Model Behavior
Summary: Modern/AU. Korra thought it was an ordinary day of art class at Republic School for the Gifted. But then, the art model Asami Sato walked into the room... Korrasami
Chapter 26: Bosami (Camouflage)
-Three Weeks Later-
Asami pulled her lips into a thin line as Raiken, Future Industries Vice President, glared over at her. She laced her fingers together in front of her on the table. Bolin leaned over and tapped her on the elbow. She glanced at him, noting his slight pout and furrowed eyebrows. The engineer smiled and patted his hand reassuringly before focusing her attention on her VP.
"How can you go and make such a big decision without consulting the rest of us?" he demanded.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Asami answered airily, her eyebrows rising, and her eyes widening in shock. "I didn't mean to go behind your back with my company and sign a contract to help keep my company afloat, and to turn around its reputation." She slowly pushed back her chair and got to her feet. "I'm sorry that it ruined your plans of a hostile takeover."
"What?" he asked. "What are you talking about?" He glanced at the other people sitting around the conference room table. Asami could tell by the slight twitch to his right eye that he was panicking, trying to find some solace and comfort in having someone defend him. Not one other person in the room looked in his direction. She had suspected as much.
Growing up and shadowing her father as he ran the company, Asami never did like Raiken. Being close to her father's secretary, Xu, she was able to gather a lot of information over the years. While at first, she felt bad for talking about other people's business, the correct term was gossiping which she learned at eight years old, but it became a ritual of theirs whenever she would visit the company. Of course, Xu would never start out conversations of theirs with the going-ons in the company, but to make sure Asami was doing alright without a mother.
Asami saw Xu as somewhat of a guardian. While she never did full see her as a mother, or even as someone who could marry her father, she was the adult that helped her get through the rough times of awkward adolescents. Her father was very hands off at that stage in her life, not wanting to embarrass her, but she needed a guide, so whenever Asami didn't feel comfortable in her own skin, she'd spend her afternoons at the company talking with Xu.
Eventually, as Asami got older, she understood that Raiken had been eyeing for a more lucrative position in the company for years. She had planned on telling her father the information she gathered, when the timing was right, but it never came seeing as he wound up in jail for working alongside Amon and the Equalist movement.
"Enough with the lies Raiken." Asami crossed her arms over her chest, nailing him with a glare. She clenched her jaw, and lifted her chin a bit higher, and raised an eyebrow. Next to her, Bolin gave a low whistle and moved his chair a bit to the right.
"There goes the Work Face," he muttered. She had to fight back a smile. The 'Work Face' was a term Korra, Mako, and Bolin came up with to go along with Asami's work voice. Whenever it appeared, they knew she meant business and wasn't to be questioned.
"I know how you seen me: I'm just some little girl in a man's world, trying to follow along in her dad's four-sizes-too-big-footsteps." Asami started to circle the conference room table. All eyes were on her as she made every step deliberately slow. Her entire focus was on Raiken, who continued to stare her down. "I've had enough of the way you talk to me, as if I'm incompetent or I'm a young child. My father raised me to understand this business so that the company would be in safe hands when he wasn't fit to run it anymore," she explained.
"I happen to know that you have been using your power to bully, control, and spread fear around the company to try and change things." Asami held up her hand, silencing Raiken when he opened his mouth to speak. "It doesn't matter how I know, but I know." She crossed her arms once more as she continued to make her way around the table. She came to a stop around the middle, and looked down at the ground. "I may just be a senior in high school, but I do know the difference between right and wrong. I understand how it feels to have someone make you second guess your choices, both big and small."
Raiken cleared his throat, reaching for a glass and the pitcher that was placed in the middle of the table. Asami resumed her stroll, the only sounds filling the room was the clack of her high heels. Xu was rapidly writing something down on the notepad in front of her. Lifting her eyes for a quick second, she and Asami locked eyes. The corner of the older woman's lips twitched.
