A/n – Thanks everyone again for all your faves and alerts, I'm so happy (: And of course, my lovely reviewers – you never fail to make my morning!
Here is the first out of two extras I have planned – this one from Sasuke's point of view.
I'm actually going away for a month! So the next update will be in April! I'm seriously sorry – I won't have internet access, so this extra is EXTRA long, so I hope it makes up for it even just a little! D:
Please note – There is once again sexual content in this chapter, please be mature about it. You shouldn't be reading if you're not (:
I hope you'll enjoy seeing the story through Sasuke's eyes anyhow!
Extra One – What the Hell Was I Thinking? (Sasuke's POV)
Sasuke Uchiha held on to the glass tumbler in his hand just that little bit tighter as he suddenly noticed the unruly looking blond come stumbling off the dance-floor.
He had been trying to reason with himself all night as to why he had followed the other man here – to a not so conspicuous gay nightclub at that, and all he found himself hoping for was that he wouldn't be recognised in such a place…and of course, the attentions of one blond in particular – Uzumaki, Naruto.
Sasuke watched, nervous in spite of himself as the blond steadily made his way through the clusters of people around the dance-floor and headed straight towards the club's bar, the man's hands already searching out his wallet.
Taking another swig of his drink, the whiskey slowly warming a path down to his stomach, the brunet idly wondered if he was going the wrong way about this whole situation.
The blond – Naruto, was actually an employee of his, but it wasn't like they had actually spoken much to each other as Sasuke was the owner and chief executive officer of a particularly large company – world renowned in fact and as it were the brunet was always a rather busy person and found it utterly impossible (and perhaps mostly a waste of time) to socialise with people.
He glanced over at the blond again who had finally made it through the queues for service and began loudly ordering another rum with coke. It would be the blond's fourteenth drink tonight, and considering the amount of hard liquor the man had been ordering, Sasuke reasoned the blond was now completely and incredibly drunk. How the hell was he even standing?
He pushed the tumbler away from him as he rested his elbows lightly against the polished surface of the bar's counter, his hair swaying in front of his eyes.
What the hell had he been thinking? He didn't even know Uzumaki – had talked to the man on one occasion and that time the blond hadn't even known who he was! Well, taking into consideration his face had been hidden by an overly exaggerated stack of files, but ever since their chance encounter, Sasuke had found his mind unwillingly wandering back to the exuberant man.
Uzumaki seemed to embody happiness; even though at work, it always looked like the man had so much fun and unsurprisingly it wasn't just Sasuke who felt drawn to him, judging on how popular the man was in his own sector of the company.
Sasuke's assistant, Kakashi had reported just four months prior that sector three – four seven, which maintained and handled a small percentage of the company's business partnerships and affairs had risen in work productivity by almost eighteen percent since Uzumaki, Naruto had joined the company. The grey headed man had even gone on to add that the blond would be perfect for establishing business relationships overseas and should be taken into consideration as a future company representative – something the man had never said before about any fledgling employee.
What kind of man was Naruto Uzumaki exactly? Was he hungry for monetary gain? Perhaps a thirst for higher status or more power in the world?
…Would he possibly be disgusted by Sasuke's advances?
Lingering on that last thought, somehow, Sasuke didn't really think so, especially since he had followed the man to a gay nightclub afterall…not to mention the blond's overly enthusiastic dancing on said nightclub's dancefloor…
But then…If the blond did desire such things – his outward appearances and personality nothing more than just an act, would he take advantage of Sasuke's momentary lack of weakness?
He wanted to know Naruto, like the people that worked close to the man did. He wanted to know if all that happiness was genuine and not something rehearsed – he wanted that ridiculous smile directed at him, wanted those beautiful blue eyes to only see him.
His warm hands to touch no one else…
Lifting his head upwards again, the brunet resolutely finished the rest of his drink and stood to leave.
This…had been a mistake. He didn't even understand how he'd hoped to meet the blond here anyway…he was never much of a dancer – and there was no way in hell he was about to get out there in between all those gyrating bodies just to attempt to grab the blond's attention.
But as he turned, he suddenly realised that he in no way, needed to attempt capturing the blond's attention at all.
Naruto stood not nearly three paces away from him, as he leaned his forearms against the bar counter, one of his hands lightly caressing the newly bought drink that was resting there. The man's other hand cradled his chin as he silently watched Sasuke with an almost lazy interest.
Their eyes met and Sasuke felt his heart speed up a few beats as the blond lifted himself off the counter and slowly moved to stand next to him.
