ARYA POV:
You wanna Bugatti?
You wanna Maserati?...
Edric just ruined Britney for me; Arya thought as it was a bright and clear Sunday morning at the Stark Manor and she was just returning from a pretty interesting night that ended with a lot of drinks, dancing and helpless knowledge of Edric Dayne's taste in music.
Rule Number One when entering to an establishment: Always have an exit plan. So naturally Edric had been that for her. Don't judge people, she wasn't an idiot but after Robb's 'M' bomb they all decided to go to a club and what does one do at a club? You dance your ass off! In her defense she was dancing alone on the dance floor when some random guy started to dance behind her. Ramsay didn't even know it was her till Meera tried to convince her to return to their private booth. After that all went downhill and Edric was on speed dial.
Ugh! Whatever… I danced, balls where kicked and shots were drowned. THE END!
"If someone would have told me that my little sister would be awake at six in the morning on a Sunday I would have very graciously suggested that they'd get a lobotomy!"—
"Times change Dear Sister! Unlike your beauty which is endless and like the blue in your eyes!"
"Maybe you're the one who should get a lobotomy. You actually paid me a compliment!"—giggled Sansa.
Arya was 18 and legal but she didn't want to push it in her parents' house; God knows they would get a heart attack if they found out about her antics in Braavos so wisely she chose to quietly get inside the manor through the patio door where she found Sansa sitting on the table with hot coffee. Her first option was climb up a tree through her window but heights and tequila were a no-no.
"What are you doing up? Do you have some weird thing to do with one of Mom's lady clubs?" She said sitting and putting her discarded high heels on the table.
"Actually I was waiting for you. After yesterday I couldn't sleep…"—Sansa got lost in thought for a minute.
Arya only nodded… That was nice. A kind sisterly gesture that Sansa had never showed her. Her sister seemed changed since she left Winterfell, not bitchy but sadder and that wasn't exactly a breakthrough.
"Yeah! Wild night uh? With Robb and… all… "
"You can say that again. Dad drove Robb and Jeyne; our good sister, to a hotel then came back home and barricaded himself in his office and Mom practically collapsed all telephone lines calling and apologizing to the guests from last night "—
She won't talk unless you give her a little nudge; Arya thought. "So Sans… about last night. Do you want to talk about it? Is that why you couldn't sleep and waited for me?"
"Yes… I wanted to say thank you. For yesterday!"—She said in a small voice. Arya gave her a smile and nodded towards her to go on.
"We don't talk for three whole years yet the minute you see me in trouble you have my back. I think that is just amazing Arya. Really, thank you!"—
Well that's a first! Mouth filter Arya, don't ruin the moment! "Anytime Sans… but I really wish that your boyfriend wasn't the trouble" Shit… she shut up! I should have waited for her to bring the asshole up.
"You've changed… I mean you're still you, but kind of a 2.0 version. I like it! I wish I could be like you"—
At that last sentence Sansa's voice broke and stared into the sky. Her eyes were truly blue as the morning sky yet filled with the sadness of a cold hard night.
"I'm not perfect Sansa let alone a mind reader. Talk to me and maybe we can solve whatever's bothering you"
"I'm leaving him"—
People spend their whole life chasing after those elusive three little words. Screw 'I love you'! 'I'm leaving him' made Arya more complete than Jerry Maguire! But she needed more reaffirming on the matter.
"I assume you're talking about Joffrey!" She said cautiously. The little shit had always been a sour subject between them.
"Yes… Yes!"—She said with more determination. "I'm not happy Arya… and seeing you, after all this time? Why can't I be more like you! Why do I feel so weak?"—Sansa was speaking more to herself than to Arya who was trying her best to not scream 'FINALLY!'
"Why did I let myself be dragged into this hole for so long? I fell so alone Arya! There are so many things I want to tell you but I'm afraid you'll won't like me anymore."—By now Sansa was bawling on the floor and Arya had to sit down with her holding her in her arms.
