Chapter 3

People who pissed Kirk off usually didn't end well.

Over Thanksgiving, my workload tripled.

On top of the projects I was already handling, I got dumped with endless busywork.

Revising proposals for new hires. Buying coffee. Ordering afternoon snacks. Even changing the printer ink.

My coworkers privately tried to talk sense into me.

"Olive, you're this close to a promotion. Don't go head-to-head with Kirk."

"Yeah. He can be brutal, but he's usually fair about work. This is intern stuff. Just swallow your pride and it'll blow over."

Someone muttered quietly, "Cathy's so lucky. She gets to go on vacation, while Olive couldn't even get time off to take her mom to the doctor..."

She immediately stopped and looked at me nervously.

"Sorry. I didn't mean anything by it."

I patted her shoulder.

"It's fine."

But inside, I felt even more ridiculous.

Even my coworkers knew I'd requested leave because my mom needed a doctor.

Yet the man I'd spent six years with thought I wanted to go on vacation.

"Olive, Kirk wants you in his office."

Everyone looked at me, their expressions saying the same thing.

This was my chance.

I smiled, picked up the project summary, and walked in.

"Here's the latest update on Team A's M&A deal."

"I highlighted the risk areas in red. The revised plan is on page three."

Kirk didn't say whether it was good or bad.

He simply made me stand there.

People came and went through the office.

Everyone could see me being kept waiting.

I knew what this was.

Kirk was punishing me.

When I continued standing there without saying anything, he finally lost his temper and threw the folder at me.

"Have the proposal on my desk before work tomorrow."

I bent down and picked it up.

"Kirk, I still have other active projects. How do you want me to prioritize them?"

He stared at me coldly.

"You're so capable. I'm sure you can handle all of them."

"Do a good job. It'll be another point in your favor for the promotion."

My coworkers clocked out and passed my desk, pity in their eyes.

Around midnight, a thick binder was placed in front of me.

Every page was packed with handwritten notes.

Anyone in the industry would know how valuable they were.

I had several notebooks just like it.

They were part of what had taken me from a clueless rookie to where I was now.

Looking at the familiar handwriting made my heart ache.

Kirk stood beside me.

"Why are you so impatient?"

"I told you. Once you get promoted, I'll figure something out about your leave."

I looked up at him.

"Kirk, who exactly is Cathy? Why are you so good to her?"

He frowned impatiently.

"This is between you and me. Why do you keep dragging her into it?"

The corner of my mouth lifted.

"Then I want us to go public."

The air turned cold instantly.

He looked at me with a complicated expression.

I stared at the notes and continued.

"The company doesn't prohibit workplace relationships. You always said we couldn't go public because it would hurt my career."

"But what if I don't care what people say anymore? What if I just want everyone to know?"

I lifted my head, watching every flicker of emotion cross his face.

Kirk finally spoke.

"Olive, there's a limit to how crazy you can act."