An awkward air of silence tore through the management department like a hurricane the moment Emery walked into the room. She raised a brow in question but continued to her office where her assistant was waiting, sitting on a laptop in front of her desk.
"Morning," Emery uttered as she walked in and sat down.
Megan – a young woman with dark skin – smiled sympathetically at her.
"Morning."
Turning on her computer, Emery averted her attention to the window just in time to see two chatting men look away in a rush. Was something wrong? She had an idea what it might be.
"Is there something wrong with my face?" Emery asked with a grin.
Megan snorted.
"I think most of them are just curious about what happened. You know how quickly rumors spread around here."
No kidding. There was no telling what was going around. From their silence, it probably wasn't good. Perhaps Emery should have taken Madelyn's offer and stayed out for the rest of the week.
"By the way, I want to thank you for covering for me while I was out," Emery mentioned.
"It was no problem. I kind of liked being the boss," Megan stated.
And no doubt she kept all four departments in line too. Emery appreciated her help.
Now that her computer was booted up, Emery logged into Vought's secure server and checked her clientele list. It looked like Megan handled one – a promotional video with The Deep – while she was gone. Remembering her run-in with him the previous day, Emery rolled her eyes. He was a complete––
"A little birdie told me you have a date with Homelander," Megan unexpectedly mentioned.
Emery took an uneasy breath and peeked up from her computer screen. Who told her?
"Someone has a big mouth."
"That someone is your sister," Megan retorted. She widened her eyes and hummed. "Well, actually, I heard from Ashley you have a date with him, but Madelyn told her."
Emery rolled her eyes. Could no one keep a secret?
"What matters is that you are dating again. I'm so thrilled for you," Megan added.
At least someone is.
Emery wasn't exactly thrilled, but she was eager. And a bit nervous. It had been three months since her last date. She connected with a local businessman online – some dating site Megan showed her – and went out to dinner with him, but he was far too interested in her career. Emery understood The Seven had a large fanbase, but damn was he obsessed. He was nice, but first impressions meant a lot to her.
In the end, she was sure he was more interested in Queen Maeve than in her. Emery took a step back from dating after that encounter. And though she had accepted the dinner date with Homelander, she wasn't sure she was ready. It felt more impulsive than anything.
"Was it wrong for me to accept his offer?" Emery asked. "I don't want to lead him on."
"Are you leading him on?" Megan asked.
Emery shrugged.
"I don't know. I never thought of John as date material before. I see his face on about a hundred products a day and I have never thought about going out to dinner with him."
"Then just be real with him. Say you want to take it slow, maybe get to know him a bit more. Who knows, you might like him," Megan explained.
She was right, about the "getting to know him part," at least. Homelander seemed like a rational man; Emery was sure he'd understand. She sighed and turned her attention back to her computer screen.
The name The Emerald Beetle was on her client list. Emery raised a brow. Who was The Emerald Beetle?
"Hey, Megan. Who is this?"
Megan lifted out of her seat and walked around the table, peeking over Emery's shoulder.
"That's the face of Vought's new line of protein shakes. He's scheduled for a photoshoot tomorrow morning. I was going to attend, but since you're back, you can go instead."
"How considerate," Emery joked.
She stared at the name on the screen and snorted. Who came up with Emerald Beetle?
Checking her work email next, she was surprised to see that no one had messaged her. Emery thought Madelyn would jump at the chance to bombard her with questions about her alone time with Homelander, but she guessed wrong. No matter. With Madelyn off her back, the ball was in her court, though she hadn't made a move since she agreed to go to dinner with Homelander. Perhaps she should set a date.
Emery opened a new email tab and sent her sister a message, asking her about his schedule. She had no idea if Homelander had an email and neither of them traded numbers after their meeting, so she was left with only one option, using Madelyn as a middleman.
No sooner had she exited the page, than a notification came up showing that Madelyn had emailed her back. Emery checked it and rolled her eyes in annoyance.
"I swear she's not happy unless she is in control."
"Who?" Megan asked.
