Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me.
"Yes?!" Fischer snapped, irritably. Scowling, he turned away from Arthur and Ariadne, tutting irritably. He walked to the door. Opening it, he saw the garishly dressed man Arthur had encountered earlier.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm here to see Mr Fischer...?" the man's voice faltered.
"I'm Mr Fischer." He raised an eyebrow. "May I help you?"
The man coughed. "I'm Eames," he said, quickly. "Your new assistant?"
Arthur's jaw dropped, and Ariadne shifted her gaze from Arthur to the new man. She swallowed.
"Oh, well, welcome," Fischer said, looking flustered. "Ariadne!"
"Yes?"
"Would you show Mr Eames the small outer desk he'll be using, and where to get his password?"
"I thought Ariadne wasn't your secretary?" Arthur muttered. Fischer turned and looked at him, frowning. Uncomplainingly, she got up, and walked to the door. Smiling, she led Eames out.
Robert closed the door. Then, he turned to Arthur.
"What do you mean by your behaviour?" He snapped. "Interfering in my relations with my employees - I OWN this company!"
Arthur blinked, and fell silent. Fischer, taking this as a cue, continued.
"Ariadne and I-" he swallowed, and his voice dropped slightly- "I think there is an attraction. And I'll thank you not to interfere and ruin it!"
Arthur sighed, and looked at Robert.
"Mr Fischer." He spoke calmly. "I've just come out of a relationship. I can assure you that trying to date Ariadne is the last thing on my mind." He smiled calmly. "But, you have to accept, it did look a little odd when you're new, and suddenly the CEO seems to be making overtures on the junior architect."
"Oh." Fischer sagged slightly. "Oh, I see your point. Perhaps it wasn't appropriate for me to do it in front of you - I should have been more private." He swallowed. Arthur was beginning to sense this was a man who had never had to operate within the normal parameters of life, and had generally done what he wanted.
"No, its fine," Arthur said, carefully.
"Its just-" Fischer looked at him. "I know that you'll probably want to start dating again, but Ariadne's mine, all right? I'm sure you won't have a hard time finding anyone else."
Arthur bristled. "I wasn't aware Ariadne was a possession."
Fischer looked at him, his eyes narrowing. A coolness that had developed between them was beginning to spiral into dislike. Arthur looked at Fischer fixedly. Scowling, Fischer turned back, and headed into his office.
As the door closed, Arthur breathed a sigh of relief. He rubbed his forehead. Having to give up his beautiful apartment for a smaller one, and change jobs, because he needed to move and have a fresh start, was one thing. He bit his lip, feeling despondent. New York felt cold compared to the warmth of LA, and he sighed. The last thing he needed was to start fighting with his boss over a girl.
Who he also happened to live next door to
He leaned back. He needed to progress in building a friendship. He didn't have any friends, except for the Cobbs, and he felt he couldn't keep intruding on them. So, Ariadne. He had to start getting to know her. Suddenly, the door burst open, and he looked up. Ariadne and Eames were framed in the doorway, both laughing.
"Oh, Arthur!" Ariadne said, smiling. "We were just going for lunch. Do you want to join us?"
Arthur, looked at the papers on his desk. "No, I'm fine," he mumbled, suddenly feeling that he was out of place.
"Oh," she said. "Well, see you later."
"Yes," he muttered. As the door closed behind them, he sank down into the seat.
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