incandescent

iii

october 25th, 2023
manhattan, nyc
lorelai sinclair

╰➤ ❝𝐢 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐚𝐝.❞

☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*･༓ ‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾

𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐇𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐀 𝐉𝐎𝐊𝐄. This had to be an extremely cruel joke that Aaliyah or Vivienne or Blair had decided to play on me. I blinked twice, but the guy I had spilled not one but two drinks in less than 12 hours was standing ten feet away from me, looking like he wanted to murder me.

"Uhm-" He held up a finger again and dialed his phone.

"My office. Now. Call the production department and tell them to order me a new goddamn tux. You better have a damn good reason as to why she got hired," he whispered that last part to himself.

"Heard that," I scowled. What had I gotten into? I maintained a neutral face, but I knew he had seen the faint heartbreak in my eyes. I clenched my fists, all confusion masked by anger. My patience was really being tested today.

"Ms. Sinclair, I need to talk with my CHRO about your presence in this company. Ms. Campbell will escort you out."

Was I being fired already? I scoffed humorlessly. He narrowed his eyes and I cursed myself. God, why did he have to be so handsome?

Vivienne came rushing in with a clipboard and Mr. Astor pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Ms. Lorenzo, how many times have I told you to knock? It's a simple concept which no one seems to understand. Along with being graceful."

Oh. He was staring right at me. I wanted to die.

I felt underdressed as I saw Vivienne flaunting her designer dress that had too many sequins. All my confidence flew out the window.

"Oh, please, Theo. How many times have I told you to drop the formalities? Are you ashamed I'm your aunt? And dear God, what happened to your suit?" She squeezed his cheeks.

Oh shit. This was my moment. I tried to sneak out of Mr. Astor's office undetected when Vivienne turned towards me and asked,

"Rory, would you be ashamed if I was your aunt?" I froze and slowly turned around. I was stuck in the middle. Mr. Astor's face was screaming "Say yes or I'll fire you" and Vivienne's was saying "Say no or I'll murder you in your sleep."

"I-uh- you know, I really shouldn't be answering this because this seems like a personal issue," I chuckled nervously.

"Answer the question," they both glare. I needed to get on both of their good sides. Especially my boss. My very hot, but very rude boss.

"I wouldn't be ashamed if you were my aunt, Ms. Lorenzo. You're caring, and you only want the best for your nephew. I admire that, honestly." I probably didn't say the right answer, based off the look on Mr. Astor's face.

"Hmph, see? You ought to learn some things from Rory," she shook her head and I wish I had the ability to melt and disappear.

"I ought to learn things from her? No, no, Vivienne, it's the other way around. For one, she could learn punctuality, respect, and not being clumsy!" Mr. Astor spat, pointing to his ruined suit. I found it hilarious.