Disclaimer: I own nothing of the DC Universe. Young Justice belongs to DC Comics and Cartoon Network, I only own my OC's and plot.
AN: So...wasn't yesterday's YJ episode really good? Yes, it was! XD I want to thank my amazing beta TheWickedWizardOfOz (~Wicked~). This chapter takes place during the whole month of January so do not be alarmed when reading about different weeks in the chapter. :)
Happy Reading!
"Wayne Enterprises was founded in the 17th century but officially became a company in the 19th century under Alan Wayne. It has grown to become one of the world's top ten multinational conglomerates. Today, Wayne Enterprises continues to achieve excellence across a wide range of industry sectors and markets, employing some 170,000 people in 170 countries. The current CEO and Chairman, Bruce Wayne, is a keen modernizer and continues to grow the business in the financial sector and in high end technologies," my tour guide said enthusiastically.
As if I don't already know all of this information already. I probably researched this company about thousand times, knowing that I wanted to intern here. My tour guide, Ashley, had a habit of sighing every time she mentioned Bruce's name. I hate Bruce for making me go through this stupid tour! I don't need it. What I need is to start working, not listen to an overzealous bimbo go on and on.
"Okay! There are several branches that are run through this company-" Ashley said, smiling.
"Look, I know! Just show me where I'm supposed to be already." I said, irritated.
"Fine. I feel bad for Mr. Wayne if he has to deal with your attitude all the time."
"Trust me, I plan on making his life a living Hell for making me go on this tour with you, sweetie!" I exclaimed.
Ashley ushered me to an elevator and pressed for a lower floor. The ride down was uncomfortable, I could feel Ashley's glare all the way from the other side of the elevator. Why do woman have to fall in love with my "Uncle"? It's disgusting, really.
The doors opened, Ashley briskly walked down a hallway and stopped in front of a big oak door. She turned to me with a sour expression on her face and opened the door widely. I hastily followed hoping that I'd finally reached my destination and I wouldn't have to see Ashley again.
"This is the mail room. You start your internship here; you'll have to earn your way up. But I guess trash like you would only know of one way to move up in life." Ashley said, sneering.
I bit my tongue. If I wasn't in Bruce's building, I would have punched this bitch in the face. But I need to get used to hearing people talk, they all must think of me the same way. I would have to show them that I was an intelligent young adult. Man, I wish I could choke Ashley.
Taking my eyes off of Ashley's ugly expression, I turned to my right to see a petite blonde, brown eyed woman struggling with several big packages. I walked over and grabbed two boxes from the top of her pile just as they were about to fall. As I studied her I could tell that she was fresh out of college, like myself and had a frazzled look on her face.
"Hi! You must be Miss Schwartz, I'm Viola Zee! It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am," she said.
"It's nice to meet you too, Viola, please don't call me ma'am. My name's Nicole but my friends call me Nicky. We can't be that far apart in age," I said, smiling.
Viola was so much easier to talk to than Ashley. She didn't have that gold digger aura around her either. Viola looked like she might have a lot on her plate, I'm inclined to ask her why.
"So, do you know what I'm supposed to be doing down here?" I asked.
"I'm supposed to help you get accustomed to corporate life. My boss graciously volunteered his servant, I mean "assistant" for the job. He'd do anything to suck up to his boss, your Uncle," Viola said, knotting her eyebrows.
"I'm so sorry! If it's any consolation, I hate my Uncle and I'd love to help you with your boss. He sounds like a dick, what's his name?"
"Jake Wesley, he's a Junior Executive. Wait, did you just say that out loud?" Viola gasped.
"What?" I asked.
"It's not good to bad mouth Mr. Wayne. His groupies will hear you and they'll make trouble for you. You seem like a cool chick to me, I'd hate to see you devoured by females like Ashley."
"She looks like a gold digger and I'm not afraid to talk smack about my boss. He's my Uncle, what's he going to do? Fire me? I'd like to see him try," I said smugly.
"Wow! You have more courage than I do. That's good because you're going to need it."
"Viola, I think this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship," I said, smiling.
Two weeks had passed and I had been upgraded to the Accounting department. I wasn't all too thrilled to be surrounded by a bunch of number crunchers but, I had to work my way up, no complaints. I'd maintained a daily routine that for the most part worked. I'd get up in the morning, dress semi-formal for work, have an awkward breakfast with the family, and head to work in separate cars. I'd get to work, wherever I was placed, and work quickly and efficiently. I asked questions about everything, my brain was like a sponge, soaking up as much knowledge as possible.
After working up an appetite I'd meet Viola for lunch at a greasy diner about two blocks from Wayne Enterprises. We'd relish about some of the funny things that happened in our offices and gossip about Bruce's admirers. After lunch, I would go back to work without complaining. Go home in the late afternoon, take a nap and wash up for another semi-awkward dinner. Dick made dinner much more bearable, Lord knows I would not be able to carry on a polite conversation with Bruce.
