by Rowan Porter
MY BOSS IS A DRAGON
ROWAN PORTER
My Boss is a Dragon
Copyright © 2019 by Rowan Porter
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This book is a work of fiction. All resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.
CONTENTS
Sebastian
Liam
Sebastian
Liam
Sebastian
Liam
Sebastian
Liam
Sebastian
Liam
Sebastian
Liam
Sebastian
Liam
Sebastian
Liam
Sebastian
Liam
Epilogue
About the Author
SEBASTIAN
T he clicking of the pen was all that could be heard in the open space of the office. With the solid walls and the thick glass wall, it was built to block out any and all noise, and Sebastian was left only with the fretful sound of the pen he played with. There was certainly no noise from the other end of the call he was on, even the laptop screen was completely black as he waited for what he’d hoped would be a quick discussion of his proposal, to resume.
Zhao, CEO of the family owned Zhao Air, had kept Sebastian waiting longer than he thought was good. It should have been a simple matter of putting forward his proposal, with Zhao at least making a show of considering it before returning at a later time to agree or deny the plan.
Sebastian had made the pitch and had felt confident about it. Zhao, however, had been tepid at best in his reception and then politely put Sebastian on hold before any further discussion could happen. It wasn’t as if Sebastian had expected the man to jump all over the idea, but the entire absence of even the faintest interest was unsettling.
As if summoned, the video screen flickered for a moment before revealing Zhao’s stern face once again. Sebastian tried to read the CEO’s expression, if only to brace himself for whatever was to come. The problem was, Zhao had maintained the same stoic expression from the beginning of the call to the moment he’d put Sebastian on hold.
“Apologies for the delay,” Zhao said.
Sebastian noticed the man didn’t bother to give a reason for his sudden absence. He didn’t know Zhao well enough to say, but he wasn’t going to take that as a good sign. Even so, he kept the pleasant expression on his face as he nodded.
“No need for apologies, I know you’re a very busy man,” Sebastian replied.
“Quite, and it did give me some time to consider your generous proposal as well.”
It wasn’t quite as generous as Zhao made it out to be, but Sebastian accepted the formality. The deal was meant to benefit them both after all.
Sebastian nodded. “I strongly believe Zhao Air could benefit from including our products.”
Zhao’s brow creased almost imperceptibly. “I admit, there are certainly benefits to bringing Glass Inc. into the fold.”
Sebastian’s finger tapped the stack of note cards sitting next to the laptop, out of the camera’s view. It didn’t matter how advanced technology got, or that he was the CEO of a technology company, Sebastian didn’t think anything could beat the effectiveness of handwritten notes. Writing notes before a presentation or proposal was both soothing for Sebastian, and helped him to remember everything he intended to say.
“I believe our products loaded up on your planes would be an excellent addition as I said before,” Sebastian said.
He was tempted to restate the benefits again. It didn’t matter how many times he repeated all the points, Zhao would either be sold on the concept, or he wouldn’t. Rambling away like a nervous high schooler doing his first presentation to the class wasn’t going to help him.
Zhao brushed at his sleeve. “Yes, and you made a fine case for it. Was the video you provided built especially for this discussion, or is it a company standard?”
Sebastian bit back his irritation. “I wouldn’t be so insulting as to use a generic video. I made the video myself for this call.”
Zhao nodded. “It’s always interesting to see someone moving outside the considered…norm.”
“I wouldn’t say providing what I hope was a functional and informative presentation for a proposal is outside the norm,” Sebastian countered.
“True, but I was referring more to the fact that there are so few of your kind who endeavor to be anything more than entertainers.”
Sebastian hoped his flash of annoyance was hidden behind the fake smile he plastered on his face. It wasn’t the first time in his life someone expressed surprise at a dragon shifter devoting themselves and finding success outside the entertainment field. Sebastian thought it was to Zhao’s credit that the wolf shifter had at least said it without the tone of condescending surprise Sebastian had heard all too often. Then again, Zhao didn’t put much emotional inflection into a lot of what he said.
Sebastian mimicked Zhao’s previous gesture, flicking a piece of non-existent dirt from his sleeve. “Not the first time I’ve heard that sentiment.”
Nor would it be the last. Every shifter had to bear the scrutiny of stereotypes that lurked in the shadows behind them at all times. Wolves like Zhao were much like big cats, considered apex predators, though they were seen as more approachable and friendly than the generally viewed aloof and dangerous cats. Bears were seen as clannish people, hardly expanding out from what they knew. Dragons like Sebastian were seen as powerfully emotional creatures, who excelled at keeping others entertained with their vivacious nature and desire to please.
Zhao nodded. “Forgive me, it wasn’t my intention to frustrate you.”
It was only then that Sebastian realized he’d been broadcasting his emotions across his face. Cursing inwardly, Sebastian stilled his features and slapped his best professional smile on. The last thing he needed was to confirm to Zhao that dragons were incapable of being professional. His kind had enough holding them back. Sebastian firmly believed he was in a unique position to broaden the idea of what a dragon could be, and refused to squander it.
