Love Assistant / Venable Fanfiction

Chapter 3 - R-E-S-P-E-C-T

*Venable's POV*

"What an audacity..." I whisper under my breath... Who does this brainless fucker think she is... My boss... I chuckle once again just thinking back on that conversation. But if she was just messing with me, why was she here then? There must be another reason... This can't be. Something doesn't feel right.

I stand up and walk to my bosses' lab in order to resolve this obvious misunderstanding. I know this meeting was confidential, but they can't leave me out of this. Not in this case. I chuckle to myself thinking, when Jeff and Mutt realize that little shit is telling everyone she's the boss... She'll regret that bratty attitude. I smirk slightly, delighted at the idea of showing her who's in charge here.

*Knock knock*

My cane echoes throughout the open, clean white space. Gaining the attention of the two men who are, unfortunately, my bosses, both completely stoned as it had become their lifestyle.

"Ah, Ms Venable, yes. I was wondering how much longer it would take you to show up here again..." Jeff says already expecting my presence to be felt eventually.

"You have no idea the nonsense I just heard. Your latest friend was bragging, as she was walking out of here, I laugh out loud, not able to contain it anymore and then add, "I mean.. I would be embarrassed if I was her, imagine the nerve..."

"Oh yes. I'm guessing she told you she's the CEO of this place..." Jeff says even though I wasn't done raging about that woman, ruining my roasting momentum.

"That is exactly right..." I laugh even harder, wondering how he guessed this good. Now looking up, catching the eyes of the men I work with.

"How wild is that..." I start again, slowly wondering why they don't get on board. Roasting silly people was the only thing we used to have in common. The uncomedic expression that is plastered in both their faces, drags me into reality. Confirming the one thing I could never think was possible.

"Wait what?" It suddenly hits me.

"That happens to be the current upmost truth, babe- I mean, Ms Venable. It just so happens that Jeff and I are moving on to our next project and are leaving our previous head of department in charge," Mutt says with the most natural mind state.

"Seems only fair. Don't you think?" Jeff adds. "I mean. Who else would it be?"

I stay silent for a second too long for them not to notice. I don't know what to say, or at least I don't dare to say what's in my mind. They look at me as if I am some pathetic little housewife dreaming the American dream.

"You didn't actually believe that we would let you stay in charge here, right? Ms Venable you don't know the difference between a screw and a bolt... How are you supposed to run a robotics company?" Jeff says and his little chuckle at the end of his sentence hurts more than his words.

"Do I need to remind you that I was the first person who you hired when this company was operating out of the back of a van? I have given you everything I have, every second of every day. I sacrificed any resemblance of any personal life, friendships, family. I don't even have a decent hobby!! So I am asking you, how dare you leave me out of this? How can you move on with your little pathetic projects and keep me in the dark this whole time? And to top it all off, you leave and let the company that I helped to build up, to this... woman?" I can't help but express my feelings for her with a visible disgusted face. "How are you to leave me here with her? Why don't you take me with you?" I add with an almost bitter tone.

"But you hate us!" one of the boys reacts. No shit... I think sarcastically.

"I hate everybody!! It's been 18 years... You do realize that if I had a child when I started working for you, it would be an adult by now. So why can't the two of you behave like one?"

"As if the world would tolerate another Venable," Mutt mumbles under his breath but I understand him anyway and so does Jeff and starts to laugh.

"Yes, imagine a child with this temper," he laughs loudly this time and they both high five, I feel a shockwave puncture through my hard facade. I expected this sort of behavior from everyone but not from them.

I feel the sadness inside me, turning into a raging need of putting them both in their place.

I hit my cane on the floor harder than I ever had before, testing the strength of the wood of which it is made of.

Jeff and Mutt are clearly surprised at my outburst, not being able to hide the frightened looks on their faces.

"My whole life I was seen as useless and purposeless by almost every single element of this goddamn rotten society!" my voice is low and deep now, my eyes could burn holes on their heads. "I thought I was part of a team here..." I mumble disappointed. Usually I wouldn't admit it to anyone, but I was caught off guard by my own unusual emotions.

"Ms. Venable, behave yourself. Please remember who you are talking to, you don't sound like yourself," Jeff interrupts me, not allowing me my emotional and defying approach.

"Actually, if you had waited and restrained yourself from your little and unnecessary outburst until we were done explaining, you would have seen that we have a designated task for you. It's not like we have forgotten how much your dedication has impacted our success," Mutt explains.

"Is that so?" I respond sneeringly and out of patience, but still interested in what he has to say. "I wonder whose boots you'll want me to lick next?"

They both ignore my bitter comment and proceed with their attempt at redemption.

"We need you to keep an eye on y/n. You'll be our eyes and ears inside this place. She may be our Chief Executive but we still own this business. And your extra work will be reimbursed as such. Extra..." Mutt continues and smirks at me talking about my raise.

"Clear that stupid smug off your face. That doesn't make up for the fact that you had this all planned behind my back," I say, still feeling betrayed, so I add, "I don't need more money, I need loyalty and respect. R-E-S-P-E-C-T," I spell each letter as if teaching the alphabet to little children, taking a second longer on the last letter and banging my cane on the floor in the end.

"We don't owe you any explanation, Ms Venable. You either accept the job or you don't..."

"Well, what other choice do I have?" Both guys shrug their shoulders and I add "It appears as none."

"Take it or leave it Ms Venable," Jeff demands an answer from me.

"Take it," I mumble, but he hears it.

"Good. You can start your extra work by walking down to your new boss's former office and tell her as friendly as possible that, not only is she to move to the main office whenever she pleases, but also, that a formal dinner party will be thrown in her honor, to celebrate the transition of power of this glorious company before the end of the week, so find out which day fits her schedule best," Jeff says and I scoff, "... and you better take notes, because you will be responsible for making preparations," he adds in a serious tone, sick of my behavior.

"If you don't mind... " Mutt concludes with an insincere smile.

You got to be kidding me.... I roll my eyes at the comment after staring incredulously at both of them, "Of course," I fake a smile and turn around in order to leave.

"And don't give me that look. I am growing tired of that increasing attitude of yours..." he says and again I have this urgent desire to let him taste my cane, but I am already on my way out.

Well, on the bright side I won't have to keep looking at this asshole's faces everyday. That is something to look forward to, I think as I try to muster the courage to do the unthinkable, admit defeat.

***