"Forgive me," the blond murmured as his eyes slipped from Sasuke's to slowly wander over his face, "you just look so familiar, but you seemed deep in thought, so I was waiting till you looked up."
The man is drunk!? He's had fourteen drinks! How can he still speak so coherently!? Sasuke thought rapidly as he inadvertently began planning his escape.
"Hey, hey, don't look so upset," Naruto murmured as one of his hands moved to lightly touch the Uchiha's cheek, "I'm truly sorry if I'm bothering you, but…"
The blond trailed off uselessly as his eyes once more moved to gaze into the brunets. Sasuke watched as the man's eyes widened, his warm hand now smoothing up and into his hair. He'd never been touched so intimately before in his life, a shiver running right through his body as his heart beat sped up again at Naruto's next words.
"Have…Have we met before somewhere?"
Panicking slightly, Sasuke reached up and removed the blond's hand from his hair as he hastily fought down the flush that was rising in his cheeks.
"No, I don't believe we have," He smiled slightly, thanking all that was holy that his voice had still managed to come out normally, "I…I have been told I look a lot like Uchiha, Sasuke though…perhaps I reminded you of him?"
"Yeah actually, you do look a lot like him!" Naruto grinned, causing Sasuke to catch his breath as the blond threw back his head and took a long swig of his drink. "Not that I've actually ever met him before," he continued, somewhat sheepishly, "but if I didn't know any better, I would say you'd be an excellent double!"
The blond began laughing as he swayed lightly on his feet, his arms already moving to rest against the bar counter once more.
"I work for Sasuke Uchiha, you know?" Naruto continued as Sasuke idly noted that he wouldn't have to do much talking in order to learn more about the blond…
"Oh? Do you work as an executive or something?" Now the brunet was curious. He would ask a few questions…just to be sure of the blond's real character.
Would he be the type of person to lie about his job position and talk himself up?
"No, nothing like that, I've just got an office job in one of the lower sections of the company." Sasuke was surprised for a moment as Naruto continued still swaying slightly, "It pays alright and its serious stuff – but I work with some really excellent people, it's a great environment!"
Sasuke smiled, feeling encouraged instantly. The man was honest and that was always a positive thing to appreciate in people.
He would try a more direct question.
"What about your boss then? How's it like working for the elusive Mister Uchiha? I've heard he's quite the bastard to his own employees…" Sasuke waved over the bartender and ordered himself an iced water as he carefully watched the blond for his answer. The man began humming loudly, as if just bursting to reply as he took another long swig of his drink.
Sasuke of course, had heard nothing of the sort said about him, in or outside the offices. In all modesty, he had always considered himself a pretty reasonable man, and a satisfactory employer at that!
"Hah! Uchiha – What can I not say about him!?" Naruto huffed into his glass as he took another drink.
Suddenly, something in Sasuke's chest felt cold. The sarcasm in Naruto's voice had not been lost on him…Was it possible that the only thing the blond didn't like about working for Uchiha Productions – was the Uchiha himself!?
"No, I'm kidding actually, from what I've known, he's a pretty good boss!" Naruto laughed as he roughly thumped his glass back down onto the bar counter. It was now becoming obvious that the man had definitely had had enough to drink and frankly, Sasuke wanted to kill the guy for pulling a trick like that on him – why did the fool have to pretend to hate him first!? He supposed to anyone else it would've been funny, possibly something to relate to…but it's never not awkward to hear yourself spoken about with dislike…
He gulped at his water furiously; suddenly realising his throat had gone dry. He was all too acutely aware of the warmth of the other man beside him, his carefree smile and the way his shirt was slightly unbuttoned and dishevelled.
"But, you know…?" Naruto trailed off, distracted, as he slowly realised where the other man was looking. A slow, knowing grin spread across his lips.
Sasuke straightened stiffly and coughed in embarrassment as he blinked away his daze and once again tried to keep up with their conversation.
"Huh, well, that's a real surprise," he laughed awkwardly, trying to ignore how the blond was now looking at him.
"I thought…" But Sasuke suddenly faltered, as Naruto slowly moved closer into him, their hips bumping lightly, and the brunet instantly feeling the scorching heat that seemed to emanate from the other man's body.
Naruto leaned down into him more, as his warm breath brushed over the brunet's sensitive ear. "I'd be lying if I didn't find him attractive…he's obviously quite good-looking, but there's just something about how…untouchable, you could say, he is…"
Sasuke jumped, his face visibly colouring as Naruto's words sunk in.
