Business Matters – Part 3
A/N: Here I am, finally getting back to this! I started this a long time ago, but never went back to it. I'm glad I finally did though, as I always had this third part in the back of my mind. Not quite as good as I wanted to write it, but here it is…
As the weeks, and then months went by, Aspen found his place in the company, picking up odd jobs to make him indispensable. He was sure that was the only thing that could stop him from being fired. Then again, he was surprised that he hadn't been fired already. He'd organised meetings, smoothed things over with clients, and passed on messages to the other departments. Sometimes he wondered whether Caspian even noticed all the things he did, but by now, he didn't expect any thanks. Caspian certainly wasn't like that.
He'd noticed that Caspian often worked early hours, and since he did not seem all that keen on his job, Aspen couldn't help but wonder whether he had nothing else to do. Still feeling the need to impress him as always, he got into work even earlier one day, glad that he finally beat him for once. He cleaned out the office – not that it was in his job description, but he hoped it would be noticeable – sitting a coffee by the entrance, as usual. While Caspian had never taken it, Aspen was persistent, refusing to give up.
When Caspian did walk through the doors, Aspen looked up from his computer screen, trying not to look as satisfied as he felt. Caspian glanced around the office with a slight frown. "Why the hell would you come in this early?" Caspian muttered, although Aspen was sure he must be secretly impressed. And to Aspen's surprise, this time he did take the coffee by the entrance, bringing it to his desk.
"We have a meeting with some important potential clients set up for Monday evening next week," Caspian continued, his eyes flicking over to him. "We'll do it at my family home. You'll be paid for overtime."
Aspen listened carefully to this. So far all the meetings had been conducted at one of the meeting rooms adjacent to their usual office. But for this meeting to be at his home, it must be important indeed. He couldn't help but feel glad that Caspian had included him. He must trust him at least somewhat… right?
Sitting up a little straighter, Aspen gave an attentive nod and hid a smile. Maybe he would come around eventually.
What did one wear to especially important business meetings? Aspen wasn't entirely sure, but he used his latest pay check to buy a new business suit and a tie which was an enticing green to match his eyes. He hid his nerves behind a carefully constructed smile when the taxi dropped him off at the address. He'd made sure he was suitably early, so that no one could complain about him. Closing the car door, he looked up at the mansion in wonder, his breath catching for a moment. He knew the family was rich, but this was a glaring reminder of that fact. The garden was lush and well looked after, the house like something out of a movie – a water feature out the front of a multi-storey mansion complete with balconies for all the rooms. He never would have dreamed of visiting such a place.
Pulling himself together, he adjusted his suit jacket and ran a hand through his hair, before starting forwards. Passing the water feature, he made it to the door and knocked. He didn't know why he'd been expecting Caspian to answer the door, especially when a butler was the one to greet him. "You must be Aspen. The young master is in the meeting room," the butler said, gesturing with a hand to further down the hallway.
Aspen swallowed and nodded, walking down the hallway. He passed some family portraits taken over the years, and he glanced at them in interest. No one seemed to be smiling for the camera, as if a cold and reserved demeanour was required, even for the pictures. Finally, he made it to the meeting room, finding it a spacious, open room with a number of couches and coffee tables. Caspian was there with a drink in his hand, standing by the window and staring out of it. He was dressed nicely as well, although Aspen noticed his collar was slightly askew at the back.
Wanting to announce his presence, he cleared his throat, and Caspian finally moved to glance back at him, his gaze studying him for a moment. Aspen guessed that he approved, because he didn't make any comments about him. "Good. You're here early," he said, looking out the window again. "It's important we secure this deal."
Aspen nodded, although he knew he couldn't see, walking over closer. "I know. Let me know if you need anything. I won't get in the way." He reached forward, towards Caspian's neck, although he paused when Caspian stiffened, glancing back at him.
"What are you doing?" he asked, frowning.
Aspen met his gaze, before reaching forward again to fix his collar. "There. That's better," he said, his fingers lingering for a moment, before he lowered them.
Caspian looked a little uncertain for a moment, as if unsure how to react, although he was saved from having to say anything when the butler appeared near the entrance. He immediately took a step away from Aspen, raising his chin. "What is it?" he asked the butler.
"The guests are just arriving now," the butler informed him, "Are you ready for me to let them in?"
Caspian nodded, turning his back to the window. "You can leave once you let them in. We'll handle it from there."
The butler hid his surprise, inclining his head, before starting away. Aspen's gaze roamed the room while he waited. There were glasses and a bottle of what he guessed was something expensive like bourbon whiskey, on the coffee table near the couches. That must have been what Caspian was drinking. The sound of voices grew louder as two men finally made their way to the meeting room. They had some similar features, and Aspen soon learnt that they were cousins, both managers of another up and coming business. He was sure he'd seen their faces on some business magazines, as well. Caspian stepped forward to shake their hands, and Aspen followed, shaking their hands afterwards. Alaric and Mason, they introduced themselves as, and he tried to make sure he'd remember their names, knowing that he'd read them in the preparation notes earlier.
Caspian took a seat and they followed, Aspen remaining near the table. "Would you gentlemen like a drink?" he asked them, moving to pick up the bottle and pour some bourbon into the glasses when they agreed. Passing their drinks over, he then moved to fill Caspian's glass, as it was nearly empty.
They didn't spend long on pleasantries, which was no surprise, quickly moving onto talk of business. He found the younger cousin, Mason, was more likely to argue over matters, and it was obvious from Caspian's expression that he didn't appreciate it. When the discussion started to grow a little heated, Aspen stepped in quickly, steering the conversation onto a more pleasant topic – often complementing them or their business. The complements seemed to calm the situation, and he sat on a chair to the side to take notes, occasionally refilling their glasses when needed. The talk of business was rather boring to him, and he didn't pay much attention to the particulars, his gaze scanning the room as he jotted some things down. Finally, after what seemed like a long discussion, they came to an agreement, and Aspen felt relieved. He wouldn't have wanted the negotiations to fail on the night he was invited to participate. The cousins didn't stick around after the talks finished, and he showed them out afterwards.
