Love Matters in the Dark (Septiplier/Jack x Dark AU)

Step 1: Land the Job.

"Mr. McLoughlin?"

I raise my eyes to the slender young woman in front of me, her white teeth almost too perfect for her face as she smiles at me.

"Your resume is very good," the woman continues once she has my attention. "I think that you would do very well at Love Matters. The only issue that I see is your height. Mr. Fischbach usually only like the people in the position to be over six feet tall and be of a more muscular build."

I feel annoyed by this in spite of myself. That seems like a really silly rule to have. What did weight and height have to do with being a good PA?

"I still would like to move you on to meet with Mr. Fischbach," the woman says as she taps her pen on the large desk. "You are clearly the most qualified applicant who we have had in quite a while."

I smile, my heart feeling lighter. I really need this job. My landlord was getting tired of all of my late payments since my layoff. The last voicemail had been rough to get through, and it was only a matter of time before there would be an eviction notice on my door.

"I do want to let you know that working for Mr. Fischbach is an interesting experience, and he does asks a lot of his personal assistants. That's part of the reason that the pay is so high."

I nod to show that I understood. The pay was definitely what got me out of my pajamas and into a clean suit. The salary here was almost three times what I ever made at my previous position. I was halfway there. Just need to throw in the old Irish charm, and I was set.

"I fully believe that I can do whatever is needed," I said, hoping my voice sounded as confident. The woman looks me over, her dark brown eyes almost feeling like an X-ray over my body. It's almost as if she's deciding if I'm up for the task.

"Mr. Fischbach is in a phone conference right now, but I do want him to see you. Would you be able to wait for about five minutes?"

"Yes, of course."

The woman gets up and smiles as she walks over to a large door to the right and opens and closes it. I finally exhale, feeling like I have held onto my breath since the beginning of this interview. I wipe my sweaty palms on the sides of my suit pants and hope that it doesn't leave a sweat stain.

I need this job. Please let me get this job.

"Mr. McLoughlin?"

I turn to see the young woman walking out of the room and looking over at me.

"Yes?"

"Go right in," she says warmly as she motions to the door.

I stand up and walk over and she touches my arm as I pass her.

"You'll do fine," she says kindly. "Would you like a bit of advice?"

I nod a lot more furiously than I meant, and she chuckles.

"He really likes confidence," she says softly. "Good luck."

I thank her and turn towards the door, and open it with my heart in my throat.

Well, Jack, here goes everything.

The office was dark, warm and filled with the smell of sandalwood. A dark haired man who looks to be in his late twenties is seated at his desk and talking on the phone. He wears eyeglasses on his handsome face, and the five o'clock shadow hugs his strong jawline. He gives a small smile when he sees me and motions for me to come in and sit in the chair in front of him. I walk as quickly as I can towards him, my gut-feeling telling me that this was a man who didn't like to be kept waiting.

After sitting down he points to a small tray with what looks like an expensive bottle of Scotch along with two small glasses.

"Have some," he mouths with his ear still pressed to the phone.

I hate Scotch with a passion, but something tells me to not refuse, so I nod politely, stand up and pour drinks into both of the glasses and hand him one. He gives a quick nod of his head as a thank you and takes a large sip. I also take a gulp, and am surprised at how good it tastes.

Perhaps I was wrong about hating all Scotch.

"Just send me the reports by Friday," the man finally speaks, and the deep and silky voice that he has I was not expecting at all. "I need to get off the phone, Paul. I'll talk to you later."

He hangs up the phone with whomever Paul is, who is still talking fast. I can't help but giggle at this, which causes the dark-haired man to raise his eyebrows at me.

"Sorry," I say quickly. "Just that Paul reminds me of my sister. I had to almost fake a heart attack once to get her to finally stop talking."

The man behind the desk chuckles at this, and places his arms in front of him on the desk and looks at me intently. That same feeling of an X-ray scanning me is there.

"So, my secretary thinks very highly of you," he begins. "It's not easy to impress Lilith, so congratulations on that."

I'm not sure whether to smile at that or not, so I take another sip of my Scotch.

"Has she told you about the position?"

"Just that it's for a personal assistant, and that every day is different and unpredictable."

The dark haired man leans in to look at me and nods his head slowly.

"Does that concern you at all Jack? The whole different and unpredictable part?"

I take a moment to think about this, trying to decide if it's better to be truthful or do what Lilith suggested, and just be as confident as possible.

The man's eyes were dark brown, warm and seem to be speaking to me.

The truth is better, Jack.

"I am a little worried, yes, but honestly, I really need this job. I'm a good worker, I learn quickly, and if you like Irish accents, I'm practically the only one you should hire."

His brown gaze widened, and I feel like the truth has been a mistake.

Fuck.

Then he laughs, stands up and holds out his hand.

"I like how you think, Jack," he says as I shake his hand. "Welcome to Love Matters. You start tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m."

He pulls out a business card and writes an address on the back, and then gives it to me.

"This is my home address. Your first day starts there."

I

must look surprised because he chuckles again.

"Believe me, your first day is going to be rougher than most. There's a reason why my personal assistants don't last very long, but I have a good feeling about you Jack. I'll see you tomorrow."

I nod and smile as I start to head out.

"Very nice to meet you, Mr. Fischbach," I say as I get to the door.

"Please Jack, that was my father's name. Just call me Mark, and in certain times, you will be calling me 'Dark'. See you soon."

Dark?

I walk out of the office and Lilith gives me some papers to fill out.

"Just get these back to me by the end of the week. Please make sure to look over everything before you sign them. Email me if you have any questions."

I nod as I grab the paperwork, and Lilith holds onto my gaze. Once again that feeling of an X-ray machine on me is there again.

"I mean what I said," she says. "Read absolutely everything."

I nod again, making sure that I was able to show her with my eyes that I understood completely, and then headed towards the front door.

What in the hell did I just get myself into?