The blond found him attractive…but…why had he leaned in to whisper that into his ear? Was it possible that Naruto had figured out who he really was!?
The blond slowly continued his train of thought, unaware of Sasuke's inner turmoil as he stumbled through his words, "You see him making speeches on the news and at all those fancy social functions and he always looks so isolated – almost as if he's a …very lonely person…"
The brunet gasped in spite of himself, as if Naruto's words had physically left a mark across his face. He wasn't lonely! He was never that at all! He always had everything he needed! A family, countless lovers, copious amounts of money – and an elevated social position to boot!
With a startling revelation…Sasuke realised just how desperately he was trying to convince himself…
No, he was definitely not lonely…was he…?
It was then that Sasuke realised that the blond wasn't actually leaning into him, but more falling into him, the man's many drinks finally creating some effect. Frowning slightly at himself for becoming so flustered, the brunet pushed Naruto lightly away from him, his hands holding the blond upright while the other slowly gained his bearings.
"Maybe you'd better call it a night?" Sasuke murmured as the blond once again gazed thoughtfully into his eyes, his face drawing closer to the brunets.
"But…I've never seen him smile," Naruto murmured as he frowned in confusion, his hand once again moving to capture Sasuke's cheek. "I want to see him smile. I just know he'd be even more beautiful than he already is…"
Sasuke went to remove the blond's hand from his cheek, but paused, his own hand in turn resting over the blonds. "…You think that highly of him…even if you haven't met him?" How could Naruto feel all this for him without ever knowing him...was he truthfully that kind…?
"Yeah, ridiculous right?" The blond laughed quietly, his eyes still searching Sasuke's face confusedly. "But somehow I just know that if we could meet, we'd become great friends…I just really…want to see him happy."
Sasuke thought his heart would beat right out of his chest. Never had he felt such uncontrollable desire for a single human being. This man...he had to keep him. He needed someone this passionate to live beside him. No matter the cost, he would work to make Naruto his.
"Hey…you sure we've never met?" Naruto murmured, "It's just your eyes, I'm sure I've seen them before, wher –"
Sasuke kissed him.
It was hot. It was everything Sasuke had been imagining it would be. Kissing Naruto was like kissing passion embodied, the blond's strong arms winding around his body to pull him close, the man's soft but firm lips, his searching tongue – awakening the most sensitive parts inside his mouth and more as he buried his hands into the man's unruly, untameable hair. He moaned in abandon as the blond dragged his fingers slowly down the Uchiha's back, his hands moving to cup the brunet's ass through his pants.
His breath coming in short pants, Sasuke pulled away, his hands sliding from the blond's hair and making their way down the man's chest. "Umm, would you…would you like to come back to my place?"
Naruto's face was flushed, but surprised as his hands slid upwards to rest back on the brunet's hips. "H-Home? With you? Ah, I mean…That is…"
Sasuke hoped the crushing disappointment didn't show on his face. "You don't want to?"
Was the man having doubts? Had he moved too fast?
Naruto shrugged as he avoided the brunet's eyes, "No, it's a little embarrassing, but…I've never done this before…I don't know how to…"
"You've never slept with a man??" Sasuke was nearly speechless, he couldn't help himself. He didn't know the blond's habits – who knew this was actually his first time in a gay club!
Naruto nodded, his smile lopsided as he tried to hide his embarrassment.
Sasuke smiled as his desire for the other man seemed to grow tenfold. He reached down and laced his fingers with Naruto's and resolutely began leading the other man towards the exit.
"C'mon…I'll teach you then…"
Sasuke woke up to the feeling of Naruto's warm arms pulling him closer, a feeling not exactly unpleasant to experience when one has just woken up from a fantastic night of sex.
The brunet did on occasion have one night stands when the mood took him but never had he cuddled like this with any of his lovers. The thought of it had never appealed to him, but now… he could definitely see himself getting used to this every morning…
He moaned quietly and moved his hand that rested against the blond's chest. He wondered if the blond was fully awake yet.
How would Naruto react? Sasuke had to admit he was more than a little curious at how the blond would take it – that he had just fucked his boss all night in a drunken haze of uncontrolled passion.
He kept his eyes closed, his breathing regular as the blond finally groaned and sat up slightly, his arm pulling Sasuke's body closer still.
This would ultimately decide what would happen to them as a potential couple. Would Naruto wake him up to talk to him about it? Apologize possibly? Perhaps even scream? Sasuke could think of at least one occasion where a woman had woken up beside him screaming at the top of her lungs…God did he ever want to forget that!