Sebastian shook his head. “Not a problem in the slightest.”
It was difficult to read Zhao, but Sebastian had the feeling the other man wasn’t buying it. Sebastian had been dealing with people looking at him with skepticism and doubt his whole life, but it still stung to face it in his professional life. He’d built a technology company from the ground up, to the level that he felt confident to attempt to make deals with the likes of someone such as Zhao.
Zhao leaned forward, clasping his hands on the desk before him. “I can certainly appreciate the boldness of forging new paths for yourself. You could be an inspiration to other dragons who might aspire to be more than dancers, singers, and the like.”
Sebastian held his frozen smile. “I’m sensing a ‘however’ coming.”
“However, I think you would do better to allow some of the passion dragons are so well known for to come into the light. You do yourself and your kind a disservice by restraining yourself. I appreciate any attempts to blaze forward, but you shouldn’t forget where you come from, or what you might be representing.”
“I would hope I represent the future and possibility that all dragons could have,” Sebastian said stiffly.
Zhao leaned back. “And I wish you the best in that endeavor. I will take what you’ve said into consideration in the meanwhile. However, I do think it right to tell you that you are not the only one to have approac
hed me with a similar deal. Tyler Diesel had a very similar conversation with me no more than a few days ago. Well, save for a great deal more enthusiasm on his part, that is. My people will be in contact.”
Before Sebastian could do more than open his mouth, the video feed was cut off. He froze, staring at the black box where Zhao had been only moments before. Sebastian’s fingers clenched against the armrest of his chair, his knuckles turning ever whiter as he held his grip.
Silence stretched through his office as Sebastian continued gazing at the screen, wondering not only how he’d somehow managed to lose the biggest deal of his professional life, but that he very well could have lost it because he was too controlled. That, somehow, his ability to rise above the mercurial and emotional stereotype which surrounded his kind, was what inevitably held him back.
As an added kick in the teeth, he might very well have lost the deal to Tyler Diesel.
That last thought broke the leash he kept wrapped around his temper. A roar burst from his lips, and he was on his feet before he could think about what he was doing. With an almighty heave, he flung his arm up, letting go of the chair and letting it fly across the room. It slammed into the ornate pedestal he kept against the wall, holding up a delicate vase which promptly shattered on impact.
It was at that moment when Sarah opened the door, brows shooting up into her bangs at the sight. Sebastian cleared his throat, immediately standing straight and eyeing his personal assistant with a questioning look.
“Yes?” he asked, proud of the calmness in his voice.
“I was coming to remind you of your three o’clock,” she replied.
Sebastian gave her a nod. “Call ahead and let them know I’ll be running a little behind, nothing serious. And, when you have a moment, I’ll need you to start looking for a consultant.”
“Any particular kind?”
Sebastian snorted softly. “Preferably one who has more than just a degree. I need someone with a good head on their shoulders, and an ear to the ground. Glass Inc. isn’t going to build itself by doing the same thing everyone else is doing. We need something else, or at least something I’m not thinking of.”
Sarah tapped away at her tablet with a nod. “I’ll have the feelers out within the hour. Watch yourself out there, the vultures are ready to leap.”
He gave a grimace but thanked her all the same. With the idea of the cameras waiting for him, Sebastian turned to the small closet nearby and opened it. Checking himself over, he smoothed out the wrinkles in his jacket, closing one of the buttons, and adjusted the collar. Turning his head to one side he adjusted one of the layered folds of his coal black hair, making sure it attained that perfect roguish but well-kempt style. Leaning forward, he ran a finger under one of his bright blue eyes, frowning at the dark circles beneath them. Dark stubble was already coming in along his sharply chiseled jaw, and he decided to keep it.
Just as Sarah had promised, the group of reporters was waiting for him the moment he stepped out from the lobby. They swarmed around him, phones and digital recorders held out as they barraged him with questions. Business moguls weren’t known for being terribly popular with the media, but between Sebastian’s growing success, and his growing feud with Tyler, Sebastian had been seeing quite a bit more of the paparazzi lately. It didn’t hurt when both he and Tyler were two young, good looking dragons, making them both appealing to the eye and interesting to discuss.
“Mr. Carlton! Is it true that Diesel Technology has already managed to undermine your latest deal?” one of them cried out, leaving Sebastian to wonder who his sources were.
“And what’s this about a new man in your life?” another shouted.
He wasn’t surprised when a picture was held up, ironically, on a tablet his company had helped to design. The large, durable screen showed a crystal-clear image of him dressed in his best, escorting one of the latest, most eligible bachelors into a private room at the hottest sushi restaurant. From the looks of it, Sebastian had been enjoying whatever conversation they were having.
