Disclaimer: I own nothing that you recognize.
Spoilers: Ha! A/U baby.
Summary: She was always strictly business, but what happens when her seemingly perfect world is turned upside down?
Notes: Italics will be used to represent thoughts… nothing else to add.
My thanks and gratitude as always to those of you that leave me a review.. Even if it's a just a few words, it still means the world to me. ..and wow! An update within a day, hehe.. Must be a record, eh? ….err.. Right, I'm going to update a few more things this week then I'm taking a short break….there's this holiday coming up and all.
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Thanks to a small miracle … and the added help of Lisa's secretary….all of the paperwork that needed to be faxed or mailed out was now out of the stack. The copies that needed to be sent were now sitting in the inter-office mail box, while the remainder of the papers had been signed and sent upstairs to either Shane or Stephanie. Lillian had given her a hand with looking over inventory.. Though neither woman what the items they were looking over would be used for. But, it was a task that needed to be taken care of, and a task that had been assigned to the redheaded C.E.O. It was only until she started to gather the necessary files for the project, that she wished the morning wasn't over. With a heavy sigh, she sat back in her chair, trying to convince herself that it was just another business lunch…something she had done numerous times before. Really, there was no need to be nervous over a simple business lunch, was there? But, as much as she tried to convince herself that it was only a business lunch…she knew it wasn't. In less than fifteen minutes, she would be facing someone she hadn't seen in at least seven years.. She had taken off to start her first internship year right after graduation…and shortly after she had interviewed with McMahon Corp. Shaking her head, Amy steeled her nerves…determined to get through this lunch meeting in tact. With her briefcase, rolling suitcase full of files and temporarily her sanity in tow…Amy exited her office to head to her business lunch. Praying that the traffic from the Financial District to Greenwich Village would be heavy.
Randy Orton straightened his tie, thankful the late August day was overcast and not humid. "I wonder if she forgot.." No sooner had the words left his mouth did a black Lincoln town car pull up to the curb. "Never mind.."
Before she got out of the car, Amy apologized to the driver for having him take the most round about way to Greenwich Village. "I'll call when I'm ready to leave.." she mentioned as the driver put the car in park. "Then I have to go to the Lower East Side."
Randy stepped back as the driver exited the car, wiping his palms discreetly on his dress pants.
"Thank you," the redhead told the driver as the door opened; Amy sucking in a sharp breath before she exited the vehicle. "If you could just get my files.."
He waited until she was at least looking in his general direction, "Ms. Dumas.." and damn if he didn't hate the formality. "I hope traffic wasn't too bad."
"No, it wasn't.." She replied distantly, waiting until she had the rolling suitcase of files in her possession. "Though, I must admit, it's almost a convenience, since my next destination is the Lower East Side."
At that, Randy nodded. "From what I understand, Evolution Inc. has a reserved table here." He waited until she was standing fully on the sidewalk, "so if you're ready.."
She forced a smile, a near death grip on the handle of the rolling suitcase. "Isn't that lovely.."
Randy grimaced as he opened the door for her, "It wasn't my idea, Amy.. Like I told you earlier, this was Mr. Helmsley's suggestion."
"I don't doubt that," her voice was distant…and cold. "I just find it an unbelievable coincidence that Evolution Inc. would have a reserved table at the Union Square Café."
"It wouldn't have been my first choice, believe me." He stopped when she did, informing the hostess that they had Evolution Inc.'s table. "If I had any say in it--"
Amy cleared her throat, "So what exactly is this meeting about? I would've thought that the proposal covered everything necessary…and if it hadn't.. that 's why a meeting was scheduled between McMahon Corp. and Evolution Inc."
An eyebrow raised discreetly, "I was under the same impression as you.. But, apparently, Mr. Helmsley and Mr. Bischoff felt otherwise."
