Hilde's Fashion
by Oyuki
Chapter 13
Standard Disclaimers apply.
AN: Hmm, I'm thinking about making a little side story to this. Many thanks to those of you who emailed me with ideas to keep the story going (Psycho Kitty and Mama-sama, and Kitty). Also, there was a word that for the love of all that's holy could not remember. It was the past tense of wind, as in coil, and I couldn't remember it. So I spelled it wound. I speak English, I speak it better than I speak my mother language, Spanish, but I could not remember the word!
Warnings: this chapter is sappy!
"So, basically what I'm saying, Hilde, is that you would be president of the company for about three years, at which time Duo would take over. But you would take over as vice president for the company," said Richard Maxwell, Duo's father.
Hilde could be vindictive and not take the position offered, and then Mr. Maxwell would be stuck with his stupid ass, immature son for a president. Or she could be vindictive and take the position just to get on Duo's nerves, since he hadn't wanted her to take it and that's how everything had started. It wasn't a hard choice. Duo's father didn't know anything that had happened, just as well because she truly admired the older man.
After a moment of silence she finally agreed. He brought out the contract and explained it to her. Hilde wasn't listening, though, she didn't care. She was going to be Duo's boss.
She signed.
"And Hilde, let me just say that you look beautiful. Your change of... everything came just in time for your position as president." Mr. Maxwell stood up and held out his hand to her.
'I'm a horrible person,' she thought. Then she thought of Duo, 'Not worse than Duo.' She shook Richard's hand.
"Welcome, Ms. President of Maxwell Fashion."
"Thank you." Guiltily, she walked out of the office that would be hers come next week.
She took a deep breath and thought, 'Get ready for hell, Maxwell.' An evil little smile spread on her red colored lips.
*~*~*~*
Duo was sitting behind his desk, in his chair. His elbows rested on the desk, his chin in one hands. He was deep in thought. He couldn't think of anything but Hilde. His mind wouldn't forget how sad, how defeated she'd looked when she slapped him in the parking lot. His mind went over and over the events of the day. He looked at the clock on the surface of the desk, 1:07 p.m. The seconds seem to drag by slowly. He groaned, his day was far from over.
After having given up hope that Hilde would open her door to him, Duo had gone back to his office. Heero had been there waiting for him asking him all kinds of questions.
"Talk to Relena, they're friends. Maybe she could talk to her for you," Heero had said.
'Yeah, maybe I should go talk to her. She could give me some advice... if she doesn't hate me too.'
At the same time he got up from his leather chair, Hilde came in the room. His heart soared. She'd come back! And she looked hot. He hadn't really looked at her until now. Her slightly wavy hair was totally straightened, as if she'd taken an iron to it. It was jet black, with a blue tint. Her thick glasses had been replaced with thin silver ones. Gray eye shadow graced her lids, and her thick eyelashes looked longer somehow. He noted the red color on her lips, luscious lips.
He looked at her clothes now. A black business suit. The skirt was short, but modest, the jacket emphasized the curves under it, the white silk blouse visible at the V of the jacket.
They looked at each other for a long time. Her gaze was cold. His was full of admiration and regret.
"Oh, so you see something you like now. Unlike the first time I walked in here?"
He sighed and shook his head. This was going to be harder than he thought. "I just wanted to tell you that you look beautiful," he said quietly.
"Thank you," she said smiling, but her smile didn't reach her eyes.
He walked closer to her, but she didn't back away. She stayed where she was and met his eyes. "Hilde, don't hurt my father's company for the sake of your revenge. He has nothing to do with this," he said sincerely.
"Don't worry, Duo, I have not intention of causing harm to this company, it would hurt your father. That's something YOU would do, and I am nothing like you. I don't even have a revenge planned out, my only revenge will be knowing that I took what you wanted the most. I took from you what you so desperately fought for," she said, her eyes going cold. Her mouth was set in a thin line. Her countenance betraying nothing.
"Is this how it is going to be for the rest of our lives, Hilde?" he asked. His cobalt eyes soulful, they searched her own eyes for a sign... any sign of feeling.