Who knew he could invoke such terror in people?
Suddenly, Naruto's body against his stilled completely. Even the man's breathing had stopped. A deadly quiet hung in the air as Sasuke tried his best to continue feigning sleep, and yet Naruto didn't make a sound, or move to wake him.
This was it – the blond had realised exactly who was curled against his side.
Sasuke moaned again, just for good measure. Perhaps if the blond thought he was already waking up he'd bite the bullet and shake him awake.
"Shit. Oh, shit. Shit…shit, shit, shit…" The blond breathed over and over again as he released his grip from around Sasuke's waist and fumped back quietly into the pillows. Sasuke began to wonder how long the blond would just lie there swearing to himself….did he even realise what he was saying?
Was the guy really that scared to face him?
Sasuke decided to remain motionless as the blond finally stopped whispering profanities after a good ten minutes or so and began carefully easing himself out of the bed.
He could hear the blond gathering his things from around the room, then the front door thudding shut as the sound of the air-conditioning humming held the room once more.
Sasuke arrived in at work at a quarter past ten in the morning, his suit impeccable and his face showing no signs of his morning's predicament as he swept into his private offices, his assistant, Kakashi immediately appearing out of nowhere as per usual and summarising that morning's business reports.
"Shares for investment seven – five two three have risen by zero point zero two five percent, reaching a high of –"
But Sasuke wasn't listening, his mind was too preoccupied. He had to act while this turn of events was still fresh in the forefront of his mind.
"Never mind that this morning, Kakashi, I need you to send someone up to see me immediately." He intoned, his voice not exactly unfriendly but serious, as it should be when he was actually in his offices for the day. There were just some things that only the CEO could do, most of his work he could just have his officers directly under him take care of.
"Someone, sir?" Kakashi answered, his words slightly muffled by the cloth hospital mask covering his face that hid most of his features. Sasuke never asked, but just assumed the man was always ill, even if his voice never sounded like it.
"Yes, Uzumaki, Naruto – I want him in my private office in no more then fifteen minutes."
"Yes, sir, I'll have that organised for you immediately."
That was one thing Sasuke really liked about working with someone like Kakashi, the man never asked unnecessary or intruding questions. Hell, Sasuke could order an elephant sent up to his office and Kakashi would have it organised without so much as an eyebrow raise.
Placing his briefcase down by the side of his desk, Sasuke moved over to wait for Naruto on one of the couches as he flicked his wrist and the cameras that obeyed his wordless commands activated and began pulling up security footage of the office buildings that had been captured previously last night.
"My apartment, main bedroom," he commanded quietly as the security database obeyed and jumped to a different building to where Sasuke lived at least ten blocks down from the offices and began playing pre-recorded footage of the night before.
He watched the minutes tick by as nothing happened, then gestured for the tape to be fast-forward, suddenly catching his breath and motioning for the recording to play as he watched himself and Naruto finally enter the room.
The sound was incredible. The brunet sat motionless as he watched himself work his way down to Naruto's erection and lap at it greedily, the blond in turn, moaned deliciously and buried his hands into Sasuke's thick, black hair.
He fast-forward again and he was riding Naruto with a look of utter abandon, the blond guiding him down with a strong grip on his hips. Never had he seen himself so lost in sex before, the remembered pleasure was already making him hard again as his breaths started unconsciously coming in short pants. He watched Naruto flip him onto his back and near violently start pounding into his willing flesh, the recorded moans echoing sensuously throughout Sasuke's office, just as Naruto erotically yelled out his name in the throes of his own release.
"Off." Sasuke managed to choke out as the recording immediately shut down and the screen went blank.
He didn't know how much time had passed since he'd begun watching the tape, but he really needed to clean himself up before Naruto arrived to see him.
This was definitely not good…here he was, panting hard and sweating out one of his best suits – all with a very noticeable and rather painful erection between his legs. There was no time to take care of it; he would just have to hope it went down in time.
He didn't have to wait long for his obvious arousal to deflate though, as once again, the problem that was his growing feelings for Naruto were a sobering thought and quickly took care of any lingering desires. Sasuke was a man of business and this…would require a fair amount of thinking through.
Naruto had been drunk, and he'd been rather shocked to find that Sasuke had been his partner last night, but it still remained to be proven if the blond would tell his co-workers about their night together or worse yet – tell the papers about it.
