Out of Order | ONC 2022

2

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.