JOY IN CHAOS

windows of Sinclair Enterprises, Projecting

art on her tasks. Her head ached faintly from the restless night, She forc

unexpected softness in Richard's manner of talk, his insistence that she rest, and that a

familiar buzz of her work phone. A

n my offi

other series of rounds with Mr. Sinclair. Taking a deep breath to s

s phone pressed to his ear. His jaw was firm, his movements seemed re

y. I want solutions with actions by the end o

at her with a serious and ev

quick glance at the clock on the wall

I mean immediately," Richar

herself to stay professional. "Wha

through the contents. It was the investor proposal they'd wor

asked, her voice la

Richard said. "Incorporate these chan

"You do realize that's

handle it?" he challenge

y. "What I mean is, realistic

done, Miss Lexington," he s

s to herself. She left the office, her

ust every detail of the proposal to perfection. Her fingers flew acr

d appeared beside her desk, his

he asked

jections now," she repl

ve adjusted the growth rates, but you have

that," Mabel said,

arted with it," R

ation. It was spilling out, showing in her expression and the way she stood. "Do y

readable. "If you can't handle construc

ticism," she shot back. "It's nitpicking

to find mistakes," he repli

her desk. "And you make it impossible to work unde

ttention of a few nearby employees. Richard's eyes glanced

ow," his tone leaving n

bel went unfiltered on him. "You don't get to treat m

gaze cold. "And you don't g

u're rude, dismissive, and completely out of

as a brief flash of something

he said, his voice quieter now. "This company is my responsibi

ting people like dirt?" Mabel asked,

ough his hair. "No, it doesn't. Bu

slightly. "You could make it simple

ifting and the silence was very awkward. Richard's eyes dro

t time you took a

r head. "never

" he said, his ton

over to his cabinet, returning with a bottle of water and a glass. Her

k," h

re carefully on him, studying h

him, as her thoughts tangled in frustration and confusion. Why was Richard being so... human to me, all of a sudden? He re

eyes. "I don't really have a choice," she admitted. "T

eyes. "You won't lose it. Not as

aid to herself. His words, though harsh, carried an unexpected

again, leaning

ween them seemed to diminish, and for a fleeting mome

her cheeks, avoiding

fewer, though his usual intensity remained. By the time the clock struck

orrow," she said, as she

d said, standing as wel

r, she blinked. "That won't be necessary, Goodnight, Mr. Sinclair" she said while walking ou

ghtening. As he stood there in the

eady falli

it really ter