Strictly Business | SuFin

Strictly Business

Straightening his tie, Berwald Oxenstierna stoically looked at himself in the mirror. Being the CEO of a huge corporation always required looking sharp, and he was no fan of crooked ties. Today he was going to be holding a meeting at his favorite branch of the company and he did not want to look unkempt. Though he would refuse to admit it, the only reason why the branch was his favorite was because of the regional manager, Tino Väinämöinen.

Tino Väinämöinen was an enthusiastic little man who always managed to trap Berwald in a whirlpool of conversation that would sometimes last for hours on end. Berwald knew he had the authority to deny the conversation, but he never did. He actually quite enjoyed it. The way Tino passionately talked about his work made Berwald's day. He could listen to him talk for hours and never get sick of it.

On this particular morning, Berwald's job was to go to the branch to hold a meeting about the company's new website. He had to teach the employees how to use it and how to troubleshoot when it stopped functioning. When he arrived at the branch, he was greeted by an unfamiliar secretary. There was usually a young girl sitting at the front desk, but this time he was greeted by a grumpy-looking teenager with whitish hair.

"Good morning Mr. Oxenstierna. Mr Väinämöinen will be with you in a moment" the teenager said, looking a bit nervous as he looked up at the tall Swede.

"Good morning. Are you new here? I don't recognize you" Berwald questioned.

"Yes Mr. Oxenstierna. My name is Emil Steilsson" the boy responded, pointing to the name plate sitting atop his small desk.

"You can call me Berwald" the Swede replied, leaning against reception as he waited for Tino.

"Um- I- I believe Tino is ready for you in his office" Emil stammered, sounding a bit skittish. Berwald gave a quick nod before straightening himself out and heading across the office. Knocking on the door labeled "Tino Väinämöinen", Berwald took a deep breath. The Swede heard a little yelp and watched on as the bubbly blond appeared in front of him upon opening the door.

"Berwald! How is the world's best CEO?" Tino charmed, letting Berwald in his office with a bright smile.

"Fine. How are you?" Berwald greeted, trying not to show how nervous he was talking to the Finn. Though he was Tino's boss, Berwald always felt like Tino had a little bit of a hold over him. Maybe it was the overwhelming attraction Berwald felt for the adorable manager that made him feel powerless whenever they spoke. Maybe it was just the Finn's charm. Berwald had no idea, but every time they spoke he got the jitters.

"I'm great! I am super excited for the launch of the website. Our mascot is so adorable!" Tino exclaimed, clapping his hands in excitement as he sat down in his desk chair. Berwald shut the door and sat across from him, keeping a straight face as he watched the Finn do a little spin in his swivel chair. Berwald couldn't help but want to just pinch his cheeks. He was too adorable.

"I'm here to talk to you about the meeting we are about to have. I can only spend an hour going over it and the guidelines are strict. So no messing around during the meeting" the Swede uttered, his voice sounding almost robotic as he laid out the rules.

"Roger that! But I'm not sure I can control Mathias. You know, the sales rep? He's always goofing off" Tino explained, twiddling his thumbs as he gazed out of his office at the crazy-haired Mathias.

"If he can't behave himself in a meeting with his CEO, you are going to have to fire him" Berwald warned, immediately eliciting a yelp from Tino.

"I-I can't do that! That'll separate them! There's no way in hell I'm firing him without seeing them finally get together" Tino whisper-yelled, his hands flailing around in panic.

"You know I have no idea what you're talking about" Berwald muttered, looking genuinely disinterested in whatever Tino was freaking out about.

"Mathias and the accountant of course! Mathias is always goofing off to get his attention and the accountant pretends that he hates him but if you sit in my office you can see that Lukas always looks up from his desk to stare at Mathias! It's super cute and if I never see them get together I'm going to be really really pissed off" Tino ranted passionately, his fist pounding the air as he looked out of his office with a sense of determination. Berwald had no idea why he was so passionate about getting the two together, but seeing him getting so riled up was pretty cute, so he wasn't complaining.

"Um, Ok. Anyway, just make sure you tell everyone to behave themselves" the Swede commanded, wanting the meeting to run as smoothly as possible. He was running on a tight schedule and had to be back at the corporate office in Gothenburg by lunchtime. He was in no mood for funny business.

"Will do. Anything else you want me to do before the meeting? Would you like a cup of coffee?" Tino asked, leaning across the desk with a smile.

"No thank you" Berwald responded, denying Tino's usual suggestion of coffee. Every time he was in Tino's office Tino offered him coffee, and Berwald always denied the offer. He was surprised the Finn didn't just stop asking.

"Well, if you don't want a drink now, maybe you'll want one later? How about we go out for drinks tonight? You of all people know Stockholm has a fantastic nightlife" Tino charmed, completely catching the Swede off guard. Berwald's eyes immediately widened at the suggestion. Of course he wanted to go out with Tino, but if the chairmen ever found out he had a relationship with one of his employees, his career would be over.

"That's very nice of you to offer Tino, but you know our relationship is strictly business. I am not allowed to see my employees after hours. The chairmen find it quite unprofessional" Berwald said, his heart aching a bit as he denied the chance to hang out with the Finn.

"Maybe some other time!" Tino exclaimed, cooly brushing off the rejection. The Finn had already assumed this was going to be the reaction, but he had hoped maybe the Swede would let loose for once in his life. Tino had desperately wanted Berwald since they had met three years ago, but he had never mustered up the courage to do anything in fear that the Swede didn't feel the same way. In the past year, the two had had so many lovely conversations that Tino assumed Berwald would finally say yes, but unfortunately, their company hierarchy got in the way of it.

"Tino" Berwald warned, shooting him a look of disapproval.

"Fine. I'll stop asking. Strictly business... la dee da dee da. Whatever. Let's start this stupid meeting" Tino grumbled, crossing his arms like a child having a tantrum. Berwald bit the side of his cheek, feeling a bit guilty about the power imbalance as Tino stomped across his office. Before he could open the door, Berwald lightly grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back.

"Maybe we could go out for one drink. As friends. Nothing more." Berwald suggested, standing up from his seat as he let go of the Fin's wrist.

"That's not against the company guidelines?" Tino shot back sarcastically, staring up at the Swede with a slightly irked expression.

"No."

"Fine. Pick me up at seven" Tino ended, grinning as he turned and walked out of his office. Berwald bit his lip to refrain from smiling as he watched the Finn walk away triumphantly. Feeling his face flush, the Swede turned away from the door and pretended to check his watch. He couldn't wait until seven.