Give me a lollipop!!

You'll think 5 seconds was enough for me to put myself together. Nah, it wasn't.

So, when Corban walked up to us distinctly calling out my name, "Makena". I did something... Something weird.

Remember that lollipop Corianne was holding? The one the size of my head but not literally. I snatched it out of her grip and shoved it into my mouth. For some reason!!

"Oh," Swallowing my candy-flavored saliva, "Corban."

He eyed me down, focusing on the item in my hand. Before turning to face Jacob.

"Jacob right?"

"Yes. Nice to see you again." Jacob just had to be the sensible one who reaches out for a handshake.

Meanwhile, Cory watched me with an amused expression, "Oh boy." She whispered under her breath and did a terrible job at it, seeing as I still heard.

It was then that Corban noticed her, rooted to my side watching a comedy show. Although, I don't know why my mortification is always funny to her.

She just had to ask questions, "You work here?"

"Yes, supervisor and stuff." After also gracing her with a handshake, I became his center of attraction, "So, I guess I'll be seeing you a lot."

"Everything including the costumes passes through you right?" It was Jacob's turn to look amused.

I always hear Corianne talk about how his smirk is captivating. Frankly, I think it's eerie and contains nothing but mischief.

Corban seemed oblivious to everybody's thoughts as he nodded, saying, "Yes, it does."

"Ouuu, look at that Makena." Jacob nudged me, cooing, "He is our boss. I answer to him now."

Uh-oh. I had never given any thought to Corban working for Right production. Talk less of being my boss. It isn't something I'll anticipate.

Rolling my eyes at his delusion, "I'm your boss first." Seeing as it is in my jurisdiction to decide whether I want him as a staff or not. And if I want to live. Corianne might unalive if I make the wrong decision. 

"But he's my higher boss. Kind of like you being a mayor while he's the president. Who rules?"

Corban's lips formed a grin, "Definitely the president." He looked satisfied to agree with Jacob, while I only wanted to squirm in discomfort.

The last time I saw this man, I mumbled something about a piece of moonstone jewelry after breaking his super-expensive phone. We definitely shouldn't be discussing mayors and presidents at the moment.

"I like how you think Corban." I don't know if Jacob didn't notice my discomfort but he seemed comfortable fist-bumping Corban, pleased with his new buddy.

Nah, I think Jacob actually lives off my discomfort. Corianne too. She was relatively quiet which means she was comfortable observing my every move.

Giving himself a literal pat on his back, "That's good because I like how I think too." Corban revealed a goofy side of himself as Jacob chuckled and guffawed at his gesture.

The audacity of this man.

"But..." No longer able to keep quiet, I needed to add, "I pay him."

It didn't even take a second for Corban to retort, "And Right production pays you."

Which is a fact. But, I haven't even gotten my first paycheck from them yet. Plus, I might not be good with legal terms but I read our contract a bazillion times and it never stated that my employees are on their payroll. Not even once.

"So technically....", Jacob didn't know about the thoughts in my head, so he was still happy about being right.

Rather than arguing, I blurted out, "Shut up.". Much to my surprise, Corianne hummed beside me, not saying anything. If you know Corianne, you'll agree with me that it is a super sneaky thing for her to do. She always defends Jacob. Always!!

"Corban," My man child of an employee puckered his lips, "Should I shut up?"

"Of course not, I mean, everybody has freedom of speech." Even though Corban humored him, his shoulders were shaking from laughter.

"Thank you for believing in equality."

"Don't mention it."

Muttering under my breath, "Sheesh." I started to plan Jacob's murder. It might involve stabbing or drowning. I might get more ideas when I watch murder documentaries. 

"Makena is giving me the stink eye so I'll just move these boxes inside now....." Jacob trailed off, informing his new friend who had a bright smile on his face. 

They would actually made a pretty nice duo outside of a work setting. 

"Haha." Laughter rolled out of Corban's mouth once again, "It's best if you do that."

"I'll be right back."

With that Jacob excused himself and went about moving some boxes that we brought with us. While navigating his way around the trailers. Luckily for me, his girlfriend went along with him, leaving me and Corban. 

It was Corban who spoke first. 

"Is everything okay?" If I wasn't mistaken, there was an underlining worry to his tone. 

I must have been imagining it because there's no way Corban would be worried about someone he barely knows. 

"Of course!!!" My words came out a bit more high-pitched than I expected. But I sounded cooler when I asked, "Why do you ask?" 

Waggling his brows, "Moonstone Jewelry? Seriously?" He brought the events of that day back to my memory. More mortification!!! 

"I tend to say nonsense when I'm nervous. It's like a broken faucet. All the water just spills out." My shoulder slumped after I finished speaking. It's so exhausting. 

"Does that mean you're going to be spilling water today?"

"No!"

"Really?"

"Yes!"

Arching his brows, "But, you are nervous right now." His eyes narrowed at me, like he wanted to see through my head to read my thoughts. 

"No, I'm not!!"

There was that high pitch once again. 

"Fine." Maintaining a gaze with me, "Then why are you tapping your right foot and staring into space?"

"Habit," I responded immediately, making a mental note to keep my foot in place. It was so unconscious that I hadn't even realized that I was doing it.

"You didn't strike me as a person of few words."

"You don't know me."

Frankly, I don't even strike myself as a person of few words. But, when awkwardness meets me, silence is usually the end result.

Nodding in agreement, "That's true. But, I hope I'll be able to know you properly. Seeing as you work under me now."

"Hmmm."

"Don't worry." He smiled brightly at me doing nothing to placate my anxiety, "I don't plan on taking out my screen money from your payroll."

"Can you really do that?" I asked, allowing my lungs to do their job. My breath had hitched this whole time and I don't even realize it.

"Yup."

"That's bad. And sad. Mostly bad." Especially for me, as I intend on saving up for that car. Jacob won't agree to be my chauffeur for much longer.

"True. But I can guarantee you that they are not any bad or sad things to think about today. I need you to be clear-headed."

"Clear-headed." I winked at him not flirtatiously, "Okay, I can do that boss." It was the first time since we started this conversation that I was comfortable enough to chuckle.

He must have noticed it too because next, he said, "Good, you're back to normal."