"Sans… whatever has happened to you I am 100 percent sure you didn't ask or deserved it. I know that there are a lot of issues that involve Joffrey but I'm ready to talk when you are. Right now I think that finally reaching to the decision of leaving him is amazing, it's very courageous and I'm with you all the way" And Arya meant it, she truly did! It was as if an invisible veil was lifted and both sisters were seeing each other for the first time.
"You're happy aren't you?"—Said Sansa wiping her nose and smirking.
"Happy? Sansa happy doesn't begin to scratch what I'm feeling! Bring me Shia Labeouf with a plate of tacos and we'll call it a tie"
"I liked Transformers and I have Mexican! Bow to me Woman!"—Said Bran walking to the house through the patio door. Seems like Arya wasn't the one who pulled an all nighter.
"Joffrey is out of our lives, tacos for breakfast? Best day ever!" Arya declared as the three siblings laughed, ate and made small talk. But don't forget that Sansa was still Sansa, boys were a never-ending topic.
"So… Labeouf? I'd pick you more for a Chris Hemsworth type. You know; tall, built, manly"—Sansa asked with a knowing smile on her lips.
"First of all Chris Hemsworth is everyone's type and second; I don't have a type."
"That's right! Last night she went from psychopath chic Bolton to caramel delight Dayne in seconds"—Piped in Bran.
"Bolton? As in Ramsay? You hooked up with him?"—
"Sansa it's six am. Down the shrieks a few decibels! And no; I didn't hook up with him. We just danced and everybody else just overreacted"
"Ohh and add to the mix a bit of raging bull Waters. Seriously girlfriend you were on a roll!"—Said Bran in his best Ru'Paul impersonation.
"You actually danced with Ramsay? In front of Gendry? And then left with Edric? You really were on a roll! Who are you and what have you done to my sister? You have to let me borrow that dress btw"—
"Hey…I thought we were in sister la-la land. Bran's the one who is just came home and isn't 18!"
"Crap! And here I am thinking the hot sauce made you forget!"—
The rest of their impromptu breakfast was full of laughter after Bran's tale of his adventures with the Reeds which consisted mainly of him making out with Meera in her car while Jojen slept in the backseat occasionally waking up and breaking into song to Christina Aguilera's Genie in a Bottle.
...
The rest of the day was a blur sleeping in till Monday came and Arya found herself along with Bran at the airport. This time sending Sansa off.
"Are you sure you don't want us to go with you? I have years of very inappropriate language stacked up for Joffrey"—Said Bran.
"Thanks but I can handle it. I've been hiding at home with you guys for too long. I need to do this on my own. Go back to my classes, built my self-confidence…"—Sansa wasn't quite sure of herself but she was getting there.
"One phone call Sans! One phone call and Dad's jet is fired up with all of us inside it, you hear me?"
"Thanks Arya"—She said fiercely hugging her baby sister.
"I'll call you when I get settled in my new dorm"—Sansa had told her she had been living with Joffrey practically since arriving for Kings Landing so both sisters decided not to let out that particular piece of information to their parents. Arya herself was guilty of that crime. If you're living in a family home with the guy you happen to be dating that doesn't mean you're living with him per se…
"Are you sure we're doing the right thing? Leaving her to go and fend of for herself against Joffrey like that?"- Bran asked while Sansa turned around giving them a last wave before disappearing into the plane.
Arya just shrugged, preferring to be as nonchalant as she could when she was thinking the exact same thing. "It's Joffrey, it's not like he'll do anything major."
"Well. One sister down, one to go. Where to little big Sis?"—
"Stark HQ. Dad wanted me to stop by early"
Soon enough Arya was inside the private parking lot for Stark Industries. She was waiting for the elevator to come down to the floor when she felt an undeniable pull to look over her shoulder. It was strong like a jolt of electricity; just like Saturday night when she was lost in the music but felt as though she had to look. To open her eyes and see.
Low and behold Gendry was getting out of his truck and God dammit, I swear he buys his jeans a size smaller. The look is just… ugh!
Simple is best. He was wearing a white linen shirt rolled up to his elbows, no jacket, black tie, blue jeans and construction boots. He was busy organizing some paperwork that he didn't notice her by the elevator mumbling a polite 'good morning'.
"No jacket! Me like!"
