Ethan;
I stare at Alpha Aurelian's schedule for the umpteenth time, and all I can think about is how the fuck he hasn't collapsed yet.
DOESN'T THIS MAN REST!??
After his 5 A.M. coffee and the time it takes to commute to work, there's no breathing space in his fucking schedule.
From one meeting to another, or approving documents or just… being buried under paperwork.
If he keeps living like this, how long will he live for??
There isn't even room for lunch or anything here.
I stare up from the tablet in my hand at the man beside me, who's standing on the other side of the elevator.
It's just two of us in here, and I've pressed myself against the other wall to create as much space between us as possible. I don't want to accidentally do anything that'll irk him. He seems like a grumpy lad.
This morning, I made him coffee, and although he drank it, he made it clear to me that he doesn't drink his coffee with milk.
He likes his coffee black. With no milk OR SUGAR.
I can understand no milk… but no sugar!? It really seems like he has a distaste for anything colourful or bright in life.
…And I'm stuck being his P.A. I hope he doesn't rub off on me… He has this depressing… thing to him.
"What's on my schedule for this morning?" His voice suddenly crashes into my thoughts, and I jerk back to the present.
"Oh, ah… The bidding team has pulled up a list of potential assets they propose the company bid for and acquire. They need your final approval. The document has been sent to your desk, as they expect your response this morning." I reply, thanking my stars that I memorised part of his schedule this morning.
"After that?" He questions, and I stare at the schedule I've now opened on my tablet.
"You have a board meeting with the company's stakeholders. They're demanding answers for the delay of results on the new research-targeted drugs." I reply, and he simply hums in silence.
He looks at his wrist watch, and I study him. He's in a neatly tailored deep blue suit, and his hair is neatly sleeked back.
He looks… good. Terrifyingly good. Like every detail of him was crafted to intimidate… and still attract.
Heaven alone knows how many partners a man like him keeps. How do his lovers even cope with him? He seems so… rigid. Can someone like him have a soft side for anyone??
"Cancel the second meeting. I'm expecting a visitor today. Leave that slot open for them." He suddenly says, and I pause.
I should… cancel a meeting with the company's board members… for his guest??
Isn't… Aren't board members important??
He suddenly looks back at me because of my silence, and I quickly look away from him.
I tap on the tablet, clearing the meeting and inputting his appointment with his guest.
"Wh-Whose name should I send to the reception?" I question, and his voice replies… cold and distant like the name leaves a bitter taste on his tongue.
"Pat." He replies, and I nod, as I input it.
"Done—" I begin, but I'm cut off when I realise that he's already moved closer to me.
I stare wide-eyed at him, but he looks calm. Like, bridging the space I created between us is absolutely normal.
His fingers reach for my collar, and I hold my breath as he gently tugs on it. Adjusting it. He dusts off wrinkles when he's done, and just… moves back away.
I blink in confusion, and just then, the elevator stops. The doors open, and he walks out with one hand in his pocket and his piercing gaze sharp ahead.
My fingers subconsciously touch where he touched… Why… Why does he act so comfortably around me?
We're strangers yet he acts like… we're friends of some kind…
…Like he knows me.
It's weird… very weird.
*******
Aurelian Vale;
"You're so powerful now, aren't you?" Pat demands, and I stare blankly at him as anger contorts every feature of his face.
"It took you an entire fucking month to see me!? A whole fucking month!?" He screams, and I shut my eyes.
"This is not a marketplace, Pat. Stop screaming." I speak, and I hear him huff in annoyance.
"You arrogant prick! Who exactly do you think you are!?" He rages, and I sigh in boredom.
"The CEO of Thean Tech. The breadwinner of your miserable family, and the only reason you still have clothes on your back." I reply, and I watch his face turn red with fury.
"Why the fuck are you here, Pat?" I then push as I sit up, tired of his nonsense.
"You cut down our allowance by 50%, how dare you!? Who did you discuss that with!? How could you just cut us off from the company's funds!? This is Father's company, remember!?" He demands, and I nearly chuckle.
"Then why don't you go ask him for money?" I retort, and he falls silent with his mouth agape.
"I'm the first son of the Vale household! I will not be at the mercy of the family's bastard!" He screams, Andi tilt my head as I stare at the bastard I was forced to call brother while growing up.
"Yet you are…" I reply, and his eyes widen in rage.
He shoots to his feet so rapidly that the chair behind him skids away as if retreating from his madness, and I sigh.
This barbarian never disappoints with his lack of grace.
"You're asking for trouble, Aurelian! You have no right cutting us off the company's funds like that. This is the family's company. Not your personal asset!" He growls, and I reach into my drawer for a file I had ready specifically for this.
I throw it in front of him, and he stares at it with creased brows.
"What is this?" He demands, and I lace my fingers beneath my chin.
I remain silent, and in annoyance, he picks it up and starts flipping through.
"50 million. That's how much the company lost last month to three useless leeches who make no contribution to MY company, but spend like my blood and sweat is ther birth right!" I spit, and Pat freezes as he looks up at me.
"Do you have any idea why it is to work? Do you and your foolish brothers know anything about making money!? You all squander like fools, and you expect me to feed you every profligacy!" I continue, and I watch him swallow.
"If that's how you three ram Father's company into the ground, I would like to remind you that this is no longer Skyline Tech. It's Thean Tech now, and if you so much as irritate me further, brother, your allowance might drop to 20%… or I might just scrape it completely. Don't mistake my tolerance for care." I conclude, and Pat glares at me with so much rage in his eyes that he slowly begins to look uglier.
His fists clench, and my eyes drop to them. If it were years ago… When I was still the starved, neglected, weak kid at their mercy, he would have rained down a storm of unending kicks and punches on me.
But dare he try it now…
"You won't get away with this, Aurelian." He breathes with shame and defeat thick in his voice, and I smile.
A smile that doesn't need the defence of words. A smile that enrages him.
He points his finger at me and makes to say something, but just then, the door opens, and Ethan walks in, struggling to hold up two brown paper bags.
He's back from his lunch break??
He freezes the moment he looks up, and my heart lurches into my throat. Why did he have to come back now?