1 | Project Millenium

[JEREMIAH]

There were so many things that I could say to make people like me. A mountain of lies or an ocean of truth, it didn't matter. What did matter was the time when you said it. You had to say the right thing to the right person at the right time. If you failed to do so, well, according to my hunch, you lost the game already. If you're not aware, however, then let me be very honest with you. Today was not the time when people cared about what you had to say, but what they wanted to hear.

"YOU ARE FIRED!"

I could not break this news in simpler words than these and I wasn't revelling in the way she was ready to break down right in front of me, either. When someone did that, didn't you feel this rush of guilt suddenly overwhelming you from all the sides, trying to suffocate you, choke you, ruin you until you give up or give in?

Yeah, that one. Nope. I didn't feel that.

"Oh, come on, Ms. Williams, eventually we both knew this day was coming. Your probation period ended months ago, and you haven't met a single target. No sale. No job." I mentioned with ease. I could sense the crackles of overbearing potency in my voice, and didn't even have to guess what it might be for the twenty-five-year-old Genevieve Williams to be on the receiving end.

However, before Genevieve could come up with a legitimate response on how and why she still could be an asset to my company, the door of my office cabin was flung open and a man in a crisp black suit rained inside with all the authority in the world.

The authority I did not remember giving to anyone.

"Josh!" I greeted. "What a joy," I beamed with a sickening professional smile. Though, the way Josh returned the sassy gesture with a little roll of his eyes, I was pretty confident the sarcasm did not go unheeded.

"Of course, my dear," he responded, his own sardonic tone trying to force an eye roll out of me, but I focused on fixing him with a glare instead. "I deeply apologize for the interference. That was awfully rude of me. Ms Williams?" turning to face the woman, he opened his arm to show her the door.

"Margo will be exceptionally helpful to explain the rest of the things. Jeremiah and I, wish you wonderful luck in the future. Now, if you please excuse us, we have something really important to discuss."

I watched Genevieve bow her head with a brief hesitation on her footing, but she did as she was told, making her way out.

"Also, would you mind closing the door on your way, please? Thank you." Josh added with a small, kind smile.

Genevieve, who appeared almost on the edge of turning on the waterworks, mumbled something that at least I couldn't hear.

"God, you're a beast!" I laughed softly, sagging into the snug office chair, swaying my head and concentrating my gaze on the only man now sitting across the desk. "So, for what do I owe this wonderful pleasure?"

The office chamber I used was spacious and mostly blank, like a canvas. There wasn't much furniture reclining around except for a - clutter-free - modern office desk, and four chairs, three on the other side. I preferred to use a laptop for handling my work mostly, but there was a touch-screen computer in a corner, just in case. There was a floor-to-ceiling glass window right behind me with a view of outstanding Washington. And that's exactly how I liked my place to be, distraction-free.

Josh pursed his lips and dribbled his fingers against the hand rest. Not saying a word, only watching with playfulness in his gaze. As if silently asking me to guess. I found his silence a little mysterious, wouldn't lie, it gave a solid kick to my curiosity. I also felt the need to ask again, but I never ask twice. Old habits die hard and all. So, I waited, leaning in my chair, eyes hardening towards him.

"We got the land!" he announced. Finally.

At first, his words confused me because of the apparent lack of reference. But gradually, as what he said settled in, everything began to make sense. I'm pretty sure my eyes swelled out. "Did we?"

The land Josh was speaking about had our sights set on it for a very long time. It felt like a decade had almost passed since our company had been trying to convince the owners to market that property. To us, of course. It wasn't very huge land, to be honest, only a thousand square yards or something. A tiny fish in the sea. But it was sitting amid the prime location of the avenue project my company had been working on for the past six years. The problem was: the owners were being hell difficult to sway. I heard they refused all our splendid offers, slamming doors in the faces of my employees. This endless snub between the owners and my company felt like a thorn sticking out of my flesh. Bothersome. Shutting down the project wasn't the decision I was willing to take. To see all our efforts drowning in vain wasn't a choice either, just because a stubborn woman couldn't get her head out of her ass. So I made up a decision to hand over the project to Josh. He was a family friend, and also the owner of the sister company of the one I was running. He assured me of the results, and I wished him good luck.

Josh leaned in to get closer, a victorious grin exhibiting on his face, like fairy lights on Christmas eve. "Well, that's what I just said, didn't I?" he winked, and I lost my balls.

"Josh! This is the best news we've got in months. How did that happen?" But then my stomach dropped, and I sunk back into the chair. Skeptically, I stared. "Wait— I mean really, how did that happen? The last time I checked..."

"The last time is the past now, Jeremiah. This is our present. Can you imagine though? We've never been so close to our Dream Millennium?"

"I know. It's just... it feels so unrealistic."

"Seems like it's time to change that," he purred, thoughtful, sagging backwards. "How about a celebration? This scoop calls for one." Enthusiastically, his gaze blazed.

"Well, now that you remind me, I do have a free weekend to spare." I grinned.

"Perfect!" he exclaimed, excitement sizzling in his voice. "So, it's decided then. We are celebrating this weekend and getting hell drunk until one of us cannot count to five."

"Cheers!"