My Psychotic Boss

Interrupted Date

The dinner plates were nearly empty, pushed slightly aside as the server dropped off a round of cocktails. The soft clink of glasses and murmur of nearby tables created a warm buzz in the air. But at their table, the energy was different, off-balance in a way Seren couldn't quite name.

Delaney had been in high spirits all night. Too high. She leaned close to Seren again, looping her arm behind her chair and grinning wide. "Honestly, this one—" she said, gesturing to Seren, "is the sweetest, smartest, most reliable person I know. Like, if there were an award for Perfect Best Friend? She'd have a whole shelf of trophies."

Seren smiled, a little startled but trying to match the energy. "Delaney..."

"No, seriously," Delaney went on, raising her glass, "to Seren. Who always shows up. Even when she probably wants to punch me in the face."

Rowan chuckled, raising his glass too. "To Seren."

They clinked, and Seren took a polite sip, unsure whether to feel honored or... trapped. Delaney twirled her straw dramatically before flipping her hair. "And me? I mean, I'm not perfect, but I am kinda fabulous, right?"

Rowan laughed. "A little self-confidence never hurt anybody."

"Exactly!" Delaney said, winking at him. "Besides, if I don't hype myself up, who will?"

Seren forced a chuckle, but her grip on her glass tightened slightly. Then, as if on cue, Delaney's tone shifted. "Sooo, speaking of not-perfect people..." Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "What's the real deal with Malrick?"

Rowan paused mid-sip. "Malrick?"

"Yeah," Delaney said, leaning in like she was about to hear a scandal. "You've worked with him longer than us. Is he really as awkward as he seems? Or is the soft voice just some corporate act?"

Rowan leaned back, rolling his eyes. "It's... complicated."

"Oh, that sounds juicy," Delaney grinned, elbowing him. "Spill."

Rowan hesitated for a beat. "He's not a bad guy. Just... weird. Like, real weird."

"In what way?" Seren asked, trying to sound neutral.

"He's got anger issues," Rowan said plainly. "I've seen it. He holds it in well most of the time, but under pressure? He snaps. Not just frustrated, like scary."

Delaney's eyes widened, delighted. "No way. Mr. Whisper Voice?"

Rowan nodded. "Yeah. He'll go from zen monk to snapping a pencil in half without blinking. I've seen him say things to people in the copy room that made them cry. Real manipulative stuff. He just knows how to twist the knife. But it's all quiet. Controlled. That's the worst part."

Delaney let out a low whistle. "Well damn. I thought he was just brooding and poetic. Turns out he's one broken printer away from going full villain."

Rowan laughed hard. "Exactly."

Delaney grinned, clearly loving it now. "I bet he practices speeches in the mirror. Like, 'I don't fire people. I unmake them.'" Rowan nearly choked on his drink. Seren gave a tight, quiet laugh. Not because she found it funny. but because both of them were laughing too hard for her not to. She stirred her straw slowly, eyes drifting toward the candle's flickering flame at the center of the table. Part of her knew they were just venting, maybe even exaggerating. But a part of her didn't like it. Not just what they were saying, but the way they were saying it. Loud, amused, detached. As if Malrick was some strange animal at the zoo. As if their words wouldn't echo the next time they walked into the office.

Seren remembered Malrick's voice, the shift in it, the sharpness beneath the silk. Yes, there was something strange about him. Maybe even something to be cautious of. But still...

Delaney snorted. "I swear, if he ever does snap, I'm running for the emergency exit first."

Rowan smirked. "I'll hold the door for you."

"Aw," Delaney grinned, putting her hand over her heart. "Now that's friendship."

Seren kept smiling. And stayed quiet. Because what was she supposed to say? She didn't want to defend Malrick. She didn't even know how she felt about Malrick. But the jokes, the piling on, the way Delaney seemed to take center stage in every conversation, especially around Rowan. it all left a dull weight in her chest. One she couldn't quite shake.