To Logan's relief, the marketing and finance team in the conference room didn't seem fazed by him being late, too entangled in their conversations to pay him much attention. Of course, Charlotte noticed but merely went back to typing on her phone to say anything. Granted, Logan was never late, arriving to work sometimes an hour early to beat the usual traffic in the morning, but he still couldn't shake the feeling of embarrassment as he awkwardly sat down with his coworkers.

"Quick, he's here," Logan had just untangled his computer's power cord when he heard one of his colleagues from the finance team say. The small talk immediately seized, dissipating just as Callum walked through the doors.

If his time in the elevator with the CEO hadn't been intimidating enough, having him saunter in the room with his head held high was even worse. Logan couldn't help but take in his features fully now that they were facing each other. Callum was an attractive man—Logan thought, in a terrifying 'if looks could kill' kind of way. With the sharp and calculating eyes and dark hair, he could see how the rumors of his dating habits were most likely true. Ladies and men would flock for his appearances, but with the tales of his languish lifestyle and heartless attitude, he wasn't sure what else he had to offer. Had he done those terrible things that the rumors said, or was there more to it? Or was there little to no truth in those rumors at all?

The more and more Logan dwelled on it, it just gave him a headache.

"Let's get started, shall we?" Callum started, glancing at each member of the marketing and finance teams. "I apologize for being late, but I'll be brief. As many of you know, our design team is solidifying the features and appearance of our latest model. It will be some time before the production team will begin their work, so I'd like to jump ahead and have your teams work on preliminary ideas and concepts for our advertisements and promotions. The finance team will need to aid the marketing team with the proposed budget we set aside, and I'll release more details once the design team is finished by next week."

"Both teams?" the head of finance, Spencer, asked.

Callum nodded before flipping through the papers on the desk. "It's a bigger budget, but we still need to account for anything that changes during the production phase. And since the previous marketing lead quit, it's best if both teams work together to help our new lead, Mr. Corbett, out."

All eyes turned to Logan, who looked completely lost as the title of marketing lead hadn't officially been announced as his. Although Logan had speculated, he'd assume the title would have been determined by seniority and given to the oldest on their team, Victor. Even though Logan had worked as the marketing team leader in New York, and word must have traveled fast here in the office, he didn't think he'd be qualified to lead the team here officially. He glanced between his team members, but he didn't see an ounce of contempt about it at all, except maybe from the finance team's leader.

"Besides," Callum continued, glancing at Logan with an amused expression. "This is simply the beginning stages. There's no need to stress over it as of right now. I just want to see concept ideas, estimates, general questions, and concerns we need to address as we move forward."

Logan gulped, knowing no matter how small Callum made it seem, this project was still a massive undertaking. And being at the main branch was a completely different ballgame than the other branches. Here, at the central office, the major decisions are made, where the other branches follow suit and brand and market products as this branch decides. He had seen it repeatedly with each product back in New York. Now he was in charge of all that; what was Callum thinking?

A few of the employees asked questions to which Callum tried to reassure them that this was, in fact, just a preliminary assignment, but nothing seemed to quell the concerns they shouted at him. Logan could hardly keep up with the tennis match between them until Charlotte stepped in and reiterated that this was just the beginning stages.

"Thanks, Ms. Ching," Callum said, almost through gritted teeth. "As I said, just take the next two weeks to draft some ideas and estimates. Nothing fancy. After all, we can't finalize anything until the design and production team finalize and work on the official results."

A few employees groaned at the deadline, while others completely ignored him.

"And if there are any questions or concerns," Callum's eyes met Logan's. "Don't be afraid to ask or let me or Charlotte know."

Around him, employees chatted amongst themselves, both complaints and everyday small talk as they seemed to dismiss whatever else Callum had planned to say and conclude with, some even walking out of the conference room to go back to their respective cubicles. But for Logan, he couldn't shake the feeling that Callum's stifling gaze wasn't leaving his, even as he turned his head away from the CEO, feigning a conversation with someone else.

As Logan headed down the hall, trailing behind his coworker Keanu and Jennie, he wondered if Callum was drilling holes into his back the whole way to his cubicle. Logan wondered if maybe he had said too much in the elevator, that bringing up New York was not a wise choice now that Callum must've caught on to his reaction when bringing up not wanting to go back home. The way Callum had talked, he didn't seem to expect much from Logan staying here, almost trying to convince him that New York was better too. After all, if Callum wanted Logan to transfer back to New York or even another branch, Logan could risk the job altogether if he refused. But then why assign him as the team leader? Logan wondered if it was a test to see how he worked in his new setting. And just maybe, Logan was overthinking about the whole thing in general; he probably had just imagined Callum staring at him in the meeting this entire time.

