The question hung in the air, cold and heavy. My eyes were still wide, fixed on him, waiting for the final blow. My whole body felt numb, frozen in place. This couldn't be real. My mind was just blank, except for that one terrifying thought.

My boss.

Steve held my gaze, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, a slight curve touched his lips, not quite a smile, but something close. "Not exactly, no," he said, his voice calm, like we were just discussing the weather. "I don't hire or fire ...