Chapter 2

Five minutes later, the phone in Andy's office rang. He picked up, murmuring "mm-hmm" a few times, and visibly relaxed as the call went on.

When he hung up, he came back out with both hands in his pockets and looked down at me. "Just wait."

That was all he said before walking off down the hall with Jason.

A moment later, my phone rang. It was Michael.

When I answered, his tone was much softer, almost friendly.

"Natalie, I just spoke to Andy about what happened. He said you were slacking off this morning, leaning against the windowsill and staring into space?"

I didn't answer.

"He's new to the job, so he's going to be a little strict. He's only trying to do what's best for the company. You did great last year, but this year is just getting started. You need to get back into work mode.

"Maybe you misunderstood him? Don't make such a big deal out of it. We're all just trying to do what's best for the company."

My fingers tightened around the phone until they went pale.

I looked toward the end of the hallway. Andy and Jason were standing by the corner, smiling at each other. Then I looked down at my shattered laptop.

"Mr. Cannon, I understand," I said quietly.

My phone buzzed with a message from a recruiter.

"Mr. Larkin wants to know if you've made a decision yet."

I deleted the message without replying.

The next afternoon, the company held its New Year kickoff meeting.

The conference room was packed. I sat against the wall in the very back row, with two small bandages on my hand.

Andy stood onstage with his suit neatly buttoned. Behind him, the projector displayed a slogan in huge white letters against a red background that read, "New Start. New Rules. New Success."

He picked up the microphone and looked around the room before his gaze finally settled in my direction.

"I know this company used to have certain 'special' employees who thought doing well in the past meant they could show up late, leave early, skip company events, and ignore the rules."

No one made a sound.

Andy brought the microphone closer and raised his voice. "Starting today, there will be no more special treatment! Everyone has to clock in, attend meetings, and submit daily and weekly reports!"

He paused, then fixed me with a hard look. "That includes certain people who think the rules don't apply to them."

Someone in the front row started clapping.

Jason stood up and clapped louder than anyone else, turning around to look at me as he did. A few more people joined in, and scattered applause spread through the room.

I didn't move.

After the meeting, people started filing out.

I was the last to get up. I had just reached the door when Jason caught up with me, a pink form in his hand.

"Natalie, wait."

He slapped it into my hand. "20,000 dollars. Pay it to Finance by the end of the day, or it'll count as an unexcused absence. Mr. Hampton said the rules apply to everyone. No exceptions."

I glanced at the fine notice, then looked back at him. "My laptop was smashed. How am I supposed to work?"

Jason grinned. "Was it a company laptop? Figure it out yourself. Since it was yours, just buy another one. It's not like you can't afford it."

He slipped both hands into his pockets and cocked his head.

"Oh, and you're being moved to the desk by the entrance, next to the restroom. Your old desk is going to the new hire. Go move your stuff now. They'll be here this afternoon."

I didn't answer. I walked past him and headed back to the office. At my desk, I bent down and started pulling things out of the drawers.

There were a few notebooks, a mug, an unopened box of pens, and the crystal trophy I'd received at last year's company celebration. It was engraved with the words "Outstanding Contribution Award."