For most of his working career, Sasuke had been careful to avoid any kind of scandal involving his family name, but he'd never had a problem like this before…he'd never fallen for anyone before in his life like he'd fallen for Naruto.
His other lovers had always been people in the same social position as him so he'd never had to worry about scandal or nasty rumours – friends of his fathers or brothers and they had almost always been beautiful, but selfish women. Sasuke had never had much time for leisure to begin with, and he'd never fancied wasting it with a spoiled little heiress at his side…let alone marry one.
By hell, how would he explain this to his brother…he'd never hear the end of it.
A resounding knock echoed across the room as Sasuke rapidly dimmed the windows of the office and reached under the bar's counter to grab himself a glass. There was no way in hell he would be able to get through this without a stiff drink in hand.
He froze in place as Naruto entered the office hesitantly, his blond hair dimmed miserably in the room's darkness. He watched quietly as the man took in the office's sparing décor before hesitantly walking further into the room.
Sasuke took a quiet breath and grabbed a nearby bottle of whiskey opening it with a resounding 'pop'. He knew it was dark and that the blond wouldn't be able to see him yet, but the other man had already heard the liquid of the bottle pouring into Sasuke's glass and had hesitantly turned towards the bar.
"Ah…Mister Uchiha?"
As Sasuke drank from his glass slowly, letting the liquid slide warmly down his throat, he hoped that what he was about to do was the right decision.
Would Naruto get angry at being accused? Or would he be hurt?
…After all the things he had said about wanting to know Sasuke in the bar last night…would he really try to have a chance with him…even if the Uchiha himself proved that he was nothing but a cold, calculating bastard?
He stepped out of the shadows, his mind already set.
"Sasuke…?"
Why did the man have to call him by his first name!? Whoever said he could call him by his first name!? His resolve was breaking…every time his name fell from those perfect lips…
"Don't touch me!" He hissed out angrily, as he slapped the blond's concerned hand away from him. His heart was beating too fast…why couldn't the blond have just hated him!?
"Regardless of this incident, you can keep your position here, Uzumaki. I expect you to continue to maintain the high standards we enforce here." He knew his expression was back to normal by the answering look on Naruto's face.
He knew his voice couldn't be shaking.
"Thank-you very much for that, Sir," Naruto replied quietly and smiled genuinely, his eyes still betraying his sadness.
Sasuke needed to get away from the blond before his entire resolve crumbled from under him.
"Please excuse me, there are matters I must attend to."
And with a resounding slam of his office door, Sasuke slumped against it, his chin resting heavily against his heaving chest.
He'd faced countless hardships, making his way up through the world of business – endless propositions and meetings, trying to win his father's clients over as well as the new ones and that had all been terribly hard, but this… this was nothing compared to all of that.
Sasuke was certain he'd never had to do something so hard in his life.
Naruto had gotten angry, had immediately defended his innocence – had spoken the truth so honestly that it had made Sasuke's head spin, but instead of threatening the business man, or requesting money as so many had done before him; all the blond had requested…was the brunet himself.
He'd…hoped for a different ending.
He'd been so incredibly sincere.
But Sasuke knew he couldn't fall under the blond's sway yet! There was still too much at stake if the blond was just as good an actor as the Uchiha was himself!
He would wait a few months, watch what the blond did…see if the man ever requested anything of him, or sold his story to the press. Even though the blond had sworn he would never do a thing like that, Sasuke knew that actions spoke louder than words and all of it…was yet to be proven to him.
Over the next couple of weeks, Sasuke found himself spending a rather considerable amount of time in front of the security monitors.
Easing the Uchiha's suspicions, Naruto was yet to tell any of his co-workers about what had really happened and had even managed to survive the brutal questioning of one girl the brunet vaguely remembered as being named Haruno, Sakura.
The blond had lied smoothly, claiming his performance had been slipping so much it had 'worried' Mister Uchiha, hence the reason for his call out. The pink-haired girl hadn't been too convinced but had let it slide as Naruto's desk phone had begun ringing.
Sasuke found himself increasingly drawn to the blond man the more he watched him, until, one day while sitting in his office looking over some paperwork, he had decided to listen in on one of Naruto's office presentations and had subconsciously started to touch himself.
It was probably one activity Sasuke never really bothered with. He'd always thought that if he was really in the mood for it, why touch himself when he could just find a person satisfactory enough to do it for him?
But he was unable to stop as he remembered that voice whispering next to his ear, those strong hands, now holding a sheaf of papers for the presentation caressing his heated skin, running down his chest and forcibly holding his hips.
