Chapter Text
Alex mindlessly scrolled through her email, scanning for anything that would need her immediate attention. Pen in mouth, she quickly typed replies to the few that required one. She had been busy the entire day, flitting between meetings, conference calls, one of several presentations, and the small fires that needed to be put out in between. She was tired, a bit frustrated, and ready for the day to be over.
She lifted her arms overhead for a stretch, inhaling and leaning backward for a while before releasing. Despite the harder moments, Alex maintained gratitude for her position. As a business owner, she enjoyed having no one else to answer to but herself. It beat reporting to someone else who more than likely wouldn’t know what they were doing, as is usually the case.
Her cellphone rings for the fourth time, causing her to yank the pen out of her mouth and slam it on the desk. “Is this a joke?” Picking up the phone in disdain, she rolled her eyes and put in her earbuds before answering. She shifted in her seat, prepared to have the same conversation she had to maneuver through every couple of weeks. Quickly practicing the usual monotone voice for breakup calls, letting out a quick groan, she answered as relaxed as possible.
“Hello.”
“Alex! Why didn’t you answer me?”
“I’m at work. I guess you can’t say the same for yourself, the way you won’t put your phone down.”
“Seriously? I’ve been trying to talk to you for two weeks!”
“And I have been trying to not talk to you for two weeks. Looks like we’re both failing. But go ahead.”
Alex released a light sigh, resigning to keeping quiet and listening. Practically on autopilot, she resumed responding to emails all the while. Her latest attempt at dating had been upset the past couple of weeks that she’d been distant, something along those lines. To be honest, she wasn’t really sure. Between traveling and other work-related things that had required her attention, the current guy hadn’t been a priority. Even now, she only half listened: an mhm here, and uh-huh there, fingers loudly and speedily moving across her keyboard. Making no effort in hiding her disinterest, she hoped he would simply give up and excuse himself from the line.
“Are you even listening?”
But seldom was that the case.
“I’m not. I don’t like repeating myself. We discussed, the both of us, how I didn’t see this going anywhere. We are no longer dating. And here you are, calling me constantly, looking for something you will never get. It just won’t happen,” she said, impatience on the tip of her tongue. At that moment, he was being reduced to just another number on her phone to block. Disappointing, maybe. But not at all surprising. “What else is there to say?”
“You’re not going to give me a chance!?”
“We went on six dates, and I’m not interested. There’s nothing else to do, really. Please understand.”
The line was quiet for a few seconds, but she hardly noticed. In the middle of one of her last email responses, a ping came in from her assistant.
‘Your last meeting is in 30 minutes!’
“Come on! Let's give it another tr--”
“No, this is getting ridiculous. I don’t owe you anything,” she responded matter-of-factly. “You will be okay. Sorry to be harsh, but there is nothing you can do about this. It’s how I feel. You’re not respecting my boundaries, either. If you sit and think about it, that may be one of the problems here. Call me again, though, and you’ll be the sorry one. Respectfully. Take care of yourself.” And with that, she disconnected the call, looking at the phone on the desk, crossing her fingers and toes. After a few moments, there was no callback, and she dropped your shoulders, a sense of relief rushing over. Finally, she thought. Another break-up with another guy who didn’t use his ears.
Alex rolled her head for a few moments, taking the chance to check in with her thoughts. Dating just felt silly at this point. She had a lot going on: running a company with several offices in different cities, and she was looking to expand overseas. That took time, and none of it could be spent on a man that had no spine. And it was the same time and time again. She had to navigate everything. Dates, conversations, even sex were all on her. Thankfully, she had held off with the current guy. Or rather, the last one. The last couple before him as well, actually. When was the last time I had sex? Not that it mattered too much. One of her friends got you a new toy not too long ago, and it definitely got the job done.
Shutting her laptop and standing for the first time in what felt like forever, she adjusted her blouse and pants for the millionth time that day. She couldn’t find the time to get them tailored, so they fit in a slightly boxy manner over her curvy frame. It was an issue that she had always had with her work clothes, but that didn’t make it less aggravating. Letting out a quick huff, she headed out her office door and down the hall towards the kitchen for some tea. On the way, she passes by your assistant’s office.
“Why do we wear business professional,” she asks her, leaning against the doorframe.
“Because you haven’t changed the dress code yet, Alex,” she responded with a gentle smile. She looked up from her screen, resting her chin in her palm. “And we’re going to be more tech-focused anyways, right? Should I make a note?”
“Please do! Casual is perfectly fine. We’ll work on that to go out after the conference.”
“Sounds like a plan. I’m still tweaking a couple of things, now that you mention it.”
