Business Matters – Part 2

A/N: So this is a little bit of a filler chapter, but the next part will be better, I promise. Plus, it's just a bit of fun. :)

Dedicated to his new task of winning over the manager, Aspen got up early the next day, stopping in at a Starbucks on the way. Balancing the carton holding the coffees in one hand, and his briefcase in the other, he managed to make it up to the top floor without any disasters. Strolling to the new office he shared, he swiped his card before pushing inside. He paused, a little disappointed to notice Caspian already there. He'd been hoping he would beat him there, to show his dedication. Walking over to Caspian's desk, he set down the two coffees.

"I didn't know how you like your coffee," he explained, nodding towards them with what he hoped was a friendly manner. "So I got one with milk and one without. You can take your pick, and I'll just drink the other."

Caspian waved them away. "I don't drink coffee," he stated, before looking back at his computer screen.

Aspen stared for a moment. What kind of worker didn't drink coffee to keep them going? Everyone else seemed to. "Oh… sorry," he said, picking them up quickly. "Is there anything else you like, for next time?"

"Some peace and quiet will do," Caspian muttered as a reply, opening his drawer and rummaging around for something.

Disheartened, Aspen brought the coffees back to his desk, setting them down. Sitting down and turning on his computer, he flicked back to the emails. Caspian's account was open, and he looked through the recent ones, getting an idea of who his contacts were, and what he emailed them about. He was certain that he could prove his usefulness. Taking a sip of some coffee – the weaker one with the milk – simply because he refused to let it go to waste, he then got to work typing out some replies to the more recent emails.

Relieved when it was finally lunch time, Aspen watched as Caspian walked off to who knows where, before deciding to try level ten for lunch. He supposed not everyone would have access to that level.

Catching the elevator down, he followed a guy with glasses to the lunch area. With seats right by the windows, there was an amazing view of the city, and Aspen's gaze caught on it for a long while. When he finally managed to wrench his gaze away, he walked over to the buffet, picking up a plate. It was a good spread, with mainly healthy food – salad rolls, wraps, soups, sushi, and other assorted savouries. However, there was also a small dessert section with some small cakes and slices. It smelt good too, and Aspen found he filled up his plate quickly. You knew it was a successful company if they supplied you with lunch. Scanning the room, he looked for a free seat. There was one across from the guy with glasses that he'd followed earlier, and he went to sit across from him, giving him an endearing smile.

"I'm Aspen," he said, introducing himself confidently, after he'd taken his seat. "I've just started here."

Looking up at his words, the worker adjusted his glasses, before giving him a slight nod. "Jai. I help out with IT things." Aspen watched him pick at his food, not looking that hungry. "What's your job here?"

"I'm the new assistant to the manager," he replied, leaning in and lowering his voice slightly, for he was hoping for some information. "Do you have any tips?"

Jai laughed, looking amused, although he was careful to keep his voice down as well. "Oh, him. He's… interesting. You might not want to upset him."

"I don't think he really likes me," Aspen admitted, resisting the urge to bite one of his nails. It felt wrong having someone dislike him, and he felt nervous, as if he had to make it right.

"I don't think you're the only one." Jai glanced to the side, as if not sure whether to continue, and Aspen was relieved when he did. "He has a meeting now, right? With his parents. I doubt he'll be in the best mood when he comes back."

Aspen stared. "A meeting? He didn't tell me." He wondered what it might be about. "Do they not get along?"

Jai shrugged, and Aspen got the impression that he wasn't that keen on gossip. "I don't know. I guess it's just a lot of pressure, and they don't always agree on things."

Filing his words away for future note, Aspen nodded absentmindedly, taking a bite of his sushi. Anything he could learn would be potentially useful. "Will you tell me more about what he likes?"

"Listen," Jai said, looking a little uncomfortable as he stood up. "My lunch break ends now, so I have to go. Really though… I don't know much. I don't normally deal with him. I work in a whole different department."

"Well, thanks for your help. Let me know if I can repay the favour," Aspen replied, watching as Jai nodded and left, before finishing off his lunch.

Aspen looked up quickly when he heard Caspian return to the office. He held a mug in his hand. Was that a coffee? It definitely smelt like it, and he tried not to frown, feeling offended. Had he made his own one, just so he didn't have to drink the one Aspen had brought for him?

Aspen sat up a little straighter. "How did the meeting go?" he asked, studying his reaction. Caspian froze, before shifting his gaze to him, surprise flashing in his eyes, before he hid it from view.

"Fine," he said briefly, throwing his bag on the desk and sitting down. Aspen doubted that was true, because he looked rather annoyed. "Just the usual kind of thing with them."

His tongue ached to ask more, but he silenced it, not wanting to press him too much yet. Not until he could earn his trust. "That sucks," he said simply.

Caspian shrugged, his expression closing off as he wrote down a couple of notes.

Shifting his gaze back to the mug, Aspen raised an eyebrow, unable to help but say, "I thought you didn't drink coffee?"

Rolling his eyes, Caspian took another sip before replying with, "What office worker doesn't?"

It was a good thing when the office phone rang, and Aspen was pulled from his annoyance before he could say something rash, reaching over to take it. It was the receptionist, passing on a message about a meeting coming up with some potential clients. Finishing the call, he brought up the calendar on the computer, adding it in, before looking up in surprise when Caspian spoke again.

"What the hell is this?" he said incredulously, looking irritated as he stared at his screen. Getting up slowly, Aspen walked over to look, straightening when he saw one of the emails he'd replied to.

"An email, I'm sure you know what that is by now-"

Making a sound in annoyance, Caspian looked up at him. "I know that. But what is with these… these…" Looking lost for words, his frown deepened, "Ridiculously flamboyant replies you wrote to the clients. And you made out they were from me."

"Trust me," Aspen started, with a small smile, almost glad to annoy him after the coffee stunt. "I'm good at communicating and getting people to like you. I'm just being friendly. Might make you a bit more popular. Might even get you some more business."

Muttering under his breath, Caspian waved him away. "Make my replies more believable. I won't have you embarrassing me."

Turning away, Aspen's smile grew. "Who knows? You might enjoy it."