1: The Promotion

Aiden’s pov

       “You’ve just been promoted, Aiden Sullivan!” The senior chief in command of our section and our boss announced loudly and I was on my feet in an instant, grinning brightly and bouncing on my feet for joy while everyone clapped around me. 

“Oh my god, thank you sir!” I cried out, hands clasped before me as I got consumed by a feeling of sheer disbelief. It’s barely been three years since I began to work in this company– Vikings, an agency for spies and secret agencies. On the outside, this company dealt with technology, but on the inside, it was a lot more. 

Never in my wildest dreams did I assume that I’d be getting promoted this early, considering the people I met here all revealed that it takes at least five years for a promotion. Which is why I feel extremely proud of myself right now, so proud that I felt my eyes water a little because of how overjoyed I currently feel.

I put my all into this. I worked so hard and I feel like those years of training to be a secret agent would finally start paying off. When I first newly joined this company, it was as a rookie, which meant I only assisted others in higher positions, and worked on the system. But now that I’ve been promoted to the position of an actual agent, I could finally go on my very first mission as a secret agent!

“Saint McCurty, you’ve been promoted to the role of a secret agent as well! Congratulations!” The boss continued and those words pierced through the gaze of happiness around me.

My eyes met Saint’s grinning face when I glanced sideways and before I could stop it, I felt my excitement flatter a little. 

Of course he got promoted as well!

Saint was frankly the bane of my existence and each time I stare at his face, I always wish I could kill him. 

Since I could remember, there has always been a competition going on between us, one which never ended even now that we’re grown up. At the age of twenty five, I still always want to best him no matter what.

A few minutes ago, I had thought I had managed to finally beat him in something, that I got promoted before him since we both got into this company together, but that clearly wasn’t the case at all. A pleased gleam glistened in his eyes right now as he sauntered over to the front of the conference room where I was standing. I knew he was gonna rub this in my face and remind me that I’d never be able to beat him in anything.

Everyone clapped louder for him because of course everyone loved him more since he was a shameless and smooth flirt. That wasn’t a surprise to me, I’ve come to accept the fact that no one would be able to understand that Saint is actually a horrible person. 

He nudged me once he finally stood beside me and I gritted my teeth, bristling and wishing I could punch his face right now. But of course I didn’t do that because we were currently in a conference room and a lot of higher ups including our boss are currently present.

“You don’t look happy, midget.” He drawled in the next moment, voice low for only me to be able to pick up. 

I scoffed underneath my breath and made sure to still wear a smile across my face, hands lightly meeting in a clap as I responded.

“Fuck you, you bastard. How many times do I have to ask you to stop calling me that?” 

He laughed this time and everyone thought it was because of his happiness of getting promoted, but I didn’t miss the mocking traces in those laugh.

“I’ll consider listening to you when you finally beat me in something, midget.” He crooned and I faked a cough, stepping closer to him to step on his foot hard. The choked grunt he let out felt like music to my ears.

“Go fuck yourself, asshole. You’re just lucky, and remember that this time, I got promoted first.” I reminded him quietly, foot still over his.

“Only because of the first letter in your name, dummy. Do I have to teach you everything?” 

Before I could even think of responding, the boss was stepping to the front of the conference room and we instantly composed ourselves just as our boss began to speak.

“Since the two of you have the same experience and results so far, I’ve decided to partner you two up. You’ll work together as a team on moving forward.” 

I blinked once then twice, unable to believe my eyes.

What??

A team? With Saint?? Of all people???

I thought I hadn’t heard right but on glancing at Saint and seeing the frown across his face, I realized that I had heard just right.

What the fuck?

I stepped forward and began to explain to the boss that I’d prefer being partnered up with another person. Anyone but Saint. Saint was insufferable and we’ve never gotten along since we first crossed paths in college. How could anyone expect me to work with him??

Saint explained to the boss that he’d prefer getting a different partner at the same time.

However, our boss adamantly refused.

“You both compliment each other's strength and weakness. You’re the best pick for each other. I know you don’t get along that well; but since everyone is professional, it shouldn’t be hard to put personal feelings aside and work together on moving forward, no?” Our boss demanded and Saint and I exchanged a look, and then we doubled down on our request to be partnered up with other people, because we’ve tried to be civil with each other on multiple occasions but it always ended up in a disaster.

“My decision is final.” The boss exhoed firmly and I felt my heart sink into my stomach as he continued.

“If you still insist on getting partnered with other people, you’d be demoted to your previous levels because I’d assume you’re not ready to be an actual secret agent yet.” The boss continued, and after that, we didn’t dare object when he announced us to the rest of the room as partners and teammates.

I still wanted to object, but I also knew there was nothing else I could do aside to accept to get demoted, or suck this new dynamic up.

And that’s exactly what I did.