Ch. 24 A Costly Raincheck
The box breathing barely has me calm enough to speak coherently. As much as I want to punch Nolan, this needs to be handled professionally.
I refuse to do anything that undermines Celeste's professional integrity and more than I already have.
A knock sounds a few minutes later, and Celeste walks in, followed by Nolan.
I'm shocked at Celeste's transformation. She looks—diminished. She has bags under eyes that look dull. Her skin is rough, and I'm not even sure if she's eating enough.
She walks in, and just stands there, apathetic and listless. The urge to gather her into a hug is so strong I nearly get up before catching myself.
We all wait in silence before I turn to Nolan.
"Nolan, may I hear your ideas for the marketing campaign?"
"Of course!" He smiles smugly, like he thinks I'm setting Celeste up for a dress-down.
"I think we should market this product as a replacement for actors and stunt doubles. It does most of their work anyway. If we market it as a tool that will help to significantly reduce production budget, it's sure to be successful."
I stare at Nolan, lips pursed. Was he always this short-sighted? How did I never notice?
I turn to Celeste, and speak as gently as I can. "Celeste, what were your ideas?"
She finally meets my eyes, and a smile starts to form before it pauses midway. "My—ideas?"
I nod, and wait patiently for her to share.
Nolan opens his mouth to interrupt but I raise my hand to silence him.
She swallows and glances at Nolan before straightening her back. She looks more present now than she did a few minutes ago.
"I think Nolan's idea will cause most of the industry to boycott us. I think we should market it as a tool to make actors' jobs safer, something that will reduce the risk for stunt doubles.
"We should target how it will reduce danger and potential liabilities by reducing risk of injury and insurance costs. Maybe we can even offer insurance plans via Ingram Insurance with better rates for those productions that use ADAI?"
As she talks, some of her earlier spark returns to her voice, before she deflates like a popped balloon.
I observe as she braces herself, hands fisting on her side, waiting for a harsh reaction.
"Those are all excellent ideas. I agree completely with Celeste."
"I'm sorry if you don't agree—what?"
Nolan looks just as stumped.
I smile at Celeste. A genuine smile. Her eyes widen and she looks behind her before slowly turning back to me.
Have I been that much of a pig to her?
My chest tightens.
"I agree with Celeste on all counts. As of this moment, Celeste, I'm promoting you to head of marketing for—"
I feel like I'm swallowing a bitter pill as I use the abbreviation Micah coined, "—ADAI, while Nolan will remain in-charge for other products. Celeste, I'm giving you free reign. You'll report directly to me. We've all worked really hard on this product. I want to see it soar."
Celeste stares at me like I've grown two heads. Her mouth opens twice before she snaps it shut, unable to come up with anything to say.
"Celeste, if you don't mind, why don't you wait outside. I'd like a quick word with Nolan while I have him."
Celeste dips her head once and leaves—her familiar scent lingering after her.
Nolan gapes at me, disbelief etched in every line.
"You can't do that. I'm head of Marketing. And she is the enemy! I'm doing you a favor!"
"Nolan, you might be head of Marketing, but she understands this product and the industry better than you or I. It's not about the enmity—Celeste is not the enemy at all—it's about what's best for the company. I hope you remember that."
He has the grace to look a little ashamed.
"I don't want to hear about you bullying anyone again. Am I clear? If this happens again, I will dismiss you."
He pales a little once he realizes I'm dead serious. "You really mean that."
"I really do."
He swallows, his face a little sour, but he doesn't argue.
I study him for a beat. We've come such a long way since high school. He really stuck by Madison and me.
"Say, Nolan... You were pretty close to Madison in high school, weren't you?"
He blinks at the sudden change of topic. "I—yeah. Yeah, I was."
The wheels turn in my head. Nolan knew Madison all through middle and high school.
My gut is telling me he might know more about Madison than either of us expect.
"Why do you ask?" Nolan's question pulls me back to the present, and I shake my head.
"I was just curious." Celeste is outside waiting, and I refuse to make her wait longer than necessary. There will be time, a little later, to pump Nolan for information.
Nolan nods, shoulders slumped. "I'm sorry, man. For causing you trouble."
"I think you owe someone else an apology."
"Come on, Marcus! To Celeste? Seriously?"
"Seriously." I owe her a huge one too.
I barely hold back the words, "she's innocent."
Instinct tells me to be careful before we have definite proof—not because I don't believe in her innocence, but because things could escalate quickly if the truth gets out without enough evidence to back it.