In my third week of internship, I found it hard to not notice the stares and whispers from Bruce's groupies. They would intentionally bump into me in hallways, talk about me while in the restroom and blatantly to my face. Yeah, I had to hide in restroom sometimes because I let their hurtful words got to me. I haven't said one word about this to my "Uncle" either. I wouldn't want to give those gold digging bitches any ammunition. I'm tired of repeating the words "my life is so unfair."
I sat at my cubicle in Accounting, waiting for Viola to meet me for our lunch break. I use to be able to wait for her in the lobby but I don't care to hear more rumors about me while waiting. Viola tried to calm me down about the whole rumor mill, but even her genuine worry for me wasn't enough to quell my alienation. She was also worried about my well being in general. I've had more than two dizzy spells in front of her and she's urged me to see a doctor. I brush her off even though I know something is off with me.
"Hey! Are you ready for lunch, Nicky?" Viola asked sweetly.
I hadn't noticed her come up from behind me; I've been really disoriented lately. Maybe I should go see a doctor. Dick, Bryn, Alfred and Viola would have my head if I died on them.
Getting up from my chair, I grabbed my clutch and pushed my chair under my desk. I started walking forward but I didn't make it that far before my vision went dark and I felt myself falling backwards.
"…Nic…Nicky…Nicky, can you hear me?"
I groaned, slowly opening my eyes to see Viola hovering over me. She looked really worried about me. How the hell did I end up on the floor? I could have sworn that I was on my way to lunch…I don't remember going to lunch. Crap! I fainted at work, that's sure going to add to the rumor mill. Moving my head to my right, I saw my "Uncle" kneeling down at my side. He too was hovering over me.
"Damn it! Get out of my face! You're both in my personal bubble," I said irritably.
"Don't move until one of the company doctors checks you out," Bruce said sternly.
"I don't need to see a doctor. What I need right now is to get off the floor and eat lunch," I said.
I lifted my arm up and Viola reluctantly grabbed it, pulling me up. She held onto me just in case I was still feeling a little bit shaky. Shaking out the cob webs out of my head, I turned to Bruce giving him an expression that said "I'm fine." Viola and I started our walk off to lunch without any other indication of me fainting.
The last week of January was definitely the worst of the whole month. I was now an errand girl to the Junior Executives, which meant retrieving them coffee and shutting down their advances. The rumor mill was very alive and well with on this floor. I'm sure they thought that I was an easy lay and would do anything to get a promotion. The only good thing about working on this floor was that I got to hang out with Viola a lot more.
"Hey Viola, what's up?" I asked glumly.
"What's with the sad face? It's almost the weekend," she asked, worried.
I sighed, "I'm really getting tired of people thinking I'm the world's biggest slut. I haven't done anything to deserve this treatment."
"I know, sweetie, I warned you that these females are vicious," she said.
"Yeah, you did but that doesn't make me feel any better. You'd think they'd be scared to even look at me, seeing as their boss is my Uncle but it doesn't faze them one bit," I said, dejected.
"It will get better, you know. One day you will be their boss and they will have to respect you no matter what," Viola whispered.
Looking over my shoulder I could see why she lowered her voice. Her boss, Jake Wesley, douche bag extraordinaire, was walking towards us. He was the most bold of all the Junior Executives. Wesley, just wouldn't take no for an answer.
"Hello ladies! Isn't this a beautiful day?" Wesley exclaimed.
"Yeah," Viola and I murmured.
He asked, "Nicole, can you run an errand for me? I need you to deliver a message to an associate; the letter is in my office. Come along, don't keep me waiting."
I watched as he turned his back on us and walked to his office. That smug bastard, he gets a kick out of ordering me around. Now I know what Viola goes through on a daily basis. I don't think I could stand having to work for Wesley full time. He's a menace!
"Just go, he'll get cross if you don't do what he asks." Viola said sadly.
"I'm sorry that you have a douche bag for a boss."
"I'm sorry that you have to deal with him," Viola sighed.
I left Viola to organize some paperwork for Wesley. I just want to make this delivery and get out of here, the guy annoys me to no end. As I walk into his office, Wesley asked me to shut the door. I did as he asked because I don't need him complaining to Bruce that I was not doing my job. I stood in front of his desk waiting for him to hand over the letter.
"Well?" I asked.
"You must think that you're real cute playing hard to get, huh?" Wesley said, smirking.
"I'm sorry but I'm not playing hard to get. Now about that letter you wanted me to deliver…"
"Come on, you know there isn't a letter. I was just making things easier for you. I know that you're just pretending to be shy. No one has to know, it will quick and you can go back to work like a good little girl," Wesley said, leering.
He moved from his desk to stand in front of me, he started to lean forward, most likely to kiss me. A loud sound of skin smacking bounced off the walls as my right hand collided with his face. I briskly opened the door to his office and stormed towards the elevator, hitting the button that would take me to the highest floor. I've had enough of this treatment! It was time I told my real boss about sexual harassment in the workplace.
