Business Matters – Part 1

A/N: This is another idea I have been wanting to write for a while, and am only just getting around to now. I don't really know where it came from, except maybe ages ago when you mentioned something in the questions section about imagining a certain character being a white-collar worker in an AU, and this idea just grew from there. I have ideas for other parts to follow, so we'll see how it goes…

Walking through the revolving doors of the entrance to the skyscraper, Aspen looked around at the elaborate furnishings, no less impressed than when he'd come in for his interview. It was a long way from the arts course he'd studied, but it had been hard to find any jobs, and he found himself resorting to a job in business. While a career in business didn't sound that exciting, he did need the money. The job he'd just scored was only for an assistant, but he felt confident that he could work his way up. He was a quick learner after all, and he knew he could be persuasive.

Adjusting the bag on his arm – he'd chosen a fancy business-looking briefcase for appearance sake – he pressed a button for the lift. While he waited, he considered what he knew about the company. It was a family business that had expanded internationally and had become prestigious. The owners were a couple who were very involved in the business, and their only son was the manager. The company was said to be ruthless, known for cutting off allies who let them down, and going through staff quicker than they could hire them. He was sure that only a certain kind of person would thrive in such an environment.

Stepping into the elevator, he pressed the button for the top floor. Fitting, when he would be an assistant to the manager. Smiling to himself, he looked in the mirror, smoothing down his hair quickly. It would be important to make a good impression.

Once the doors clicked open, he walked to the reception desk confidently, looking over at the receptionist there with a purpose. "I'm here for-..." He started, but she cut him off, reaching into a drawer.

"The new assistant job? Yes, I know." Pulling out a lanyard with a card attached to it, she held it out to him. "Here's your pass to get into the rooms. With that, you'll be able to get into most of them, depending on the clearance." Taking the pass, he secured the lanyard over his neck. He then glanced down the hallway, trying to keep up with her instructions. "The meeting rooms are located on floor nine, with lunch areas on floors five and ten. Toilets can be found on every floor. Your office will be linked to the manager's, just down the end of the hallway on this floor." The receptionist rattled it all off, before finally looking at him. "Do you know what your duties are?"

He gave a quick nod, his fingers adjusting his tie, before he dropped his arm back to his side, his demeanour unusually serious. "Yes, I've read the description. I'm prepared."

Raising her eyebrows, she gave him one last glance. "Good luck," she said, and he felt like there was something she wasn't telling him, as if she was amused by the fact.

Thanking her when she turned away to resume her duties, he looked down at his pass one last time, before straightening and starting down the hallway. He hadn't met the manager yet, and he couldn't help but feel slightly nervous. Now was the time to make his good impression.

Stopping at the last doorway, he knocked, before swiping his card and slipping inside. The office gave him his first impression of the manager. Unlike the rest of the building, it was only fitted with practical items and necessities, with nothing in there just for looks. His gaze was quickly drawn to the figure typing at his desk. The computer screen cast light on his face, and Aspen watched him keenly. He had seen pictures of course, and the son had looked good in them, but seeing him in person was even better. He had undoubtedly pleasing features, even if his expression did not match. His eyes were an unusually sharp shade of silvery grey, paired with blonde hair, and there was almost something elusive about his manner. And he was certainly lucky – he was at least a few years younger than Aspen and had a say in the running of a prestigious business, was rich, and was set to inherit it all from his parents. It made Aspen feel almost a little jealous, and like he hadn't yet done much with his own life. But it just seemed so easy for some people. Hell, he didn't even have parents. Not ones like those, anyway.

When the room remained painfully silent, and the manager ignored him, Aspen stepped forward, walking over to his desk and holding out his hand to shake. It seemed like something professional that business people would do when introducing themselves. "I'm Aspen," he stated, with an easy smile. "Your new assistant. It's nice to finally meet you."

The manager – Caspian – continued typing, ignoring him for a moment longer, before he finally looked up. "I don't need an assistant," was all he replied, brusquely. "I don't know why they hired you, but I doubt you'll last long."

Trying not to let his expression slip, Aspen lowered his hand, fighting a wave of rejection. So much for his good impression. Was it the parents who had pushed for an assistant, if he himself didn't want one? Aspen couldn't help but wonder why, if so.

"Caspian, is it?" he questioned, for he hadn't formally offered his name. "Oh, I'm good at sticking around. People normally beg me to, after a little while," Aspen continued, keeping his voice confident.

Looking unamused, Caspian studied him, his eyes slightly narrowed. "What exactly does your job entail?"

'I'm here to make your life easier. Answer your emails, take your calls, smooth things over with your business partners, those kinds of things," Aspen answered, leaning against his desk slightly. "If you ever need help with anything… just let me know." His smile grew slightly sly. "I can even make house calls."

Caspian rolled his eyes, giving a dismissive flick of his hand. "Your desk is in the corner over there. Don't disturb me unless I ask you to. We'll see how long you last."

Aspen straightened at his words, a hint of defiance in his eyes. It sounded almost like a challenge, and he never failed those. He would prove him wrong. "It was nice to meet you, Cas," he said in a pleasant tone, making up the nickname mostly just to annoy him. It looked like it had worked, and he strolled over to his desk, setting his briefcase down, before sitting down himself. Pressing a key to turn on his computer screen, he searched through the files, before finding the emails. Maybe the receptionist could potentially be an alley, if he needed someone to show him the ropes.

Glancing over at Caspian subtly every so often as he worked, he couldn't help but feel a prick of disappointment at his sour reaction to his presence. It would be a harder job than he thought.

Then again… he always did like a good challenge.