Nineteen ◑ The Condition

It was Monday, the most evil day of the week, and yet Lucille's spirits were soaring.

Or at least she wanted to think that.

In reality, she felt like shit. She and Agnes still weren't talking, and this time Agnes had stopped trying. Lucille had spent the rest of the weekends in her room, acting like everything was handy dandy when in fact nothing was great. She'd been seeing flashes of Dimitri's face in her dreams too, which effectively pushed her off the edge. She hadn't heard from Cade since their drive back to Manhattan.

Her mind was a mess, her chest even more of a riot. Still, she was finding a bit of calm in the chaos. Or perhaps this was just her growing numb.

Nevertheless, today was important. Today, she'd find out if she was still herself, a punisher, an avenger. Today, she'd find out if the sleeping draught trick that she'd grown to dislike was worth it or not. Today, she'd see if what she'd been doing was worth it all along, despite the timeline that the candle had given.

Today, she'd finally find out if she'd be free of this mission. And perhaps after this, she could just go back to being a private investigator of some sorts.

Perhaps she'd start over again.

With Martin no longer around and making a fuss of things, the Marketing and PR office was quiet. Some nineties ballad was softly playing from Shanry's little speakers, and Rosie was humming along to it as she worked the photocopy machine. Lucille was focused on drafting up her data report, her head spinning with the words and her own thoughts. Her frustration was simmering, but so far she was doing a great job keeping it under a lid of calm.

The only one who didn't fit the laid-back, almost sleepy scene was Clifford. He kept pivoting back and forth in his chair, his knee bouncing.

They all knew that this was his habit as an innately jumpy, anxious person, so they gave him his space. But when he exited the office, came back with a groan, and started pacing the floor, Shanry turned off her radio and demanded, "Cliff, what's bothering you? And don't you dare tell me it's nothing."

"Fine, it's not nothing," Clifford replied after a beat, collapsing on his chair and gesturing at the stack of papers on his desk. "I need Cade to sign this shit, but he seems to have barricaded himself inside his office."

Lucille stopped her work immediately. "What? Really?"

"Really," he confirmed as the other two began to listen. "I need this by eleven so I can run it with the finance people. It's already ten forty-eight. Jamie says Cade is meeting someone, but when I peeked into his office, I saw he's alone. Just sitting there, staring at the goddamn wall."

Rosie whistled. "I think we all know what that behavior means."

The three of them collectively groaned, while Lucille just stared in polite confusion. "Um, what does it mean?"

Smiling conspirationally, Rosie beckoned everyone to gather around. However, before she could even get the first word out, the elevators pinged and shocked them all back into their work stations.

During their rush, Lucille banged her knee against the foot of her table. Rosie nearly toppled off her chair. Clifford sent his papers flying to the floor. Shanry yelped and let out a very audible "Fuck."

And "fuck" was indeed the right word, because the person who'd just stepped out of the elevator was no other than the big boss himself.

William Forrest.

He was wearing the sharpest, most crease-free black suit known to mankind. Partnered with this was a sweeping, eagle-like expression that would make anyone fear for their lives.

"Good morning," he said, poking his head though their wide-open door. "Everything okay?"

"Yes, sir," Shanry squeaked, jumping to her feet and sinking into an awkward bow.

"Everything's great, sir," Clifford affirmed, more of his papers sliding off his desk.

William squinted around the office and found Lucille, whose entire insides jumped in fright. His expression softened. "Miss Saint-Claire. I must say, I am very pleased with your performance so far. Devon Murray sends her thanks."

"Thank you, sir," she replied with a nervous smile.

God, this man was terrifying.

"Your team has done well." He nodded at all of them, even going as far as giving a curt smile to Rosie, who was cowering against the wall. "All of you are splendid."

A murmur of "Thank you, sir," echoed in the office.

William nodded again, and then he was off—towards Cade's closed up office.

"Oh, shit," Rosie whispered as they crowded around the doorframe to take a peek. "Is Cade going to get a sermon?"

