The new job is what she needed in her life. To prove her parents she didn't choose an useful degree. Actually, that degree and her hard work at the college's radio, brought her to one of the best NYC' radios. Also, she wants to show people she is capable of bearing such a heavy responsibility.
Proudly approaching the building, with her best purse in her shaky hands, she goes in. The building is modern, dark furniture with a linear style. She looks around for a while, before deciding to take the elevator and waiting for it to move. It doesn't, and she feels someone moving around her. The only person that was in the elevator when she got in, was a tall raven-haired woman, dressed very casually but still memorable. The brunette asks with a raspy voice what floor she is going, and then she pushes the button for her. She thanks her before she moves back to where she was before their interaction. Piper can still feel those eyes on her. It's the first time she has this feeling, of being carefully watched. It's like a heavy load on her shoulders, so she turns, to see if she's right. She is. She asks the woman something, trying to make small talk. Too soon, the door swings open, and she's reached the right floor and the woman didn't. She says goodbye, and steps out of the elevator, to find the office where she is supposed to sign her contract and gather information about where the studios are and stuff. Then, she'll go straight ahead to the real office. She can't wait to start this day. This new chapter of her, until now, mediocre life.
Once she settles herself in her office, adoringly staring at the tag on the door, saying 'Editor', she welcomes the Chief. He's a middle-aged mister, almost bald with a horrible moustache, but very kind. After Mister Caputo explains what she is supposed to do, who she will work with, he gives her the day's agenda, including every person she is supposed to meet. She is familiar with the radio: she used to listen to it in college, but she doesn't know everything about it. After the man leaves, closing the door behind him and leaving her to her tasks, she sighs. So many things to read. She thought she would come here and just jump on directing some shows of this radio without having to bury herself in tons of paperworks. Anyway, it's okay, it's what she needs. It's what she wants. So, she stands, looks around her surroundings, decides she is going to bring some pictures and the cactus that Polly bought her as a gift for the new job. She gets closer to her desk, takes the paper and starts to read it. She feels indipendent, accomplished and really happy. She is here.
A knock on the door interrups her, but she doesn't take her eyes off of the object in her hands. She just says to come in, and then turns to look who the first person after the Chief is that she is going to meet. The sight in front of her is more than surprising. Standing in front of her and wearing a never-ending smirk, she remembers her: the brunette from the elevator, the staring one. It could've been creepy, if it weren't that Piper didn't see it like that. At all. It was alluring being under that gaze. The woman in front of her clears her throat, not saying anything but taking Piper away from that morning's memory. So, the blonde takes it as her clue to speak.
"Oh, it's you," she simply says, smiling coyly.
"It's me," Alex says, smirking again. "We can officially introduce ourselves."
"Right," the blonde in front of her says and adds, "I'm Piper Chapman, the new editor." She extends her hand for Alex to take it, and she does, squeezing it.
It's different. The warm, soft and welcoming hand gives the brunette a weird feeling; her mind goes blank and she feels like a monkey is jumping in her stomach.
"Alex Vause, on air every evening at nine in the evening," she says, regaining her cool, and speaking as she does in the ads they send everyday on the radio. She smirks, spotting a smile on the blonde's face.
"I guess you're here for the schedule approval, right?" Piper asks, staring at the papers in Alex's hand. She nods, and hands them to the blonde woman.
They sit on the couch and the room is filled by a waiting silence. Piper reads every line with attention, looking very professional if it weren't for that too opened blouse revealing her smooth skin. Alex finds herself inspecting the blonde. Starting from her collarbones, then her neck and finally laying her gaze on the blonde's face. She must be really young, as Nicky told. So, a question pops up in the brunette's mind. How can a twenty-four-year-old girl be the editor of this radio? Not that Alex wants that job, because she likes to be a speaker, but she wonders. This girl must be really talented or just very connected. Judging by the classy clothes she is wearing, she surely is from a wealthy family. Putting the social aspect of this girl aside, Alex can't help but admit the blonde woman next to her is very good-looking. Blue eyes like the sky, blonde hair like corn, perfect skin, a lovely smile. She is something. Something like, her boss. Well, she may have that tag on her door, but she will soon know how things work with Alex.
"This is good, as usual. May I suggest something?" she asks politely, and Alex smiles. Of course she feels like she could suggest something, as every newbie.
"Of course, boss," the brunette playfully says. She doesn't like suggestions; she's never needed them. Still, she is going to listen to her.
"As I can read, you don't believe in soulmates, which is unbelievable, but you should be more neutral, you know what I mean?"
"Why is it unbelievable?" Alex asks, not even caring about the rest of the words.
"You don't think there's someone meant for you out there?"
"They may exist, but I don't think we always end up meeting them," Alex says with a serious voice.
"You don't? Are you sure? That's dark.," Piper asks while smiling, handing the paper back to Alex.
"Pretty sure. And it's not dark, maybe brutally honest, but the truth," she says with a grin, then adds, "Anyway, I'll be more Switzerland, if that's what you need." Alex displays a serious face, cracking a not-so sincer smile, which makes Piper freeze. Their gazes lock. No one talks for a moment. It's a tenseful moment of reciprocated studying.
"That'd be nice, but feel free to do what you like," Piper says, as if to soothe the situation. She can't take her eyes off of Alex's, trying to analyze the brunette.
