Reporting In and Going Out

I took the elevator back upstairs thinking about everything that I learned. I returned to Richard's office to give him my report. Kimiko smiled at me as I approached her desk. I stopped to check with her.

"Hey Kimiko. Is Rich available?"

"Hi John. He's free. You can go in."

"Thanks Kimiko."

I knocked on the door before entering. Richard was standing at the window taking in the view. He turned around as I approached. He looked stressed out which was unusual for him.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Yeah. I'm okay," he said trying to sound convincing.

"I've known you for a while and I've never seen you looking stressed like this before. You didn't look this stressed when we had to cram for finals after celebrating our championship."

Richard laughed, "You wanted to study until you found out that the Kaneli twins were going to be there."

"You know that I have a weak spot for twins," I chuckled while shrugging my shoulders.

"Studying was always easier than dealing with my father."

"Are you bumping heads with your father again?"

"Unfortunately, we disagree about how the company should grow and present its image to the public. My father wants to develop some land that the company recently acquired in Ridgewood."

""What does your father want to do with it?"

"He wants to create high end loft apartments." Richard said while pinching the bridge of his nose. "It would raise the cost of living for the area and drive out the poorer population."

"That wouldn't be the best look for the company, but it would possibly make for a good bottom line," I replied with a shrug.

"That's all my father cares about, but you're not here to talk about that."

"You're right. I'm here to talk about your secretary."

"No," Richard said as he frowned. I lowered my head and pouted. He burst into laughter. I shrugged and looked at him normally.

"So, what did the others have to say? Are they as excited as I am?"

"It's hard for anyone to be as excited as you," I replied with a smirk. "Ms. Jackson said that she would like more time to prepare, but otherwise she has no issues to report."

"That sounds like Velena. She's focused on efficiency and control. How about Luis?"

"He says that he has extra security scheduled for the event. He would like more, but he has all the bases covered."

"That's good news. He's always on top of his game."

"I felt like he had a file on me. He knew more than I expected him too," I said as I scratched my head.

"I'm sure that he does. Luis keeps meticulous records."

"You're kidding, right?"

Richard steepled his fingers in front of his face as he leaned forward on his desk. The deadpan expression on his face was rare. I knew about jobs doing background checks, but Luis seemed to take it to a whole different level.

"What about Sam?"

"He said to tell you that he was keeping tabs on the device and if he had any problems he'd let you know."

"Did something happen?"

"I'm not sure exactly. When I spoke to Velena she seemed to be concerned about the numbers. She wanted Sam to email her. When I was in the lab with Sam I tried to get a closer look at the device, but then there was a weird glow. Everything went wild and Sam contacted Velena to help him figure out what was happening."

"That doesn't sound good. Everyone has been trying to get my father to delay the tech reveal until we have a better understanding of what the device can do."

"Hey, if it blows up in his face, then you're in charge of what's left," I said as I pointed at Richard with finger guns.

"Since he'll have me right next to him, then I'd be blown up too," Richard said with an overly dramatic hand gesture.

"Can I have your autographed football?"

"Wow! Is that how it is," Richard's mouth gaped open in fake shock.

"At least you know I'm not out for your job. Besides you'd be all right. Your dad would tank an explosion and still finish whatever he was working on."

"That's probably true. I'll check in with Sam and Velena later. John," Richard paused, "you did a good job."

"Thank you. Wouldn't want anyone thinking that I get preferential treatment because I know my boss's secrets," I said with a smirk.

"Secrets? I'm an open book."

"A couple of your college girlfriends would disagree. By the way, I was going to get some drinks with Sam later. Did you want to come?"

"Will a certain vlogger be coming," Richard asked.

"A certain vlogger, huh? I don't know if Sarina will be coming yet, but I think it's highly likely. If you're interested we'll be at Club Zion at 7," I said as I was leaving the office.

I helped Meredith for a few more hours before it was time to go home. I caught the train and went back to my apartment. I took a shower and changed for the club. There was a knock at the door and I looked through the peephole.

I opened the door and was immediately pounced on by Sarina. She hugged me tightly as I held her off the ground. I closed the door as I set her down inside my apartment.

"Hi Sarina!"

"Hey John. How was your first day at the new job?"

"It was pretty good. How was your day?"

"It was long, but I couldn't miss hanging out with you."

"I appreciate that. Are you ready to go to the club?"

"Yes, but what are you going to wear?"

I looked at Sarina and laughed. Then, I noticed her serious demeanor. I looked at my clothes and back at her.

"What's wrong with what I have on," I asked as I posed.

"Yeah. That's not gonna work. Let's see what's in your closet," she said as she took me by the hand.