my boss and his friend

Later that evening as I packed up to head out, Mr. Thompson came up to me with his arms closed. "So you're really leaving?" He asked.

"Yes sir, I'm sorry but my sister is important then making you coffee." I remarked throwing my bag over my shoulder.

Mr. Thompson's eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening at my remark. For a second, I thought he might explode right there in the middle of the office. Instead, he took a slow, deliberate breath, crossing his arms tighter across his chest.

"You've got guts, I'll give you that," he said, his tone sharp. "But you're walking a fine line, Anthony. This isn't some high school job where you can just clock out whenever it's convenient. This is the real world. And if you think for a second that your personal life matters more than your career here, you're making a big mistake."

I held his gaze, trying to stand my ground. "I know this job is important, sir, and I take it seriously. But my sister… she's only going to be this age once. I won't get these moments back."

He scoffed, shaking his head like I was missing the point entirely. "You know, people like you don't last long in this business. You think you can balance both? Family and work? Well, let me give you a reality check—success doesn't come without sacrifice."

I felt my pulse quicken, but I stayed quiet. There was nothing I could say that would change his mind. To him, I was just another disposable intern, someone who could be replaced without a second thought.

"Consider this your final warning," Thompson continued, his voice dropping to a cold whisper. "I'll be watching you closely from now on. One more slip-up, and you're done here. No more excuses."

I nodded, knowing there was no point in arguing. "Understood, sir."

He gave me a final glare before turning and storming off, leaving the office echoing with the tension of his words. I exhaled, feeling the weight of the conversation settle on my shoulders.

As I headed for the door, I caught a glimpse of Sandra at the copier, giving me a sympathetic look. "You okay?" she asked softly.

"Yeah," I replied, forcing a small smile. "Just another day."

"You're brave, standing up to him like that," she said. "Most people wouldn't."

I shrugged, not feeling particularly brave. "I just did what I had to do."

"Well, for what it's worth, I think you made the right choice," she said with a reassuring smile.

"Thanks, Sandra." I nodded, appreciating the support, even if it didn't take away the anxiety brewing inside me.

As I stepped out into the cool night air, the city lights flickering in the distance, I couldn't help but wonder what tomorrow would bring. Would Thompson really try to sabotage me? Would my "opportunity" with Daniels and Mr. Carter still be there?

As I stood infront of the company waiting for my Taxi, I got a call from Bella. "Are you heading home already, I'm waiting for you I got popcorn and snacks ready for the movie tonight."

"Are you sure you should be having all that junk food the night before your recital?" I asked slightly giggling, "mom said it's fine as long as I don't overdo it."

I chuckled, hearing the excitement in Bella's voice. "Alright, alright, I'll be home soon. Don't start without me."

"Promise!" she said, and I could almost picture her grinning on the other end. "See you soon, big bro!"

As I hung up, the exhaustion from the day started to fade, replaced by a warm feeling of anticipation. Even though the weight of Thompson's words still hung over me, moments like this reminded me of what truly mattered. Bella's happiness, her enthusiasm—it was enough to make the stress of the job seem distant, at least for now.

Suddenly two figures appeared beside me, "You're still here?" Mr. Carter asked. "Do you have a ride?" Daniel asked, "yes sir, I'm waiting for my cab."

"Cancel it, we will take you home." Daniel said, "but sir the cab is only two minutes away." I said nervously. "Are you really going to turn down our offer?" Daniel asked.

"Leave the kid alone, he doesn't want to sit in a car with his old boss." Mr. Carter chimed in. "It's not like that sir, I just think it will be unconvient for the driver." I replied.

"You're making me feel sad Anthony, do you really think I'm old?" Daniel pouted.

I froze for a second, glancing between Mr. Carter and Daniel. Was this a test? Their expressions didn't give much away, though Daniel's playful pout seemed a bit exaggerated.

"No, sir!" I said quickly, shaking my head. "It's just… well, I don't want to inconvenience either of you."

Mr. Carter smirked, crossing his arms as he leaned against the nearby wall. "Anthony, the only inconvenience here is that we're standing out in the cold waiting for you to decide."

Daniel nodded, a teasing smile on his face. "And besides, you'll save the poor cab driver the trouble of making a pointless trip."

I hesitated, glancing down the street to see if the taxi had arrived. It hadn't. With a sigh, I finally gave in. "Alright, thank you, sir. I appreciate the offer."

Daniel clapped me on the back, his smile widening. "Good choice. Let's get going then."

As we headed toward the sleek black car parked along the curb, I felt my nerves kicking in. Being in the same car with the CEO and his right-hand man wasn't exactly something I'd prepared for. What would we even talk about? I just hoped I didn't say anything stupid.