As his hand roughly fumbled with the zipper on his pants, he hoarsely called out for the security camera to zoom in on Naruto's preoccupied face. He grasped his erection and began pumping, imagining the blond's hand there instead, and then the man's lips moving to take over as he pushed the rest of his pants out of the way.
It was at that moment, as Sasuke reached down with his free hand to press against his moist opening, his other hand wrapped strong around his cock that Naruto paused in his presentation and suddenly looked up at the security camera far above him. His eyes almost seemed to burn into Sasuke's – almost as if he was right there in the room watching and the brunet, jolted with surprise, arched into his own touch, his seed spilling across his pants.
It wasn't enough.
No matter how many times he pleasured himself to thoughts of the blond, it was nothing compared to that night they had spent together.
Sasuke was always left with his uncontrollable desire overpowering him.
It was morning once again and Sasuke had officially made up his mind.
"Get Uzumaki, Naruto up to see me."
Kakashi, who paced by his side as usual, easily keeping stride with the Uchiha merely nodded before pulling out a private mobile phone from within his suit coat.
"Right away, sir. I'll have him up to your private offices within ten minutes."
"Good, thank-you." Sasuke answered as the double doors to his main office were opened for him as he quickly moved inside.
It had been three weeks since they had last spoken and Sasuke didn't care if he was possibly jumping too quickly into this… He wanted to tell the blond the truth about that night – that he had actually been the one that had done the stalking…
Out of curiosity (and possibly force of habit) Sasuke motioned for the security camera system to activate and immediately navigated to Naruto's work space in sector three – four seven. What he saw made his eyes widen in disbelief.
Naruto was packing.
He watched on in cold silence as Naruto furiously taped up boxes of what Sasuke could only assume was his possessions and office equipment as a man the Uchiha vaguely recognised as the supervising manager stood over the blond, motioning slightly, but jerkily with his hands.
With a feeling of growing dread as he continued watching, Sasuke noted the manager taking a call which he realised must have been his very own request to see the blond. The manager then turned and informed said blond, only to witness the man almost instantly become angrier than Sasuke had ever seen before.
Naruto was furious; he spoke heatedly for a few moments more, before politely stepping around his still arguing manager and making his way quickly over towards the lifts.
A knock suddenly resounded across the room breaking into his stupor, as Sasuke vacantly called for whoever it was to enter. He felt like his brain had suddenly become encased in thick, black mud.
"Excuse me, Sir, but unfortunately, Mister Uzumaki has declined your invitation to meet, and as his supervising manager has just informed me, he has also handed in his resignation from the company as of today."
Sasuke remained silent, as Kakashi waited patiently in front of him.
"It seems he has been offered a more satisfactory position at a new company, and needs to start immediately. It is a shame, Sir, I understand he was quite a valuable asset to the company."
It took all of the brunet's self-control not to burst out laughing at his assistant's attempts to console him.
…Did he really look that distressed?
I have to go after him.
He had to make sure the blond understood. Had to…stop the blond leaving at all costs!
Without another moment's hesitation, Sasuke began striding towards his office doors.
"Ah…Sir?"
Ignoring Kakashi completely, the brunet made his way down the hall, past several closed glass doors and over to the employee's lifts.
There was one waiting immediately as he hastily punched in the button for ground level and watched, growing more and more frustrated as the lift's doors slid slowly shut.
"Ah! Sir, your bodyguards!"
Kakashi made a dash for the closing doors a moment too late as the doors finally shut completely and the lift began moving him rapidly downwards. The brunet lightly rested his head against the wooden panelling behind him, his eyes closed as he tried in vain to still his wildly beating heart.
Maybe, just maybe…the blond would still be in reception, halfway through the process of signing himself out permanently and Sasuke would be able to catch him just in time.
He would take the blond back up to his office, where they could talk and then, he could finally tell Naruto the truth.
Finally tell the blond that he was in love with him.
Hastily trying to keep his breathing under control, Sasuke clamped his mouth shut and inhaled through his nose as the lift finally came to a stop, the machine thankfully not having to pause for any other patrons along the way down. That was more than likely Kakashi's doing though, since the brunet didn't have his bodyguards with him, his assistant had probably 'locked' the lift Sasuke was travelling in, in order to prevent it stopping at other floors and acquiring possible breaches to the Uchiha's safety.
He stepped out quickly into the foyer, his eyes immediately beginning to search out any blond-haired people in the nearest vicinity.
Naruto was nowhere in sight.