"Right," she followed after the hostess; briefcase and suitcase on either side of her chair. "Well, I have some of the old paperwork from the takeover company…financial records, stocks, employee records, salary information and--"
"How have you really been?" Randy interrupted casually, "I mean, it has been awhile.." He rested his forearms on the table, blue eyes settling intently on her. "And honestly, I haven't kept in touch with many people I knew in college."
She smiled thinly, echoing two choice words sardonically. "Many people…you make it sound like we were casual acquaintances."
Randy held her gaze, "Given the way things suddenly ended between the two of us…what would you like to me to think? I always thought we were doing well and then--"
"Can we not talk about this?" Amy snapped, tearing her gaze away from his. "Though, I do have to say.. Things worked out for the best, didn't they? I mean, look at you…top executive with one of the nation's top companies."
"Worked out for the best?" He echoed incredulously, Randy shaking his head at the woman across from him. "Sure, it worked out for the best…you just happened to throw out a near six year relationship on your climb to the top of the corporate ladder."
Amy's jaw clenched, "I am not discussing our relationship or how it ended with you.. Not here, not now…just consider it a closed subject." She reached for her briefcase, a file folder set on the table with a flourish. "We're here to discuss business…so, why don't you get your mind out of the past and into the present."
Blue eyes narrowed slightly, "Were you cheating on me?"
"Excuse me?" Amy raised an eyebrow, the folder on the table forgotten for the time being. "Where in the hell would you get that idea?"
"Oh, maybe because you hightailed it out of New York right after we broke up." An eyebrow raised, "so answer my question."
Amy sighed, "Like I told you that night, you twit.. I had internships to start." She opened the folder, "and if you can't refrain from bringing up what happened then? This business deal is off."
-x-x-x-
Wisely, Randy shut his mouth, silence falling between the two as he read over the reports that Amy had gathered. While he did want his question answered, he knew he couldn't put the business merger in any jeopardy. That could very well cost him his job…and that was something he didn't want to risk. So, instead of bringing it up again, he went with the proverbial flow.. Doing his best to push the questions out of his mind. And while Amy didn't eat much of the lunch set before her, she did at least cover what needed to be covered in regards to the business merger. It wasn't until lunch was over that the two managed to speak somewhat civilly to each other.. Randy inquiring about the project she was heading to.
"The building was recently purchased by McMahon Corp.. our newest branch company will be operating from there." She pushed back a loose strand of hair, "in addition to that, there's a possibility that T.I.R.A.C will be re-locating to that building since we're in a long term contract with them."
"T.I.R.A.C?"
Amy almost smiled. "They're the architectural firm McMahon Corp. is working with.. T.I.R.A.C stands for their initials."
Randy nodded slowly, indicating for the waiter to put their bill on Evolution Inc.'s tab. "So is this just a few floors or what?"
"Full building, four floors for office use with an additional five to rent. And I believe there's a residential building next to it…but to the best of my knowledge that hasn't been acquired." The redheaded C.E.O. shrugged. "It's smaller than the building we're in right now, but we won't need as much space."
"I see.." He stood when she did, "I'm actually supposed to be heading that way and it wouldn't be too much trouble to--"
"Only because I'm in a rush," she told him first, her expression softening just a bit. "Thanks." Amy grabbed her things, "I should probably warn you though.."
Randy sent her a questioning look as they exited the café. "Warn me about what?"
This time, she did smile. "You'll probably recognize one of the members of T.I.R.A.C.. and if not by face, than probably by name." Amy waited until they were outside. "The members of T.I.R.A.C are Tyson Tomko, Chris Irvine, Jason Reso, Kurt Angle and John Cena."
"You're kidding me," Randy shook his head, a smile also present on his face. "My former room-mate…and you're arch 'nemesis' at one point in time?"
Amy rolled her eyes good naturedly, "We didn't hate each other that much…at least not after we got to know each other better." She smirked slightly, "and after he learned not to call me an uptight bitch."