We got into the car, and the driver pulled away smoothly. Daniel glanced over at me from the front seat, a curious look in his eyes. "So, Anthony, tell me—what made you decide to intern at Nexora?"

I swallowed hard, trying to come up with a response that didn't sound too rehearsed. "Well, sir, I've always been interested in the tech industry, and Nexora is the leader in innovation. I thought it would be a great place to learn and grow."

"Ah, the company line," Daniel said with a knowing smile. "But what about the real reason?"

I blinked, unsure how to answer. "I… I guess I wanted to challenge myself, to see if I could make it in a place as competitive as Nexora."

Mr. Carter, who had been quiet until now, chuckled softly from the back seat. "You're in the right place for that, then."

The conversation paused for a moment as we drove through the city, the lights reflecting off the car's tinted windows. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more going on here—that this ride wasn't just a friendly gesture. There had to be a reason they wanted me in the car with them.

"So Anthony what's your preference when it comes to dating?" Daniel asked leaning in close to my face wearing a warm smile. "Well sir don't you think that is a bit of a personal question." I said nervously.

"Come on, I'm just trying to know you better." He smiled leaning back in his seat. "Come on, tell me. Do you go for guys, girls or both?"

I nervously chuckled, I looked over at Mr. Carter who was busy on his phone not paying attention to the conversation.

"Well sir, I like guys."

Daniel's smile widened, a hint of curiosity in his eyes as he leaned back, seeming more relaxed now that I had answered. "Interesting," he said, his tone thoughtful but still casual. "You know, it's good to be open about who you are. In a place like Nexora, everyone's so focused on climbing the corporate ladder, they forget to just… be real."

I wasn't sure how to respond, so I simply nodded, still feeling the tension in the air. My palms were sweaty, and I couldn't shake the feeling that this conversation had just taken a strange turn. Why was Daniel asking me such personal questions? And why now, in this car, with Mr. Carter so close by, even if he seemed absorbed in his phone?

"Don't worry," Daniel added, sensing my hesitation. "It's not a test or anything. I just like to know the people I work with. And hey, Nexora's a pretty accepting place. Nobody's going to judge you for who you are."

I nodded again, trying to ease my nerves. "I appreciate that, sir."

Daniel chuckled, waving a hand. "Please, call me Daniel. You don't need to be so formal when it's just us."

I glanced back at Mr. Carter, who finally looked up from his phone, his expression unreadable. He gave a brief nod before turning his attention back to the screen, as if silently approving the conversation without getting involved.

The car rolled to a stop in front of my apartment, and I felt a rush of relief. "Thanks for the ride, Daniel," I said as I opened the door, eager to get out.

"Anytime, Anthony," Daniel replied, his voice light again. "See you around the. Office."

I smiled as I waved at them and rushed into the building.

As I hurried inside, the weight of the day slowly lifted off my shoulders. The elevator ride up to my apartment felt like a moment to breathe, the soft hum of the machinery a welcome change from the whirlwind of conversations, work stress, and strange questions from Daniel.

When I finally stepped into the apartment, the familiar warmth of home wrapped around me like a blanket. Bella had already settled into her usual spot on the couch, surrounded by pillows and snacks. She looked up as I walked in, a wide grin spreading across her face.

"Finally! I was about to start without you!" she teased, patting the empty seat beside her.

I smiled, the tension from earlier evaporating. "Wouldn't dream of missing it."

I kicked off my shoes and joined her, sinking into the cushions. Bella pressed play, and the opening scenes of The Lion King filled the room. For a moment, I let myself get lost in the familiar story, enjoying the simple joy of being home.

But as much as I tried to push the day out of my mind, Daniel's words kept echoing in my head. "Nobody's going to judge you for who you are." Was it just a casual remark, or was there something more behind it? And Mr. Carter's silence—was he okay with the conversation, or did he just not care?

———————————

In the car: "Can you not be pushy for once, you're gonna scare the kid away." Carter said turning his phone off, "What his so cute, it's hard to not question him."

Daniel chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he glanced over at Carter. "Come on, Carter. He's sharp, and he's got potential. I was just trying to get a read on him."

Carter shook his head, leaning back in his seat. "There's a fine line between reading someone and pushing too hard. You keep that up, and he might not last. Let the kid breathe."

Daniel smirked, staring out the window. "You're too soft. He'll be fine. It's better to see how people handle pressure early on. Besides, he didn't seem too rattled, did he?"

Carter sighed, his tone turning serious. "Just don't forget what's at stake. If Anthony's going to be part of this, we need to handle him carefully. No surprises."

Daniel waved a hand dismissively. "Relax. He's tougher than he looks. If he sticks around long enough, he'll be an asset. And who knows, maybe we'll have some fun along the way."

Carter's eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing more, turning his attention back to the dark city streets. The car moved quietly through the night, both men lost in their own thoughts.

TBC