity?"

"Well, not all of it," he said, and I couldn't help but smile.

"I'll keep about 20 percent of it... you know, for sentimental reasons."

"20 percent for sentimental reasons?" I repeated.

I shook my head and went back to work.

"I'm serious," he continued. "I'm coming to you now because of this bullshit lawsuit between us. And it's a chance for you to gain power over the rest of the stakeholders because, in case you haven't noticed, we're all sort of equal in this, which cannot be interesting for you."

I sighed again and looked up at him.

"Actually, it is," I said.

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