***

"I thought he was special." One of the stuffs who watched the entire interaction whispers. "Are the rumours really true ?"

"God knows. But CEO doesn't look very pleased with him."

"But secretary Ray said ...." 

"I don't think that's true." Another stuff joins in "you know , I am close with secretary Howard. We joined this company at the same time. And he once told me that our CEO hires escorts to deal with his personal desires."

"I know that too. I heard he doesn't even call for the same escort twice."

"Yep, that's what I was saying. If he does that then why would he drag his personal mess to the company."

"Understandable !" All the stuffs nods.

"So, we don't really need to be on good side of Mr. Barrer, right ? I mean why should I try to be friend with him when he isn't really ... You know... "

"Not interesting! I know." Another stuff completes the sentence.

"But, secretary Ray never lies."

The discussion goes on outside the conference hall while inside everybody stands up with CEO,'s entrance.

"Good afternoon !" Daniel gestures everyone to take their seat before calling Oliver and Fransis in.

Fransis walks in without any hesitation. But Oliver stays back. His eyes directly meet with black searching eyes of Nick.

Oliver takes a step back unconsciously.

"Mr. Platt, take your seat."

Nick's wide eyes turn back to the CEO hearing the cold tone. He controls himself momentarily "sorry sir !"

Daniel doesn't look pleased with Nick's sorry but he ignores it and turns towards the door "We don't have all day Oliver."

Oliver let's out a sharp breath "sorry sir !"

Daniel turns his chair to the crowd after Oliver and Fransis took their seats. "Today, I called all of you here to make some changes."

In the last few months I have noticed some incompetent behaviour from some of you. I wouldn't specify who or which branch because it doesn't matter. What matters is that one of my branch's misconduct, directly reflects on my company's and my reputation.

This misconduct includes giving false deadlines to the employees, forcing the employees to do unpaid overtimes, not maintaining professional relationships properly and many more."

Nick clenches his fists under the table.

"So from now on, all of the branches under Fusion corporation are going to report to the branch supervisor weekly and monthly." Daniel continues.

"The branch supervisors will have details of each employee's mails & office accounts and they will assign the task directly to the employees with clear deadlines and descriptions.

The branch managers will have no input in it anymore. The employee schedule and work efficiency will be directly monitored by the supervisors, weekly, from now on.

"Am I clear till now ?"

The branch managers look at each other and nod with serious faces. "Yes sir !"

"Now, about your job roles. The branch Managers. You will report your monthly reports /bills and accounts to you respective supervisor on 25 th of every month.

The report should be detailed and incorrupted. Before Today my secretary used to verify your reports but form now on, your supervisors will verify your reports and if any report gets flagged by the supervisors, the respective manager has to come and fix the mistake within two business days.

I will only sign the reports that and verified and cleared by the supervisors. Clear ?"

One of the supervisors raises their hand "sir, I have a question. Except the monthly report, do we need to update our work progress weekly ?"

"No ,only the ground employees will report weekly and the managers will report monthly."

"Sir, what if .. one of our team members doesn't meet the deadlines? If we can't monitor them .."

"That will be the supervisor's responsibility. Anything else ?"

Everyone shakes their head in unison except Nick. He keeps glaring at Oliver.

"Now," Daniel continues"let me introdu ....

"May I come in ?"

Everybody turns towards the door.

Collin stands at the door with a smile that clearly seems desperate. Daniel closes his eyes to hide his frustration.

"This is an official meeting. Not a park !" Daniel looks straight at Collin irritated.

Collin's smile falters. He almost gasps in realisation. "S.. sorry sir."

Oliver looks at Collin in disbelief. So it's an open secret now. When he dated Nick, Nick tried his best to hide their relationship from the spotlight. Apparently it's not applicable for Collin. Oliver looks away with a sigh.

He isn't upset with Collin. But he is upset thinking how stupid he has been. Daniel sir is right about him. He is good for nothing.

"So, where were we ?" Daniel continues after Collin takes his seat beside Nick. "Let me introduce you to your supervisors. Oliver Barrer and Fransis Diaz."

"What ?" Collin shouts in disbelief.

Everybody looks at Collin in disbelief this time. Collin looks at Nick.

Nick grits his teeth "Sir, Oliver was my junior and he was sacked because of his lack of productivity. How can he take the supervisor position?"

"Are you questioning me ?" Daniel sits back on his chair. "Well, It's my responsibility to clear the confusion for all of you. So ...

Oliver Barrer wasn't sacked because of his lack of productivity. He resigned himself."

Nick looks up with wide eyes.

"He didn't want to work in his old office. Do you know why is that Mr. Platt ?"