"I remember," Randy shook his head. "It'll be good to see him again.." He glanced down to her, "and now that you aren't bitching at me.. It was nice seeing you again."
She smiled half heartedly, "You too, Randy."
An almost uncomfortable silence fell between them, Randy using that window of time to call for his corporate vehicle to pick them up. And once he had the directions from Amy, the two were off to the construction site.
"And you're sure she said she would be here.."
"Yes, Tyson.." John set down the blueprints in his hands, "I talked to her this morning…she said she would be here."
Kurt let out a whistle, "Well…we do have a lot to do.. I mean sure, we won't get the majority of it done today but at least we got some of it done and--"
"Which is why we're planning now," Chris pointed out from his spot near a large window. "All we really have left to do is figure out what's going where.. I'm pretty sure they have an Interior Design firm or at least an Interior Designer to do the rest."
Jason blinked from his spot near Chris. "She did say she was coming alone, right?"
John sent him a questioning look, "Yeah that's right.. Why?"
The blonde man nodded to the window, "Because…a car with the Evolution Inc. logo is parked outside." An eyebrow raised, "and some stuck up looking corporate yuppie is getting out of the car with her."
The dark haired man sent a look outside, a smirk crossing his features. "I'll be right back," he told them, grabbing a yellow construction hat before he exited the building.
"So, this is the place.." Amy clasped her hands behind her back. "Lower East Side, nine story building."
Randy nodded, opening his mouth to reply when blue eyes turned to the opening door. "Well, well, well…" An eyebrow raised, "it's been awhile Cena."
John rolled his eyes, "Long enough for you to forget my first name, apparently." He extended a hand to his former room-mate. "How've you been, Randy?"
"Living," he replied as he shook John's hand. "And possibly unemployed if I don't get to my next meeting." Randy touched a hand to his forehead, "John… Amy.. I'm sure I'll be seeing you two around."
Amy sighed as the vehicle disappeared, "I really want to go home.."
John sent her a questioning look, "It didn't go that bad, did it?"
"Not as bad as it could've been.." the redheaded C.E.O. shrugged. "But, that still doesn't mean I don't want to go home.. Even though I know I can't because I'm supposed to be here right now and--"
"Then just come in, take a quick look and leave.." He winked, "it's not like anyone's here to supervise you…right?"
Amy rolled her eyes, "I'd like to do that, but I also need to tell your associates about the dinner meeting scheduled for tomorrow night."
John placed the yellow hat atop her head, "I'm sure they'll understand if you don't want to stick around.. Just tell them you have food poisoning or something."
The redhead's nose wrinkled, "How I'm feeling right now, is close enough to it."
"Well, how about this then.. You come inside, hang around for a bit." He opened the door for her, grabbing the briefcase from the sidewalk before she had a chance. "Then you can leave, go home and do whatever it is you need to do."
"And face my nosy room-mates?" Amy shook her head, "I'll probably head to coffee shop or something….or go home, change and then go for a run in the park."
John shook his head, "I've got a better idea.. You go inside, hang around for a bit…go home, get changed and then met me.. You can vent, bitch, whine and moan…whatever it is you need to do and--"
Amy nodded, "That sounds like a plan." An appreciative smile was sent to him, "and thanks.."
He merely smiled in response, the two finally heading inside…met with curious looks from Tyson, Jason, Kurt and Chris. But, since she was there to supervise, Amy quickly went into her 'supervisor' mode.. Just a little toned down. She also informed them about the business dinner tomorrow night…and of Trish and Dawn's ideas regarding the date situation for the party that Evolution Inc. was hosting. All in all, Amy ended up spending a good two hours with the five members of T.I.R.A.C…her watch reading 5:00 by the time she was ready to leave. The redhead ended up getting a ride from Tyson and John back to McMahon Corp.. the redhead requesting they just drop her off at the parking garage so she could get her car. Before she did that, however, she finalized her plans for later…that being an evening spent bitching and venting to John.