"You better wish it's just a sermon," Clifford muttered. "Forget about my papers. William's here. I bet the entire building is brought to a standstill."

They watched as William stopped by in front of Jamie, whose dyed hair was as red as her face. She gestured towards the closed door, and together, they went inside.

"Back to work, people," Lucille reminded them.

Surprisingly, they obeyed. They all bounded back to their seats and resumed their work. It was probably because of William's presence, because the atmosphere in the room was charged. Lucille could tell that the three were just gagging to listen to the conversation.

Lucky for her, she had a foolproof plan for eavesdropping.

Or at least she hoped that it was truly foolproof and that her magic was back to its seamless function.

Lucille continued typing, but the words on the screen were mere mixed up letters. Her focus was now trained on Cade's office, willing her power to engulf even a portion of it and allow her to amplify the sounds. At first there were only murmurs, a hum of their voices, but eventually they sharpened into defined male voices that she identified with no problem. She relaxed against her seat, ignoring the growing tugging sensation at the pit of her stomach.

". . . fired Martin and injured the department," William was saying, his tone calm but with a bite of anger. "I can't blame you, and you definitely had the power to do that. I just wish that you fast-tracked the replacement to get the team back in shape for the launch."

"Lucille is on top of the situation," Cade reasoned. "She'd taken Martin's job no problem and I think—"

"You're lucky she's there." William paused. "You're lucky I insisted you take her to the seminar. Or else we would've been entirely a laughingstock."

Cade exhaled sharply. "William, I'm terribly sorry. I really have no idea what came over me."

"Really? No idea, huh?"

"I really don't. Lucille and I had an early night, given the time we'd gotten to the hotel. I didn't take anything for my insomnia."

William raised an eyebrow. "So you just overslept and forgot your responsibilities?"

Cade's gulping was audible. "I have no excuse, sir. I made a mistake, but it wasn't because I didn't know my responsibilities. I didn't forget, either. I owe Lucille everything for taking over, and I'm ashamed that I had to make her shoulder that event."

The boss went quiet for nearly five seconds. Lucille could almost see his stern face and those piercing eyes, tearing into Cade and destroying what little confidence he had left.

But of course, this wouldn't be enough. William had to drive the point in and say, "You know what I think, Cade? I think this job is too much for you."

The effect of that statement was so intense that even Lucille couldn't help biting her lip. She wasn't in the room, yet she could feel the temperature dropping. It was as though William had released a blizzard.

And she wasn't sure if she liked it.

"Sir." Cade sounded like he was on the verge of a meltdown now. "Sir, please. You know I can do it. You know I deserve this position. I proved this to you last year. I got us the highest boost after a decade of staying in the middle ground."

"But a year can change so many things." William's voice had lost most of its edge, but it was somehow more wrenching. "Cade, you're a hard-working, intelligent man, but you can only do so much. I know you're tired. I think it is best if you go back to being the head editor—"

"Please," Cade begged. "Sir, I will prove to you that I deserve this. Just give me one more chance."

The office was completely quiet. Lucille could envision the scenario, could almost touch the awkwardness in the air. Meanwhile, the other three people with her were just moving on with their tasks. She kind of wished she could share this with them.

Ah, well. Jamie would surely disseminate the information later. One way or another.

God, Lucille just wanted this to be over.

Fire him, fire him, fire him, she chanted mentally. She nearly influenced William's mind into making the decision, but then she remembered that she would be unable to pull off no-contact mind stunts for now. The effort of eavesdropping alone was kind of draining her.

"I can do this," Cade insisted. "I'll give you the best launch this year, and you won't doubt me anymore. I promise you that."

Boo. Lucille made a face. What a suck-up. Come on, William. Free her from this place. Get rid of the manipulator, the heartbreaker. Make the right decision.

William heaved a long, heavy sigh. Lucille braced herself. Then he said, "Very well. I will give you a chance. If you don't give me the best launch, I guarantee you'll be out of here with no chance of coming back."