Warnings:
Rude language
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Another tired, annoying, confusing morning for Jean, the only man on his mind was Muhammad, Noriyaki had told him everything that happened in the bar a few days ago, and he was so embarrassed, he felt like he couldn't even look at his boss.
As he sipped his coffee he heard the same voice he dread ever hearing again, Muhammad's. "Good morning Mr. Polnareff." The second the words came out of the taller man's mouth Jean wanted to disappear. "A-Ah.... Good morning Mr. Avdol." Jean tried to force a smile but could barely keep it up, he was praying Muhammad would just leave.
"Oh, are those papers I asked for done?" Muhammad asked, Jean swallowed the last of his coffee and began, "Yeah, I have it right here." He rummaged around his desk drawer but to no avail. Suddenly, like a prayer received, Malena came rushing in with Jean's papers. "Jean! You forgot your papers on my desk!" Jean sighed in relief, "T-Thank you Malena!" He took the paper's out of her hands blushing. "Alright! See you later then!" As Malena dashed back to the elevator, Jean waved his hand in a daze, "B-Bye..."
Jean spaced out until a strong deep voice snapped him right back into reality. "Mr. Polnareff, the papers..?" Jean became a bright red as he quickly turned back to Muhammad. "O-Oh! Right! I'm so sorry Mr. Avdol." Jean quickly raised the paper up to him. "Thank you, Mr. Polnareff." He slowly grabbed the papers out of Jean's hand and left.
'Just kill me already, I can't bare this embarrassment.' Jean thought to himself as he leaned back in his chair, a blushing mess. "Ah! Jean!, uh, have you seen Jotaro anywhere..?" Jean looked up to see his old friend, Joseph Joestar. "What the-!? Joseph? What the hell are you doing here you old bastard?" Joseph threw his head back as he laughed, "I work here dumbass!" Jean started to burst out laughing too, "I knew that! I mean you've been gone for like 2 weeks!?"
Joseph crossed his arms and scoffed, "Well I have a wife you know, she was sick! You wouldn't understand anyway, I don't see a ring on your finger." Jean shot up, "H-Hey! I'm only 28!" Joseph looked at him surprised, "What? I thought you were at least 36!" Joseph laughed, "O-Oi! Shut up old man! You don't look any younger now do you?" Joseph gasped dramatically, but before he could say another word, Muhammad came up behind him and spoke.
"Excuse me, Mr. Joestar." Joseph turned around confused, then his eyes widened at the sight before him, "I'm your new boss, Muhammad Avdol." He stuck out his hand and wore a kind smile. "Well well! It's great to meet you Mr. Avdol!" Joseph shook his hand and smiled back. "It's great to meet you too, Mr. Joestar." As they made small talk, Jean was dying, he felt so embarrassed about everything that happened, from the day they met to now.
"I'm assuming you've met Jean right?" Joseph asked, Muhammad glanced over to Jean, "Of course I do. He laughed. 'What the hell's that supposed to mean?' Jean thought, "Well I best be getting back to work, It was lovely meeting you Mr. Joestar." Joseph nodded, "I'll see you later then!" He waved as Muhammad walked away. Jean sighed in relief, "Hm? What you don't like him?" Joseph raised an eyebrow as he looked over to Jean, "N-No! I just, well- I've had some awkward moments with him... And it just makes every interaction I have with him weird!" Jean whined, "Oh come on! Get over it Jean! I'm sure it wasn't terrible."
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That statement rang through Jean's ears all day until he got home that night, "He's right," Jean sighed to himself "it wasn't that terrible, so why do I feel so, weird about it..?" He grumbled to himself while walking over to his bed, he didn't bother getting undressed, this entire situation was bringing him down, (Considering he was being dramatic, it wasn't that serious.)
He grabbed his phone and dialed up the one person who could help him, his little sister. Sherry was 22, currently going to law school, she was very close with Jean, they called each other whenever they could, but Jean couldn't find the time to tell her recently because of Sherry's studying. As he put his phone to his ear he instantly heard an ecstatic voice.
"Jean! How is everything?"
"Hey Sherry.."
"What? What's wrong?"
Jean let out a long sigh.
"It's- It's about my new boss."
"Oh!! You have a new boss!? What does he look like? Is he handsome? How tall is he?"
"I'm not answering that."
"You're no fun! But, seriously, what's bothering you?"
"Oh Sherry! I made a complete fool of myself dozens of times around him! I feel so utterly stupid and miserable!" Jean whined.
"Calm down calm down, I'm sure it's not that bad, You're quite dramatic."
"That's what that old bastard said!"
"Okay, then tell me what happened."
"Where do I start? First I meet him and act like a bumbling fool, then I go to a bar with him, get drunk and be a stupid clown, and now every time I see him I freak out! I hate myself Sherry! And I bet you he hates me!"
