The goofy boss

Raleigh pov 

It was my third official day working for Sprocks and I was elated. So far, everything had been perfect and if it continued like this, I was going to win this thing by a landmine. Mikel Summers who? Everyone was so nice, the environment was relaxed and productive.

The himbo boss wasn't slacking off, he actually showed up to work on time and put on inappropriate outfits regardless. In fact, I seemed to be the odd one at the office. The outfits ranged from loosely formal to completely relaxed, I guessed everybody was taking a book off Mason’s page. It was sweltering and no amount of AC was chasing away the melting heat. In lieu of that, I had decided to fit in better and combat the heat by showing up to work in more casual clothes. Mo had told me it was a good idea and helped me pick out the peach floral playsuit which I paired with brown sandal heels.

I looked beautiful and best of all, I now fit the laid back vibes of the office. I walked in with a box of Mo made chocolate chip cookies for the office. “Hey, Sid.” I greeted the front desk receptionist. “Looking good, girl.” She winked at me. “Thank you.” I was still smiling as I stepped into the work floor and then froze. Once again, I was the odd one out. Were they doing this on purpose?  I gritted my teeth in annoyance.

Everybody was suddenly in suits and formal wear. Was this some elaborate prank on me conjured up by Mo in association with Mason and the whole of Sprocks. I headed towards Kenzie’s table. She looked up at me and froze. “what’s going on?” I asked worriedly. “What are you wearing?” She asked back. I looked down at myself then looked down at her outfit. “I should really be the one asking you that.” “Mr. Hunt is back.

He doesn’t support the non professional dress code. We only do that when it’s just Mr. Law.” She explained. Ahn, so the elusive Mr. Hunt was back and it seemed he was an asshole. How fun.“Why didn’t any of you tell me this?” I asked.

“How were we supposed to know you would do a three sixty on your dress code?” She shrugged. I had to admit that it was a fair point though. “Anyway, it’s fine. You’re not exactly an employee here. I’m sure Mr. Law wouldn’t let his colleague toss you out on your rear end." “That was very encouraging, thank you.” I rolled my eyes. “You have bomb legs. It would be a shame to cover them.” She waggled her brows at me. I giggled. “Cookies?” I held out the box to her.

“Oh my God, yes.” “Did I hear cookies?” Someone else piped up. “Chocolate chip, homemade, by my very talented roommate.” I replied. A small crowd formed around me as people came to grab a cookie.

“If you’re all quite done, turning this office into a farmer’s market, I suggest you all go back to your desks and get back to work.” A cold voice suddenly said, sending everyone scurrying away like cockroaches till I was left alone, standing there in my singular outfit and an empty box.

The very picture of the culprit. Kenzie shot me an apologetic look from behind the man before hurrying away. My first impression was that he was tall, but not in the way Mason was tall. He had in lieu of a better word, a striking presence.

There was something about the man who stood a few steps away from me that drew your eyes and all your attention and didn’t let you look away. He had light brown hair, streaked with gold, creating an effect that many people spent hundreds of dollars trying to achieve in a hair salon.

The blue of his eyes were a unique azure that looked like they could see deep into me. He had the face planes of a Roman statue, all high cheekbones, pronounced brow bone and a jaw that could cut glass. In a charcoal suit that fit his trim frame, the man was quite simply stunning.

“Who are you?” He asked, gaze taking me in from the top of my head to my feet before they met mine again.

“I’m Raleigh Maverick.” I stepped forward with my most winning smile, hand outstretched. “You must be Logan Hunt.” The previously absent boss. He looked down at my hand and ignored it.

“I didn’t ask for your name, Maverick. I want to know who you are. What’s your business here? Why are you dressed like someone headed to a Taylor Swift concert.” My eyes twitched. I retracted my hand. “I’m a journalist and-““No.” He cut in. “You can leave now.”I blinked at him.

“y-you don’t understand. I’m employed here to-“ “You’re employed here? Not by me, you’re not.” I thrust my chin in the air. “Last time I checked, you aren’t the only word of authority around here. Mason Law employed me.

Don’t worry, I’m not getting paid to be here, if that’s what you’re worried about. He took an Intimidating step forward. “That’s the least of my concerns. There’s a reason why our company isn’t splashed at the front of some magazine and that’s because we want it that way."

“I’m starting to think that ‘we’ means ‘you’ in this context.” I said, trying to keep my cool. It wouldn’t do to alienate one of my bosses so soon and lose this amazing gig.

My job was hanging in the line for this. My pride and dignity was also up there with it. I took a deep breath. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Hunt. It seems we got off on the wrong foot. I promise that-“ “Save it.

Your promises mean zilch to me. Journalists, reporters, the likes of you aren’t welcome here. You take a story, you twist it to serve your narrative, serve it to a bunch of morons and watch your numbers and profit spike up, not caring who’s getting hurt by the bullshit that’s lining your pockets.”“That’s not true!” I snapped.