"So, there are going to be some changes to this company," Asami declared. She clasped her hands behind her back and nodded at Xu, who flipped the paper on her notebook to a blank page. Bolin handed her a pen, before clasping his hands together and placing them lightly onto the table. "Starting with our employees. Eighty perfect of our employees are male. There are a lot of women out there in the city who excel in technology and engineering. I would like to create a new scholarship for those who would like to attend those types' of science schools."
A soft murmur rang throughout the room. Raiken clenched his jaw and leaned back in his chair. Xu rapidly wrote down everything that was being said on the notepad. "Also, I want to start an internship program where women would be able to receive hands on experience in working in companies such as this, with opportune chances for advancement."
Asami faced Raiken once more, her eyes zeroing in on him. Raiken slammed his hands onto the table and stood up. "As you're vice president, I must inform you that many of us don't think you have taken the right initiative step, therefore-"
"I do, wholeheartedly agree with you, Vice President Raiken," Asami said with a shrug. "I shouldn't have much such a lucrative decision without bringing it to the board's attention. We were in dire straits, and a decision had to be made. However, I do seem to recall that it was you who suggested I look to outside sources for help," she reminded him.
"Yes, but through contacts that I know would be beneficial," he answered.
"You mean your contacts," she corrected. Asami walked right up to him, tilting her head back a bit to stare him directly in the eye. "That way someone would be able to take a controlling part of my company, so you can make decisions that would go over my head." She bit back a smirk. She turned and addressed the rest of the businessmen, Xu, and Bolin, who were sitting quietly in the room, watching them with intent. "You see, Varrick run his own company, and with his controlling stake in mine, he is essentially saving Future Industries. With his help, we will be able to advance into the South and even the North Poles. The Fire Nation and Earth Nation are still up for debate." She placed a hand on her hip and turned towards Raiken. "When I approached him three weeks ago, he was very eager to help turn my company around in…interesting ways." She slowly shook her head, remembering the staring contest she had to hold with him, just to prove her self-worth. "However, I have seen a major improvement."
"Meanwhile, instead of offering up suggestions along with plans, you're trying to tear down a girl," she snapped. "I can finally see bright things happening for this company, and I have many investors who are genuinely intrigued with my numerous ideas on female advancement in the world. Sponsoring the Fire Ferrets has helped turn a bit of this company's reputation around. You may have been able to do things your way with my father, but I won't be fooled as easily. With that being said…" Asami reached up and straightened Raiken's bow tie. He involuntarily flinched, swallowing hard, albeit he kept his breathing nice and calm. Once she finished straightening the bow tie, she patted him twice on the shoulder before smiling brightly. "You're fired," she declared.
Asami made her way back to the head of the table as the room burst into applause. Bolin lifted his fingers to his lips and blew, letting out a shrill whistle. He paused after a moment, and glanced around the room, noticing a few of the business men watched him in confusion. He removed his fingers from his mouth and slumped a bit in his chair. Xu leaned over and placed a hand on his shoulder. He smiled before sitting up, and clapping along with the rest of the people in the room.
"You can't fire me!"
"As the President and CEO of this company, I can," Asami answered as she lowered herself back into her seat at the head of the table.
"Then who will you get to replace me?" Raiken asked.
"While I do have a signed contract with Varrik, he does have some say in who should be the next VP. However, I know the perfect candidate." Asami turned towards her right, winking at Bolin, before shifting her gaze over to the company's secretary. "Would you be interested in the position, Xu?"
"She…she's just a secretary!" he exploded.
"She's been my father's secretary since he opened this company," Asami answered evenly. "If anyone understands the in's and out's it would be her." Xu sat up a bit taller in her seat. She closed the notebook and tucked the pen into the spiral binding, clipping it to the top metal rung.
"I'd be honored," Xu said with a slight bow of her head. Asami nodded in response before turning back to Raiken.