Daniel stops as Oliver grips his hand to stop him under the table. He looks at Oliver amused.

Oliver shakes his head slowly.

"Mr. Barrer applied for this position two weeks after he submitted his resignation from the main branch. His qualification and experience was a perfect fit for this role.

And he passed the interview with exceeding marks. Any more questions?"

Nick stays rooted in his seat. Collin looks red in frustration. But all the other managers nods in agreement. They don't know Oliver Barrer personally. So for them Oliver is the same as Fransis. Just a supervisor to give a monthly report.

"Well then, meeting dismissed."

***

Oliver and Fransis walk out of the conference hall just after Daniel.

"So you are close with the CEO ?" Fransis asks as soon as they step out.

"No. Why would I be ?"

"Don't lie. You held his hand under the table. I saw it and some of the managers saw it too."

"That's a misunderstanding." Oliver clarifies. "I am not really close with him but he has helped me with certain things."

"Really ?" Fransis asks with a frown. She can't ask Oliver about the rumours yet. She is new. So, she doesn't know who is joking and who is serious.

*Yes. I can say he is a good boss. I used to think bad about him. But that was a misunderstanding."

****

Nick stomps out of the conference hall and runs to the HR department. Collin follows him silently this time.

"B.D Sir !"Nick almost shouts "why didn't you tell me Oliver has joined hq ?"

The HR turns to face Nick "I didn't know. This position wasn't recruited by me. The CEO himself handled it. I  came to know about Oliver yesterday."

"CEO himself ?"

The HR looks around carefully before whispering "I am hearing things. I don't know if it's true but something is going on between the CEO and Oliver."

Collin's face darkens "what nonsense !"

"Secretary Ray saw him with the CEO. I don't know the details but it looks like this new supervisor position is earned through the back door."

Nick nostrils flares in rage. He walks out of the HR department without listening anymore.

***

Oliver never took a proper lunch break in his seven years of working life. Most of the time it was deadlines and sometimes it was just a habit of skipping lunch.

When he got hungry,he used to visit cafeteria and had whatever instant food he could buy.

But today he wanted to eat something good. Just a treat for overcoming his insecurities. He can't accept it out loud but he felt a moment of validation when he was introduced as supervisor to Nick.

Unknowingly a smile forms on Oliver's lips.

"You wh**e !"

Oliver widens his eyes. He turns around to face the person who hisses in his ear.

Nick sheeths in rage "You slept with CEO to get this position, right ? You ratted me out to him. Huh ? You disgusting sl*t. You had your tantrums ready for me but when you saw the money, you opened ....

"Shut up !" Oliver whispers in horror. "Get ...get out !"

Nick laughs like a maniac "My supervisor ? Giving me order ? Tell me how did you even seduced him ?"

Oliver tries to release his wrist as Nick grabs it with pressure. "Nick, don't create a scene. You and I broke up. We are on our separate ways."

"Are we ?" Nick hisses more. "Separate ways my foot. You think I am fool ? You will go behind my back, warm my boss's bed then become my boss and I wouldn't notice ? I wouldn't make a sound ?"

Oliver gasps as Nick raises his voice. Everybody in cafeteria has now stopped to watch the drama. No, no. This can't go like this. He needs to stop Nick.

"Shut up and get out. Don't forget I am actually your boss Mr. Nick platt !" Oliver tries to take control of the situation. But Nick's iron grip on his hand hasn't loosen.

Nick mocks "Boss my foot. Everybody here knows how you got this position. Ask them !"

"Nick ..!"

"But ... Everybody doesn't know you better than me. Only I know how you have experience in sleeping with your bosses. This is not your first time. I was your boss before....."

Oliver tries to push Nick away in rage but Nick looks at Oliver in disgust before throwing him on the cafeteria counter by the wrist.

Oliver hits the counter with thud before loosing his balance. He was about to fall in the ground when a beige suit comes into his view.

He clutches the suit with a scream.

"And you ruined my another shirt."

Oliver opens his eyes hearing a familiar voice. His eyes directly fell on Daniel's cold yet calm eyes.

Oliver releases his grip from Daniel's shirt.

Daniel observes at Oliver's red eyes and wet cheeks. His grip on Oliver's waist tightens before he pulls Oliver up from hanging position.

Oliver takes a step back from Daniel as soon as he stands back on his feet. Daniel doesn't react. He hand still rests on Oliver's waist as he addressed Nick.

"I can call the police right now and get you arrested for assault and abuse but you worked for me for almost a decade. So I will give you one option.

You have one week to drop your resignation letter on my desk and save yourself from potential jail time." 

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