"I guess so, Duo. I'm not going to let myself be hurt... by anyone. Besides, now I have a brand new job, I have more responsibilities, people to order around; lots of things to keep me busy. I'll probably have to time for any relationships," she said with a cold smile.
He leaned closer to her so his forehead was touching hers. "And I'll be there every step of the way, helping you. With anything, and hoping that you'll make time for me," he whispered, his lips almost touching hers. His hands came up to cup her face.
Hilde closed her eyes, savoring the sensations his hot breath stirred. She moved her head closer to his, their lips not quite touching. Her arms came up to circle his neck of their own volition. Duo closed his eyes, ready to let his lips connect with her soft ones.
The door burst open.
Hilde jumped away from Duo and she blushed. Her breathing was erratic at what they'd been caught doing. She didn't look at the door or at Duo. She kept her eyes averted from him and the new person in the room. "Sorry," said a soft, feminine, sing-song voice. There was no hint of apology in the word.
Hilde frowned immediately, she knew that voice. It had haunted her dreams for a long time.
"Cathy," whispered Duo beside her. He sighed mentally. Things couldn't get worse. He'd been so close to kissing Hilde, and this bitch had to come and ruin his moment! 'Damn it!'
"Duo!" she almost yelled. "Haven't heard from you in the longest time!" Catherine was dressed in skin-tight, black leather pants. she was wearing a pair of five inch heeled boots. Her cut off, red halter top was probably two sizes too small because her breasts were almost popping out. Ample cleavage showing. She walked to Duo, brushing by Hilde as if she wasn't even there. With those boots she was easily as tall as Duo. That made Hilde fume. Her three inch heels barely made her reach Duo's earlobe.
"Oh, I missed you so much, love!" the woman squealed. "What's wrong?" she said, wrapping, more like coiling, herself around the stoic Duo. "I have an invitation, love! I was thinking that we could go to a club--"
"I'm going to get my things out of my office," said Hilde. "I'll be moving into my new one at this very moment." She walked away stiffly. That was the last thing she'd wanted to see. Duo with Catherine.
Duo wanted to run after her, but Catherine had more than wound herself around him. He knew that he wouldn't be able to get away from her.
"Anyway, so I was thinking..." her voice faded away from him.
He knew it was going to be a long time before she shut up. He walked behind his desk and sat down. She took it as an invitation and sat on his lap.
Ten minutes later, Duo was so tired of hearing her voice that he didn't have time to react when Hilde came out of her office with a box containing her things. She glanced at them briefly before walking out of the larger office.
"The only thing Cathy is good at was fucking things up,' he thought.
*~*~*~*
A pissed off Hilde walked to her new office, the one the current president of the company was vacating at that very moment. She'd forgotten to tell Relena about her new position in the company. 'I'll take a few minutes to tell her the good news. I bet she'll be glad about it.
Hilde walked into her friends little office. Relena's head was bent low, she was focusing on some paper she was reading. Hilde smiled, she didn't say anything, instead she dropped her box full of stuff on the floor. The clatter made Relena visibly jump. Her head snapped up and when she saw Hilde she smiled.
Relena rolled her eyes and said, "I should have known it was you. What brings you here," she paused looking at all the things that had come out of the box, "with all this stuff?" she said. Her eyes widened and she asked worriedly, "You didn't quit did you?"
"No, but I've been promoted. It seemed that everyone but you and I knew about it."
"Promoted to what?" asked Relena, obviously puzzled.
"To president of Maxwell Fashion," she said simply.
"Oh my gosh!" squealed Relena. She stood from her seat and ran to her friend. "How in the world did you manage that?" she asked and hugged her best friend. Things couldn't get any better for her friend.
"I have no idea. Mr. Maxwell just called me in his office, I thought he was going to fire me because he found out about me and... anyway so I'm sitting there and he just hits me with the offer!"
"And you said yes!" Relena said excitedly.
"Yup!" she said and hugged her friend back.
Relena was so excited for her friend that she didn't want to say what she was thinking. She was loath to say it, but she had to. "Hilde, you're not going to--" she didn't finish.
