The Real Clarke

I own nothing but my own words.

***

HAPPY SUPER BELATED BIRTHDAY, RISSY!

Over two months late, OUCH, but better late than never!

We'll call it a belated Christmas gift too ;)

***

What a morning.

Shaking his head, Ryan settled into his tiny cubicle and readied himself for another day of telemarketing.

Hope showing up on his doorstep was shocking; but, her arrival was a welcome distraction from the awkwardness of his morning. Plus, it was a new experience for him. Having a friend show up to see him out of the blue? Especially her? Between her presence, her grin, and her new teasing nickname for him, Clarkey was very happy to see her.

Not to mention her appearance. When did her hair get that long? And how easy would it be to wrap around his fist...

He coughed and picked up his headset.

He was happy to see her until she asked to be invited in and he faltered.

Finding her humanity off was worrisome. When she threatened Trudy, he didn't have any other choice but to help her.

Luckily, once he gave her the information she wanted and turned down the offer to go with her, she was on her way.

Would he ever see her again? Probably not. If he did, he hoped her friends would have done something to get her humanity back before that happened.

"Clarke!"

Glancing up at the familiar name, the floor manager walked impatiently by with the tablet that seemed permanently attached to his hands. "Cyrus picked the new regional manager. You're wanted up there."

Ryan put his headset down. "W-why?" Cyrus was Trudy's father. Everyone knew a new regional manager would be selected soon. But there was no reason he should be needed. He was considered another dispensable pion in this company.

The only thing that made him noteworthy was his dating the CEO's daughter. He had no grand illusion otherwise.

Shrugging, the floor manager kept walking, moving on quickly as usual now that information was imparted.

"Cyrus' office?!" Ryan called after him but it was pointless. The man was too focused on call volumes and the bottom line to direct him further.

Rising, he nervously made his way to the elevator and pressed the button for the top floor. The offices up there were for the really important people. He had never been there.

Stepping off the elevator, a whole other receptionist area was set up.

"You are...?" the man at the desk asked.

"R-Ryan Clarke?"

The man pointed to the right. "Last door on the left."

The last door on the left was wide open.

"Hello?" he asked as he knocked gently on the door jam. The sign on the door indicated it was the Regional Manager's office. The name plate was missing. Not enough time to have a new one printed yet, he guessed.

There was even less reason for the new regional manager to see him. At least with Cyrus, he knew what to expect.

The desk chair was facing away from him, but at his words, it whirled around to reveal a very familiar face.