Aurelian Vale;
I stare at his startled, frozen face as he gawks unblinking at me, and the fear in those wide, blue eyes tells me his mind is currently scrambled. Hence, I take the initiative to greet first.
"Good morning, Mr. Ethan." I greet, and he slowly drops the phone pressed against his ear and ends the call.
It's almost impossible for me to hide my smile when my eyes flick up to his tousled, unkempt hair.
He was in such a rush that he forgot to brush it... And I didn't hear water running, so I know for a fact he didn't have his bath either.
His eyes take me in cautiously, and he takes a small step back.
"Who… who are you?" He questions in fear, and this time, I smile.
I put down my tea on the small tray and turn my full attention to him.
"W-why are you in here?" He demands further, trying to be polite, but I can hear his fear.
"Well??" He demands, and I decide it's only fair to let him out of his misery after the morning he's had.
"I'm Aurelian Vale," I say casually as I rest my elbows on the counter before me.
"Your boss," I add, and I watch his eyes grow wider as he instantly turns red.
"M-M-My… my boss??" He stutters like he always does when he's startled, and I can't help my full-blown smile this time.
"Care for tea?" I question as I push forward the second cup of tea that I made, but his eyes never leave my face.
"I was expecting my coffee by five, but since you were busy sleeping, I thought I could settle for tea… maybe even make you some," I speak as I once again pick up my tea cup, and I watch shame coat his face as his head drops.
He doesn't need to feel ashamed. I know why he slept in.
I caused it.
I'm pretty sure his body has never experienced soothing pheromones that strong before.
He was knocked out cold and slept like a baby the whole night. He barely even stirred, and I had to keep checking to be sure he was still breathing.
"I-I'm sorry, sir. I-I didn't mean to be late on my first day, I—" He begins, but I'm not about to have him apologise for something he couldn't control.
"Do you drive?" I cut him off, and he looks up at me with confused eyes.
I grab the car key off the counter and toss it to him. He catches it, and I stand.
"The car's in the lot. Drive yourself to work." I order as I walk out from behind the counter, and he stares at the car key in his hand with awe on his face.
I stand before him, and goosebumps rise along my skin as his scent drifts past my nose.
I stare at his neck, and I frown.
He may have forgotten to brush his hair, but he didn't forget to put on one of those godforsaken inhibitor patches. Does he intend to kill himself!?
He goes through so much pain because of how many inhibitors he uses, and still, he doesn't stop!
He looks up at me, and when he sees how close I am to him, his breath hitches. He takes a step back, and I follow.
God, I'm itching to say something about the fucking patch, but I can't. Not yet.
If I do too much, I will scare him off.
"I will let your tardiness slide because it's your first day. Next time, there will be consequences." I decide to say instead, and he swallows and nods shakily.
Although I'm itching to make him rip off that patch, and to confirm that he's okay… I know better than to do something so foolish.
I simply walk past him, and as I leave, I hear him breathe out a sigh of relief.
He's finally within my reach, and I can't hold him or touch him the way I want to. I have to show restraint and let things go according to plan.
Everything has been going fine. I need to be careful not to mess it up... and that's going to be one of the hardest things I've ever done.
*******
Ethan;
"Mr. Ethan… you're quite late," Zane says as I approach Alpha Aurelian's office and without waiting a moment to think, I blurt.
"My dog died."
He pauses.
Fuck!
Of all the excuses I could give!??
He gives me one of those smiles that don't reach his eyes, and I hold my breath.
"I'm sorry to hear that. The death of a pet can be quite devastating." He says, like he's just trying to play along, and I nod as I try to force a solemn expression.
"I'm glad you could still come in, though. Alpha Aurelian has been waiting for you." He says as he opens the door, and I hold my breath.
I step into the opulent office with him, and I marvel at the sheer space of the place.
The wall behind his desk is made of glass, and Alpha Aurelian's table is in the centre of the room.
There's nothing else in here.
Not a rug, not a picture, not a trophy, medal, award… not even a plant.
It's just a massive sterile space, his chair and desk, a sofa in the corner of the office and two chairs on the other side of his desk.
What kind of depressing ass working space is this??
"Did you go through your job description?" Zane then questions, and I pause.
"Yes."
That's a lie. I absolutely did not fucking go through it! It completely skipped my mind.
How does something like that slip one's mind!?
"Good. So, you know what's expected of you. Good luck." He says, and to my horror, he bows lightly and turns around. Leaving me alone in the office with the man who has his eyes glued to the screen in front of him.
The same man who was in my kitchen about two hours ago. The very man who might bite my head off the moment I get close enough.
I take slow, nervous steps forward, clutching onto my tab, and then he looks up. I stay frozen in place, not knowing what to say.
If to apologise again for this morning…? If to explain that I came a few minutes later than expected because I was too scared of driving a fucking Rolls Royce to work, so I left the key at home and took a train instead.
He, however, says nothing and averts his gaze from me, allowing me to breathe again.
"Don't just stand there. Come do your job." He says, and I jump a bit before taking panicked steps around the table and standing beside him, not knowing exactly what is expected of me.
Do I give him a back rub, or...
He suddenly stands up, and my heart leaps into my throat as he turns to face me.