Rowaelin Gym AU Part 7
dang I actually posted on time for once?! this picks up right where part 6 left off. i hope you guys enjoy, as always constructive criticism is welcome and encouraged. if you want to be tagged in my updates let me know!
TAGS: @emilyshi101emu @writerbutalsoanasshole
Previous Part
Maeve and Arobynn continued speaking for another twenty minutes. Aelin tuned out most of it, opting to watch her boss closely. Mr. Hamel was a master of deception so he never gave anything away. Which had always infuriated Aelin, who prided herself on her ability to read others. But she could tell this much: he was not acting like himself. Normally, though he looked casual, Arobynn was alert and ready for anything. He was far too at ease. Something was definitely off.
At the end of their little speech he swung by their table for a little visit. Honestly she wasn’t surprised he’d spotted her, the man was too observant for his own good. Nonetheless it pissed her off a bit.
“Miss Galathynius, what a surprise. It’s lovely to see you my dear,” he purred.
His gray eyes slid down her body. She fought the urge to recoil and instead gave him a professional smile. “Mr. Hamel, I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”
Finally his gaze trained on her own. Aelin maintained eye contact refusing to break. That’s what her boss was all about. The games that he so loved to play.
“No need to be miffed my dear. We had every intention of revealing our deal when it became relevant.” Mr. Hamel rested his hand on her shoulder.
Aelin’s urge to pull away grew stronger. “And when exactly would that have been, sir?”
Her tone was too careful, to the point of deadliness. Normally she kept herself in check while working even when she was angry. But tonight her boss was pushing all the right buttons. When it became relevant, could have meant never. And that really pissed her off because all of his employees would have been working in the dark. Everything would change and they wouldn’t have any idea.
Mr. Hamel chuckled lightly. Oh this was a challenge, just like everything else for him. He leaned down and whispered against her ear, letting his hot breath caress the shell, “When I say so.”
The threat was plain. Don’t let this slip, or else. What Aelin didn’t understand was why. Why did it matter whether his employees knew or not? Later. She’d delve into this later.
With an irreverent little smile she knew he hated Aelin said, “Enjoy your evening, Mr. Hamel.”
“You as well, Miss Galathynius.” Giving her shoulder a light squeeze he walked away.
She did not turn around to watch him go, knowing he would somehow be able to tell. Snake. That man was a snake in the grass.
When Arobynn was out of earshot Whitethorn hissed, “What the hell was that about, Galathynius?”
As she opened her mouth to snap an answer it dawned on her that she couldn’t tell him. That threat didn’t just extend to her coworkers. Mr. Hamel had gambled that she had guessed his plan and warned her not to tell another soul. She wouldn’t put anyone in that amount of danger. Aelin knew all too well how far his reach went.
Taking a sip of champagne the waiters had brought around she shook her head. Then replied, “Nothing. I don’t know what you mean.”
“Bullshit, something’s up. Unless he acts like that all the time, which I doubt.”
She gave him a look that assured him he did. It wasn’t a lie, that was Arobynn all of the time; a sick, manipulative bastard. Whitethorn’s face became hard.
“You work for a sadist.” His tone brooked no room for argument.
Aelin sure as hell didn’t disagree so she just took another drink of champagne. “What do you even do at these things after the awards?”
“Boring small talk and exchanging office gossip while taking advantage of the free drinks,” Fenrys supplied.
Her eyes darted over to him. She had been so zeroed in on Mr. Hamel she had forgotten they were there. What had they heard? What had they seen? But the way Fenrys so willingly picked up the change in topic testified to the fact that he wouldn’t talk about it. Not that Aelin was dumb enough to trust him right away but it was noteworthy.
Over Fenrys’ shoulder she caught sight of Remelle approaching their table. Speaking of snakes…
“Rowan,” she rested a hand on his shoulder when she reached him. “Would you like to kick off the dancing for the evening?”
Whitethorn tensed up hard enough it looked like he had a stick up his ass. From the way the others were reacting they either didn’t notice, didn’t care, or were hiding it very well. Stiffly he told her, “Of course.”
He rose from the chair and offered his arm to lead her to the area in the middle of the grand hall that had been cleared for dancing. Music filled the air and Aelin wondered how she didn’t notice a DJ there earlier. After this song, she thought to herself, I’m going in for the rescue. But as the dance went on it was getting harder and harder to stay in her seat. The little witch was “subtly” brushing her body against his even though Whitethorn was doing everything in his power to keep the dance professional. When the song ended he made to pull away but she clung to him tighter. He tried to move away again but she wouldn’t budge. Aelin saw red.
It took everything in her to place the glass down and not slam it onto the table. Channeling the smooth gait of a predator she approached the swaying couple. Others had joined in the festivities so they didn’t have a reason to be dancing anymore. Remelle wouldn’t have an excuse.
Aelin cleared her throat. “Rebecca, would you mind if I stepped in?”
Her nostrils flared. Bullseye. “We’re in the middle of something here,” she let her hand slide down Whitethorn’s side far lower than was proper. “You’ll have to wait, Ally.”
And just like that Aelin was done being nice. She ducked between their arms and took Whitethorn’s place as Remelle’s partner. She sputtered at the separation. This woman was certainly used to getting her own way. They stood at nearly the same height though Aelin took some small satisfaction in being fractionally taller.
Leaning forward so her red lips nearly brushed Remelle’s ear Aelin whispered, “Take the hint and go sweetie. I’d hate to break that pretty little face of yours.”
Remelle jerked her head back and hissed, “How dare you threaten me. I am an esteemed associate of Doranelle Inc. and demand to be treated with the respect my station entitles me to.”
Aelin laughed a low deadly laugh. “We’re coworkers now, Remelle. And I am an esteemed associate of Hamel Publishing House. We are equals. I know you’re used to people rolling over when you say so but now you have someone your own size to pick on. And I don’t lose.”
None too gently Aelin removed herself from Remelle’s grip and walked over to Whitethorn. “Was that a good enough dominance battle for you?”
“Better than I could have hoped.” His eyes gleamed with something like respect as he took her in. “Why?”
He didn’t need to elaborate his question. “She seemed a little too entitled. I had to knock her down a peg.”
The look Whitethorn gave her was one of grudging gratitude. He knew her real reasoning. Damn the bastard to hell how could he read her so easily?
“Well, now that you don’t have a partner,” she held out a hand, “would you care for a dance… Rowan?”
His large hand enveloped her fingers easily. “It would be my pleasure… Aelin.”