Page 43 of Collin: Episodes 7-9
Collin grinned. “That’s awesome. I’m going back to see my mom. You should meet her next time she’s in town.”
Ash shuddered again. “Ellisandre says your mom is cray-cray.”
Once Collin got Ash to start making lists, the kid actually seemed to enjoy it. He hated dirty things, and the idea of disorganized stuff collecting dust balls and dirt horrified him. He marched around with a clipboard and camera, taking pictures of serial numbers and writing everything down. They unearthed piles of unused devices and boxes of cords.
Ash dressed down payroll about plugging too many machines and lights into the same power strip, including a second power strip. For a new office, the place had a surprising number of outdated machines. Gossiping with three ladies tucked into a room at the back revealed that some of it had been left behind by the previous occupants, some of it had come over with employees who transferred, and some had been brought by employees from wherever they had been before. By five o’clock, Collin was aching, tired, and ready to stop stirring up dust by tracing cords back to sockets. But Ash had a functional spreadsheet up on one of his monitors, and he was happily singing to himself while rocking his head from side to side and poking in serial numbers. If he was also putting expletive-laden side comments, that didn’t mean the spreadsheet didn’t work. It just made it colorful.
Ash might have picked up on just how much power he could have if he knew everything, and now Collin was fairly sure he’d created a monster. Ash had enjoyed charging into offices and announcing “Inspection!” way too much. Evidently, some people hadn’t even known who he was, so it had helped that Collin was on hand to explain in office terms what the redheaded kid was even doing there.
The sleeping pad, blankets, and sleeping bag Collin had ordered for Ash had been delivered to reception at some point. Bruiski texted him a reminder to come pick them up before the end of the day. Fortunately, the smell from earlier was nearly gone.
“All quiet on the home front?” Collin asked.
Bruiski shook his head. “Mostly. I’ve turned away no less than three reporters.”
Collin grimaced. That didn’t sound pleasant. “I guess news got around.”
“The papers were served at city hall in front of the mayor in the atrium. No way did anyone miss that.” Bruiski rubbed his face. “I just don’t understand how this could have any legitimacy. The Reevesworth siblings have been through this already. There are no closer heirs.”
Collin shook his head. “Maybe it’s just a ploy. I better get these back to the dungeon.”
Bruiski nodded and waved him off.
Ash had no interest in stopping what he was doing for bedding. To be fair, his current obsession was strong enough that Collin wasn’t sure he had heard Collin explain what the items were. So, he set up the mat, sleeping bag, and blankets himself and then slipped out the door, heading for his master. He really needed the toilet.
Mr. Reevesworth was alone in his office with his sister when Collin arrived. Collin bit the inside of his cheek but smiled. Linda was always a joy to meet.
“Thank you for helping my mom at the airport.”
Linda smiled and held out her hand, giving Collin a warm squeeze. “Ellisandre was in their play outfit. It was understandable why she was a little reticent. I see you’re settling in well. Thank you for bringing Ash over this weekend. He’s delightful.”
“And he adores you.” Collin smiled back. “Thank you. I’m really glad to see he’s humanizing.”
“His spark is unique and bright.”
Collin nodded and then turned to his dom, biting the inside of his cheek. “Um, sir.” He glanced at the bathroom door.
Linda slid off the edge of the desk she had been sitting on. “Let me give you two a moment. Richard, I’m going to head back down. See you at the restaurant.”
Linda patted him on the shoulder as she sailed past. Collin blushed and dropped his eyes. She totally knew.
“We’re going out to eat tonight,” Mr. Reevesworth said, unzipping Collin’s fly and producing the key to the plug. “I would like you to come with, but I expect media scrutiny, perhaps harassment. And they will photograph you. Would you rather come out, or would you prefer to have Damian come and take a car home with you? I’d rather you weren’t alone.”
“Is Damian coming with?” Collin turned to the toilet.
“Damian already has an engagement, which I’ve asked him to keep unless he’s with you. It will be Linda, Émeric, and I, and you if you like. We’re meeting two of Émeric’s colleagues and one of the donors for his foundation.”
“I thought he worked with Reevesworth Industries?”
“Sometimes his foundation does work with one of the Reevesworth entities, but no, Émeric teaches at a private university here, just a few classes a year, and spends most of his time on the foundation, plus some consulting. He works with international human resource psychology.”
“I…feel like I should have asked before now.” Collin finished and flushed the toilet, turning back to his master to be locked back up.
Mr. Reevesworth shook his head as he leaned down. “Émeric is low-key about his work. Many people have no idea what he does unless they’re in the right circles. He enjoys the travel, the conferences, and the research. It suits him. And he’s done well for himself. With his background and language abilities, he’s able to consult globally.” Mr. Reevesworth zipped Collin back up and kissed him lightly on the forehead.
Collin nuzzled into Mr. Reevesworth’s chest for just a moment, feeling warm and needy. “How did he even get into that?”
“By accident, actually, and by working with Reevesworth Industries. But we wanted more separation between our work lives and our home lives, so he started his own consulting agency and eventually a foundation and only worked for Linda and I as a consultant after a few years. When we met, he was determined that he was going to be a history professor. He only double majored in human resource psychology to please his family.”
