NICHOLAS
Vivian’s voice droned on, but all I could hear was the pounding in my head. It felt like my skull was cracking open. I tipped back the rest of the whiskey and slammed the glass down harder than I meant to.
She flinched. “Sir,” she asked cautiously, “are you alright?”
My eyes locked on hers. “Peachy.”
She nodded hesitantly and continued going over the remaining schedules for today. But I couldn’t take it anymore.
“Take the day off,” I said.
“What?”
“You heard me. The rest of the office too. Reschedule any other appointments I have for today.”
“Sir, we have a project launching in two days. I don’t think-”
“I don’t pay you to think,” I cut in. “Do I, Vivian?”
She shook her head quickly. “I’ll let them know.” Her hands trembled as she gathered her papers and scurried out of