Emery pinched the bridge of her nose. She didn't mean to express her annoyance out loud, but Madelyn made her so mad.
"My sister," she answered. "I asked her to give me Homelander's schedule and she set a time for our date. And changed our plans. I'm meant to have dinner with him in his penthouse at 7 p.m."
"Wow … that's rude," Megan stated.
Emery snorted.
"Oh, but that's not all. She asks that I please wear the turquoise dress she let me have that's been sitting in my closet since last summer."
"Are you going to?" Megan asked.
She wasn't sure why she asked; Megan already knew the answer. Madelyn was a control freak, but Emery valued her opinion, a little too much. It was sad how far she would go just to please the queen bee. Megan sighed and watched her type back a reply, angrily striking the keys as she muttered to herself.
She wished her the best of luck.
At around seven, Emery knocked on Homelander's front door.
She took an uneasy breath and brushed her wavy hair over her shoulders for the second time as she waited. She was nervous as hell, and the dress made her feel too exposed. It was cute, but the length made it hard to walk in and the visible shoulders and upper back made her wish she had put on a coat before she left her apartment.
What in the hell did she agree to?
As the door came open, Emery faked a smile despite seeing Homelander in his usual attire. Did he ever change out of his hero uniform? She wasn't sure why Madelyn asked her to put on a dress if they were just going to have dinner in his penthouse.
"Hi," she uttered.
"I'm glad you made it," Homelander mentioned. He stepped aside and motioned for her to come in.
As she did, he shut the door.
"I haven't called for a cook yet, but we can do that when you're ready," he added.
Emery took a look around as she walked in. She was in awe. His apartment was enormous. The main room opened up into a wide-opened space with several statues and a staircase leading up to a balcony with a roll of cases teeming with books.
"How many floors is this?" She asked as she looked over the American flag spread across the wall.
"Three," Homelander answered.
He walked past an impressed Emery and motioned her further into the room. An intimate seating area with a crescent-shaped couch and a circular coffee table caught her eye and she sauntered towards it, taking a seat when Homelander offered it to her.
"Your apartment is incredible," she uttered.
"Isn't it, though."
Homelander took a seat next to her, freaking her out a bit as his knee bumped hers. He was a little close, in her opinion, but Emery choked back her concern and forced a smile. She was a mess.
"So, you got me here after all," the woman mentioned.
Homelander hummed.
"I know it wasn't what we agreed on, but Madelyn is a hard one to negotiate with."
"Don't I know it," Emery uttered. "She always gets her way."
Leaning closer, he grinned.
"We can leave if you want. She doesn't have to know."
So, he wasn't one of Madelyn's trained pets. Emery was impressed.
"We may not get a table. But I suppose we can do fast food."
Homelander grinned. So, she was up for leaving. He liked how eager she looked. Standing, he offered his hand which she took with an embarrassed expression, then led her to a door that opened up to a narrow balcony.
Emery raised a brow. Where was he taking her?
"Have you ever flown before?" Homelander asked.
What kind of––
Emery widened her eyes. Was he serious?
"I've never––"
"It's alright. You trust me, don't you?" Homelander asked.
Did she? He was a superhero after all. Emery shook her head.
"Of course."
He grinned and slid his arm around her back, using the other to lift her by the back of the legs. Without much of a warning, he stepped off the balcony and began floating in place.
As the cool air hit her, Emery leaned closer to Homelander, gripping his shoulder. She was too terrified to look around, so she focused on him as he stared out at the gleaming lights beyond his window. His eyes were wide in awe, like a kid who tasted candy for the first time. The expression looked good on him.
"I'm jealous," Emery admitted.
Homelander averted his eyes to her.
"Of what?"
"That look in your eyes. From up high the city must look like it was made for you," she explained.
He grinned but didn't deny it.
"Hold on to me," Homelander ordered.
Emery obeyed, gasping as he flew quickly towards the inner part of the city. It felt … strange, like sinking in deep water; weightless and suffocating at the same time. Perhaps Homelander was just moving way too fast, because what took her twenty-five minutes to reach took him less than ten. Emery erupted into a coughing fit the moment they landed, and the air returned to her lungs.
