Chapter 1: Of Desperation & Dominance
Robert Alarcon was a proud man.
As his slanted eyes leered into my own, his hands met the base of his chin– fingers intertwining in a smooth motion.
I thought I knew all there was about the world around me. My pureblood pedigree, accompanied by the finest education Hogwarts could offer, had assured me as such. It appeared that, despite my experience with Maseda's secret "Order of the Owl, '' complete with everything that I endured during my time within it, that I still had a great deal to learn.
Perhaps I was a man in appearance, but had yet to become one in the mind.
Mr. Alarcon was not a man of magic, contrary to his Ilvermorny education. The man had taken to the study of potions during his career at the institution, that much was apparent by the abundance of awards that gathered and clung to his office wall- leaving neary a patch of unadorned.
Yes, Robert Alarcon was a man of power.
I jolted upright as I heard Mr. Alarcon cleared his throat to speak.
"Well, I must say Mr. Odiorne. Your resume is impressive." Robert straightened his posture, the Alpha making Odiorne feel even smaller than he already did. "I'm just not sure you're a good fit for this kind of business, son."
Ah yes… the business. All I knew was that Alarcon Enterprises was a tough business to get into. Nobody knew for certain just what kind of business the read-haired tycoon had ran, only that it was among Fortune 500 greats and top dog in the world of stocks. A job with Alarcon would leave you set for life, and job openings where met with gown w competition dominated by Alphas. Despite this, the company was exceedingly private.
For Robert Alarcon was also a man of mystique.
Odionre felt a plummeting at his core. He couldn't argue against this; it was true that he wasn't the best person for suit and tie affairs, let alone with a company as prestigious as this one.
My preferred realm of studies was better defined as hands on- Defense Against The Dark Arts and the like. I had been told countless times that I'd make an excellent Auror, and lets be honest; I loved when people told me that. After all, belonging to that division of the ministry was my dream ever since I was a boy.
I felt felt my fists tighten as they rested atop my lap, sweat gathering at my palms.
Being an Auror simply isn't an option anymore. Ever since what happened with him, or rather what he had become.
No- Absolutely not.
Odiorne suddenly stood. Robert did not budge an inch aside from a swift, albeit calculating, glance with his eyes.
Perhaps it was his flight or fight response kicking in, the panic and desperation finally emerging through the cracks of Odiorne's manicured facade. He simply couldn't keep it together any longer. Odiorne hated how feeble he had become- a shame to Godrick Griffindor's very name.
"Sir, please" Odiorne began "If I may speak candidly, I need this job."
"And why is that, son? You could easily be welcomed within The Ministry with these-"
"NO!" Odiorne slammed his hands on Robert's desk, the cool sweat from his palms slick against the fine mahogany surface "Sir please, I'll do any position! Anything"
Despite the sudden outburst, Robert maintained composure. Slowly leaving back into his sleek Herman Miller as he brought a hand up to support his head.
His gaze never faltered from Odiorne's, the latter heaving in weighty breaths as he remained fixed. An eternity could have elapsed, or even just mere seconds– In retrospect, Odiorne could not accurately relay which one it was.
No matter the duration or course of time in those moments, neither man shifted from their post– while Odiorne had welcomed panic in recent months, he was not a man of cowardice. What was meant as a simple job interview became primal at its core– two Aphas contending the presence over another.
Robert moved to stand, leaning over his desk ust as Odiorne had. Reclaiming it as he leaned forward, only a breath-width from Odiorne's flushed face. Roberts frame seems to become rigid and firm. Within his eyes reflected treacherous waters, daring me to take a swim.
"Ya' got passion, son. My employees need that fire to make it here." Adjusting himself to stand upright, Robert let out a mighty bellow. A hearty roar filled the spacious office as Robert laughed, his face as flushed as Odiorne's– occupied with amusement rather than tension.
"Alright Mr. Odiorne, you win" Mr. Alarcon moved to wipe a tear from his eye as he slicked a rogue ginger lock back into place. His frame shallowed, allowing calmer shores within those cool irises of his "Well, shit- that's all I needed to see. You're hired!"
The brunette felt like he could breathe again, as if this powerful ginger simply granted him a share of the oxygen in his space once more. Letting out a deep pant, Odiorne began to relax and soften his features.
"T-Thank you sir!! I swear, you wont regret it!!"
Robert moved to shake the hand of his new employee "You better stand by that, son. We have a lot of work to do!"
Despite Odionre's relief, he still wasn't sure just what kind of work awaited him. Or how the great entrepreneur came to be a man of such high regard in the first place.
Robert Alarcon was a proud man. However, he was also very private.