“I would like to congratulate everyone on your report. Keep up with your work. Until then, we’ll meet again next month to a better performance report.” Derek said before standing up and leave the meeting room with his assistant.

The boss enter the elevator first then the other man follow suit to the basement. As they arrive, his assistant hold the door for both of them to exit.

They got into a black limousine with tinted glass parked just outside the glass door of the elevator place. The driver got out and open the door for Derek. He got inside while his assistant enter at the passenger seat beside the driver.

As soon as the driver got back inside, he ask, “Where to, sir?”

“HQ.”

The driver startled for a mere second. “I may remind you it’s 1.43 in the morning, sir. Don’t you want to call it a day?”

He smirk. “To be honest, I didn’t expect the meeting went on for long. The performance this month have been lacking compared to last month. The statistics dropped slightly. I can’t rest knowing the status dropped before our premiere launching in three weeks.”

“Neither with your well being, sir.” the driver answer again.

The driver is an old folk of Derek. He was there before Crowdest and business involve in their friendship. He’s slightly older than Derek but they keep their employer-employee relationship professional.

Since he’s clueless when it comes to business and numbers, he made use of his driving skill to serve Derek. So, he is one of the few people that can joke around with him without making the boss himself angry or alarming.

Derek chuckle. “Harry, sleep can wait. Besides, I can take a nap in my private bed. I’m pretty sure I’ve renew my spare suit there from last time so don’t worry. Nobody’s gonna know I didn’t went home.”

Harry sigh, “As you wish, sir.” He started the engine then drive away to Crowdest headquarters.

****

It’s only 6.45 am when Tara arrived on her desk. She’s unusually early today since there’s report of heavy traffic for a road construction. She decided to go to work early so she wouldn’t have to rush later.

She put her stuff before entering her boss’ office with iced caramel latte in hand, the same coffee everyday.

Derek Collen looking all tough. People would’ve expected him drinking something strong like espresso or at least cold brew but no. Believe it or not, her boss like sweet stuff. Cake, candy, chocolate, you name it.

Despite his sugar intake, it doesn’t seem to affect his body. Nope, the biceps, jawline thick thighs are still there.

She carelessly walk inside and almost drop the coffee when she saw the said man was sitting on his throne with stacks of report papers around his desk. Looks like he doesn’t went home last night.

“Did I surprise you?” he said, looking at her with report still in hand wearing a genuine smile.

Tara straighten her posture, “It’s been awhile since you start working early. Usually you started at 8. It caught me off guard. Pardon me, sir.” Then put the coffee on the coaster near his intercom.

“It’s fine. Thank you, Tara.”

“You’re most welcome, sir.” she said and left.

****

- Later that evening -

“Come in.”

Tara came in almost immediately after hearing his boss’ angry voice in the intercom.

“Is there a problem, Mr Collen?”

He let go of the papers in his hand and massage his temple. “There’s a particular department that seem to send me an incomplete report.”

Here goes the devil boss character. Calmly she answer, “I’m sorry in their behalf. Which department is it?”

Without missing a beat, he immediately say while shooting his secretary a glare which send chills down the woman’s spine.

“Highden.”

****

Cody was sitting on his desk near the printer machine, reading a manual book he found while printing that morning. Honestly he didn’t understand a thing so he casually flipping through the pages when suddenly Mrs Green come to his desk.

“Hey, Cody. Are you busy now?”

He shakes his head. “Not at all. Is there anything I can help you, Mrs Green?”

She hesitate for a second before saying, “You said you wanted to do something other than your common tasks, right?”

Cody got so excited that he immediately stand straight. Book long forgotten. “Yes, I am. You have job for me, ma’am?” he said then grin.

“I might have something but I don’t know if you want to do it o-”

“I will do whatever!” he interrupted. Offering a toothy grin to the lady.

“Okay then. This document,” she hand over a few papers to the boy. “need to be sent to the CEO’s secretary on the 30th floor immediately.”

Cody can’t hide his shock face and stutter, “C-CEO?”

“Yeah. I’m sorry we’re quite desperate since the CEO want it ASAP but we have meeting in a moment. It’s okay though if you don’t want to do it. I understand.”

“No, no, no, no. I’ll do it. You can depend on me, Mrs Green. I’ll be going now.” he said before dashing out the office, leaving Mrs Green unmoved from her spot.

“Aren’t our meeting not until another hour, Liz? Why’re we doing it now?” a male employee with checkered shirt asked.

“You sure it’s a good plan, Liz?” another employee went and stood beside her.

She nod. “This is our best option. I totally forgot to print the last part of the analysis section. Mr Collen will be furious if it’s one of us that send it.” She continue, “I’m sure Mr Collen wouldn’t be that harsh towards an intern, right guys?”

She glance to the other employees’ uncertain faces and some even shake their heads. All of the sudden feeling guilty for their sacrificed black sheep.

“He’s a good man during his lifetime.”