This story is based on one of my favourite books! Figured I'd give it a high school musical twist.
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
1
He wasn't at all what she'd expected of a prominent businessman. He wore a sweater and jeans instead of the stereotypical suit, shirt and tie. Secondly, his hair was longer than the current business style, brushing his eyes and the collar of his sweater. It was his voice though that mesmerized her, as it was quiet and gentle, not at all deep and authoritative as she had imagined, and it flowed over the group of foreigners who had come to hear him speak.
Standing near the entrance, Sharpay Evans focused in on the discussion.
" All throughout time people have been drawn to games," Troy Bolton was saying. "They are less scary than say, a job or even marriage. Chess has been around for centuries and scrabble and monopoly have become a must have in modern homes."
The men and Sharpay listened, all growing more and more captivated as he continued to speak softly. Once it was over she watched as the businessmen moved forward to shake the hand of the man responsible for one of the most successful corporations of all time. She stayed where she was though, until the last of the group had passed and the master himself approached her.
"You must be Sharpay Evans," he said in the same fluid tone he'd used to charm his visitors.
Once again she was captivated by his manner, so unlike those executives she had work for prior. She wondered if it was an act, but when he offered his hand and a smile, she abandoned that idea and swallowed hard.
"That's right." She managed, returning his warm handshake with one of her own, feeling the hairs on the back of her neck stand up on contact, she tossed her head towards the door " Very impressive. You had them hanging on your every word, I'm glad to have witnessed it"
His smile grew crooked. "I really didn't plan it that way. Anyway I wasn't expecting you until noon."
"I managed to catch an earlier flight," she explained, gently retracting her hand from his. He was staring at her, blue eyes twinkling, in his first show of something other than nonchalance, and she wasn't sure why. Uncomfortable with his lingering stare she averted her gaze to study the room "Why did you pick Albuquerque for this business when the rest of your…interests are in New York?"
"Hmm…I guess I'm just a small town boy at heart."
She looked back to see him grinning, and she suddenly felt her knees giving way, he had dimples in his cheeks and he was flashing his pearly white teeth.
"So anyway follow me and I'll show you where you're working." He took her elbow and skilfully led her to an office, which was just like a miniature version of the room she was just in. There was a single filing cabinet against one of the bare brick walls and a desk placed against another. There were about five posters on the wall, all of NBA stars and a toy basketball hoop hanging from the door.
She then cast a glance towards the nameplate sitting on the desk and couldn't help but notice his name engraved onto it.
"Uhhh…Is this not your office?" she asked cautiously.
Grinning again he gestured to one chair, while he slid into the only other in the room, it had wheels and rolled across the oak floorboards as he moved closer to her.
"What you don't like to share?" he questioned full of innocence, however Sharpay knew that he was far from it.
"No it's not that… I just thought you would prefer to work alone so you can get more done you must be busy"
"Heck no, infact I get lonely, you're like a breath of fresh air…a very attractive breath of fresh air, believe me I can adjust to this arrangement very well" He briefly glanced her over "very well indeed" he finished with a grin he'd used so many times that day.
She let out an uncomfortable laugh and looked anywhere but his face.
Sharpay sat with her legs crossed and her hands gracefully in her lap. She took a quick breath, fearing he had doubts about her ability. "I assure you I'm well qualified, I graduated from-"
"I know," he interrupted, then smiled and lean back in his chair. "You're old boss gave me a rundown infact she recommended you." He paused, staring again "Relax I won't bite."
She looked down, then back. "I'm sorry it's just that…well, you're very…different"
He cocked his head. "In what way?"
"Your clothes, hairstyle, your manner, I just expected more formality."
His brow furrowed and she immediately panicked thinking she'd insulted him.
"Oh no I didn't mean that in a bad way… I'm sorry…I meant different in a good way I like it." She said with a nervous smile.
"Well that's good, couldn't have you disappointed now could we. I like it better when you smile."
"Excuse me?"
"You smiled a minute ago. It was pretty. But now you're frowning. Did I say something wrong?"
Sharpay ignored his compliment without a second thought. "I'm wondering if you're disappointed that I'm not older or more experienced."
"Why on earth would you think that? I not the least bit disappointed, besides if I had gotten someone older, I wouldn't be able to stare at your beautiful feature… oops there I go again sorry just slipped" He was teasing her, but the truth was he really couldn't stop admiring her. She had long flowing blonde hair that softly framed her face, parted to the left, there was simplicity about it, so unusual in today's career women. Her eyes captivated him even more. They were chocolate brown and bore an intelligence that appealed to him, a hint of defiance that intrigued him.
"Truth is I'm going to need your full attention if your going to be my assistant, I'll need it if the job's to be done right. I'll be keeping tabs on you, all your working time you give to me."
Something in his words made Sharpay uneasy. Or really it was his eyes; they were so demanding so unlike his voice and casual pose. Sharpay was not the type of women to be ordered around especially from a man so close to her age. But she needed this job and therefore would have to deal with his demands.
At the personal reminder, she sat straighter. "Let's talk about what you need done."
"Right." But he was out of his chair and grabbing her hand drawing her with him towards the door. "Over lunch. I'm starved."
He held open the door and she cautiously stepped by him. Troy took in her scent as she passed. He was the type of guy who believed that office romances were distracting and should be avoided. However, as soon as Sharpay Evans stepped into his life, he knew that belief had just been thrown out the window, now he only had to win the game.