"You have an hour to vacate the premises or I'll have security escort you," she insisted. Addressing the others in the room, she nodded once before leaning back in her seat. "Meeting adjourned," she announced.
"This company will run into the ground, and then you'll be begging to have me back." Raiken stormed out of the two glass doors and down the hallway, muttering under his breath. The other few businessmen nodded in Asami's general direction, offering up celebratory words, looking more relaxed, before exiting the room. The minute it was just Bolin, Asami, and Xu left, he jumped out of his seat and wrapped Asami in a tight hug, spinning them around in a tight circle.
"And this is why you make a fantastic assistant," Asami said, ruffling his hair, once she was placed back on the ground. "Your idea worked!"
"Congratulation to the both of you," Xu said as she gathered up her items.
"And to you as well," the engineer responded. "No one deserves it more than you. We can talk about a pay raise and change of office in the morning. For now, enjoy the rest of the day off. I'm sure I can handle things now."
"I think we need to celebrate," Bolin said as Asami gathered up the papers she left on the table into her briefcase.
"Oh, Bolin," she muttered, closing the office accessory with a snap. "I should really get to work-"
"That's what you've been doing since we got back from the festival," he reminded her. "Things are looking up now. You said it yourself." He placed an arm around her shoulders and pulled her into his side. "I think you can take some time off. You're the boss, right?" She smiled and nodded. He cleared his throat, casting his gaze towards the ground. "I just want to catch up and see how you're doing," he admitted. "Things are different now. Korra's still in the South, Mako has his new job with Lin at the police force, you're running your company, and Opal hasn't come back yet…"
"Okay, it sounds nice," Asami said quickly. She knew how depressed Bolin gets when he dwells on the negative. "Where are we going?"
Asami doubled over in laughter as Bolin grabbed her hand, and began to sway back and forth. The instrumental of "I've Got You Babe" by Sonny and Cher filled the Karaoke Hut, the restaurant The Krew visited back during Republic' Spirit Week. She straightened up and cleared her throat, preparing herself to sing the next few lines.
She began to sway back and forth along with him, squeezing his hand tightly. A moment later, he let go and placed an arm around her shoulder, pulling her into his side. Asami moved her microphone to her left hand, so that she could lean in closer to Bolin and wrap her arm around his waist.
Bolin removed his arm from Asami's shoulders, and held his arm out, sticking the microphone in her face. She instantly wrapped her arm around his and sang back into her own microphone. He quickly shifted his microphone from her mouth to his, over dramatically declaring the last few lines of the song, causing her to giggle the rest of the words.
"This is a lot of fun," Asami said, trying to catch her breath from laughing so hard. She and Bolin made their way back to their small booth. "I'm glad you made me come." He smiled happily as they placed their orders. Asami took a sip of her drink before leaning forward. She rested her forearms against the side of the table, and laced her fingers together. "So, what's been going on with you?"
"Well, I've been talking to Varrick a lot," Bolin announced. "He's been showing me some neat things he's invented and is trying to patent." He began to play with a salt shaker, dumping out the contents and making a small pile on the table. "Varrick is thinking of making some movers based on the Southern Civil War. He wants me to star in them," he muttered.
Asami's eyebrows rose in surprise. In the last few days that she spent with Bolin, preparing for the meeting that had occurred early in the day, not once did he mention anything about the job offer. "I didn't know you wanted to act."
"I don't really know if I want to," he admitted, "but it's something to do."
"Will you declare that as your intent?" she asked.
Bolin raised one his eyebrows and pointed across the table at her with a fork. "You're sounding more and more like a public school kid." He then placed a hand over his heart, and slowly shook his head. "I'm so proud," he gushed.
Asami tittered in her hand. "Seriously, I am interested in what you're pursuing. What does Mako think?"
