Page 112 of A Bossy Surprise

In preparation of what I hoped would be a ground-breaking debate, I organized for bottles of the finest champagne and liquor to be brought in. It’s the reason I woke up this morning with a hangover like I haven’t seen since my college days.

However, I drag my sorry ass out of bed and get ready and head into the office. I arrive later than usual, but still early.

When I walk through the newsroom, it’s empty save a couple of interns and junior staff.

I know we got pretty wild last night, but if I was able to pull myself together and get here at 8 o’clock in the morning, then everyone else should have.

Last night’s triumph doesn’t mean we can rest on our laurels. What it means is we have to move twice as fast to make the most of the momentum we’ve gathered.

Nevertheless, I shrug as I walked by. Everyone has done such great work. I can afford to loosen the reins a little bit today.

I head to my office and attend to some paperwork. About two hours later, I go back to the newsroom to make sure that people have come in before I ask HR to start making calls.

When I get there, Kayla is perched on one of the desks having a conversation with Arthur, who stands across from her with his arms folded.

“Is this normal?” I ask. “For staff not to be here the day after a night like last night?”

“It’s highly unusual” Arthur says. “In fact, it’s what Kayla and I were just talking about.”

“Everyone should be here by now, but they aren’t. It’s not just the news department. It’s across the entire organization. Before I came here I went to Digital, and Amanda’s the only one there.” Kayla says.

“When I came in this morning, I thought it was because we were all here celebrating until pretty late,” I say.

“Well, if three of us could get to work on time today, what excuse could the rest of them have?” Arthur says.

Kayla and I look at each other. “Could this have anything to do with what Amanda warned us about last night?” Kayla asks.

“What did Amanda warn you about last night?” Arthur asks.

Before either Adam or I have an opportunity to answer, someone clacks noisily into the room.

We all turn around and it’s Maurice.

He has a huge smile on his face as he approaches with his hands in his pockets. “Your news room is looking pretty sparse these days, isn’t it?”

“What are you doing here?” I say.

“And who let you in the building?” Arthur asks.

Maurice grins. “Don’t worry your pretty little heads about any of that. I came to deliver some news in person.”

“What are you talking about?” Adam asks.

“Oh, I came to let you know that I will be taking most of your employees.” Maurice looks directly at Adam as he says that. The smile drops from his face and turns into a sneer in a heartbeat.

“What?” Arthur steps forward.

“You’ve never been very bright,” Maurice says to Arthur, then looks to Adam and me. “None of you have, to be honest.”

“If you don’t say what you came here to say, I will boot your ass onto the street myself,” Adam threatens.

Maurice laughs and leans against a desk. “Well, I was recently recruited byNews Now America.”

“Yes, I heard.” Arthur fold his arms. “Standards really have dropped at NNA, haven’t they?”

“Whatever, Arthur.” Maurice rolls his eyes. “Anyway, how I got my new employer to take me on was by convincing them that all the success you’ve been having is as a result of the foundation I laid.”

Arthur and Kayla simultaneously laugh.