Mr. Davis chose the grand study for his meeting room, its walls lined with books and cold authority. Roman occupied the head of the long table, crossing his arms as his eyes narrowed in some sort of preparation for an attack. Misty sat two chairs away, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Richard and Ronnie flanked them, both wearing identical expressions of reluctant curiosity.
Mr. Davis cleared his throat. "There is another directive your father left. One concerning the company.
Roman already looked irritable. "Just say it."
"As of this week," Mr. Davis started, adjusting his glasses, "Roman Collahan is appointed acting CEO of the Collahan Empire.
There was a full five seconds of silence before Ronnie burst out laughing. "Roman? Acting CEO? Oh, this is going to be hilarious."
Roman gave him a look sharp enough to slice. "Shut up."
Richard was trying to be encouraging. "It makes sense, Roman. You always handled the financial side. You're the responsible one."
"That's not responsibility," Roman snapped. "That's Dad being dramatic from beyond the grave."
Mr. Davis continued calmly. "Your brothers have positions, too. Richard will be Chief Operations Director. Ronnie will be Public Relations Head."
"Public chaos generator," Roman muttered.
Ronnie smiled. "Thanks."
"And," Mr. Davis said, turning partially toward Misty, "Miss Hart will oversee the cooperation period outlined in the will. She will assure that the brothers uphold the terms by which they can inherit.
Roman's face didn't change for a moment.
Then it did.
Slowly. Dangerously.
"Supervise?" he repeated. "She's going to supervise us?
Misty bristled. "I didn't ask for this. Don't look at me like I forged a legal document."
"It wouldn't surprise me," Roman muttered.
She glared at him. "And your attitude wouldn't surprise me either. It's consistently awful."
Ronnie let out a melodramatic gasp. "She's getting brave."
"Both of you-enough," said Mr. Davis. "The decision is final. Misty will attend the meetings, review your cooperation, and report any major disputes.
Roman groaned into his hands. Misty groaned softly into her frustration.
This was going to be a nightmare.
-
It felt surreal as Misty walked into the headquarter building of the Collahan Empire: tall, sleek, intimidating, and reflecting the city's skyline on tinted glass. Roman walked ahead, confident as only a person born into authority could be. Misty followed beside Richard as she tried to tune out the staring that attracted her presence.
Employees whispered as she passed.
"Who's the redhead?"
"Is she new?"
"She's with the Collahans?"
She looks too normal to be a model.
"Perhaps she's his secretary?
"There's no way Roman hired an assistant. He hates everyone."
Misty acted like she didn't hear any of it.
Roman heard the whole conversation.
He quickened his pace.
Inside the elevator, Misty finally spoke. "I can feel the gossip sticking to my skin."
Roman shot back, "Ignore them."
"That's easy for you to say. You were raised in buildings like this."
"And you weren't?"
Richard stepped between them. "Let's breathe. We haven't even reached the office yet."
Ronnie, who had managed to cram himself into the full elevator, added: "I don't know, I think they're doing great. This must be what teamwork looks like."
"Ronnie," chorused the three together.
---
Roman's office was huge, walled in with glass, and dark wood floors with minimalistic furniture that more than likely cost just as much as Misty's apartment. She crossed her arms, feeling a little overwhelmed by the pressure of being here.
Roman ordered instantly. "Richard, check the inventory data. Ronnie, talk with PR about the opening conference. Misty—
"Yes?" she asked cautiously.
"Don't touch anything."
She blinked. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means don't distract anyone."
"I haven't even opened my mouth yet."
"And it's still too loud."
She stared, agog. "Oh, my God. You really are committed to being awful."
Richard coughed into his fist, pretending like he wasn't laughing. Ronnie didn't even bother:
Misty walked right up to Roman's desk. "If I'm supervising, then I need access to the cooperation binder."
He stared at her. "How do you even know we have one?"
"Because Mr. Davis said so."
He pulled open a drawer, yanked out a thick binder and slapped it onto the desk. "Fine. Try not to get lost in it."
She glared at him. "I can read, Roman."
"Good for you."
She loudly opened her binder on purpose.
He rolled his eyes.
-
The rest of the day was a complete disaster.
Roman and Misty disagreed on everything.
Policy wording.
Schedules for meetings.
Placement of coffee on the table.
Even office temperature.
"It's freezing in here," Misty complained.
"I like it cold," Roman said.
"But the employees don't."
"They're fine."
"They're wearing jackets indoors!
"Then they're dramatic.
"You're impossible."
"And you're loud."
Richard silently took notes.
Ronnie contemplated taking popcorn from the break room.
By lunchtime, half the office knew that the Collahan CEO and the mysterious redhead were "fighting like an old married couple."
Roman almost sent three people away for whispering.
---
That night, Misty found the hallway near Roman's office unusually quiet. She had gone back for the binder she'd forgotten in the conference room and heard voices-low but clear.
Roman's voice.
"She's trouble."
Misty froze.
Suddenly, her chest tightened. She knew he didn't like her-fine, he hated her-but to actually hear him say it was a whole different story. It stung in a way she didn't want to acknowledge.
But before she would turn to leave, she had heard Richard's response.
"Roman… you keep staring at her."
Silence.
Long, awkward silence. Then Roman spoke, his voice lower this time—close to a tremble. "I said she's trouble. That's all." Misty stepped back noiselessly, her binder clutched to her chest, her heart beating more quickly than she'd like it to. She didn't understand Roman. She didn't want to understand him. But that tremble in his voice… That scared her more than all the yelling ever could.