I text Kyle to send Celeste in. Almost immediately, a knock sounds, and Kyle walks in, arms crossed, Celeste behind him.
Nolan takes one look at Kyle, and his face heats. He sighs before turning to Celeste.
"I'm sorry, Celeste. I shouldn't have let my personal views color our working partnership. I'll be sure to co-operate and strive to work as per your guidance."
Celeste looks wide-eyed at all of us, like she's waiting for someone to yell, "April Fool's day!"
When nothing of the sort is forthcoming, she simply nods, and Nolan heads out.
Kyle smiles smugly behind his back, before catching my gaze and hurrying out behind him.
Celeste looks discomfited, and I wave her over to the desk.
"I'm sorry if the promotion seemed too sudden. I have no doubt that you understand ADAI's applications to the entertainment industry better than all of us. I would really appreciate you taking over the marketing for this product."
She gapes at me some more before finally speaking. "I—are you sure?"
"Yes. I'm not someone prone to doubts after I've arrived at a conclusion. You're the best candidate. Of course, you will be compensated accordingly. How about another $2k added to your monthly salary? Does that work?"
—----------------
Does that work?
I don't know. My brain stopped working while Nolan Grande was apologizing. And now I'm head of marketing for ADAI?
What game is Marcus playing? Surely he isn't doing this because he's recognized my many talents in such a short time?
Maybe I should just say no and walk away. Why is he even offering an increment?
Everything he says makes sense, but I'm not sure if I trust whatever is happening here.
I finally gaze into his electric blue eyes, and I'm surprised at the warmth in them.
Genuine warmth. Like that snowy night in Radcliffe.
"I—need some time to think about it."
He looks disappointed but nods. "Of course. I understand. I'll get the relevant addendum drafted in the meanwhile. Hopefully, you'll agree to the job."
My head twitches, and I hope it was a nod enough to end this conversation.
"Celeste... There's something else I want to talk about."
My fingers tremble by my side. Marcus looks determined to have this 'talk', but I need some space, some time, to think—to analyse.
Too many things have happened too quickly.
"Can we take a raincheck on this talk?" My voice is softer, hesitant—and I hate that.
He studies my face for a full minute. His expression is...kind. Warm. Concerned. Caring.
Too much.
I take a few steps back—as if to test him—but he doesn't stop me, so I take that as my cue to leave.
I wish I could talk to someone about it all.
I head to my desk and slump in my chair.
Something warm wants to bloom in my chest again, but I won't let it.
It's best if I simply focus on work.
So why do a pair of warm, electric blue eyes keep intruding on my thoughts?
—--------------------
I watch Celeste walk away, words caught in my throat.
A raincheck?
How can I refuse? She clearly needs time to process everything that's happened. I can wait for her now, can't I?
I owe her that.
The door closes behind her gently. I'm just pulling up Kyle's contact when a knock sounds and he enters.
"About earlier, you meant it? The promotion?"
"Yes. I was just calling you to let HR and the legal team know."
He nods thoughtfully. His expression turns contrite. "About my outburst earlier..."
"It's fine. I understand why you all doubt me. Now get cracking. Also, I need the progress reports for all of Nolan's projects. I want to make sure his ideas are actually relevant."
He opens his mouth to speak before snapping it shut and leaving.
—-----------------
I wait for Keith and Kenneth to answer their phones as I sit at my table.
I'm slumped in my chair, and strangely, I wish Frany was here. She always knows what to say to comfort me. Her hazel eyes are always lit up with something mischievous.
The calls finally connect and Keith speaks first. "Kyle, what's up?"
"I screwed up." Ever since the intervention, things have been really tense. Kenneth felt we'd been too hard on Marcus.
Kenneth paid the price for being right by ending up in a huge fight with his husband—who's been ignoring us all since then—except Ella, and maybe Keith.
"I got really mad at Marcus over a bullying incident, and I maybe said some things carelessly."
I tell them everything, only to be greeted by silence.
Finally, Keith speaks. "He asked you to amend Celeste's contract? By himself?"
"Yes. Keith, I think Ella's right. We really hurt him." My voice grows smaller as I realize how my anger must've come across as doubt. "And I made it worse."
Keith consoles me, but I don't feel better. I haven't even bothered to throw his coffee away in the last week.
I study him from across his door. He looks exhausted, like he still isn't sleeping. His shoulders are hunched, and he looks so lonely.
We let him down. All of us.
We have to find a way to show him we realize our mistakes—that we still care.
Before it's too late.