Page 27 of Perfect Night

“Took your fucking time. My office, now,” snapped Nathaniel.

Charlie was conscious that his colleagues were looking at him. The public humiliation thing was one of Nathaniel’s trademarks. The trick was to not push back or it would only encourage him to go further. Charlie walked ahead toward Nathaniel’s office, standing in front of his desk. The door slammed, causing him to wince.

“How fucking dare you behave like that? I won’t tolerate that sort of unprofessionalism on my team!”

Charlie wasn’t sure what Nathaniel knew. Had he been seen with Sebastian in his office, or was he getting at something else? He thought it best to keep quiet.

“Well, are you going to explain your actions?”

“I’m not sure what you’re getting at, sir. Did I say something wrong in the pitch?” he hedged.

“You know full well. I have no time for egos and you trampled all over your colleague in front of the client. This was Ocean’s moment, and you made it all about you, as always.”

Was he for real? Nathaniel had an ego the size of a solar system. And Ocean didn’t have a clue what she was doing.

“The client asked me to explain the social media strategy.”

“You should have declined and deferred to Ocean. She’ll be the one leading this project, not you.”

“But they wanted to speak to the person who designed the social media strategy. Isn’t that why you took me along? They wanted me there.”

“You were told to sit there and shut up. How do you think it made the rest of us look when someone at the bottom of the company took credit for work which was done by a team?”

What the fuck!

“If we don’t win this account, it’ll be your fault and then you’re done here and in the industry. I’ll blacklist your name. Now get the fuck out of my sight.”

Charlie wasn’t sure whether he wanted to burst into tears or punch Nathaniel in the face. He knew Sebastian wouldn’t give them the contract, so he was finished anyway. Did he have anything to lose by walking out now? He couldn’t make a snap decision. That was more Jason’s thing; something which he admired in his spunky friend, although it wasn’t without its drawbacks.

He left Nathaniel’s office without another word and went back to his desk. It was clear everyone had heard Nathaniel’s rant, which was humiliating, and he just wanted the ground to swallow him. Whoever designed the open-plan office concept had never been publicly humiliated by their boss. Despite his instincts telling him to run, he couldn’t leave. It was still the middle of the day. All he could do was put his head down and hope time moved quickly.

Charlie needed to get some money so his mum’s care facility would get off his back. He messaged Lucinda. Ten minutes later, she called him.

“How do you feel about seeing Jeremy again?”

“Is there anyone else?”

She laughed. “Not at short notice, and he specifically asked for the twink with the horse cock,again!”

He wasn’t sure he was in the right headspace for Jeremy’s bullshit.

“It’s an overnight, so I said it would be a fifty per cent uplift as it’s last minute. I made out you rarely did weeknights and may not be available. He agreed.”

That was three grand. He couldn’t say no.

“What time does he want me there?”

“He said eight o’clock and to eat before you get there. He intends to get his money’s worth.”

“Of course he does. Right, is he at home?”

“Yeah. I’ll send you the details, as they’ve changed the code to his building.”

Charlie ended the call and groaned. This was going to be an arduous night, but he needed the money. He just had to keep Jeremy out of his head. His phone rang again. It was an unknown number.

“Hello, this is Charlie.”

“Hi Charlie, it’s Candice from Steele Property Holdings.”

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