Hilde interrupted her by saying, "No, I didn't do it to hurt Duo, even though he knew about it and that's why he did what he did. I'm doing it because I want to...," she hesitated, "and partly because I know that's what Duo wants so much." Her eyes lowered. Her hands found her friend's, who'd stopped hugging her a while ago.
"When is Mr. Maxwell going to make the announcement?" Relena asked, grinning and successfully changing the subject.
"Later today," said Hilde happily. Despite everything that had gone on with Duo, Hilde was truly happy. All aspects of her life, except her love life, were looking up. Things were finally turning up for her, for the lonely child she'd been for such a long time.
*~*~*~*
The announcement was made over an intercom. It was broadcasted throughout the whole building, so even the janitors knew who would be signing their checks from then on.
Duo sat in his chair staring out the large window behind his desk. He had been doing that for the last two hours. And that was exactly the way Heero found him.
"Duo," he said, "it's late. Everybody went home. You and I are the only ones left in the building, except for the night crew. Let's go, I'll drive you home."
Duo swiveled his chair around to face his friend. The bright lights in the office giving him a pale color. He looked at his friend, he looked tired, dejected. He chuckled a little. "We're a couple of lovelorn bachelors, Heero."
Heero sighed and plopped down on one of the chairs facing his friend. "Speak for yourself, man. I don't love any chick..." he said, but Duo knew that he was only trying to convince himself.
"Whatever man, let's get outta here." Duo got up from his chair and grabbed his suit jacket. The two young men walked to the underground parking lot. Heero dropped Duo home, his care left in the parking lot.
When Heero stepped through his door he dropped his jacket on the floor, his tie, his shirt, his belt, and his pants. He plunked himself down on his bed and whispered, "I'm yours, Relena." He promptly fell asleep.
tbc...
AN: Whoo hoo! My longest chapter for this story yet! Hope you guys enjoy it, it took me a while to write this. I was heading for writer's block, but, fortunately, some fellow writers got me up and running again. I may write some more this weekend, maybe tomorrow, or something. I'm not promising anything. But I have Monday off school, AND I have NO homework, which is a miracle
by Oyuki
Chapter 13
Standard Disclaimers apply.
AN: Hmm, I'm thinking about making a little side story to this. Many thanks to those of you who emailed me with ideas to keep the story going (Psycho Kitty and Mama-sama, and Kitty). Also, there was a word that for the love of all that's holy could not remember. It was the past tense of wind, as in coil, and I couldn't remember it. So I spelled it wound. I speak English, I speak it better than I speak my mother language, Spanish, but I could not remember the word!
Warnings: this chapter is sappy!
"So, basically what I'm saying, Hilde, is that you would be president of the company for about three years, at which time Duo would take over. But you would take over as vice president for the company," said Richard Maxwell, Duo's father.
Hilde could be vindictive and not take the position offered, and then Mr. Maxwell would be stuck with his stupid ass, immature son for a president. Or she could be vindictive and take the position just to get on Duo's nerves, since he hadn't wanted her to take it and that's how everything had started. It wasn't a hard choice. Duo's father didn't know anything that had happened, just as well because she truly admired the older man.
After a moment of silence she finally agreed. He brought out the contract and explained it to her. Hilde wasn't listening, though, she didn't care. She was going to be Duo's boss.
She signed.
"And Hilde, let me just say that you look beautiful. Your change of... everything came just in time for your position as president." Mr. Maxwell stood up and held out his hand to her.
'I'm a horrible person,' she thought. Then she thought of Duo, 'Not worse than Duo.' She shook Richard's hand.
"Welcome, Ms. President of Maxwell Fashion."
"Thank you." Guiltily, she walked out of the office that would be hers come next week.
She took a deep breath and thought, 'Get ready for hell, Maxwell.' An evil little smile spread on her red colored lips.
*~*~*~*
Duo was sitting behind his desk, in his chair. His elbows rested on the desk, his chin in one hands. He was deep in thought. He couldn't think of anything but Hilde. His mind wouldn't forget how sad, how defeated she'd looked when she slapped him in the parking lot. His mind went over and over the events of the day. He looked at the clock on the surface of the desk, 1:07 p.m. The seconds seem to drag by slowly. He groaned, his day was far from over.