"You can't go in there! Mr. Wayne is on the phone with a very important business partner," Bruce's secretary exclaimed.
"Trust me, he's gonna want to hear what I have to say," I said angrily, opening up his office door.
I slammed the door loudly knowing that it would get his attention. Bruce had the call on speakerphone and was leaning back in his chair looking at me. I tapped my foot waiting for him to wrap up his call. My patience was wearing thin and I needed to tell him this before something bad happened to me.
Bruce ended the call and raised an eyebrow at me. I wonder what his facial expression will look like when I tell him about my experience in the workplace. Let's find out.
"Is there a reason why you're slamming doors and interrupting important phone calls, Nicole?" Bruce asked.
"Yes, there is. I'd like to ask for our lawyer's number please."
"Why would you need a lawyer?" Bruce asked, intrigued.
"I want to file a sexual harassment claim against several of your executives," I said hotly.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard right, Jake Wesley, just tried to have sex with me in his office. No, it's not the first time he's harassed me either. Then there are the others, they weren't as bold as Wesley but I think my work is effected when I'm constantly labeled as "cheap" and called a "slut" to my face," I growled.
"Why didn't you come to me sooner? I would have put a stop to this from the beginning!" Bruce exclaimed.
"Oh please! Freedom of speech, remember?"
"It's not appropriate for the workplace and I will handle this, right now," Bruce said, angrily.
He looked at me, tilted his head, studying me.
"What are you looking at?" I asked.
He asked, "What aren't you telling me?"
"Can I stay in your office and ride home with you today?"
"Nicole, what aren't you telling me?" he asked, angrily.
This was stupid. I didn't want to admit that I was scared, this is Gotham. I should be able to hold my own but it seems that it doesn't matter what side of town you're on. There are rabid dogs on each side.
"I just don't want to be left alone-"
"What?" he asked.
"Fine, okay. I don't want to be attacked while trying to go home."
"You're staying here and you'll leave with me. I have to talk to Lucius about this," Bruce said irritably.
Bruce grabbed his desk phone and dialed an extension number. I tuned out the conversation because all I could hear was Bruce growling into the phone after a while. I studied the artwork in his office, walking around I picked up a magazine and flipped through it. An abundant amount of time must have passed while I wandered around Bruce's huge office.
Bruce's door opened and Mr. Lucius Fox walked in. His eyes landed on me and he smiled, extending his hand to me to shake. I dropped the magazine and shook his hand firmly. Peering at him I could tell that he something important to discuss with Bruce.
"Miss Schwartz, I was very troubled to hear of your claim. I've launched an internal investigation to get down to the bottom of this matter. As for you I've heard wonderful things about your work ethic," Mr. Fox said.
"Thank you, Mr. Fox. That means a lot coming from you, sir," I replied appreciatively.
"You're very welcome, Miss Schwartz. I'm in a bit of a bind," Mr. Fox said, turning to Bruce.
"Lucius don't tell me another one quit," Bruce sighed.
"Yes, it would seem so Bruce. I have an opening for an assistant, Bruce do you have anyone in mind?" Mr. Fox asked.
My eyes popped out of their sockets, I wanted to bounce up and down and scream, "Me, pick me!" Please let this be what I think it is. I'd love to work in Wayne Technologies. It's the biggest division of Wayne Enterprises. It is involved in the retrieval and research of alien technology. A couple of its subsidiaries are Wayne Biotech and Holt Holding Inc.
"Gentlemen, I think I can help you out with your problem. You see I don't like my present job with the company and neither does Bruce. Maybe I could be your new assistant?" I asked coyly.
"Why Bruce, I think that's a brilliant idea! It would save me time not having to conduct interviews. And I can look ahead to next week's business trip to Metropolis. Do you mind travelling, Miss Schwartz?" Mr. Fox asked, beaming.
"I don't mind, I've never been to Metropolis though. I'll get right on booking the hotel, I won't let you down!" I exclaimed.
"That's wonderful then, we solved our problem Bruce. I'll see you first thing Monday morning, Miss Schwartz," Mr. Fox said, turning to leave Bruce's office.
"Wait!"
"Yes, Miss Schwartz?" Mr. Fox asked.
"Please call me Nicole."
"WayneTech is very happy to have you Nicole. I'll see you on Monday," he said, closing the office.
I turned to Bruce to gauge his reaction. He seemed calmer after talking with Mr. Fox. That's good because I wouldn't want to deal with a growly Bruce on the car ride home. I suppose that I should show some type of appreciation to him for getting me out of the Junior Executive office. Maybe I should give him a hug? No that's just weird. I think I'll just settle for:
"Thank you, Bruce." I said.
He said, nodding his head, "No need to thank me, Nicky."
I sighed, sitting down on the leather couch across from his desk. Absorbed in thinking about my new job, a thought hit me. Bruce just called me "Nicky." He's only called me Nicole. Maybe he's not so bad after all or maybe just a work in progress. I smiled, planning new goals for me to achieve while working in WayneTech.