Feeling slightly desperate, but still trying to maintain his calm, Sasuke quickly noted the woman at the reception desk's attention before he hastily moved over to her, his hands pressing flat against the desk.
"Did a blond man pass through here recently?" He barked, not caring if the girl looked startled at his odd, sudden questioning.
"Ah! No, Sir, I'm afraid I haven't noticed any blond men passing through here all morning."
His hands tightening into fists against the desk's surface, Sasuke loosened them before hastily making his retreat as it became more and more blindingly obvious that people in the building's entrance were beginning to notice his presence.
Not surprisingly, his lift was still there waiting for him, except now with the added bonus of one of Sasuke's bodyguards standing in the far corner of the small space, another bodyguard already moving to stop other people in entering the lift, as he tiredly pressed the button for the top floor where his main offices resided.
Why…Why would Naruto leave like this? Sasuke was seriously starting to feel incredibly bothered at how slow the lift was moving.
He hadn't done anything to warrant running the man out of his job! And there was no way in hell he was taking that line of bullshit – that the blond had actually found a better job, as fact!
Or…was it possible that Naruto had sold his story to the press – a scandalous story such as that and directly involving him, Sasuke knew it would pay out a fairly large (and comfortable) sum of money…
The lift had finally reached his floor as he hastily stepped out of it, intent on retreating to his office, the security guards already rushing ahead to open the doors.
But it had been three weeks already! Why would the blond suddenly decide to out him now – if that was what he was doing!
Thumping down into his desk chair, Sasuke lightly rested his forehead against the hard, cool surface of the desk in front of him as his mind worked frantically, sorting through his own jumbled thoughts.
Something like this had just never happened to him before. He'd never felt this way about anyone and no matter how talented he was in the business world, no matter how well he made speeches and successfully organised his company – when it came to things such as personal relationships and sharing his true feelings, he was always left completely and utterly confused.
"Sir. With all due respect, one lost employee is not worth beginning a drinking problem over."
It had been just three days since Naruto had swiftly packed his belongings and resolutely left the company and Sasuke was still yet to have been informed of any 'gay' scandals involving his person in any written sense.
In fact, no paper, no magazine, or even any internet gossip blog sites had so much as published the Uchiha even making any noteworthy appearances, let alone something along the lines of 'shagging' one of his lowly male employees.
"Sir?"
And now, in his office once more, decidedly avoiding doing any sort of work, Sasuke Uchiha sat with drink in hand, his personal assistant, Kakashi mildly imploring him to put his third whiskey for the night, down. Instead of replying, Sasuke took a long drink as he continued staring out over the city, the faraway sounds of an ambulance' sirens and tooting of car horns floating up to meet him.
The brunet really didn't understand why Kakashi was so worried about him; the man had never expressed any kind of concern for the Uchiha's personal health before now and he definitely knew that outwardly he was still the same always professional business man that he had trained his whole life to become.
So what if he'd been a little shaken up lately? A little bit more rash with business than usual? And what was it anyone's problem that Sasuke had started to drink a little bit more…enthusiastically than usual?
"Sir, if Uzumaki's skills here really meant that much to you, why don't you call him and ask him to return? I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem to just simply match what his new employer is currently paying him."
Call him? Call him?
Why hadn't he ever thought of it sooner! But, would the blond even listen to him if he did happen to call? If he'd refused to speak directly to the brunet when leaving the company, what was to stop him from hanging up as soon as he realised who the speaker was??
"Kakashi, have Karin call Uzumaki immediately and arrange a meeting at the soonest possible date."
Kakashi completely unfazed at his boss' sudden request, quickly flipped out his personal mobile phone before speed-dialling Sasuke's personal secretary – Moriya, Karin.
"Right away, Sir. Good to know you've made a decision."
This was good, thought Sasuke as Kakashi informed Karin of his instructions. If everything went according to plan, he would have Naruto in his office by midday tomorrow and finally – finally, he'd be able to confess his feelings.
He would only have to wait a few more minutes as Karin successfully organized a meeting with the blond, his head falling backwards against the chair's head rest.
Kakashi's phone began to ring quietly just a few minutes later, as Sasuke sat up and rested his drink on his desk, giving the silver-haired man his utmost attention.
"Ah, Sir, there seems to have been some sort of problem involving that call you requested made out to Uzumaki, Naruto."
Sasuke frowned, immediately feeling himself grow irritated. "What?" He demanded bluntly.
"It seems that Mister Uzumaki has requested that you ring him personally, instead of going through Miss Moriya, as intended. It also appears that he was quite angered by this, and it would more than likely be a wise decision to call him back at a later date."
