"Sounds like everything is fine, I don't get why you're so worried."

"Is there something wrong with you?" I lightly tap my finger against the side of Jenna's face. Her scowl tells me she does not like the action but she's going to accept it. "There's a lot to be worried about."

"Like what?"

Jenna takes a bite of the chicken sandwich she got for lunch. We're sitting in the cafeteria now waiting for Carlos to get his lazy ass here so I can complain to him too. Jenna's eyes look exhausted and it is probably my fault but if she didn't want to know how my internship was going then she shouldn't have asked!

"My boss is the asshole I ran into and I called him an asshole so isn't it normal to be worried that he's going to treat me differently because of it?"

"But he hasn't treated you differently since you've started.”

"Well, I guess not technically...but I’m sure that will change!"

Seriously, what if he's only playing nice? And by nice I mean not so nice, he’s anti-social as hell with these silent stares that somehow scream what he’s actually thinking so…kind of nice but not really? I don’t even know!

Jenna rolls her eyes, waving off my paranoia. "Forget about it, Carter. If it bothered him so much he would have fired you the day he knew it was you."

Maybe that's true but maybe it's not. Seems like she won't be of any help to me and Carlos...

I watch him arrive, giving a tired yawn after taking a seat across from me.

Yeah, I'm not even going to bother telling him. He'll tease me and give no helpful advice because he's an ass like that. I am in need of some new friends. They should make an app for that, The Friend Finder. It would be a hit!

"How is the home life though?" Jenna asks, showing that she may have some friend like qualities.

I shrug, not really sure how to answer that. "Same as usual, I guess."

"Evil mother still being her evil self?" Carlos inquires with his mouth full. Jenna grimaces, pushing some napkins towards him, which he ignores.

"She hasn't bothered me much lately, must be happy thinking about my graduation coming up, which means I'll be out of her hair finally." Suddenly I've lost my appetite so I push my lunch around my plate with a fork. Jenna frowns next to me, seeming apologetic that she asked. "If dad were still alive I'd like to think he'd be proud of me, maybe even throw me a party."

"Of course he would, Carter!" Jenna exclaims, wrapping her arm around mine. The warmth is appreciated, even more so when she leans her head against my shoulder. "You're working in the same company he did. You're going to graduate college with a perfect GPA and get a great job afterwards no matter what. What's not to be proud of? Julie is just..."

"A mega-bitch," Carlos finishes for her causing the three of us to laugh.

"Who cares what she thinks, anyways?" Jenna waves her free hand dismissively through the air. "You're doing great, and I know if your dad were here he'd be bragging about you to every person he met."

With that, Jenna pats my arms, sending me a confident smile. Across the table, Carlos is nodding in agreement even if he had never met my dad before his passing. He heard stories from us and, well, my dad did always dote on me. He was proud of me and everything I did so I know Jenna is right. I just wish I could hear him say it.

"Thanks," I mumble anyways, smiling at Jenna for her kind words. She insists that I eat afterwards, claiming it'll make me grumpy otherwise, which is totally true so I do as I'm told even if I'm not all that hungry.

My fears of getting fired hit me full force on Friday, though. While Monday I worked with Alvin and Wednesday I bounced between Jacob and Wendy, Friday is something I don't quite expect.

"You'll be shadowing me today," Zeke says like it's no big deal, which it isn't to him but it sure as hell is to me!

When did he decide this? Why wasn't I warned? I need to mentally prepare myself but he isn't giving me the chance. I’d do great if it was with anyone else. The fact that it’s Zeke I’m shadowing makes my stomach churn.

"I have a meeting with the Accounting Department at two, which you will be attending with me." Zeke hands me a manila folder over the desk, which I take, still flabbergasted. "That is information on an upcoming project that we have the money for but..." Zeke rolls his eyes in annoyance. "The company is a frugal one. Read it over so you know what's going on."

I can't manage to get a word in, not that I have one to say. I'm not going to argue with his decision because, honestly, my major is in marketing but my minor is in management. It seems Zeke took note of that because here he is, taking me with him to do something that management would be a part of.

He wasn't joking when he said I would be working with everyone but, like, can I not? Shadowing Zeke makes me feel like a mouse walking into the jaws of a cat. I’m going to have to be on my toes at all times.

