Daddy Issues

Chapter 11

Sue sat at her desk in her office bright and early the next day. Her hair was pulled back into a tight bun, not a crease was seen on her pants suit and her spine was straight as a pin.

After Vlad left yesterday, Sue sat in her living room and re-evaluated her life. Her conclusion was truism. All this chaos, this emotional instability, irrational actions; everything. It all started when Vlad walked into her office. She allowed him to crawl under her skin and settle there without her even knowing it.

It was clear what needed to be done. Boundaries needed to be established. Not as strict as the first time but more defined. Vlad being in her life wasn't necessarily a bad thing. What was, however, was his continuous influence over her emotions and actions. The self-reflection was complete déjà-vu. Sue just hoped that this time the results of her wonderment were more sustainable.

The phone rang and Sue immediately picked it up. It was Jackie letting her know that her first appointment was here. It was another aspiring writer. He had come to her publishing house a couple of times with different drafts and ideas but none of them were accepted by any of her departments. Finally, Sue decided to see for herself if he was worth their attention.

The man sat in the chair opposite Sue with a confident look upon his face. He seemed sure of his work. Such confidence was good, it helped you to move on even after you're turned down and he was going to need to use it because Sue was about to do just that.

"This is absolutely awful. I'd tell you to pursue another career but if you're dead set on writing, I suggest you pick up some literature and writing classes."

The obvious shock didn't last long. Shock contorted into anger upon his face. "You're awful! I hope you die alone." The man yelled melodramatically.

"I was planning on it." Sue responded with a roll of her eyes, not missing a beat. She stood towering over the emotional man. His confidence no longer showing through. "How about you take my advice and come back when you can tell me why your work up till now is terrible. If you can I'll consider you and forget what you just said." Sue handed the man his manuscript and shooed him out of her office.

As he rushed out the door, he brushed an incoming Vlad. "Woah! What did you do to him?" Vlad chuckled.

"Nothing. He just had a hard time accepting the truth." Sue cleared her throat. "Please come in, sit."

"Why do I get the feeling I won't like where this conversation is going to go." He gazed at her wearily. Sue gathered her wits and began. She explained what happened last night after he left, how she's kept herself for a very long time; in control. She told him of her plans to get back to that point all the while keeping him present but also asked that he respects some boundaries that she was about to lay down. Vlad didn't speak the entire time. His face void of all and any emotion. It was when she began listing the boundaries that he sighed, and his face took on a look of complete exasperation. He pushed himself up.

Him towering over her like that with that humourless expression didn't sit well with Sue's nerves. It put her slightly on edge. A thought occurred to Sue in that moment. Vlad began walking around the large desk. Had Sue always been in control because she was steeled and intimidating to those around her? Vlad stood before her as he spun her chair to face him. Or was it because she was surrounded by weak people? Vladimir Mikealson was not weak.

This was a power play and Sue was losing right now. She attempted to stand to level the playing field, but he pushed her back down into her chair. His arms came on either armrest as he leaned down effectively trapping her. "Ms. Raymond, I believe we already had this discussion last night and now you're going back on your word," he tusked at her shaking his head just barely. "That man isn't the only person having a hard time accepting the truth. I like our new arrangement just fine and I'm not in the mood for renegotiations. Now be a good girl and let's get to work because I'm taking you to lunch later. There's a lot to be done." Sue stared up at his brown eyes and she could have sworn they darkened. Those eyes had something she'd never thought she'd experience again happen. The heat in the pit of her stomach melting her insides leaving it to pool between her thighs. She gulped.

Vlad leaned in further, his lips a breath away from her. Her breath hitched in anticipation. Her eyes fluttered close of their own accord. A few seconds later she felt his warm lips on the corner of her mouth and her eyes flew open. A mischievous smile lingered on his lips as he spoke. "I won't kiss those lips," he ran his thumb against her bottom lip, "unless you ask."

Long after Vlad left her office Sue remained baffled. A tingling sensation lingered where he had touched her. Perhaps it was time for her to accept the makings of their relationship.

Lunch wasted no time arriving. Before Sue knew it, it was twelve and Vlad was standing in her doorway with a charming grin asking her if she was ready. "Once sec, let me just finish this email." Vlad waited patiently letting his eyes roam the bare office. His eyes rested on the dying flowers on Sue's desk. "Alright, I'm ready." Sue rose from her chair after shutting her laptop.

"I'm going to have to replace those flowers." He said absentmindedly. He grabbed Sue's jacket from the coat rack and gestured for her to turn as he helped her into it. He fixed her in it and brushed her cheek ever so gently. Unsurprisingly Sue's cheeks blazed.

"Well we should get going." Sue brushed passed him out of the office and hurried to the elevator desperately trying to will her face to cool.

The ride down in the elevator and to the restaurant was quiet but not awkward. Sue hated to admit it, but she enjoyed Vlad's presence. She found herself relaxing more and more around him. At lunch they talked and talked about anything they could possibly imagine, getting to know each other little by little. It became their routine. Every day at lunch Vlad would come get her and they'd visit a different restaurant, trying different meals every time. It was Vlad's idea. His reasoning being something along the lines of learning something new about each other with each new environment.

Sue never found herself wanting to have lunch alone like she thought would happen. Instead it was quite the opposite. She had gotten use to Vlad's visits and their lunches and found herself looking forward to them.

Today was Friday i.e. family dinner and as it would soon become a norm, Vlad was invited.