This is my first fanfic in a long time. I plan on making it a progressive one. I encourage constructful criticism, by all means. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and let me know what you think! If you have any suggestions for anything, I am more than open to hear those as well.
Teal Connors fiddled with the ring on her left ring finger. Over and over again, in circles she rotated it, more out of habit than anything else. The gold band held a single inlaid diamond, and was something she didn't usually talk about, even when it was addressed. Finally, she stopped and dropped her hand onto the portfolio that rested in her lap. A door opened, and a pair of sneakers came into view, making her lift her head. " Miss Connors? We're ready for you now." Brandt Paulson, a recording manager said. Not someone you'd take for a manager, since he was wearing casual clothes and completely laid back. However, that's why she liked him. He wasn't one of those stuffy guys that tried to shove his ideas on you. Rising to her feet, she tugged at the hem of her black shirt and glanced at the rest of her own attire. Jeans, and a pair of black ankle boots. She was comfortable, and that's what mattered the most to her. With a deep breath, she smiled, tucking a strand of silky black hair behind her ear and followed him into the conference room. The client in question was a new younger female, blonde, with an incredible voice. She could belt out like no tomorrow. " Ariane." Teal smiled warmly, offering her hand as the girl stood. The blonde nearly beamed and bounced out of her seat, grabbing the hand that Teal offered, pulling her into a hug over the table. "It's so great to have you both here!" She practically squealed in Teal's ear. That brought about a blank look over the blonde's shoulder, out the windows overlooking the city. "Both?" She mouthed. Ariane pulled back as Brandt spoke again. " Not many young women are so lucky to have both you and Jared working with them." Teal froze, her back stiffening as her head slowly turned and blue eyes clashed with another pair. Charming. She forced a smile, after running her tongue awkwardly across her lower lip." Mr. Leto ."
The entire room was silent, so silent in fact, that she swore they could hear her heart slamming in her chest. Jared smiled at her, and indicated to the seat next to him, across from Ariane. " Teal." No formalities there. She took the utterly ridiculous moment to sit in the offered seat, with a smile at Ariane again. Brandt taking his own seat, but the moment he did, his secretary knocked on the door. "Excuse me a second. Ariane, there's a refrigerator in the staff room if you wanted a new bottle of water before we begin." Brandt said, as he slipped out, and the blonde quickly followed behind him. Teal stared out the windows, and tried not to look to her right, but it didn't take much before her gaze crawled the length of the table between them, over his clasped hands, up his arms, shoulders and landed on his face. She blinked slowly, just once at his expression. " You're wearing your ring." He said, quietly. She canted her head slightly and gave him an exasperated look. " You haven't signed the papers." She replied. His teeth clicked and she could tell it annoyed him. " Because I'm not going to." He replied, sharply. As Ariane stepped back into the room, she lifted her hand and concentrated on her papers as she rubbed her temple with her index finger. "Miss Connors, I am so glad you were willing to write some material for me. It must be so tiring, what with the baby coming. How far along are you now?" Ariane chirped. Teal deflated in her seat a little. She tried to wear the best outfits to hide her current situation, but at seven months, it was hard not to tell. A smile curved her lips. " Seven months." She replied. "Beautifully so." Jared commented, and Ariane nodded in agreement. "Do you know what you're having?" Ariane asked, leaning on her elbows on the table. Teal's mouth opened, but it was Jared that answered. "A boy." Her head turned sharply to look at him. He smiled at her. " Am I right? You know what they say, carrying low…." He gestured, idly. If there had ever been a moment she wanted to punch him for underhanded arrogance, it was right then. Instead, she clasped her hands tightly together and gave him a thin-lipped smile. "You're actually right, ." A slow exhale before she glanced once more to Ariane. " A boy, and I'm hoping very much that he is nothing like his father." She said, smoothly, and was answered with the pleasing hiss of angry air escaping Jared's lips.
The rest of the meeting went amusingly well. Tensions easing when Brandt stepped back into the room. It was at least three hours before they wrapped up for the day, with only two songs actually agreed upon, and one was hers, and one was written by Jared. It was going to be a long process. "Tomorrow then, eight AM, sharp?" Brandt asked as Teal stood and gathered her things. "Works for me." She said, as Jared and Ariana nodded in agreement. She finishing shuffling papers into her portfolio before she headed for the elevators. Just as she finally managed to catch one, and slid inside, a hand stopped the door from closing. Shit. Jared slipped in next to her and pushed the button to close the door. "There was another elevator." She stared at the doors, and stated. "I wanted this one." He replied. She took a deep breath and turned to say something rude, when the sharp wedge into her ribcage made her gasp for air, instead. "Ugh." She managed to get out, guiding her fingertips to her ribs and pushing at the foot that was making her uncomfortable. Jared smiled, and reached out, his hand sliding over her fingertips. Teal snarled and wrenched her hand out, shoving at his. " Don't. Spare us both pretending that you give a damn." As if on cue, the elevator halted and the doors slid open. Teal took her opportunity to escape her estranged husband. " Remember, it couldn't possibly be yours." Her parting shot left him staring after her as she headed across the lobby.