After having given up hope that Hilde would open her door to him, Duo had gone back to his office. Heero had been there waiting for him asking him all kinds of questions.
"Talk to Relena, they're friends. Maybe she could talk to her for you," Heero had said.
'Yeah, maybe I should go talk to her. She could give me some advice... if she doesn't hate me too.'
At the same time he got up from his leather chair, Hilde came in the room. His heart soared. She'd come back! And she looked hot. He hadn't really looked at her until now. Her slightly wavy hair was totally straightened, as if she'd taken an iron to it. It was jet black, with a blue tint. Her thick glasses had been replaced with thin silver ones. Gray eye shadow graced her lids, and her thick eyelashes looked longer somehow. He noted the red color on her lips, luscious lips.
He looked at her clothes now. A black business suit. The skirt was short, but modest, the jacket emphasized the curves under it, the white silk blouse visible at the V of the jacket.
They looked at each other for a long time. Her gaze was cold. His was full of admiration and regret.
"Oh, so you see something you like now. Unlike the first time I walked in here?"
He sighed and shook his head. This was going to be harder than he thought. "I just wanted to tell you that you look beautiful," he said quietly.
"Thank you," she said smiling, but her smile didn't reach her eyes.
He walked closer to her, but she didn't back away. She stayed where she was and met his eyes. "Hilde, don't hurt my father's company for the sake of your revenge. He has nothing to do with this," he said sincerely.
"Don't worry, Duo, I have not intention of causing harm to this company, it would hurt your father. That's something YOU would do, and I am nothing like you. I don't even have a revenge planned out, my only revenge will be knowing that I took what you wanted the most. I took from you what you so desperately fought for," she said, her eyes going cold. Her mouth was set in a thin line. Her countenance betraying nothing.
"Is this how it is going to be for the rest of our lives, Hilde?" he asked. His cobalt eyes soulful, they searched her own eyes for a sign... any sign of feeling.
"I guess so, Duo. I'm not going to let myself be hurt... by anyone. Besides, now I have a brand new job, I have more responsibilities, people to order around; lots of things to keep me busy. I'll probably have to time for any relationships," she said with a cold smile.
He leaned closer to her so his forehead was touching hers. "And I'll be there every step of the way, helping you. With anything, and hoping that you'll make time for me," he whispered, his lips almost touching hers. His hands came up to cup her face.
Hilde closed her eyes, savoring the sensations his hot breath stirred. She moved her head closer to his, their lips not quite touching. Her arms came up to circle his neck of their own volition. Duo closed his eyes, ready to let his lips connect with her soft ones.
The door burst open.
Hilde jumped away from Duo and she blushed. Her breathing was erratic at what they'd been caught doing. She didn't look at the door or at Duo. She kept her eyes averted from him and the new person in the room. "Sorry," said a soft, feminine, sing-song voice. There was no hint of apology in the word.
Hilde frowned immediately, she knew that voice. It had haunted her dreams for a long time.
"Cathy," whispered Duo beside her. He sighed mentally. Things couldn't get worse. He'd been so close to kissing Hilde, and this bitch had to come and ruin his moment! 'Damn it!'
"Duo!" she almost yelled. "Haven't heard from you in the longest time!" Catherine was dressed in skin-tight, black leather pants. she was wearing a pair of five inch heeled boots. Her cut off, red halter top was probably two sizes too small because her breasts were almost popping out. Ample cleavage showing. She walked to Duo, brushing by Hilde as if she wasn't even there. With those boots she was easily as tall as Duo. That made Hilde fume. Her three inch heels barely made her reach Duo's earlobe.
"Oh, I missed you so much, love!" the woman squealed. "What's wrong?" she said, wrapping, more like coiling, herself around the stoic Duo. "I have an invitation, love! I was thinking that we could go to a club--"
"I'm going to get my things out of my office," said Hilde. "I'll be moving into my new one at this very moment." She walked away stiffly. That was the last thing she'd wanted to see. Duo with Catherine.
