I am soooooo sorry I haven't updated this in like a month. I didn't even realize it had been that long until I looked at the date I last updated it. This chapter probably sucks but I hope you like it anyways. Enjoy!
Returning to work at Cinege Corporation the next day was chaotic. The daytime security team was on full alert following the debacle the night before. Mr. Cinege's office had been moved to a large conference room on the 18th floor while the window in the sitting area outside of his office was being replaced.
Natasha didn't see Barney around the office. She expected him to keep up appearances as Varga's assistant, but she didn't see him at all. His absence seemed suspicious given his sudden appearance the other day. Natasha hoped he didn't fall off the grid again; she needed to keep an eye on him and hope that he didn't do anything drastic.
As for drastic, Natasha worried Clint was going to do the same. His behavior the night before when he'd shown up at her apartment was very erratic. She wasn't entirely sure she'd calmed him down enough to ensure he didn't do anything against her wishes. It sucked that they worked two entirely different shifts. Otherwise, she would keep an eye on him.
However, Natasha went about her day as usual, preparing paperwork and filing important documents at her makeshift work station outside of Mr. Cinege's temporary office. Every so often, people scheduled for a meeting with Mr. Cinege would show up and Natasha would lead them into the temporary office to meet with Mr. Cinege. After that, she would return to her post and continue working on her tedious assignments.
By the end of the day, Natasha's eyes were tired and a headache throbbed in her temple. With a sigh, she gathered up her belongings, wrapped her fashion scarf around her neck, and then started to head out the door. She was a foot away from freedom when she heard someone whistle behind her.
"Ms. Benes, a word please?"
Natasha spun around on her heel to find Mr. Cinege poking his head out of his office door. Alida, who was still seated at her own makeshift desk, fixed a smirk upon her face. But upon remembering Alida was in the room, Mr. Cinege called her into the office as well. Natasha smirked at the bimbo blonde and marched into Mr. Cinege's temporary office with Alida on her heels.
The two blondes plopped down in the plush chairs in front of Mr. Cinege's desk. The CEO toddled around the desk and then flopped down into his leather swivel chair. He arranged the papers on his desk so that they were in a messy pile in the corner. The two blondes sat in uncomfortable silence as they watched their boss rearrange his desk so that it was to his liking.
"So," Mr. Cinege started as he tidied a stack of important papers and shoved them into a manila folder. "Alida, you already know this, but Mariska, you don't. I figured I'd pull you both into my office to inform the two of you anyways.
"Next Friday," he continued, "is the annual Cinege Corporation Gala. Alida has been with us for two years so she knows the drill. But you, Mariska," Mr. Cinege stopped to thrust a beefy finger in Natasha's direction, "are new."
Natasha simply nodded her head as Mr. Cinege continued. "The gala is an event where my corporation can mingle with others in hopes of forming new friendships and making new investments."
Natasha started to theorize as to where this was going and she didn't like it.
"The two of you will need to be there to manage the guest list and arrange the favors," Mr. Cinege said. "Of course, you can enjoy the festivities but I always stress that you be professional."
The CEO stood from his chair, walked around the front of the desk, and leaned against the edge. "You are allowed one guest," Mr. Cinege said as he held up his index finger, "but please remember that they are your responsibility."
"Now Mr. Cinege," Alida chimed in flirtatious. Natasha nearly threw up in her mouth over the affection in Alida's voice. "We don't want to scare away Mariska."
"I'm just trying to be clear, Alida," Mr. Cinege said before turning back to Natasha. "The gala starts at seven. Hors d'oeuvres and light refreshments are served from seven to eight. Dinner is served at eight. Please dress elegantly and formally and appropriately."
Natasha nodded in understanding while out of the corner of her eye, Natasha could tell Alida looked bored, as if she'd heard this spiel one too many times.
"Okay, that's all," Mr. Cinege said vacantly. "Have a good evening, girls."
Natasha and Alida rose from their chairs at the same time and marched out of Mr. Cinege's office in a single file. Natasha marched straight out of the temporary office while Alida stayed behind to gather her belongings. Natasha rode the empty elevator to the main lobby; most of the building's employees had already left for the evening.
When she reached the lobby, it was bustling with many employees who were making plans for the evening or searching their briefcases for an important document to read during the metro ride home. From the other end of the lobby, Natasha saw Clint enter through the main doors, ready to clock in for his shift. Natasha smiled to herself as she watched him cross the lobby, dressed head to toe in black.
The female assassin stepped off of the elevator and walked through the turnstiles. She pushed past the throngs of people and made a bee-line for her hawk.
"Hey," she said with a smile as she caught up with Clint.
Clint turned around, looking alarmed that someone had addressed. Once he noticed Natasha, his expression softened and she saw his lips twitch into a smile. "Hi."
"You're the one who brought me my phone the other day," Natasha said as she tilted her head to the side in flirtation.
Clint stared at her for a few seconds, trying to catch on to the game that she was playing. When he finally did, it was almost as if she could see the light bulb turning on in his noggin. "Oh yeah, yeah, that was me," he grinned.
"I just…" she trailed off. She blew out a breath before sucking another one right back in. "I just want to thank you again. I've been so frazzled lately. I can't keep track of my own belongings."
"Oh, well, it's no problem," Clint said, shaking his head lightly.
Clint and Natasha stood there in silence for several minutes, staring and grinning at each other. However, any passersby would see two Cinege Corporation employees flirting with one another for the first time.
"I feel like I should repay the gesture," Natasha said. "Are you free for coffee anytime soon?"
Natasha watched as Clint pondered her proposal. Their schedules didn't quite match up as Mariska and Patrik; but as Clint and Natasha, there was no need for sleep when the mission was at risk.
"I can do this weekend if you're free," Clint finally said. "Does Saturday work for you?"
Natasha nodded, biting her lower lip for the excitement effect. "Saturday is perfect." The female assassin reached into her purse to procure a slip of paper and a pen. She quickly scribbled her number down – a fake one since Clint already had her number – and then handed it to Clint.
"Call me when you're free," she murmured. "I'm all by myself and need someone to talk to."
With one more flirtatious look, Natasha spun around on her heel and marched the length of the lobby, never looking back at the hyperventilating archer with the paper crumpled up in his fist.
I know it's short but Mariska and Patrik are really hitting it off aren't they? And where do you think Barney is? Stay tuned!
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