9
I was happy driving home, happy going inside and cleaning up and even happy as I slept. However, when I awoke the next morning, I remembered I had to meet up with Madelyn to discuss my new work schedule. I told myself not to let that get to me. I slid on some brown pantyhose, a black skirt and a white blouse along with an old black vest I had deep in my closet. It still looked nice. Lord I felt ridiculous as I slid on my black heals and headed outside. I jumped a bit as I realized the Bugatti was parked right beside my car. I was tired of this car finding its way back to me. Black Noir had not sent any more gifts, but he was definitely not letting me get rid of this car. Honestly I hoped someone stole it.
But beside it was my car and that made me smile. I decided to push the thought of supes away for the time being and drive into town. I got some coffee before I went in. At least my morning would start off well. Once I arrived at Vought, the valet took my car which surprised me because I wasn't even officially an employee. But giving them my name was all I needed to do. I stepped inside the front as usual and could already see people moving about scurrying around.
I looked around noticing how everyone looked so business like and their faces looked stressed like they were each on a mission. I then moved up to the receptionist desk of which the woman already cut me off and told me Madlyn was waiting for me. Of course, she was. I began to walk down one of the halls which was empty of people and rounding the corner was none other than Black Noir. Once again he walked right in my path and I was stubborn enough to not move again. Since he didn't move and I didn't move, we ended up stopping right before each other. I let out a light breath of air.
"Good morning." I said lowly. I wondered what he thought about all this, about me working for Vought. I doubt we'd ever see each other, but then again, I still had suspicions that he was in on whatever plan Madlyn had to get me here. I noticed Black Noir starting to slowly look me up and down. I tensed not sure of what that meant until his glance finally stopped at my legs. His head gave a light tilt as I realized he was staring at my pantyhose. I didn't know what he was thinking but I got my answer as he raised his arms out to me making grabby hands with his fingers. My eyes widened as I realized he was going to jump me right in this hall. I shook my head quickly and started to back away.
"Noir no!" I whispered harshly thinking now was not the time for this. However, a flash of blue made him stop as we realized it was A-Train. Noir stopped and just stepped beside me standing at attention and now the fast supe smirked.
"Ah you must be the new receptionist. This my coffee?" he asked pointing at my cup and making a move to take it. Before I could recoil my hand back and explain that I wasn't, Noir's black glove comes up quickly and just smacks the man's hand. Hard. A-Train squealed out pulling his hand to himself and my mouth dropped as I could have sworn it was broken. "What the fuck man!"
Now another woman was rushing up to us. I was familiar with her. Ashley. She tries so hard. She looked panic.
"Ayana, thank you for coming! We need to get you to Madlyn she is waiting for you." she said before looking at A-Train and groaning as if already exhausted. "I don't want to know what happened. Black Noir would you escort A-Train to the medical lab please?" Black Noir made a step toward A-Train, but he just turned his body from him still groaning in pain.
"Nah I'll get myself there!" he said walking around us and I wanted to apologize to him. That was not necessary and Noir knew it. I shot him a glare and he just shrugged as if not even affected by it.
"Ayana please?" Ashley replied holding her arm out to the hall before us. I nodded and just waved at Noir before leaving him to follow Ashley. She was walking fast and luckily I was able to keep up with her. We got on an elevator together and the ride up was so awkward. She was on her phone texting someone the entire time. She didn't have to escort me, but the woman looked like she could have a heart attack at any moment so I just let her do her job and guide me to her office. She knocked and went in and announced me and I came in. Madlyn was sitting there nursing an infant. I couldn't help but show my discomfort as she smiled sweetly at me.
"Ayana! Right on time. Just like your father. Please sit." she said holding her hand out to the chair before her. I slowly moved over to the chair and sat down. She eyed my outfit. "Wow, I was not expecting this level of business wear from you. And I won't start now. You have my permission to wear whatever you like here." I just nodded slowly my eyes moving from her baby then back to her.
"Thanks… shall we get right to it then?" I asked and she nodded.
"Yes. It'll be very simple. I point you in the direction of someone and you tell me what you see in them that relates to a relationship with Vought and its associates. You will find any spies, any enemies… any allies." she said. I nodded slowly already expecting this. No one can hide their intentions from me. She would always believe me then.
"So your associates." I replied and she nodded her smile still on her face.
"You have free range of your daily schedule unless I call. You will not only help me, but if any of the Seven need your talents they are allowed to come to you and they are aware of this. If they call you then you will answer them. You will do all of this and get a biweekly paycheck for eighty hours." she told. So I wouldn't just be with her then.
"Fine. But I will not tell anyone when they die. I will not predict random futures, I will only see what their eyes tell me related to you. Anything else I will not tell you." I replied. She smiled still continuing to nod.
"That's fair. We know this can be a very dangerous task for you if any of our enemies find out about you so I am assigning a personal guard to you." she told. I winced some not liking that.
"Fine who?" I asked. She shook her head giving a slight look of mild thought.
