Page 60 of A Bossy Surprise

“Whatever, Isaac. Just stay out of my department and stop giving my people orders.”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t do that. If I see someone about to make a huge mistake, a mistake that in the end could affect me, I’m going to step in.”

“Is that so?” I raise an eyebrow.

“Yes, it is.”

I have to nip this in the bud. This can’t continue. This is how organizations devolved into chaos, and my department will not be Ground Zero for the fall of GNN.

I will have to talk with my staff and explain to them the chain of command, but first, there’s someone else I need to talk to.

I make my way to Arthur’s office. His assistant, Olivia, is at her desk outside his office.”

“Hey Liv, is he in?”

“No, he isn’t. He’s at a meeting across town.”

I sigh and place my hands on my hips.

“If it’s urgent, you can speak to Mr. Grant. He told me to direct all issues to him in his absence.”

“He went out of town yesterday,” I say.

“I don’t know anything about that, but he’s here now. I passed him in the lobby this morning when I came in.”

“Oh, really?” I start to walk away, and as I go, I say, “Thank you.”

A couple minutes later I’m being shown into Adam’s office by his assistant.

“I thought you went to LA yesterday?”

“I did, but I didn’t have to stay long. I caught a flight back last night.” I notice the bags under his eyes as he leans back into his chair. “Anyway, what can I do for you?”

“Well, I’m having a problem with another head of department that I need your help with.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I just found out that Isaac is instructing my staff. I’m just coming from talking to him about it and he insists that because I am so inexperienced, he is taking it upon himself to lead my people. I find this to be incredibly inappropriate, and would like for you to call him to order.”

Adam pulls a bottle of aspirin from a drawer in his desk and sinks two dry, then massages his temple.

“I don’t think you should be talking to me about this,” he says.

“Why not?”

“In my experience, if you have an issue with a colleague, you’re supposed to settle it amongst yourselves. You’re onlycoming to me because of our relationship and I’m not comfortable with that.”

I can’t believe what I’m hearing. He could slap me in the face, and it would hurt less than this accusation.

“You think I’m coming to you to take advantage of the fact that you are…what? My baby daddy?”

“First of all, don’t ever call me that. Secondly, isn’t that what’s going on here?”

“No. I am letting my superior know about insubordination on the part of one of his employees. Just so you know, I only came to you because Arthur is out, and he told us to come to you with any of our issues.”

The look that flashes across his face is actually remorseful as he says, “I’m sorry.”

“I resent that you think I would come here and try to influence you to do my bidding because of Brady.”