"Was that too fast?" Homelander asked in concern.
Emery took an uneasy breath. Why did it feel like she swallowed a bowl of razor blades? The air was so cold.
"J-just a bit."
She shivered as his hand touched the bare skin of her back, tracing her spine. Emery's face heated up. She averted her eyes, trying to figure out where he had taken her. It appeared to be a mom-and-pop barbeque place. Very few people were outside, sitting at circular-shaped tables as they ate. Well, not at the moment. Because the moment Homelander appeared the few who were in the area lost their minds, taking out their phones to take pictures or video him. Emery was mortified.
She turned her head away and followed close behind the infamous Supe as he neared the window. Her heart was pounding. She didn't think coming out with him in public would be so insufferable. No wonder he asked her to join him for dinner in his penthouse.
Ordering for herself, Emery linked her arms with his and hid her face from the cameras.
Homelander grinned. She was a timid thing. And her embarrassed expression made cock twitch. She was no Madelyn, but he was thrilled that Emery at least showed some interest in him.
"You don't like being in the limelight much, do you?" He asked.
Emery shook her head.
"I'm not like Madelyn in that aspect," she answered. "And I'm not sure how either of you can stand it."
"We like the attention," he admitted.
Emery grinned, feeling a bit flirty.
"Am I not showing you enough attention?"
The said man cleared his throat and turned his eyes to her. She had no idea what game she was playing.
"You'd be surprised how much I need."
Was he admitting to being a drama queen? Emery expected it. Seldom do those in power want less.
"I'll have to keep that in mind," she uttered.
What she wanted to say was that she'd love for him to teach her, but it was the first date. Wasn't she supposed to be taking it slow? It was hard to when Homelander was so damn attractive. Emery was thinking with her vagina, and it annoyed her. She felt like a hypocrite.
Once their sandwiches arrived, they ate in silence due to much of their conversations being interrupted by an eager fan or two. But Emery didn't mind. She liked to see Homelander in his element, taking pictures with them. She just didn't want to be a part of it.
Emery stood off to the side until a curious fan asked about her. He wouldn't drag her into his spotlight, would he? Homelander turned to her in question.
"Pardon me?" Emery uttered. Her face heated up.
"I asked what your relationship with Homelander was," a young female asked.
Emery went blank. She wasn't sure. They were on a date, yes, but they weren't serious.
"It's open for debate," Homelander answered, walking over to her and putting his hand on her lower back.
For fuck's sake she was relieved that he was used to unexpected questions.
"It's been a pleasure," Homelander said with a wave.
He then leaned down and picked Emery up, soaring into the air. It was late, so instead of taking her back to his penthouse, he took her home. At least the ride was easier on her this time. Emery sighed in relief the moment her feet hit the ground.
"I don't think I will ever get used to that," she uttered.
Homelander grinned.
"Give it some time. I can show you how exciting it can be."
Was he implying that there would be another date? Emery reckoned she had a fun time.
"Perhaps."
Clearing her throat, she rocked on her heels.
"Thank you for tonight. I wasn't anticipating the whole flying part, but I had fun."
"I left my email with Madelyn if you need to contact me," Homelander mentioned. He was a bit let down that she was ending the night so soon, but he knew that she'd never let him close so soon.
So, he does have an email, Emery thought.
That was good to know. She'd rather her sister be in the dark about her love life or lack thereof. It was easier to manage her life when Madelyn wasn't butting in.
"I'll be in touch," Emery mentioned.
She stood in front of him and leaned up to kiss him on the cheek. As she sat her heels back on the ground, she felt his hand on her back again. Damn, she hated how exposed she was. His touch was welcoming, but Emery was not ready.
"I hope so," Homelander uttered.
She wanted to taste him badly.
Emery wished him a reluctant goodnight and walked into the foyer of her apartment building. He had no idea how tempted she was to invite him in. She took an uneasy breath.
"I need to get laid."
