Chapter 5: Undercover Bosses and Office Games

I shook my head, knowing nobody realized Caleb was actually the boss’s son—my uncle’s kid, undercover as a rookie. My job was to keep him out of trouble and make sure he learned the ropes. Derek had no clue.

He’d pegged Caleb as an easy target and dragged him into his daily nonsense. I’d see them in the break room—Derek pontificating, Caleb nodding along, secretly loving the drama.

Caleb, who used to hate working, now showed up every day like he’d downed three Red Bulls. I finally asked him why.

"It’s just too much fun watching the circus for free."

One day, I overheard Derek lecturing Caleb in the break room. "Bro, you gotta learn how to manage relationships. Look at me—when I treat, all the girls are on my side. When it’s time to vote, Marcus, that guy, will get voted out. Believe it?"

Caleb played along, deadpan. "No, Marcus is really capable."

Derek waved him off. "What’s the use of being capable? Whoever wins hearts wins the world. Hard work alone is useless. You need to master the dark arts of the workplace. Just watch—this year, I’ll be voted number one."

Caleb puffed his cheeks, barely holding back a laugh. "Bro, how do you play those dark arts? Isn’t it all about performance?"

Derek shook his head. "Performance, my ass! Companies are like a communal pot. You need connections, get people to vouch for you. It’s all about democratic evaluation. Didn’t you know?"

Caleb nodded, straight-faced. "Yes, yes, bro. You’re so wise."

Derek grinned, missing the sarcasm. "And don’t just find any girlfriend. You need one at your level. Look at Aubrey—her bag, her watch—you know she’s loaded. Watch me win her over."

"So, bro, what does your family do?"

Derek leaned in, dropping his voice. "Keep it secret, but my family is the company’s biggest supplier. My dad wants me to take over, but I came here for experience. If I marry Aubrey, maybe I’ll go help her family. She’s an only child from the East Coast."

Caleb and I were both stunned—Derek had no idea Aubrey’s dad was actually our supplier. The irony was almost too much.

Caleb frowned, playing along. Derek took a drag from his vape. "Easter’s coming up, I’m prepping a gift for her. My budget is this much." He flashed a six with his hand.

Caleb blurted, "$6,000? $600? $60?"

Derek scoffed. "You’re so tacky. Girls like her have seen it all. Money can’t buy her heart. 60 is perfect—let me teach you how to do big things with little money."

Caleb nearly choked on his coffee. "Bro, for Easter, either buy lilies for your grandma’s grave, or patch up your own pants."

He ran off, laughter trailing behind. Derek called after him, "Get back here!"

Caleb turned the corner and ran into me. I pulled him aside, telling him to hold in his laughter.

He was tearing up, shaking with silent giggles. "Bro, someone’s after my sister-in-law—aren’t you going to do something? But seriously, don’t ever fire that clown. My work life would be so boring without him."

Caleb’s laughter echoed down the hall, and for the first time all night, I let myself believe—yeah, maybe we’d survive this circus after all.