Sebastian gave them a broad smile as he gently pushed through the throng. He despised the entire ordeal which came with dealing with the press, but he knew better than to let it show. They would eat up anything he said or did, and spit it back out with their own spin on it. More established businessmen than himself had been torn apart by the media, and Sebastian wasn’t risking it.
Laying his hand on the open door of his limo, Sebastian turned to them. “I’m sure you all have a great many questions for me, and I wish I had the time to answer them. However, I have a very important meeting I must see to. Thank you all for your understanding.”
With that, he slid into the limo and closed the door without another word. Breathing a sigh of relief, he slumped into the comfortable leather seat and closed his eyes. The darkened windows kept anyone from seeing the momentary lapse in his confident demeanor. For one brief second, he saw his own exhaustion and worry reflected back at him from the glass.
As the limo moved forward, the tiredness disappeared. Washed away by the grim sense of determination which had carried Sebastian through his whole life. It had pulled him out of the gutters, pushed him through college, and had been the reason he’d dealt with so many rejections for his initial business loan.
One way or another, he was going to make sure Glass Inc. rose to the top.
LIAM
“Son of a bitch!”
Liam leaped over the hedge in his way, desperate to get to the retreating bus before it was too late. Heads turned to watch him as he clutched his bag close, clearing a bench. He could already tell, however, that he was going to be too late. Liam was only a dozen feet from the stop, but the bus was already pulling off, heading through the intersection.
Liam waved. “Hey! Wait!”
To his increasing annoyance, he watched the driver glance in the side mirror. The bus rumbled on through the green light without so much as the slightest hesitation. If Liam could have spared anything, he would have thrown something at the bus in his frustration. There was no way the driver hadn’t seen him.
“Damn it to the bowels of hell and back,” he swore, ignoring the dirty look he got from a passerby.
Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to calm down. He wasn’t going to let one bad day inflame his hot head any further. There was still his interview to get to, and he wouldn’t do himself any good by showing up with dark clouds storming over his head.
His pocket buzzed harshly, jerking him upright. With a sigh, he slid the phone from his pocket and answered it.
“Hey Mom,” he said once he realized who was calling.
“You sound out of breath.”
He winced. “I missed the bus.”
“The one that would take you to your interview?”
“The very same.”
She sighed. “Oh, Liam.”
“Oh, come on, I can still make it,” he protested.
“I remember you saying the same thing about your graduation.”
“I made that!”
“Your college one.”
Alright, he might have been late for that. “It wasn’t more than a few minutes.”
“They had to call your name at the very end.”
“Our last name is Andrews, of course, they had to bump me down to the bottom,” he snorted, knowing full well an hour of the ceremony had already passed before they had begun calling names.
She sighed. “You seemed so prepared for today.”
Liam sighed, taking long, hurried strides down the sidewalk. “I was ready, it just didn’t go according to plan.”
From the repeated sound of his mother’s sigh, Liam could tell she was thinking much the same as him. Attempting to be on time or follow a schedule had always been a challenge for Liam. Namely, it was his inability to keep track of time which had cost him the most in the past. Other times, Liam would swear the universe conspired against him to ensure he was always late for anything important.
“Bad u
niverse day?” his mother asked, echoing his thoughts.
He smiled. “Yeah, I lost my damn jacket too.”
“Oh, not that lovely suit jacket you bought this last Fall?”
He squinted at a street sign as he approached it. “That’s the one. I was already late and in a hurry to transfer between routes. Barely made it onto the next bus, but realized I left my jacket on the other one. So here I am, without the suit jacket.”
Liam didn’t mention the mismatched socks he was wearing because somehow, the paired socks he’d laid out the night before had ended up missing. In his hunt to find another pair of socks, he’d not only been unable to find a matching pair, but had left his cup of coffee behind in the rush to get out the door. The replacement coffee he bought near the bus stop had been spilled while he’d jogged back to the stop, which was why he’d taken the jacket off in the first place. Liam was also sure everyone was walking far slower and deliberately stepping into his path every time he tried to get anywhere promptly.
“Please tell me you’re not trying to hurry your way to your interview,” his mother continued.
“Don’t really have a choice here. It’s either that or I show up later than I already am.”
“You can’t show up dirty and sweaty either, that would be just as bad. Here, I sent you some money, take a cab or something, it shouldn’t be a problem at this time of day to find one, right?”
Liam paused. “I told you not to send me money, I’m okay.”
“Yes, you’ve done wonderfully in making sure all your bills are paid, and that you can live in your apartment for the next few months. I know, you’re a whiz, I get it, but swallow your pride and take this as a gift from your parents.”
His phone buzzed in his hand, making him sigh. “You already sent it, didn’t you?”
“I did. Now get to that interview and call me afterward. Love you.”
“Love you too,” Liam grumbled.
Sure enough, when he checked his account, the extra money was sitting there. With another drawn-out sigh, he opened up the app which would find him a ride. There were plenty of them in the area, and with a tap, reserved one for immediate use.