He quickly looked over and saw her standing beside him, instantly flashing her with his 'panties off' smile.
"Good Morning Miss Stark. Come to grace us mere mortals with your presence?"— He went with funny which was good. Truth be told; after the other night Arya didn't know where she stood with Gendry let alone after three years.
"I think it's the other way around since you're the hot shot now. Care to give me the tour of the premises? It's been a while since I've been here" Ok, so she was flirting. So what? It was just innocent morning banter, no harm – no foul.
Again a smile appeared in Gendry's face while he ushered her into the elevator. He really is striking. The first thing that Arya realized about the new Gendry was that he no longer slouched around. He was always a big guy but now he walked straight, long confident strides making him noticeable before arriving. His clothes were simple but no longer hand me downs and he knew how to wear them. No human being could wear a pair of jeans like that and not know how their ass looked in them.
They arrived at the lobby first because Gendry said he needed to pick up some packages. The two receptionists practically fought each other for his attention.
"Good Morning Gendrrrrrrrryyy…"—purred fake blonde number one.
"A tie ? I don't know which way I like you best; corporate suit or dirty construction worker"—blatantly said fake blonde number two.
"Good Morning Girls, what do you have for me today?"—Replied Gendry. The innocent morning banter was supposed to be just with me; Arya seethed.
"All that you want to take Handsome."—Ugh… skank; Arya thought. That last comment was far too crass that Gendry glanced over his shoulder to see Arya with embarrassment. She had wisely chosen not to stand too close to him. One of the blondes saw him looking at her and took notice.
"Excuse me, what kind of business do you have here?"—Oh this is waaay to easy.
Fake blonde number one asked her with a condescending tone eyeing her up and down. Today's attire consisted of a plain white skinny jean, a white tank top and an electric blue blazer jacket. White chucks finished the ensemble that was comfy and didn't read 'the boss's daughter'. Sadly Bimbette over here didn't know that. Gendry tried to hide his laugh; she forgot how well he knew her…
"Good Morning. It's ok; I'm just here to see Mr. Stark."
"What could you want with a man like Eddard Stark? Do you even have an appointment?"—Piped in Fake blonde number two.
"Uhm no I don't! I just graduated out of high school; I heard Stark Industries held very good internship programs" Arya knows the economy is bad but based on what their response will be; the lobby at Stark HQ will have new receptionists.
"There is no room for scrawny little things like you here. Now go along before I call security."—It's official; we're hiring!
Suddenly the front doors flew open and a friendly face made an appearance…
"My woes are over. Is that who I think it is?"— Jory Cassel; her father's go-to guy beamed as he entered the lobby. The receptionists were quick to greet him but he didn't even acknowledge the peroxide pair.
"So, it is true; the boss lady is back!..."—The comment made the women's eyes go big and round. "… have you come here to help Eddard? God knows we could use the extra help from all the work these stooges keep dropping at our table!"—Jory said gesturing to Gendry.
"First of all; you're the ones who signed the deal Baratheon Corp and second? Miss Stark here is on vacation so it's best if we don't worry her with work related issues. I don't think her father would like that"— Smirked Gendry.
Arya didn't know what amazed her the most. The fact that Gendry was playing along and teasing the receptionists or the fact that while talking to Jory he casually had taken her away from Jory's welcome hug and placed her beside him; putting a hand around her waist. That old feeling was there again…she felt it even the night at the club when she took his hand and guided him through the stairs that led to the VIP booths. It was like a current of electricity that was sparked by his touch. It was strange and unknown. Arya wasn't a stranger to physical contact with a man but what was it with Gendry!? She wondered if he felt it as well…
"Mister Cassel? Gen… Mister Waters?!"—Both women were dumbstruck; at least their hearing was well enough to hear 'Miss Stark'.
"No calls go through the top floors Ladies. Today there's no matter more important than the future itself of the company"—said Gendry gesturing at Arya and winking at the now very worried two receptionists. He tugged Arya by her hand towards the elevator, once inside both of them fell into a laughing fit.