When he returned to the meeting room, Caspian still sat on the couch, looking tired as he loosened his tie.
"Would you like another drink?" Aspen asked, his fingers pausing on stopper of the bottle.
Caspian nodded. "You can have one too, if you want," he replied, not looking up.
Knowing he didn't handle alcohol well, and he needed to make a good impression, Aspen hesitated for a moment. He didn't want the alcohol screwing up his thoughts and making him say silly things. However, he doubted Caspian would be as likely to talk to him if he didn't appear to be drinking too. He could certainly pour himself a drink and look like he was drinking it.
Filling up Caspian's glass with some more, he then poured a small amount for himself, before sitting down on the same couch, with a little space between them. "That went well, I think," he said to break the silence.
"Surprisingly," Caspian agreed, taking a sip of his drink. "I didn't expect the younger one to be very reasonable." Dropping his hand from his tie, he sighed. "At least it'll get my parents off my back."
Pretending to take a sip, Aspen raised the glass to his lips. He was just able to taste the bitterness. "Oh? Was there a lot of pressure to get this deal?"
"Pressure?" Caspian repeated, with a humourless laugh. "Failure isn't an option. There's no point showing up to work if I can't get secure deals like this."
He'd been jealous, he thought, at the family Caspian had, but perhaps it was more stressful than he'd realised. "Do you like your job?" Aspen asked, curious.
Caspian scoffed as if it was a stupid question. "Who likes their job?" he asked, rhetorically. "We hate it, but we do it anyway." He took another sip. "I've been told my whole life that I'd be taking over the company one day. You're lucky, you know, to have the chance to do what you want." When Caspian's glass grew empty again, Aspen moved to fill it quickly, before sitting down again.
He didn't know if 'lucky' was the word he'd use to describe his situation and the way he'd grown up, but he kept quiet on the matter, pretending to drink some more. "And what would you want to do?"
Caspian grew silent, before shrugging. "Who knows?" he said flatly, laying back against the seat.
Trying to lighten the mood as well as find out some more information, Aspen glanced around the room again. "It's an amazing house. Do you live here?"
Taking a sip, Caspian shook his head. "I moved out as soon as I had the money to. I live in my own apartment – this place is just more fitting for meetings like this. My parents are out, so they don't mind."
Aspen noted that he called it 'this place,' as if it had never really been his home. "I see. Guess it's nice to have a place away from your parents, when you have to work with them, too," he said, trying to be sympathetic.
Caspian made a sound of agreement, before he shifted his gaze to stare at Aspen. "Why would they hire someone like you?" he asked, suddenly, narrowing his eyes. "Did they tell you to spy on me?"
Surprised, Aspen frowned, meeting his gaze calmly. "Spy?" he repeated, thinking he sounded a little paranoid. In such a business, he supposed it was rather cutthroat, though. "No, I swear they didn't ask me to do that. They just wanted me to lighten your load a little, I think. Take care of the more boring jobs and all that."
Caspian stared at him for a moment longer, before placing his empty glass down on the table. "They meddle in everything, you know," he muttered, and his eyes were a little less steely, his gaze more unfocused, as if the alcohol had softened it. "They want to set me up with the daughter of some other wealthy family. Just so they can have heirs that the business can be passed down to, after me. Keep it in the family, and all that," he said, a hint of anger in his words.
Aspen leaned forward, placing his glass on the table as well. "They can't force you to do any of that. It's your decision. You know that, right?"
"Whatever, it's-…" Caspian shook his head, swearing under his breath. "It doesn't matter." His gaze seemed to catch on the entrance for a moment, where the cousins had been standing earlier. "You helped today, to smooth things over. I doubt it would have gone as well, without you here."
Aspen smiled slowly at his words. That was as close as he'd come to being praised or thanked by Caspian. He realised how important it was.
"I like to be able to help out… in any way I'm needed," he said, taking a moment to study Caspian, since he was looking away. He seemed a little less tense after all the drinks, his expression more open and the weariness managed to seep through. The drink must be strong he thought, just as Caspian looked back at him and swallowed. He shifted, and Aspen mistook it for him leaning closer, quickly moving forwards himself to close the gap. Thinking that he wanted it, Aspen kissed him, his fingers moving instinctively to rest on his shoulder.
There was a flash of surprise in Caspian's eyes, before he recoiled, pushing him away and getting up quickly. Equally surprised, Aspen could only watch him, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. He'd acted him too early, after Caspian had just opened up to him. But it what he was used to doing. It was what people usually wanted, especially those he'd worked for before. But Caspian was different, he reminded himself.
Once he'd collected his thoughts, he swallowed. "Cas, I'm-…"
"Get out," Caspian said in a low, warning tone, his eyes flashing as he sobered. "Now."
Feeling a little out of sorts, Aspen stood up, unsure of how to fix things. He'd never had such a reaction before. "Really, I'm sorry-…"
Caspian didn't wait around, gritting his teeth, before he stalked out of the room, disappearing down the corridor.
Numbly, Aspen watched him go, before finally forcing his legs to move in the direction of the door. What had he done? Caspian was not like any of the people he normally consorted with, and he'd stuffed up majorly. He was so used to people expecting it from him, that perhaps it had become normal.
Feeling annoyed at himself, he closed the front door behind him quietly after he slipped out. The night air was cool against his burning cheeks, and he was somehow… embarrassed.
He didn't know what he'd been thinking, and now he'd ruined everything.