"I haven't really talked to him." Bolin dropped his fork and sighed. Asami reached out and patted the back of his hand when he placed it onto the table. "When we all returned from the South, you all had something to do and I didn't. I looked to him for guidance and he just told me to figure things out on my own. I guess this is it." He shrugged. "Plus, I've been training the new Fire Ferrets team, as a way to get them ready for the upcoming season, and it isn't going so well."
"I've heard," Asami said with an apologetic look. "I'll still continue to sponsor you all though. You have my word." She pulled out her work cell phone, before passing it over to him. "Just input their names in this note and I'll get new jackets made. I already have a design planned for Pabu, which is long overdue."
"How have you been?" Bolin asked. "You seemed a little on edge last night. Is it about your Senior Project? You didn't have to move your presentation date."
"Yes, I did," Asami insisted. "Something could come up at any time and I have to be ready. Also, depending on how things progress, I may change the idea entirely. I just have to run it by Kuvira first," she added. She fought back a yawn and rubbed her eyes, before leaning back in her seat. "Otherwise, I've been very busy. I mean, I've wanted to turn this company around for months, and now that it's finally happening," she sighed, "sometimes I just want to stop and rest. Plus, school starts up on Monday, so I have to prepare for that. You guys are lucky you don't have to go back until February."
"Have you heard from Korra?" he asked, abruptly changing the topic.
Asami paused at the mention of her name. There was no sudden influx of heat rushing to her cheeks. Her stomach didn't tighten, twist, or turn. Her palms didn't sweat, her breathing stayed even, and her pulse was running like normal. She smiled gently at her accomplishment before turning it to a sad smile. "Nope. Have you?"
"No, I thought you would know." Bolin drooled a little bit as their food was brought out to them. Steam rose high from the plates. He quickly bowed his head and said a prayer. Asami blushed lightly, a forkful of food heading towards her mouth. She lightly placed it back onto plate, waiting for him to finish.
"How do you figure?" she asked before taking a bite of food.
"Well, the two of you are getting closer, so I just figured you'd keep in touch."
Asami nodded a she chewed. Picking up a napkin, she gently dabbed around her lips, and then took a sip of her beverage. "She's busy, which is understandable." She shrugged. "And so am I. People don't stay in contact a lot when things are going on. It's a way of life. It's part of the reason as to why I initially stopped being friends with Rika, Manami, and Kiyoko. At least, before Rika turned…difficult."
"I understand," Bolin answered sadly.
"Things will be back to normal soon," she reassured him. "In the meantime, tell me all about the filming of your new movie…next week, when we come back." Bolin instantly brightened. Asami knew that with those words, she'd set a new precedent that the two would venture to the karaoke bar every week, but it filled her with happiness, and it lifted him out of the dumps.
The two continued to talk quietly as they enjoyed their food. About halfway into their meal, Mako burst in through the restaurant door. The two watched in confusion as he rushed up to them, his red scarf billowing behind him.
"Guys," Mako panted.
"Hey Mako, where's the fire?" Bolin asked. Asami refilled her glass of water before handing it over to the firebender who drained it in one big gulp.
"Korra's…missing!" he announced.
Asami's stomach dropped.
AN: Many, many thanks to my beta, Rubiks.
Guess what fic is back?! Many thanks for being patient, but I'm going to let you know, all of my active stories from here on out will be updated pretty sporadically because I have a lot of writing projects (both publicly posted and not posted) as well as working two jobs. This could also mean one story gets updated more often than the other, it's just how inspiration hits, that's all. However, with that being said, I already have Chapter 50 (or so) typed up, and I can't wait to get there as we finish Part 1 of the Model UN series.
Also, i know things may be a bit confusing and you're wondering what happened in between Chapter 25 and this one. I have a oneshot (or a two shot) in the works describing everything that happened leading up to this chapter. It is tentatively called 'Summer Solstice Festival'. So be on the lookout for that.
Once again, thank you for being patient for this chapter, and I'll see you next time. If you would like to get updates or ask me questions, then please follow me on tumblr (knocking-down-hesitation).
~Angel