Sherry sighed, then started to giggle, "Oh get over it Jean! You absolute drama queen, I can't believe you call me up to whine about some man!"
"H-He's not just some man Sherry! He's my boss, I could get fired!"
"Fired? Really? Jean you're clearly overreacting."
"I am not!"
"Oh well I don't know! Take him out to eat or something! Don't call me up to cry about your boy problems."
"Says you! You kept whining about your boyfriend."
"Yeah, And you sound exactly like me."
"What's that supposed to me-!?"
Jean was cut off by the sound of his phone beeping. "She hung up on me!?" He slammed his phone back on the bed and face planted. 'Take him to dinner...? That's a stupid idea."
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"Ah! Mr. Polnareff! I was looking for you everywhere! I was wondering if you'd like to go to dinner with me and Mr. Kakyoin?" Was he hearing that right? No he heard that right, dinner? with him? All he could do was stare. "Uh, Jean?" Muhammad waved a hand in front of his face, "Huh? O-Oh! Sorry, um yea! I'll come!" Jean stammered, the taller man smiled, "Great! see you then." Muhammad waved as he walked away.
Jean stood frozen, His boss, just asked him to... dinner? "Uh, you good JP?" He shook his head and looked at The man standing in front of him. "You're kind of in the way of the coffee machine." Jean blinked then quietly moved out of the way, "Sorry, Hol, jeez.." He murmured.
"Oh, hey Jean, you coming to dinner with me and Mr. Muhammad?" He turned around to see Noriyaki, "Oh- Oh yeah I am." Noriyaki smirked, "Really? Wow, I expected you to turn him down, with this whole awkward ordeal." Jean huffed as he looked away, "I can't just turn down my boss! He'll hate me!" Noriyaki raised an eyebrow "I thought he already hated you? Because uh, what, you didn't respond to him for.... 10 seconds?" The red head teased. Jean flushed a bright pink, "I- I-It's bigger then that!" Noriyaki scoffed, "Sure, see you at 6pm buddy." Noriyaki laughed as he walked off.
"Damn that bastard..." Jean murmured. The frenchman he clung to his papers as he walked, his mind going all over the place, everyone said he was overreacting, but Jean wasn't sure if he was or not, on one side he didn't mind his new boss, Muhammad was a generally good person, on the other side, well, he was confused at best, he was totally scattered. Jean couldn't take it and more and decided to finally apply himself and work it all out. 'For starters... His personality I guess?" He thought for awhile, "Well, He's fairly kind, he drove me to my apartment when I was drunk, so, that counts for something, (I think) He's polite, I guess? Maybe I'm just not used to, uh, decency? My old boss was kind of an ass...'
'I guess I don't know him that well, maybe this dinner thing is a good idea, plus Nori will be there too, so, it won't be terrible. But what if he's the only one keeping up the conversation? What if-' Jean's overthinking was cut off by being smacked in the face by... A... Chest? "Huh?" As he slowly looked up his heart skipped a beat, speak of the devil. "Ah! Sorry Mr. Polnareff! I wasn't watching where I was going." The towering man above him gave a kind soft smile, "A-Ah it's alright." Muhammad smiled, "Oh! And, I haven't told you when I'm taking you and Mr. Kakyoin out to eat, so to make everything clear, it's tonight at 6pm."
"Oh, Nori already told me!" Jean chuckled, "Ah... Nori as in Mr. Kakyoin, correct?" Jean nodded. "Well I'm glad you've decided to come, you've been acting strange, and, well, a little distant to be honest, so I'm excited to see you there!" Jean flushed, "What? I-I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to make you feel like that!" Muhammad chuckled, "It's fine Mr. Polnareff, you don't have to apologize, I understand adjusting to a new boss is hard, I assume your old boss was close to you?" Jean went pale, "Uh- Yeah! Yeah, We were pretty close..." Muhammad nodded "Hm, I see..."
"... Well, enough chit-chat, I must get back to work, see you then, Mr. Polnareff." He happily walked past Jean. Jean was absolutely devastated, First of all he just lied to his boss, Second of all Muhammad saw right through him! The frenchman was so embarrassed he could barely work, "God..." He sighed to himself, 'You know what! I'm not gonna go! I can't face him! I'll make up an excuse!"
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Next thing he knew, he was in his car, driving to the diner. Jean turned up the radio attempting to take his mind off what he was committing too. As he listened to the song on the radio he couldn't help but sing it, as he sang along all the anxiety he had before disappeared... Until it came right back the second the diner was in his view. 'Why did I agree? Why?' He thought, he sighed and pulled into the parking lot. "I can't do this.." He mumbled to himself as he rubbed his temples. He took the key out of the ignition as he opened his car door and stepped out.
