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“Ohimesama is turning into a headache. The A-class shareholders think they deserve more than what’s on the table. They don’t seem to realize if the founding family was as capable as they want me to believe, the company wouldn’t be getting bought out at such a shitty multiple.”

“Isn’t Finn in charge of that?” Rhys’s brother and co-founder wants to add it to RF Investment’s portfolio so bad.

Rhys cocks an arrogant eyebrow. “Yes, but he’s not in Tokyo, is he?”

“Neither are we.” I make a circle with my finger in case he missed all the very non-Tokyoness around us.

“We will be, in less than sixteen hours as soon as you tell Saito to head there,” he says, referring to the pilot for the private jet. “Another deal to close, an empire to expand.”

Not my empire. “I just made plans to see Jeffrey—you know, my boyfriend—on a weekend getaway for a belated birthday celebration.”

He frowns. “I bought you dinner and cake.”

And they were delicious, although he kept me working late that evening to squeeze the last bit of value out of me. I ended up bailing on the birthday party Jeffrey put together. Rhys has a way of making me repeatedly cancel on Jeffrey. For my next birthday, I should ask my coworkers to forget it, so Rhys wouldn’t be reminded. “Formy boyfriend’sbirthday.”

“He’s a big boy. He probably figured out how to celebrate it without you around.”

“That’s not the point.” This explains why Rhys doesn’t have a long-term girlfriend. Or any girlfriend. He’s probably never fallen in love with anybody except himself—and his all-important financial empire.

“Is it on the PTO calendar?”

My hands itch with the desire to just strangle him over his intentional obtuseness. Except that’d probably get me arrested. And definitely fired. “Weekendgetaway, Rhys. It wouldn’t be consideredpaidtime off.”

“Remember what you said when you came in for the interview? You said you’d put your career first, wanted to learn and grow—”

“—and earn opportunities for promotions,” I finish for him, doing my best not to grind my teeth.

“Good. So you haven’t forgotten.”

“How could I, when you remind me at least once a month?”

“Regular reminders help keep you focused. Besides, I’ve kept my end of the bargain. I told you I’d help you learn as long as you worked your butt off. Mooning over your boyfriend doesn’t count toward that goal.”

No matter how unwilling I am to admit it, Rhys has done his part. Everything I know came from him. Contrary to my expectations, he didn’t ship me off to HR for training. He taught me everything himself, no matter how late we ended up staying.

Although he never pointed it out, my résumé wasn’t the best. Nor did I have the most relevant degree or a really prestigious academic pedigree. I majored in history, with an acceptable GPA, and my experience consisted of waiting tables at a busy off-campus diner while putting myself through school. No fancy internships, because they simply didn’t pay.

Being Rhys’s assistant was my first “real” job, and I was scared I might suffer another disappointment because the job market was so tough at the time. Everyone else waiting to interview seemed better put-together, with nicer clothes and an air of relaxed confidence that I didn’t have. My eyes probably shone with the desperate fervor of a feral dog hoping to be adopted when I shook hands with Rhys. I put in one hundred and ten percent every day to prove to him—and myself—that he made the right decision in hiring me.

However, that doesn’t mean I’m okay with his consistently ignoring my need for some personal time. I accepted that during my first year because I didn’t know anything and had a lot to learn. But now I’m three years in and damn good at my job. My generous pay raises and bonuses give tangible proof—Rhys is too cheap to reward me unless I earn it. But every time I try to bring up my desire for a work-life balance, he reminds me of my interview answer. If only I could go back in time and slap myself before I uttered those words!

My phone vibrates in my purse. “Excuse me,” I say, then check the message.

–Saito: Sorry, but I don’t think we can fly today. Felicia and I have been throwing up since last night, and now we’re both running a fever.

Felicia is the cabin attendant, and Saito’s fiancée.

–Me: Oh my God. Shouldn’t you see a doctor?

–Saito: Maybe. Shouldn’t have had that fish and chips last night. The fish was too fishy.

–Me: Do what you need to do to make yourself feel better. I’ll speak to Rhys.

“Saito can’t fly. He and Felicia are both down with something that sounds like food poisoning.”

Rhys frowns. “What did they eat?”

“Fish and chips. It might be a sign that Finn should go to Tokyo,” I say hopefully.