“And I wish you wouldn’t. It’s almost 5pm, can you actually go home on time today?”
“I’m packing up, I swear!”
Alex stood up straight and took a glance around the office. Bag empty in the corner, its contents strewn about her desk, she can tell rather quickly that she had been planning another late stay. Eyes locked with hers, she began. “You are young, beautiful, and engaged. And I don’t hold you here often, since you do such a good job throughout the day. Please go home at 5pm, Alisha. I don’t want you to burn out.”
“You are only a few years older than me, we’re both in our twenties!”
“Alisha, go home! Your fiancee is going to think I keep you hostage,” she pleaded as she backed out of the office. “Thank you for your work today!”
Continuing toward the kitchen, Alisha’s words were still lingering in the back of her mind. Yes, she was only a few years older. But it was something she started to accept as not happening for her. Beyond the time issue, it was just hard feeling accepted. Men hadn’t usually responded to her career in the best way, feeling intimidated rather quickly. And that helped weed out the ones that weren’t worth the effort, of course. But after that, there weren’t many options left. So what was next? Acceptance, really. Sex when she wanted, maybe a few dates. It all helped to fill the gaps in those few moments that she had the time and desire. The very few moments.
---
Alex’s back was to the rest of the kitchen as she stirred the sweetener into her tea absent-mindedly. Her presentation needed to get done this week, and she hadn’t even started yet. For anyone else, a challenge. For her, it would take about half a day. Maybe I should start tonight. Ah, but I would really rather lay in bed and not think for once. She sighed aloud, shifting in place. Maybe even get my laundry done. Why don't I pay someone to do that by now? She pulled her phone out, beginning a message to have Alisha find a pickup service for your clothes.
"Maybe tonight? But that's too last-minute, right? It's almost 5 o'clock. Ugh! I just need clean clothes!"
"Plans tonight? I'm surprised."
Turning her head, annoyed that she’d been caught talking to yourself again, her eyes land on the latest addition to the team. Jimin stood across the room, a closed-lip smile on his face with a water bottle in hand. A quick raise of her eyebrow, she quickly took him in. His hair was a bit messy, but in a seemingly intentional way. His tie was absent, shirt a bit ruffled. Even though he was newer, he had quietly become one of her favorites. She didn’t have to tell him much, as he pretty much owned the scope of his role.
It didn’t hurt that he was handsome as well.
Jimin’s features were a combination of delicate yet strong. His skin was a gentle gold, tawny in some lighting. His lips, she imagined, got their fair share of attention from onlookers. Rosy pink and full, it would be easy for anyone to imagine how pillowy soft they were. Or perhaps his sharp jawline was the first thing to grab someone’s focus, carefully and intentionally framing the rest of his face’s details. His eyes were strong and focused, never breaking contact when she spoke to him. Holding a conversation with someone with his level of confidence was refreshing and part of the reason he’d been hired, along with his credentials.
Admittedly, Alex let her imagination roam from time to time when it came to Jimin. Maybe she was out of line for doing so, all things considered. But it wasn't although he didn't give her something to work with. Or at least that'd what she told herself. Sometimes, she swore she picked up on a sort of tension. Only for brief moments, but still. They were enough for her mind to paint a picture to get her through those particularly long and daunting days.
It didn’t go beyond that, though.
"Oh no, ignore me,” she smiled, fully turning to face him. “Ready for your review?"
"Of course! I'm always looking forward to talking to you," he responded, taking a swig from the bottle. She let out a light gasp as water escaped the opening too soon and got on his white shirt. It became more and more transparent, and Alex felt herself looking a beat too long, forcing herself to avert her gaze elsewhere. "Oh whoops! Well, that was silly."
"How'd your mouth miss the bottle, Jimin," she asked as she grabbed the nearby paper towel. She walked over to hand it to him as he stood there pulling his shirt from his chest, smiling sheepishly.
"My mouth is usually pretty good at doing what it's supposed to," he responded as he blotted his top. She let out a light laugh as turned toward the door. "Thanks for letting me know."
"It's something I've wanted to share."
Alex stopped and looked back, confused. That was a bit bold, wasn't it?
"I'm sorry?"
"I said I should've taken better care! It'll dry fine, but it's a bit see-through now," he said, continuing to wipe at his top, to no avail.
"Ah… Well, there's a dryer in the bathroom, right? I'll give you a few minutes to clean up, and then let's have our meeting. See you in a bit," she finished as she walked out of the kitchen. Don't be silly, you just misheard . Jimin wasn't like that, he had never been. Alex shook her head, as though trying to have the imaginings of him shirtless fall out of her head.
How much more inappropriate could you be?