"I will." That's all she says, before breaking the eye contact.
"Well, it's been a pleasure meeting you. I hope you'll enjoy your time here," Alex adds, standing up and extending her hand for the blonde to shake it.
"I'm sure I will," Piper simply says, shaking the brunette's hand.
The blonde girl probably got that Alex doesn't take advice pleasantly. She hates it when someone can't take someone else's suggestions. Like they're above it and others are nothing but new arrivals, babies who can't say anything because they don't know. Well, if she is here, in this position, she may know one or two things.
Alex goes back to her office. Quite pissed off as well, to be honest. She hates when people tell her how to be on her show. It's her thing, and people follow it because they like what she has to say. Not because she is 'neutral'. The blonde girl is very good-looking ─ actually hot, but that's not the issue right now ─ but she has already hit one of Alex's raw nerves. She has politely told her how her own show should go. It's going to be a great challenge working with her. She doesn't see herself touchy or threatened by the new girl, but she surely is one of those.
Three weeks pass by from Piper's arrival at the radio, and she starts to feel more comfortable in her new job. She is starting to make friends, especially with Nicky ─ a genuine woman who works at the front desk. Everyone is becoming familiar with Piper, and she is very happy about it. Except from one person, who always tries to avoid her and talk to her just when is strictly required. Alex. Their introduction couldn't have been worse. Well, the elevator meeting was actually good. It made Piper fantasize a little, but then, after knowing they were co-workers, things changed. When Piper attempted to suggest something about her show, Alex got super defensive. After that, she always has a dig at Piper when she can, leaving the blonde speechless. She is trying to act mature, since the other woman doesn't seem to be that, but she is getting tired of being her target. She just did her job, and if she thinks something is wrong or could be better, she'll do it again. Alex has to come off her perch. Thinking about a way to confront the older co-worker, Piper is startled by Nicky's interruption in her office.
"Wanna go out for a drink tonight? Everyone'll be there," the crazy-haired woman asks, hoping to convince Piper.
"Umh, I don't know. I have work and," she pauses as she looks up at Nicky, straight in her eyes, "I wouldn't want to bother someone with my presence," she says in a whisper.
"Vause?" Nicky asks without second thoughts. She is intuitive, and capable enough to read very well into every drama going on.
"Is that obvious? That she hates me?" Piper asks innocently, quite saddened by her own admission. She just wants everyone to like her, trust her. How naive.
"Yeah," Nicky says, grinning, but then she gets serious and adds, "but don't worry. She is always like that with new people. Just give her time."
"I'm pretty sure she hates me, and not because I'm new. However, you know her better, I guess."
"You said it. I know her better." Nicky winks at Piper. The blonde girl feels like she should believe the woman; there's no particular reason why Alex should hate her. That first meeting was just an exchange of opinions, as she didn't tell the brunette what to do. She couldn't hold the grunge forever. Right?
"You know what? I could really use a drink," Piper says.
"Cool! See ya later, blondie!"
Later, they leave the office together, hail a cab and reach the other co-workers.
Hours after their arrival to the club, Piper is enjoying her time, chatting with everyone and drinking cocktails. Alex is there, but to Piper's surprise, she is with someone who isn't from work. What surprises Piper more, is that Alex is incredibly close to a woman, whispering things in her ear, kissing her every other moment. Piper finds herself staring at the brunette more than once, unable to take her eyes off of the sight in front of her. She didn't expect Alex being attracted to women. Maybe this was the reason why every male co-worker genuinely seemed to like Alex and shared explicit dirty jokes with her. Everything made sense now. Piper herself, didn't ever try to define who she liked. She's always been with guys, but she has to admit that she stares too long at attractive women. Women like Alex.
Still staring absently in Alex's direction, Piper notices the brunette staring back at her with a smug grin, as if she is about to throw a joke at her. However, she doesn't. She just stares at her, like that day in the elevator. Maybe it's the alcohol, Piper thinks. The inebriating substance must be helping Alex to forget that she hates Piper. She breaks the eye contact when her attention is claimed by the woman in her arms, probably asking her when they're going home. A weird feeling spreads through Piper's stomach, but she can't quite tell what it is about. She joins the group again, with another round of shots, and then feels her limit reached. She tugs at Nicky, telling her she is probably going to leave, and the woman tells her something like 'I told you she wouldn't bite'. They laugh, and after ten more minutes, Piper decides to call it a night. She greets everyone by their names, giving them high fives, and when she arrives with Alex, she stops for a moment.
"Bye, Alex," she almost whispers, like she is afraid the brunette would suddenly wake up and remember she doesn't like her.
"No high five for me?" she asks, with a seductive smirk that takes Piper by surprise. She then lifts her hand up, and they exchange a high five. They both smile.
"Night, boss," the brunette says, looking almost satisfied.
Maybe she is starting to feel guilty or just acting like a normal person, but that singular moment makes Piper believe that they can have a normal work relationship. That the hostility is over. That the until-then adverse woman has finally put aside her motiveless reasons to hate her.
I'm already back, I just couldn't wait to give you more! Don't get used to it, anyway lol
Oh, a special hello to The Fortunate Paper-knife, it's so good to have your support!
Let me know how you feel about this chapter ;-)