"Give me the phone," Sasuke ordered simply, as Kakashi silently nodded, his eyes noticeably crinkling up in a smile as he passed the Uchiha his own personal mobile; the device already programmed to dial Naruto's number.
"I'll be outside if you need me," Kakashi spoke in way of parting, as he promptly moved to leave the room, the double doors snapping closed behind him.
Sasuke gazed nervously down at the blond's number as he silently gathered his composure, and let the phone begin to call.
What would the blond sound like? Would he be expecting Sasuke to call now? Would he be angry? Surprised? Sasuke couldn't help but feel an intense moment of anticipation.
But as Naruto's number continued to ring repeatedly, it finally dawned on the brunet that he had been tricked. The blond had never planned on answering in the first place! Even now, the other man was probably watching television loudly in another room, ignoring the phone completely.
"Why, damn it! Why won't you pick up?" Sasuke grated out loudly, voicing his frustration as Naruto's phone continued to ring endlessly.
Did the blond really hate him that much? Who knew he couldn't ever stand this kind of rejection? How hard had he fallen...?
"Just…pick up already…" He murmured quietly, as Naruto's phone finally connected him to a message bank and Sasuke grudgingly ended the call.
Sasuke was waiting.
The Uchiha was once again watching his security camera system, only this time, he was watching the front entrance for once.
The camera managed to capture all of the building's ground floor entry and Sasuke knew that as soon as the blond arrived – if at all, he would know.
It was just one week after Naruto had left and Sasuke had finally thought of something that would definitely get a rise out of the other man for certain.
He'd docked the blond's final pay.
He didn't know how much the man's new job was paying him, or if he was financially well off for the moment, but for anyone working in the business world, no one would stand for working the hours and not exactly receiving what was owing to them.
He jolted out of his thoughts slightly as he once more focussed on the screen before him only to catch his breath as Naruto, in a business suit to boot walked unceremoniously into the building. Quite impressive that the blond had actually chosen to come see him about it…the man must've been really angry; also taking into consideration that he would have only received that letter a little under two hours ago.
He watched with growing nervousness as Naruto finally reached the reception desk and almost at once began shouting. It was obvious that he was being turned away; there wasn't a man alive that could just arrive at Sasuke's offices and demand to have an instant appointment with him.
But for Naruto, Sasuke knew he should make an exception.
Withdrawing his own personal phone from within one of the inner pockets of his suit, Sasuke dialled the buildings' internal inquiries number knowing that Ino, the reception personnel would have to answer the call.
"Hello this is reception, how may I help you today?"
"This is Mister Uchiha," Sasuke answered seriously, already expecting the girl's reaction.
"Oh! Sir, I wasn't – !"
He didn't have time for niceties this morning as he cut her apology short. "Is there a blond man anywhere in the entrance at this moment?" He enquired, even as he watched her shocked face look up at Naruto nervously. It was best if he didn't let the girl know that he was watching them through the building's security cameras.
"Ah! Yes, he's still here – "
"Please direct him up to the ninety-seventh floor to see me immediately, I have a cancellation in my schedule at the moment and have the time to meet him now."
By the tone of her voice, the girl was obviously confused. "Yes, I'll direct him up to see you straight away."
"Good, thank-you." Sasuke finished as Ino excused herself and once again turned back to the blond man in front of her.
Naruto actually didn't seem surprised in the slightest, although still obviously angry he accepted the receptionist's invitation to move up to the highest floor and marched over towards the lifts, glaring right up at Sasuke still watching through the security system.
"Off," he commanded as the program immediately shut down and the room visibly lightened once more.
It wouldn't be long now, thought Sasuke as he slowly moved over to stand by the windows, his hands fitting into his pockets.
This conversation between them would ultimately decide whether they could have a serious relationship together or not. Sasuke didn't want to let the blond go…he had to make it work somehow. No matter how angry Naruto was, he'd still tell the man the truth and maybe – just maybe they would work something out for the better.
As a knock finally came to his double doors from across the room, Sasuke composed himself and stood a little straighter, his heart still beating frantically.
The doors almost seemed to open in slow motion as Naruto Uzumaki once more entered the room, his expression furious, but his eyes noticeably sad as he took in the other man standing against the windows.
"I was wondering how long it would take you," Sasuke murmured as Naruto's expression darkened.
Even if the blond hated him now – somehow Sasuke knew that they could finally begin here.
- The End -