Entangled To The CEO

Tasha’s [POV]

Rainer was not taking the hint. I wanted him to leave, to disappear down the long corridor that leads to the better offices, and let me get ready for the meeting.

I thought standing with my hands on my hips, elbows out, would have stopped him in my office doorway, but he had other plans.

Rainer hooked one arm gracefully around my stiff elbow and tucked me close as he escorted me inside.

Topher jumped at the chance to follow, but Rainer shut the door in his eager face.

“I’m serious, Tasha,” Rainer said. “We need to come up with a plan right now for how to fix this.”

“You don’t even really know what ‘this’ is,” I said. I untangled myself from his arm and stalked around to the other side of my desk.

“Why don’t you go to your office and let your assistant catch you up?” Rainer flat-out ignored my hint and settled in the chair closest to my desk. He stretched out his long legs, checked his shiny shoes for smudges, and then laced his fingers together over his stomach.

“What’s to catch up on? The app was a success, but now its detractors are getting traction, and we have a public relations problem to fix. So, the big question is not ‘what happened,’ but ‘what are we going to do now?'” I thought about marching to my office door and yanking it open, but even then I was sure Rainer would find a way to stay.

He lounged back and watched me with those eyes, searching my face as if he was going to read the solution there. The real problem was I had an idea.

“What do you think we should do?” I asked. Rainer raised an eyebrow.

“I thought I wasn’t qualified to think about it, seeing as I’m not all caught up yet.” I dropped into my office chair and glared at him.

“So, I’ll take that as a ‘no?’ No bright ideas yet?”

“Yet being the operative word,” Rainer said. He leaned his head back and looked at the ceiling.

I cringed at the water spot that had been spreading, ignored by maintenance, and tried to stay focused.

It didn’t help that Rainer made even my scratchy office chairs look sinfully comfortable.

How did he look so relaxed, so sure? I hated myself for finding his confidence so sexy. I jumped a foot off my chair when my office door popped open and Amy trotted in.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“Ms. Nichols? I wanted to let you know that you have a morning meeting with, ah, Mr. Eastman?”

“Is that a question or a reminder?”

Rainer asked. Amy’s eyes took in every inch of my handsome co-worker before I cleared my throat and interrupted her obvious thoughts.

“Thank you, Amy, but in the future, I do not need reminders about things I’ve put on the calendar myself.” Amy shrugged.

“Sure. It was his idea.” Rainer’s assistant glared at her from the hallway. Then he shot me a hopeful look, and I had no choice but to nod. He rushed inside, clutching a sheaf of papers.

“I just thought you, oh, and Mr. Maxwell, would like to see the latest reports.”

“What was your name again?” I asked though I knew full well the answer.

“Topher, Ms. Nichols. I’ve been Mr. Maxwell’s assistant for two years, and before that, I was with Mr. Anderson in the research department.” Topher was too excited to sit still. “Is it good news?” I asked.

Topher realized his inappropriate excitement and handed the papers over with a bright blush. Rainer laughed.

“My assistant is just happy to be of service. Guess I don’t work him hard enough.”

“There are already reports of schools banning the app, parent groups are speaking out about it, and the American Medical Association is already planning a press release about it,” Topher said.

“And I, like, heard there’s going to be a skit about it on Saturday Night Live,” Amy added. I reached for a pen on my desk and gripped it hard.

“And none of these groups are making any mention of the app’s other uses? No one is talking about the integrated reminders, the routine suggestions, or the seasonal tasks?”

“It’s just a game,” Amy said. Then she caught everyone’s look and shrugged again.

“A really fun game. My garden has a fairy castle built into the fountain. I just need to collect a few more seeds before I get to start seeing fairies.”

“Oh, yeah,” Rainer said. “I forgot about the interactive reality component. I love that you can get alerts on your phone and find fairies all around town.”

“I’m glad you at least know a few of the product details,” I said. Rainer sat up in one fluid motion.

“And you didn’t know what exactly we were up against until I initiated this little meeting.”

“Your assistant should really get the credit,” I said. Topher went beet red and retreated for the door.

Amy didn’t want to follow but finally responded to Topher’s loud whispered advice. She left the door open, but Rainer didn’t make any move to follow them.

“You’re really hung up on who gets credit, aren’t you?” Rainer asked. I folded my hands on my desk though my fingers itched to curl into fists.

“I’ve learned that stealing credit is the easiest way for lazy, uninformed, and unfit junior executives to get ahead in this company. In any company, for that matter.”

“But you’re still willing to give credit to your team first.” I felt my chin ratchet up a notch.

“Yes.”

“Good.” Rainer got up and adjusted his bright cuff links.

“We’re going to need the whole team to fix this bad press. I’ve already been on camera, I’m already associated with the app, so I’m willing to step up and give a statement.”

“You’re going to try to be the scapegoat for our whole app team?” I asked. Rainer chuckled.

