Chapter 2: Whispers and Warnings

The next day, the moment my colleague Pam saw me, she pulled me aside to warn me. Pam cornered me by the elevator, clutching her vanilla latte like a lifeline. Her eyes darted around as if Nathan might pop out from behind the potted plant.

“He’s on the warpath. Yesterday, half the department left that meeting looking like they’d been chewed up and spit out.”

Her voice dropped to a whisper, and I felt a chill even though the heat was on in the building. Pam never exaggerated—if she said it was bad, it was probably a disaster.

I picked the right time, made him a coffee, and knocked on his office door, handing over the day’s schedule for review. My palms were sweating so much, I nearly smudged the ink on the printout. I took a deep breath, straightened my blazer, and did my best not to fidget as I waited for him to acknowledge me. Nathan’s office always smelled faintly of cedar and expensive cologne.

“Good morning, Mr. Reed. Here’s today’s agenda.”

I handed over the neat printout, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Two routine meetings during the day, and dinner with the Sullivan Group tonight.”

He didn’t touch the coffee. His long fingers rested idly on the desk, voice cold. He barely glanced up, but his attention was like a laser.

“Let the new girl, Aubrey, go with me to dinner tonight. You don’t have to come.”

I blinked. Was this his way of icing me out? Or just trying to shake up the routine?

“For... Alright, Mr. Reed. I’ll let her know to get ready.”

I swallowed my questions and quietly left his office. No sense pushing my luck. Nathan hated backtalk, and I wasn’t about to poke the bear, especially after my accidental call. He hates it when subordinates question his decisions, and hates being probed even more.

Adjusting my slightly frazzled mood, I walked over to Aubrey Lin. I tried to keep my face neutral, though my mind was racing with questions.

When she heard the news, Aubrey dramatically covered her mouth, eyes brimming with tears. She looked like she’d just been told she won the lottery. Aubrey was all big gestures and even bigger feelings. I almost wanted to hug her, except she was already hugging herself.

“Oh my god, are you serious? I need to call my mom. Or maybe my therapist.”

Her voice shook a little, and I felt a tiny stab of sympathy. She was still new, after all.

Pam, never missing a chance for drama, came over to stir things up. Pam sidled up, twirling her lanyard like it was a strand of pearls, and winked at me as if we were co-conspirators in some office sitcom.

“Look at you, Aubrey—barely got your employee badge and already getting the VIP invite. Natalie, watch your back!”

She said it loud enough for the neighboring cubicles to hear. I shot her a look, but she just grinned.

“How could that be! I still have so much to learn from my mentor. But Mr. Reed is really gentle.”

Gentle?

I turned, just in time to meet Pam’s equally baffled gaze. We exchanged a look: Did she just call Nathan gentle? Maybe we’d missed a memo.