Duo wanted to run after her, but Catherine had more than wound herself around him. He knew that he wouldn't be able to get away from her.
"Anyway, so I was thinking..." her voice faded away from him.
He knew it was going to be a long time before she shut up. He walked behind his desk and sat down. She took it as an invitation and sat on his lap.
Ten minutes later, Duo was so tired of hearing her voice that he didn't have time to react when Hilde came out of her office with a box containing her things. She glanced at them briefly before walking out of the larger office.
"The only thing Cathy is good at was fucking things up,' he thought.
*~*~*~*
A pissed off Hilde walked to her new office, the one the current president of the company was vacating at that very moment. She'd forgotten to tell Relena about her new position in the company. 'I'll take a few minutes to tell her the good news. I bet she'll be glad about it.
Hilde walked into her friends little office. Relena's head was bent low, she was focusing on some paper she was reading. Hilde smiled, she didn't say anything, instead she dropped her box full of stuff on the floor. The clatter made Relena visibly jump. Her head snapped up and when she saw Hilde she smiled.
Relena rolled her eyes and said, "I should have known it was you. What brings you here," she paused looking at all the things that had come out of the box, "with all this stuff?" she said. Her eyes widened and she asked worriedly, "You didn't quit did you?"
"No, but I've been promoted. It seemed that everyone but you and I knew about it."
"Promoted to what?" asked Relena, obviously puzzled.
"To president of Maxwell Fashion," she said simply.
"Oh my gosh!" squealed Relena. She stood from her seat and ran to her friend. "How in the world did you manage that?" she asked and hugged her best friend. Things couldn't get any better for her friend.
"I have no idea. Mr. Maxwell just called me in his office, I thought he was going to fire me because he found out about me and... anyway so I'm sitting there and he just hits me with the offer!"
"And you said yes!" Relena said excitedly.
"Yup!" she said and hugged her friend back.
Relena was so excited for her friend that she didn't want to say what she was thinking. She was loath to say it, but she had to. "Hilde, you're not going to--" she didn't finish.
Hilde interrupted her by saying, "No, I didn't do it to hurt Duo, even though he knew about it and that's why he did what he did. I'm doing it because I want to...," she hesitated, "and partly because I know that's what Duo wants so much." Her eyes lowered. Her hands found her friend's, who'd stopped hugging her a while ago.
"When is Mr. Maxwell going to make the announcement?" Relena asked, grinning and successfully changing the subject.
"Later today," said Hilde happily. Despite everything that had gone on with Duo, Hilde was truly happy. All aspects of her life, except her love life, were looking up. Things were finally turning up for her, for the lonely child she'd been for such a long time.
*~*~*~*
The announcement was made over an intercom. It was broadcasted throughout the whole building, so even the janitors knew who would be signing their checks from then on.
Duo sat in his chair staring out the large window behind his desk. He had been doing that for the last two hours. And that was exactly the way Heero found him.
"Duo," he said, "it's late. Everybody went home. You and I are the only ones left in the building, except for the night crew. Let's go, I'll drive you home."
Duo swiveled his chair around to face his friend. The bright lights in the office giving him a pale color. He looked at his friend, he looked tired, dejected. He chuckled a little. "We're a couple of lovelorn bachelors, Heero."
Heero sighed and plopped down on one of the chairs facing his friend. "Speak for yourself, man. I don't love any chick..." he said, but Duo knew that he was only trying to convince himself.
"Whatever man, let's get outta here." Duo got up from his chair and grabbed his suit jacket. The two young men walked to the underground parking lot. Heero dropped Duo home, his care left in the parking lot.
When Heero stepped through his door he dropped his jacket on the floor, his tie, his shirt, his belt, and his pants. He plunked himself down on his bed and whispered, "I'm yours, Relena." He promptly fell asleep.
tbc...
AN: Whoo hoo! My longest chapter for this story yet! Hope you guys enjoy it, it took me a while to write this. I was heading for writer's block, but, fortunately, some fellow writers got me up and running again. I may write some more this weekend, maybe tomorrow, or something. I'm not promising anything. But I have Monday off school, AND I have NO homework, which is a miracle