“No, that implies there’s something we should take the blame for. Let’s stick with credit over blame. Now, what should I say?” I checked my watch and stood up.

“We don’t have time to decide that. The meeting with Stan is in ten minutes. Oh, no!”

“What? What is it?” Rainer asked, holding out a hand to me.

“I just realized that we need to compare all the information highlighted by the media before this trend started. Do you think your assistant could pull those press releases, headlines, and reviews for me? I mean, us?”

Rainer paused by my office door with a gallant gesture for me to go first.

“I’ll swing by Topher’s desk and meet you in Stan’s office.” We left Amy chewing on a pen cap while combing social media.

I turned back as if to instruct my hopeless assistant, and Rainer strode off toward his office.

As soon as he was past the water cooler, I took off for Stan’s office.

My breakneck pace did not stop for questions, concerns, or even belated congratulations.

I burst into the stairwell and took the steps at a fast trot. I couldn’t risk getting held up by the other junior executives in the elevators.

“Did you run all the way up here?” Stan rocked back in his leather chair as I shut the door behind me and took a second to catch my breath.

I nodded and held up a hand to stop his laughter.

“With good reason,” I said.

“Where’s Rainer? I thought you two might come up together,” Stan said.

“What? No. Why would you think we were together?” Stan scrubbed a hand over his chin but did not try to cover up his grin.

“No reason. Just a thought. Don’t get me wrong, I love a little alone time with you. It does wonders for my reputation. They keep hoping I’m going to lie down and take retirement easily, but you make me seem energetic and full of life.”

“I thought you were trying to be a feminist,” I said.

“Speaking of women’s equality,” Stan said, “I know exactly why you are here and I’ve got to say, I’m surprised at you.” I pushed away from the door and approached his desk with caution.

“You know my concern?” Stan sighed.

“You already have an idea about how to fix this whole public relations debacle, but you don’t want to share credit with Rainer. You think he’s just hanging around to steal what he can of your good work. Does that about cover it?” I sunk into one of the polished, wing-backed chairs that faced Stan’s immense desk.

“What’s so wrong with that? I work hard, and I can’t let some other junior executive like Rainer just trample all over me.”

“So, instead, you’re letting him dictate your reactions and become someone you’re not?” Stan leaned forward.

“Tasha, darling, you are the best damn team manager I’ve ever seen. It’s the secret to your success. You know, better than anyone, how to create a strong team. And it isn’t by worrying about who gets the credit.” I slumped back.

“I just get tired of seeing people promoted before me.”

“I thought you would have had Rainer’s number by now,” Stan said. My cheeks got hot.

“Why would I need his number? He won’t leave me alone at work.” Stan grinned.

“I meant figuratively. Does Rainer strike you as a man who wants the full weight of leadership?”

I thought about Rainer, trying to brush past all the physical traits he had that distracted me: long legs, flat stomach, broad shoulders, strong jaw, that devil-may-care smile, those blue eyes. . . I cleared my throat.

“I thought he was just in it for the money. Maybe a little glory.”

“Exactly,” Stan said.

“So, stop thinking of him as the competition. He’s on your side.” Stan’s phone rang and he pressed the speaker button with a flourish.

“Send him in, Jean.” Rainer thanked Stan’s secretary and sauntered into his office. He was surprised to see me already there, but he masked it well.

“Mr. Eastman, I hope I’m not late. Here is that report you wanted, Ms. Nichols.” Stan studied each of us in turn as Rainer handed me the tight packet of papers, smiled at me, then sat down.

“Seems to me we’re all in the same foxhole here, so let’s dispense with the formalities and stick with first names. Shall we?” Stan asked. I suppressed a groan as the men shook on it.

It made me edgy to see my mentor so friendly with Rainer. And why did Stan keep smiling like that?

“Well, Stan,” Rainer said, “let me start by assuring you that I am all caught up on the latest reports. Tasha here was nice enough to suggest I start with the timeline of media statements. See when they really started turning on us.”

“Excellent place to start,” Stan said. My head buzzed as Rainer discussed the accusations surrounding our GroGreen app.

I had sent him off to his office only minutes ago and yet he was referencing the reports with ease. Had he really sped through all of them before joining us? I studied Rainer.

He didn’t seem like the type of man who would pretend to know less than he did, but the truth was I didn’t know him all that well. All I knew were snap judgments and rumors.

“What do you think, Tasha? Is our man here is on the right track?” Stan asked. Our man. I almost rolled my eyes.

“Product placement is a good idea, but it will be a struggle to find a venue that wants to be associated with us right now. Celebrity spokespeople are expensive and unreliable. Whatever we choose has to be immediate and under budget.”

“Very practical.” Stan sighed and settled back in his leather chair. He steepled his fingers together and studied us for a moment.

“I think the real solution is somewhere in the middle. You’ll keep working on this together and report back to me daily.”

“Together?” My breath caught in my throat. “We’re not exactly on the same page.”