Dangerous Mr Rogers

nes of my penthouse office, hinting at perfection. But, as usual, someone

levator. My voice echoed through the marble hallwa

my senses. I froze, my hand tightening around the leat

d me, her perpetual fake smile plastered across her face.

chirped. "Here's your coffee

. "Stop. Just stop." My eyes bore into hers as

"I-I'm not sure, ma

hedule. I want the person fired. Immediately. If they ca

, the other

her again. "Are you still standi

t away." She scurried off, heels clicking fu

y didn't understand what it took to get here, how I clawed my way past every man who th

like armor. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcased the city I owned, figuratively and, in many ca

last long. Just as I opened my laptop

with desperation. "This is my only job! The other ele

ging my temple.

n the doorway, hesit

it," I

, but

I let one person get away with breaking the rules, the next thing you know, they'l

moment before nodding an

ew louder. "No, please, I ha

off. Good. If he couldn't respect

lly neutral. She resumed reading my schedule like nothing h

ny executives to finalize the contract terms. Lunch

ncel

nked. "T

ing my time on things that don't matter

the Br

r better yet, delegate it. That'

was quiet, submissive.

pproved projects. Numbers always made sense to me unlike people. People w

ing, Samira timidly kn

rrived for the meeting," she a

riving early earns them extra points?" I set my pen down with deliberate slowne

and three figures entered: Victor Bree, the aging patriarch, hi

verly warm as he extended a hand. "Thank

o sit. "Let's skip the pleasantries, shall we? Time is

is composure. They sat across from me, their postures stiff. Sam

tion doesn't equal reality. Your timeline is unrealistic, your budget laughable, and yo

for this project. Our timeline is aggressive, yes, but it's achievabl

essments on drum circles and protest signs. My team ran the numbers. Your curren

here to collaborate. We're open to adjustments, provided

you're asking for my company's name to be a

ere's room for negotiation here. You're known for your ability to find innovative solutio

go wrong. If you want my company involved, you'll follow my terms: a revised timeline, a 30% i

h to argue, but Victor s

," Victor said carefully. "But I'l

ou're serious about building this dam, you'll accept my terms. If not

ension thick in the air. Finally, Vi

Ms. Akintola. Thank

p firm. "Don't keep me waiting to

about arrogance. I smiled to myself. Let them grumble. At the end of t

on site for our latest project, a commercial complex

vests moving like ants. I stepped out of my car, my Louboutins sinki

ied toward me, wiping his hands on his jeans. "Goo

barely glancing at him. "I w

ry flooring. The workers stopped what they were doing

an us, doesn't she?" one of them mu

ks, turning slowly to

roze, his

to say to me?" I asked,

ma'am. Sor

what I

ohnson interjected quickly, glari

. "See that you do. I don'

nsion in the air was palpable. As I climbed back into my car,

against the velvet sky. I stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows of my penthouse, a glass of w

it up, glancing at the screen. The name "Victor Bree" fla

ng twice bef

ed and subdued. "We've reviewed your terms. While t

voring the moment. "Good decision,

ar him gritting his teeth. "You'll have t

eeing it. And, Mr. Bree? Make sure your son keeps his opinions t

ht. "Understood. Have a go

oo, Mr.

phone down with a satisf

licker of unease crept into my chest. It was faint, almost im

, in the quiet moments, when the city was hushed and my fortress felt m

idn't matter. I had a kingdom to run, and nothing-not self-doubt, not fleeting

om the window. The world outside could wait. For now, it was

penthouse, the warm water lapping at my skin. The bathroom's glass wall offered a

sanctuary.

been necessary a warning to anyone else who thought they could undermine me. The wo

was pe