"He's just too much, Jen," Keanu said aloud. "The guy needs to be more humble."

"I'm sure he's trying to be," Jennie said with a hint of sarcasm.

"It doesn't look like it. I feel like every new scandal is worse than the last." Keanu turned to Logan. "After all, Callum's only getting away with this kind of shit because the guy's loaded and inherited this company from his father."

That, Logan, had known, the inheriting part anyway.

"He seemed nice in the meeting," Logan wasn't sure why he had said it. "He answered questions and was receptive."

"Oh, please. Nice, my ass." Keanu rolled his eyes before looking toward Logan. "The guy only acts nice to keep up with appearances for the company. Outside of work, he's a real piece of work. Surely, you've heard about what he did to his ex-wife?"

Logan shook his head, not because he hadn't heard the rumor of him cheating on her with a colleague, but wondered if maybe that rumor had some other version than the one he heard of in New York.

"Well, you might want to sit down for this. It's a long and ugly story."

***

Callum Dawson's mind raced as he watched Logan pack his things and leave the conference room. He wasn't sure what it was about the new transfer that made him mull over their brief conversation in the elevator if you could even call it that. The way Logan had avoided looking at him throughout the whole meeting, even when he talked to him directly, had been upsetting. But, it was enough to steer Callum's mind off track from what Charlotte was saying even as the conference room cleared out and only the two of them remained.

"Sorry, what were you saying?"

She sighed before tapping the side of her phone. "It's nearly lunchtime. Would you like me to send an intern to bring your food up again?"

Callum finally looked at her. "I think I'll grab something from the food court myself this time."

"Are you certain?"

"Is there a reason I shouldn't?" He shot back, but they both knew the answer to that. When Callum's last big scandal had dropped, many avoided even looking at him when he grabbed a coffee for himself at the cafe on the first floor. A couple of days after that, someone had purposely spilled their food on him before quitting the company then and there. "Just have someone bring it up, Charlotte. I'll be in my office in a second."

"Your usual?"

Callum waved his hand in agreement before stepping out, heading to the bathroom on this floor, resisting the urge to scan the cubicles for Logan. He wasn't sure why he'd need such information about the new employee, especially considering if he ever needed to talk to Logan, he could simply email or summon him to his office. Not that he'd need to when he'd typically have Charlotte handle matters with his employees more often than not. But then again, approaching the new transfer would probably terrify him more than it had to be in the same elevator.

But the curiosity ate at Callum, even as he washed his hands. What was it about Logan?

He glanced up from the sink, adjusting his suit and hair in the mirror. Had it been the mysteriousness of the employee's reasoning for transferring here or something else entirely that made his mind more and more curious? Maybe it had been the unusual way Logan reacted to his presence; after all, most of his employees looked to him with contempt or disgust upon hearing those malicious rumors. Logan hadn't looked at him like that, although he was certain over time he'd be just like the rest of them once he got settled in.

But aside from the nervousness and apprehension that being in an enclosed space with a new boss, Callum sensed that whatever reason Logan had for joining the main branch seemed more fear-based than anything, as if Logan was running away from something or someone. And it seemed Callum wasn't helping with that fear; even in the conference room, he couldn't even look at Callum for longer than a few seconds.

He didn't appear to be someone who'd be involved with gambling or loan sharks, but Callum couldn't rule that out. Maybe he was in trouble with someone Callum knew? A friend or sibling of an ex, but surely Logan's name would've popped up in some way or another if that had been the case. Surely, Charlotte would've mentioned something about him if that were true, she knew more about Callum's exes than he did, but she had to as a secretary. But did Logan have connections to people in Los Angeles? The other possibility was that Logan had issues with someone from the New York branch. If that were the case, Callum would remind himself to call the manager of that branch for any details he had about the matter.

He shook his head before heading back into the hallway, realizing staying in here and getting lost in thought wouldn't answer his questions. As he strolled past the employees on the 28th floor, Callum kept his eyes trained to the ground, avoiding the obvious stares and searching for Logan's cubicle. He didn't look up until he made it to the elevators, pressing the up button, and this time, he luckily had the elevator to himself.