"I haven't decided yet. I may use one of our younger supes. Ever heard of Blindspot?" she asked. I shook my head.
"No I have not." I replied and she nodded giving a flirty smile.
"Why don't I introduce you two. I think you may like him." she said before raising her hand to lift her phone. She dialed with the same hand and brought it to her ear.
"Ashley-"
"Why don't I meet him another time. We do need to discuss when and where I am needed?" I asked respectfully and Madly nodded.
"Alright sure." she replied hanging up the phone and placing her baby over her shoulder to burp it. "Maybe we can use one of the seven? What about the Deep?" I shook my head.
"The Deep can't handle me." I replied and she tilted her head.
"Why do you say that?" she asked innocently.
"Because I have seen into him and he could lose you money if you let him… get out of hand." I responded dryly with a tilt of my head now smiling sweetly. She nodded slowly.
"I see. Well as for you being needed, I will just say keep your cell on at all times. No one will call after business hours." I replied. No one that isn't a supe, will call. I just nodded.
"Fine." I replied and she nodded.
"I will have your contact written up and we can sign it later." she replied. "Now I will have Ashley escort you to the top floor so that you can meet the Seven. You officially started at eight. You will attend some meetings with me as my assistant and you will tell me what you know after looking at everyone. No one will know your abilities either." she told. I just nodded watching her call for Ashley again. Seconds later, Ashley came in and waved me over and I followed her out the office and over to the elevator where we moved all the way to the top floor. I looked at Ashley noticing she was avoiding eye contact with me again. Once more she was looking everywhere but to me. I nodded slowly.
"You're afraid of what I'll see aren't you?" I asked and she did a double take to me.
"What uh no I don't know what you're talking about." she said quickly. I turned to her now and lifted my head some.
"Want me to look and see if you survive this job?" I asked. Her entire body tightened at my words and she looked at me and then ahead and then at me again. I could tell she was thinking it over hard.
"Yes or no." she replied and just turned to me. I did what I did to Annie when she asked me. I raised my hands to her face and she looked at me utterly confused before I rested my palms over her eye lids gently. I could feel my third eye opening to really see. It's one thing to see eye to eye, but when my palms touch your eyes, I see more than I could ever imagine. I see her doing what she has to in order to survive. She will soon take power and have to fight every day of her life to ensure her survival with the Seven. My mouth drops some as I see the pain she is in, that she feels in her body every second she steps into this building. Her anxiety and stress will be like none she has ever known. I see her true soul and finally I remove my hands from her and she just looks at me, eyes watering as if she herself was thinking of her life here and she felt she wouldn't make it. I nodded slowly.
"Yes." I replied strongly and she stares at me completely star struck. A single tear falls down her cheek.
"Tell me please… tell me how I survive." she begs.
"If I do, it could change everything." I replied. The elevator finally stops and the doors slowly slide open and she quickly wipes her face and steps out of the elevator. I followed moving into the large room looking at the table that had some of the supes sitting there. Black Noir and A-Train were missing. A-Train I knew why but not Noir.
"Everyone this is Ayana Laurent. Ayana you already know most of the supes here. The only one you haven't met is Translucent." she said pointing to a slow-moving chair as all the others nodded professionally at me. I nodded at them.
"Hello." I replied. Annie however gave a cheerful wave and Maeve just looked away uninterested before cracking a smile. "She is an important member of Vought and she should be protected at all times." Homelander gave his famous smile.
"Welcome Ayana. I knew it was only a matter of time you accepted a position here! And here I thought I'd have to convince you to join!" he said. I could see the sadistic look trying to push its way past his Cheshire smile. I just smiled at him and nodded.
"Happy to be here." I said dryly. I heard a scoff coming from the moving chair as it pushed back some.
"Anyone want to uh, fill me in on why this chick is so important we have to protect her?" Transulcent asked. Ashley glared at the air.
"This order came from Ms. Stillwell herself. Ayana is an asset to the company and can be an asset to all of you." she said. Finally a man appeared before me looking me over with an over confident smirk. All the while I was already looking in his eyes the second he appeared in front of me.
"What's so special about you, huh?" I just leaned back now, my positive face fading.
"You like to sneak around women's bathrooms and you're having sexual urges for underage girls." I replied. Immediately his face dropped and his eyes widened as Annie and Maeve's eyes looked around awkwardly. Ashley looked at him with disgust as I just turned and stepped back inside the elevator looking at Ashley.
"His sneaking around won't lose Vought money, but the girls who come forward against him will. And you know I'm right." I said stoically as the doors began to close.
"Oh what the hell Translucent! You're going to cause trouble for us because you can't put your dick in the right age of girl!" Homelander asked annoyed and I just smirked at the arguing that took place. Once the doors closed I exhaled some because now I knew he would be watching me more and I wouldn't be able to see him. I returned to Madlyn's office and she welcomed me inside.
"I am ready whenever you are." I replied. The woman continued to smile innocently.
"Good let's get started." she said with mild excitement. It was at that very moment that I knew, that Vought owned me.