"Hey! Jean, over here!" Noryaki was waving to him in front of the diner, the sight of his face eased him slightly. "Hi Nori! Where's Mr. Avdol?" Jean looked around curiously, "Oh, He's in the diner, I'm just out here for a smoke, and you." The redhead chuckled, "Come on, Mr. Avdol isn't gonna wait forever for us." Jean nodded, "Right." They both headed in, as Jean followed closely behind, Noriyaki waved over to Muhammad who was sitting in a booth by a window.
"Ah! Hey Mr. Avdol, we're here!" Muhammad looked up from his phone and smiled, "About time! Hey, thanks for coming out here you guys." As Noriyaki slid down the booth's seat he motioned Jean to sit next to him. "No, thank you for taking us out to eat." The darker man waved his hand, "Ah, It was nothing, I just wanna get closer with my co-workers." Jean placed his small shoulder bag under the table, as he slowly bent back up a waitress handed them their menus. "Here are your menus, is there any drinks I can get you guys?" The waitress asked, "Just a water for me, thanks." Muhammad said. "I'll have a water as well." Noriyaki said, "I'll have a lemonade." Jean said as he smiled and looked up at the woman. "Coming right up!"
"So, what are you guys getting? And, don't worry, it's on me." Noriyaki smiled, "Mr. Avdol you don't have to, I'll pay for-" Muhammad cut in, "No, no, I insist. I'm the one who invited you two here in the first place." Noriyaki nodded, "Thank you then, Mr. Avdol." Muhammad laughed, "It's nothing, really. Now, have you two decided yet?" Jean looked up from his menu, "Ah, yes, I'll get the cheeseburger. A-And, thank you for paying for the meal." "It's my pleasure, Mr. Polnareff." Muhammad gave him a small smile. "I'll be having the grilled salmon, what about you Mr. Avdol?" Noriyaki asked. "I'm just having a gyro." Noriyaki nodded.
"Are you guys ready to order?"
"Ah, Yes, I'll have the gyro."
"Just a cheeseburger please."
"I'll get the grilled salmon please."
"Alright! I'll be back with your orders soon."
After the waitress left, Muhammad and Noriyaki made small talk, Jean felt like he was third wheeling at this point, (DISCLAIMER, NO, I DO NOT SHIP AVDOL AND KAKYOIN AT ALL.) which, pissed him off. Despite his anger, Jean couldn't find a chance to join the conversation, for the first time in awhile, Jean felt left out. "Excuse me for a moment while a use the restroom." Noriyaki said as he got up, scooting past Jean. 'Fuck.... Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!' All of a sudden the frenchman rather be left out then having to be alone with him. Jean, and Muhammad, alone, the silence was loud. "So, how's your day been?" Muhammad asked in an attempt to break the awkward atmosphere. "Good... Good." To no avail too. It was painful, but why? 'Why could Mr. Avdol talk to Noriyaki normally, but its a problem with me?' Jean thought. "Mr. Avdol, not to jump to any conclusions but.. Do you hate me?"
"What!? Of course not!" Jean sighed and rested his face in the palms of his hands. "Sorry I- I don't know it's just-" Muhammad put his hand on Jean's shoulder, "I don't hate you Mr. Polnareff, why would you ever think that?" Jean looked away embarrassed, "I don't know! You just seem to get along better with everyone else, I seem to get along better with everyone else, but when it comes to you I'm lost... I-I don't want to make you feel offended or anything..." Muhammad took his hand off his shoulder, "I, I didn't want to make you feel like I hate you, I'm terribly sorry Mr. Polnareff." Jean quickly panicked, "N-No! It's not your fault! It's mine for assuming that."
The painful silence slowly sank back in, "I- Here, Jean, tomorrow, after work, I'll take you out to get drinks, just us. And then maybe we can work it out?" Muhammad stretched out his hand. Jean sighed and then smiled, "Sure, I'll see you-" Just when he has about to shake his hand, Noriyaki came back from the restroom. "Hm? What I miss?" Jean quickly pulled his hand back. "Oh nothing!" Noriyaki raised an eyebrow as he scooted back to his seat. "Alright.. Anyways, As I was saying Mr. Avdol..."
"Your food gentlemen." The waitress came and placed down their food. Muhammad nodded and thanked her. As they ate, Jean couldn't take his mind off about the invitation Muhammad had given him, just them? Wouldn't that be more awkward? "Somethin' wrong Mr. Polnareff?" Muhammad looked at him with an expression Jean couldn't quite read... "Oh, no, I'm alright thank you." Muhammad nodded, "Uh, what were you saying Mr. Kakyoin?"
'Hmm... Just us, together, alone...'
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Note: I finally finished this after, WEEKS, but I promise you I'm still alive! I'll try and make sure I won't quit on this story! (Not that I don't want too, I love writing..) Anyways, I'll be writing again soon, I'm sure it won't take terribly long either, August is a VERY uneventful month for me this year, till then, stay tuned!
