A Day of Ruin

“Blaise, I get it man. But relax and leave mom alone. Don’t you think we’ve put her through enough hell these last 27 years...”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, listening to my brother’s usual rant about our mom’s terrible cooking. Though it was days like this that I really missed a good old burnt roast.

It had been too long since I had gone home to see my family. Blaise was getting antsy, ringing every few days to ask when I was coming to visit. I suspected our mother might have also had a hand in the phone calls.

Ever since our father walked out when I was 15, it’s just been the three of us. But while I was the ambitious one, Blaise liked his comforts, opting to stay back with mom. He didn’t like change or things out of his control. Whereas I was the opposite - I liked control but I could let go. Change could be for the better and I was always looking for ways to better and perfect things.

I guess that’s the thing about twins. We’re ying and yang.

Blaise muttered something else but people running by the tiny office I had cornered myself in grabbed my attention.

What was going on?

“Look bro, I gotta go. I’ll buzz you later, okay?”

I hung up quickly, confused at the chaos of associates running and chattering. A new first year associate ran by, Cash I believe. He’s on Skylar’s team. I reached out and grabbed his arm.

“What’s going on, Cash?”

The strawberry blonde barely-legal adult looked at me, his eyes dancing with excitement.

“The Maxies just yelled at Harlow. And someone just said she’s been fired!”

Cash looked like a kid ready to be told there’s candy but the look on my face must have deterred him because he muttered a quick apology before dodging out of the way.

My feet mechanically pulled me forward and I found myself at her desk. I looked down in alarm to see her personal items were missing.

No. Please no.

I rushed forward, swerving around associates who looked both confused and nervous at my determined face.

“Are you okay, Harlow?” I heard Lisa say, her tone making me see red.

I rounded the corner, spotting Harlow standing at the elevator with a box in her arms. My feet ripped to a stop as I took in her current state. Her eyes were glassy, a pained expression on her face. But she was trying hard to hold it together.

“Harlow, wait!” I called out, before I could stop myself.

A throat cleared behind me and I glanced back at Jack, his disapproving gaze signalling a warning. Hesitation filled me and as I looked at Harlow, she threw me one last shrug before turning away.

“Bryson, come see me in my office,” Jack ordered as the elevator doors closed, taking Harlow away from Tronic’s.

Lisa caught my eye, her bright lips turned up in a small smirk. I narrowed my eyes at her, and she dropped the look, fumbling with some paperwork.

Lingering staff and clients quickly scampered, their footsteps and hushed voices dying down as they returned to their desks.

Jack’s office was a stereotypical wet dream for any professional. It’s corner view overlooked Maxwell, the massive ceiling to floor glass windows perfectly clear somehow without a single speck of dust. Bookcases lined the wall, dozens of books sitting untouched but looking magnificent. I approached his black wooden desk as he leaned back in his massive chair, observing me carefully.

“You are a promising young man, Bryson.”

“Thank you,” I murmured, knowing where the conversation was already going.

Jack sighed, tapping his manicured nails on the desk. “You need to think about your future. Here, and in future endeavors. You cannot be seen associating with criminals.”

I frowned, crossing my arms as I forced my face to remain as neutral as possible.

“With all due respect, Sir. She wasn’t charged with anything. She’s not a criminal. But she has been a good work colleague for the past year.”

Jack’s eyes narrowed, calculating his next moves. He was a smart man – a business professional who knew how to read situations and change his attitude and persona accordingly. Seeing that his “gentle” approach wasn’t working, he leaned forward, clasping his hands together as his face tightened.

“Bryson, we will not have our reputation tarnished. You know our stance on this situation and remember, our clients come first. Remember that if you wish to continue working here, particularly as a senior leader and role model.”

My chest tightened and images of my mother and brother flashed in my mind.

I nodded. “Understood, Jack.”

Jack straightened up, a triumphant tight smile on his face. “Good. Now we have some briefs to prepare and new clients coming in over the next week or so. I will need you to prepare your team...”

He continued speaking but my mind closed off, my head nodding rhythmically to his directions and information. But all I could focus on was the woman somewhere below me.