"I'm sorry, did I miss something?"—Asked Jory looking strangely at the pair. "It's good to have you back Little Wolf. The guys will be ecstatic to see you again. We can go real quick to the executive floor and say hi"—Arya was used to hanging around her father's office when she was little so she was a big hit with all his workers.
"No can do Cassel. I'm the tour guide today. Besides, the Boss Man is already in his office waiting for you."—Apparently Gendry took to heart the tour guide remark. Not that she was complaining. Jory eyed him suspiciously but let them be.
They spent the next 45 minutes wandering from department to department seeing old and new faces but what Arya enjoyed the most was seeing this new Gendry. Everyone knew him and treated him kindly but when they saw him approach they stood firm showing their high opinion of him. Some called him Waters but never out of respect. It warmed Arya how in these three years Gendry had followed so much of her father's steps. The workers were happy to see her, one or two extending questions on Braavos to which Gendry paid special attention. As they walked through the building Gendry's hand never left her small back.
The tour was over and they were outside Eddard's massive office. Without knocking Arya barged trough looking for her father who was in company of Edric Dayne and Jory.
"There's my girl! I was just about to steal you away from Gendry. My workers like you too much, I don't want an insurgence."— Let's be honest; Eddard Stark loved his daughter so much that if that actually happened he would just laugh and think it was adorable.
"Thank's but no thanks Dad… I'm happy with the Free Cities division"
"Ahh yes, about that I was thinking we could go over some of the projects with Jory and Gendry. Tune in some fine points…."—
…
Arya was happy, she definitely chose the right major! Archaeology was her element and this way she could help with the family business.
The debriefing was a blast! It ended up being more of her telling stories about grave-sites and different people she had met over the years. To her surprise her father had kept shut about her involvement (nothing shocking there considering the parties involved) and both Jory and Gendry were amazed and in awe of her when they found out that she was supervising all projects in the Free Cities. As they all shared storied was Arya was fascinated more over Gendry's; he had made quite the name for him as well. In the middle of their friendly banter her father burst her bubble with a bang.
"Arya I need the latest number on the third uhm… reptile site"—
"Did you search your email? They were supposed to be sent at 7am sharp!"
"I just did and nothing. Would you please call your partner and remind him please? He's not exactly returning my calls"—Her father said in a knowing tone. Gendry and Jory gave her a questioning look; Edric just smirked and gave her an 'I told you so' look. Damn it!
"Sure… I'll text him."
The men were quickly engrossed in another point of conversation when she decided to text her partner.
Dad needs the numbers sheet. A*
Oh so you do have your phone… A* Read the immediate text reply.
Don't screw around with Dad! He needs the info. A*
Don't worry; he's not the Stark I want! A*
Another quick text came after a few minutes.DONE. Tell him to check his inbox. R U going to talk to me now? A*
Ok, thanks. I can't right now. We're in a meeting. Call you in 10. A*
I miss you… A*
I know… A*
She was a dick… she knew it but it wasn't her fault. Things were blown way out of proportion and were moving too fast. No one could blame her for taking a step down.
There was a knock on the door and red curls made their way inside.
"Robb? What a surprise!"—Exclaimed Eddard. It really was! Robb barely visited his father's office.
"Morning Dad… I thought I'd stop over today to help you around with work"—
They all looked at each other… It was 11.15am.
"I heard congratulations are in order…"—Edric always the gentleman broke the awkward silence while Arya's phone rang.
"I'm sorry, I have to take this" She said excusing herself out of the office. She barely had time to say a word once she got outside.
"Ten minutes passed Arya!"—
"I told you I am in a meeting; I'll call you back later"
"Are you really going to just hang up on me? I haven't heard your voice in days. I know I said I was going to give you some space but it's strange."—She could hear the pain in his voice, she hated that.
"I told you; coming back has been hectic. And right now I'm in HQ with Dad"
"I know…that's also why I called. Check your twitter Ar"—
"What? What's wrong?"
"There is some serious slandering going on with your brother in the press and social media. It doesn't look good. I see the wedding was a fast one"—
"Oh great. They know already?"
"Just go on damage control. It will all go away in a few days… Hey, promise me you'll call me tonight. I'm not the only one that misses you!"—On the other side of the phone she heard a distinctive whine.
