FRABLE | CEO AU

[sodark]

[Nathan has a reputation, like most men in his position. He's ruthless, he's strategic, he makes risky moves and he fucks his assistants. They rarely leave on bad terms. Normally it's a promotion that takes them away from him. He likes to build them up and set them free.

It's how his executive officer won her position. They don't fuck anymore. She's married now, those days are in the past. All that's left of that relationship is an unwavering loyalty and a very careful approach to how she staffs his office. Thus far, she's been incredibly adept at securing women who are ambitious, clever, productive and very interested in casual sex. It's all he has time for, so in his view it makes sense to combine the role of assistant and fuck-buddy. So long as he's only furthering their career and not dragging them down with his proclivities.

What he has yet to realise is that he doesn't have as good a sense for it as his E.O does. Increasingly, he's interested in women who are harder to win over. Increasingly, his interviews are about grilling girls to see how they respond. He's a lawsuit waiting to happen, so he's been quietly left out of the process the last few times. Perhaps that's why the position is open once more.

He's not supposed to be in the office for this round, so both he and his E.O share a confused look as he strides past unfamiliar, nervous women. He quickly evaluates the situation, then the girls. Then he's taking his E.O's notebook from her and reading it. He disregards the running order, he beckons for the pale girl with the long legs.]

You're up.

[He holds open the door of his office for her. He'll shut it before the E.O can join them.]

What's your name?

Comments

[sodark]

[He notices the withdrawal and finally his pattern recognition kick in. He visibly relents, demeanour softening for her.]

Some girls don't know how to ask for it.

[Reassuring, but he's not laying it on. His drink does move precariously with his gesticulating, though. He's had a few.]

And if he's a real man, he'll always eat what you offer. God knows you rile men up wherever you go.

[selfeffacingly]

I doubt that. [ Self-deprecating. All the same, she peeks over at him, soft features even softer with gratitude for the perceived compliment. Not one she would be willing to accept from virtually any other man on earth, but something has changed here over the past twenty-four hours. Between them.

Things aren't the same. They aren't.

She takes a steadying breath. The conversation sobered her up some. ]

Can I ask you something? [ Palpable hesitance. ] I think I was dreaming, or I misheard, back in the hospital. They thought you were my husband?

[sodark]

[Cable maintains steady eye contact, even when her reaction tickles something in him. He wants her to know he means it. That if she's not getting it from her man, there'd be others.

His brows shoot up at the question, clearly thrown by it. He's not sure what he expected her to say, he doesn't have much time to consider the response before he offers it.]

Well, I didn't want them to kick me out. [His voice wavers, like he's not really sure about his answer.]

And you needed me there.