“In fact, you have the final right to choose what I eventually-“ “You can start packing up your things, Maverick.

Go find some other company to worm your way into and spy on.” He turned around to walk away. “You know what, no need to tell me to leave. I was leaving already. There is no way I’m going to stay here and work anywhere close to a raging asshole like you. You walk around like the big, bad wolf huffing and puffing and feeling superior to every other person.

Well, you can take that attitude and shove it where the sun doesn't shine. With all due disrespect, Hunt.” I turned, grabbed my bag and walked straight towards the elevator, ignoring all the wide eyed glances being thrown my way.

It had been a long time since someone made me this angry. I was generally a bundle of joy but Logan was the most horrible person on the planet.

In the space of minutes, he had set my blood to boiling, something most people hadn’t been able to achieve in years of knowing me. That bastard.

I didn’t need Sprocks. Realistically though, they were my best bet in winning this thing, but I was a damn good writer. Their wow factor wasn’t necessary for me to win this. I had a whole vault of talent, dedication and experience on my side.

I could find some other company and do just as well if not better there. In the elevator, I began to rummage through my bag in search of my phone.

That was when I suddenly recalled my phone being in my hand and me dropping it on the desk while I was speaking to Kenzie. Shit.

My dramatic exit was going to be made very anticlimactic by me returning mere minutes later to collect my phone. With an irritated groan, I stepped off the elevator and got into another one moving up. By the time I stepped out of the elevator, I was more relaxed and in a better frame of mind to say goodbye to my very temporary coworkers.

I liked them and I hoped I’d be able to keep in touch with some of them. “Did you remember some things you should have said to Mr. Hunt on your elevator ride down and now you’re here to say them?” Kenzie asked as I walked back in. I laughed. “Nothing that dramatic. I left my phone somewhere around here.” I spied the familiar bubble gum pink casing on the corner of someone’s desk. “There it is.”

“I hope we keep in touch. I’d hate to never taste that amazing cookie again.” Kenzie said. “I knew you only wanted me for my cookies.” I teased. I went to retrieve my phone and leave, but at the last minute, I decided that it’d be wrong to not say goodbye to Mason. He has given me this job after all, it was only right I informed him before I disappeared.

I made my way towards his office. Before I could raise my hand and knock, I heard Logan’s voice. “She has to go.”

“No, she doesn’t. I happen to like her. She’s sweet and delightful.

A veritable ray of sunshine in this dark and gloomy world.” “Cut it out with the Shakespeare shit. I was gone a week and everybody lost their fucking minds. We do not let reporters-“

. “She isn’t a reporter.” Mason cut in. “Journalist, editor, same difference.” Logan replied. “She spies, she turns it into a story and makes money. That’s basically what they all do.”

“Well, we don’t have anything to hide and even better, I added a clause on the NDA she signed blindly that we have final rights to review what she’ll submit.” He said.

“A single word or phrase we don’t like, we scrap. And if she ends up publishing it anyway, we’ll bring the whole law down on her head.”

“Who signs an NDA blindly?” I rolled my eyes. Was that his problem now? “What exactly is your problem with her, Loge? I’ve looked into her, she’s clean as a whistle and she’s Imogen’s cousin.”

“Who’s Imogen?” Logan asked. Mason spluttered. “I cannot believe you’re asking me that. I tell you about Imogen all the time. The gorgeous redhead? Ring any bells.” “You know I don’t pay any attention when you start waxing poetic about women.” Logan said.

Like an asshole. I wanted to punch him in his pretty face. “That girl is ridiculous.” “Imogen is ridiculous? You don’t even know her.” “I don’t mean your redhead. I mean the reporter girl.” Logan growled. “She’s a journalist and she’s twenty seven, she’s not a girl. Honestly, Loge, you’re acting weird as hell. You’re too bent out of shape about this.

Me thinks that thou protest suspiciously too much. Is this like one of those situations where little boys pull their crushes ponytails and tell her they hate her?” I could hear the amusement in Mason’s voice. I scoffed silently.

This was definitely not one of those situations. I didn’t think that black hearted villain had it in him to like anybody. He had stared at me like I was dirt under his shoes. “Her?” He snorted.

“There’s more class in my pinky finger than there is in the whole of her. Give me more credit than that.” “I like Imogen and she’ll never speak to me again if I let you kick her cousin out. Raleigh stays.” Mason said.

“What sort of name is that anyways.” Logan muttered. I hurried away from the door before they could catch me eavesdropping. Well well well, this certainly changed things.

It seemed that despite Logan’s disapproval, I would be staying after all. I grinned gleefully. I was going to make my two weeks here a living hell for Logan Hunt and the best part, there was nothing he could do about me because Mason was set on keeping me.

Things were starting to look up for me.