"Awww tell Nyme I miss her very much!"
"Wow… still no love for the guy who is feeding her"—
"Don't be such a dork! Look I have to go, thanks' for the heads up and yes, I'll call you tonight"
"Please do I lov…"- She quickly disconnected the call.
Yes, I am an asshole… back to business then!
She checked her twitter feed and no wonder Robb decided to go to the office. It was bad! She mouthed to Edric to log into twitter as well and Edric didn't agree; it was more than bad! The Dayne's also handled Stark Industries public relations and he wasn't happy.
"Sir?"—He said to Eddard. "We need to address the matter on Robb's marriage"—He respectfully said.
Eddard gave Robb a side glance, he just shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't know how they found out. Everyone agreed to keep it quiet at least for a couple of months"—Said Robb looking like a little boy in trouble.
Twitter was exploding with people talking about him. He was being branded as a public philanderer with no word or honor, of course Roslyn and Jeyne were being mentioned and past hook ups who he more than kissed were definitely telling. To make matters worse the sex tape with Roslyn was being passed around again.
"It's fine Dad… Nobody will care by tomorrow!"—My brother; the village idiot; Arya thought.
"Robb it's not about you it's about Stark Industries. You're supposed to be the future, the face of the company. How the hell do you think that portrays us?!"
In a couple of months Robb was going to get his degree on Business School and was set to work with Eddard. The problem was that apart from girls and partying; Robb never had shown interest in anything! How in the world was he going to run an international company? Eddard's blood pressure did not need this.
"Edric what can you do?"—Gendry asked sitting in the armchair where Arya was sitting. Thank God for that, he always had a soothing effect on her.
"Well… for now I can monitor all social media. Classifying japes from actual slander. I'll try to take down the video yet again but that's always tedious, once stuff like that is on the internet you're pretty much screwed… No pun intended! But directly from a PR point of view I think it's best to get the new Mrs. Stark over here and sent out a public statement"— Arya wondered how her Mom is coping with that one. That woman sure loves her titles!
"Ok…that's a start! Robb what are you working on right now?" She asked. Robb just looked at her like she grew two heads.
"What do you mean? At school?"— The guy was clueless.
"Robb doesn't have any projects Little Boss. He's only associated to the company by name."—Smirked Jory, the only one who found the current situation amusing.
"You mean you've never actually helped with a project? Not even a desk job?" Well, considering the situation that was actually good.
"Jory… bring Robb's wife over here!"—Said Eddard. Robb was quick to protest but was quickly shut down. "We don't need you showing your face around town Robert" He snapped in his CEO mode. "We'll wait for the statement that Edric is going to prepare. In the meantime you and I are going to have the talk I spared you the other day just so Jeyne wouldn't get such a bad first impression of me!"—No body, nobody in their right mind would trade places with Robb right now!
"I have to go back to my office and meet with my team but I'll be back and ready in an hour Sir"— Said Edric.
"Eddard?..." Curious how Edric called Eddard 'Sir' while Gendry went with his first name "I have no more paperwork to file in for today. I have to be at a work site by 5 so I'll leave you be. I'm taking Arya to lunch"—It wasn't a question, it was a statement.
Her father just nodded but gave her a look that said he was thinking about her partner. That was a conversation Arya did not want to have.
They left in a hurry not wanting to stay in closed chambers with Eddard right now so they got in his truck and were off as fast as they could.
"So… anything you're craving for?"—Gendry asked her while driving through Wintertown. I suppose he's talking about food.
"Surprise me!" Was all she could say, actually a little nervous to have some alone time with Gendry.
She turned on the radio to avoid saying something stupid and Britney piped up singing that if you wanted fine booze and parties; you had to work your ass off.
Arya was to make sure she downloaded the song in Robb's Ipod.
So did you like it?
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The sex tape? It's part of the prequel; feel free to check it out ;)
Again; thanks not only to the new readers but to the originals that liked the story from the beginning. You guys are too good to me.
Song: Work B**ch by Britney Spears
Read ya' next Friday.
XOXO