The Reluctant Assistant - Book One

Infiltration Part 43

Raymond's first month at Hellion was an intense mix of getting to know everybody, like he'd done with Dealers, and scoping out the lay of the land. He'd already established chat groups with the managers, without them knowing he was admin. He made a point of eating in the cafeteria with the rest of the staff, joining random tables each day to everybody's surprise. At first they were uncomfortable with a senior manager sitting at the lunch table, but Raymond soon won them over with his charm and easy going attitude.

They are more trusting of someone who listens than threatening them, which is what Damon would have done. Damon was old school. He thought that pampering staff in this way was unacceptable and that they should fear management, Raymond's methods have worked well for him so far, so he infiltrated every aspect of the company, building friendships and alliances.  

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"Can I come in now?" Jackson moaned from the door of Raymond's office. As always when he was working, Raymond would throw him out immediately and threaten to lock the door.

"You can come in now." Raymond smiled at him, his head pocking through the open door. "I need to take a break anyway." He rubbed his eyes from staring at the monitor the whole time.

"If you're going to spend most of your nights stuck behind this desk, then you might as well let me sit here." Jackson said bitterly, throwing himself on the small couch on the office.

"You can't sit still." Raymond reminded him.

"I'll sit here quietly and read my book, promise" he grabbed the first book in sight and opened it up. It was a book on chess. God, how boring, Jackson thought as he paged through the book with illustration and weird letter and numeric combinations. "Do you play chess?" he asked holding the book up.

"Uh, yes. I play a little yes. Why, do you want to challenge me to a game?" Raymond grinned at him, before turning his eyes to his monitor again.

"Will you teach me to play, then?" Jackson interrupted his thoughts.

"Sure, when we get time." he didn't look up from the report in front of him, frowning slightly.

"I was thinking that we should go for a short holiday." he made himself more comfortable on the couch.

"Okay, what's up? You seem to be more clingy that usual." Raymond got up to sit next to Jackson.

"We never get to spend time together." He moaned like a petulant child. "You're either early at the office working or you come home late and spend most of the night behind this closed door." He leaned his head against Raymond's shoulder. "I miss you."

"I'm sorry. I got so caught up in what I was doing, that I forgot my family," he smiled against Jackson's head. "I promise to do better, okay."

"Okay," Jackson raised his head. "But you still have to kiss it better," he tapped his lips.

"You really are a baby." Raymond leaned in to kiss him, wrapping his arms around his neck. Jackson immediately put his arms under Raymond's legs and carried him toward the bedroom. "Is this part of quality time?"

"Any time that I can hold you is quality time," his eyes did not waiver from Raymond's. "You know I love you, don't you?" he asked laying down next to Raymond.

"And I love you too." He might as well admit to the truth, he thought. He really did love Jackson and wouldn't want to lose him again.

"Does that mean you'll marry me?" He propped himself up on his elbow.

"You just don't learn, do you?" Raymond laughed at him, cupping Jackson's face with his hand. "No."

Oh come on! Why not? And don't tell me it's because I don't get it!" he moaned frowning at Raymond.