After reading over the report Zeke discusses the basics of what will go down during the meeting. It's a bit amusing to see his annoyed expression when mentioning how those in accounting will argue over "every damn detail" but in the end, he sighs about it being their job so he shouldn't complain. I'm not expected to do much other than observe, much like my last two days have been. Our time passes by quick and soon we're making our way to the meeting, having to take the elevator up a few floors.

I snicker the moment we step into the elevator, which has Zeke looking at me curiously, practically asking me “what” with his eyes.

"The elevator." I point up for some reason, probably because we're going up. Who fucking knows, my insides are goo at the moment. "We met at the elevator in a pretty interesting fashion."

“‘Interesting' is quite a way to put it."

Silence falls over us, one that isn't disturbed until we get to our floor. Is it awkward? Fuck yeah it is. The two of us step out of the elevator, me following after Zeke since I have no idea where we're going.

Surprisingly, my boss strikes up a conversation by asking a question that has me nearly tripping over my own feet while standing completely still in an elevator.

"Is that still bothering you?"

"Huh?"

"Calling me an asshole." Just hearing it from him makes me shiver. "It's not a false statement."

Okay, maybe I smirk a bit at that. The atmosphere between us lightens a bit because of it. Shrugging, I try to respond by brushing it off, "No, I'm fine with it."

Zeke does not look convinced with the way he’s cocking his brow.

"Okay, yes, it’s bothering me," I finally admit under my breath.

"It doesn't matter," Zeke explains, stopping in front of a door that I'm assuming is where we're meant to be. "I was being overly… heated that day for personal reasons."

Personal reasons? Obviously I don't ask what those are. However, I can't help but notice Zeke's movements. My eyes take in the wedding band on his hand, the one he's now twisting with his fingers at his side. Even from this distance the ring seems a bit dirty, like he hasn’t been properly taken care of it. That’s a statement all of its own.

Marital problems.

"I apologize for my behavior," Zeke says, drawing my attention back to him. He isn't smiling, but he looks relaxed, and that causes me to relax. "Besides, you aren't the first to call me that, nor will you be the last."

"You almost sound proud to say that.”

Zeke doesn't respond verbally. His smirk, however, speaks more than words. I can't help but smile, feeling lighter thanks to the humorous atmosphere. Who knew Zeke could make jokes? I guess I shouldn't judge him based on our first meeting. He doesn't seem so bad, though that glare of his certainly gives him a demonic feeling.

“Sorry for acting awkward,” I sigh, shrugging my shoulders since it seems Zeke understands where I’m coming from. “I guess we’re all a bit intimidated by our boss, especially when we first meet them.”

Zeke hums in response before entering the meeting room, the two of us being some of the first to arrive. A man and a woman are already at the conference table, sitting together with their own computers and paperwork. Zeke immediately introduces me to them both and a few minutes later two more men and another woman arrives. Once again, I am introduced before the meeting starts, which is intimidating to say the least.

It seems many stubborn people are in the room. Each person has their own argument to give and they easily do so. Normally I'm one of those people but I've been told to observe so I'm choosing to keep my mouth shut. Zeke isn't chiming in as much as I thought he would but that's because he doesn't have to. His responses are always short and to the point and I'm not all that surprised that he gets his way in the end. Our proposal is passed, the budget is set higher than what the accounting department originally wanted and Zeke exits the meeting room with a triumphant smirk.

"Do you have these sorts of meetings often?" I inquire, wondering if it's even possible to do that. Surely there are many marketing campaigns. There’s no way for them all to go through such a strenuous accounting process? We were in there for almost two hours!

Zeke shakes his head. "No, some campaigns are bit more unorthodox and those tend to be what ruffles the accounting department’s feathers. Luckily, I do not put up with them on a regular basis."

"You don't seem to like them that much."

"They have their moments.”

Wow, he actually is kind of funny. I’m shocked.

“Are you aware that you have a sense of humor, or is it all accidental?” I smirk at the questioning gaze Zeke gives me.

“Purely accidental.”

“Oh, I believe you.” My sarcasm is practically dripping off every word.