You let out a sigh once your father had walked away from you, your eyes catching onto the crystal chandeliers above you before drifting to the boy you were instructed to talk to.

Your father’s company had been rivaling the Donaldson’s company—Novara, a clothing company that specializes in athletic apparel—for a good while now. Both attempting (and repeatedly failing) to merge or buy the other. It’s a tiring tribulation, especially with the constant paranoia that someone from the opposing company would attempt anything to give the other a bad name.

It’s happened multiple times before. A PR scandal, confidential information leaked, misleading financial reports, whistleblower claims, and takeover attempts. Anything that could’ve been done was attempted. But even after all that, the press team at your father’s company managed to convince him that it would be a wonderful idea to invite the Donaldson’s to his company’s annual gala. For their “image” or some bullshit.

Tensions were heavy, anyone could tell. It felt like a constant ticking bomb, you’re just waiting for someone to say a snide remark and cause a whole scene between the two families. And, even better, you were given the responsibility to talk to the current next-in-line for Novara. Art Donaldson.

Did it feel odd to forge a connection with someone you’ve never met just to show your father your seriousness to your family’s company? Yeah, but you need to prove how adequate you’d be for an actual position and not just a coffee runner.

Art startles at your presence when you walk behind him. You can tell he’s a little skittish talking to you. Maybe he’s worried his father would see him. You don’t know, don’t really care. You just hope he’d be cooperative enough after a couple of drinks.