Editor

Chapter 13 Public

In the meeting

"Ok what's with the no focus today?" Killian scolded the group. They all looked at him silently. He clapped his hands, "Ok, what is it?" He demanded now. 

Killian's POV-- Graham had a damn big mouth, and he likely spread things before the meeting even began. Bastard has the talent to just tell things. Who would reveal the truth here? Emilie, "Hey, what's going on?" she was the easiest to get the truth from, and I wasn't going to berate my girlfriend in front of everyone. 

"I don't know," Emilie shrugged at him. "Graham," Killian turned to his big mouth bestie. "What? I think we're all paying attention," Graham said. "You're all bad at little secrets and gossip, so you all may as well say things publicly," He said. 

"Sure you want us to do that?" Graham said. "Listen, I know all the office gossip, I know when you all take lunch and the rest of the staff out there, that's fifty people, you think I don't know what you all gab about? This office has barely any secrets," Killian said. 

Graham, Tiana and Ruby looked at Regina, who just looked at Killian nervously. 

Regina's POV- What is he doing? I thought he didn't want everyone to know, but then again, gossip gets around, and pretty sure Graham knows all the details of us, and probably picked up on us sleeping together. I wasn't sure what to do or if I should say anything. 

"Ok, we're not going to get my magazine on the stands properly, if we're not addressing things in the office. Not like this is an issue, it shouldn't be and it's no one's business. BUT, just so you all stay focused and stop thinking little things or making judgements in your head, I'll say it now. Regina and I are dating," he said. 

Regina's POV- Holy shit. Wow, he said it so confidently actually. That was cute. He went on, "Now, I'm not going to treat her any differently, and we're not going to sit here and have sex on the table," he said, which just made me beat red. I can't believe he said that, neither could Graham, Tiana or Ruby who just gaped a bit at him. 

"But now you all can stop making your own little assumptions about it, or anything like that. She doesn't get special treatment, she has the same requirements as everyone here, and is going to be treated like any other employee, she just gets to have dinner with me and see my hair unmade," he said, which the group somewhat chuckled about. 

He smiled, "Now, we done with the elephant in the room?" He asked. The group nodded and agreed in unison. "Ok then, back to work,  topics, I need articles on my desk Thursday for the next issue." He said back in his boss tone. 

"Ok, have a good week, let's go," He commanded and opened the door, letting them file out. Regina couldn't help but grin up at him as she got to the door, he winked. "I feel better now," he smiled as she left. "Good.. me too," Regina blushed. 

"Wow," Graham said. "Shut up and get back to work," Killian said. "So you did sleep with her," Graham smiled. Killian rolled his eyes, "Get out," Killian pushed him. 

Killian cutely texted Regina 'Dinner Friday? There's a game Saturday, want to go?' 

She smiled at her desk as the phone blinked, and texted him back quickly, she couldn't really ignore her phone with him right there in view. 'Definitely,That mean you want your jersey back?' 

He grinned looking at her reply, 'Just for the game ;)' 

"Wow, I'm impressed, he definitely is into you," Tiana leaned her chin over to Regina's cubicle. "I can't believe he did that," Ruby leaned up on the other side. "I know," Regina laughed softly and bit her lip. "He's definitely smitten with you," Tiana said. "I'm kind of the same with him," Regina said. "Get it girl," Ruby winked at her and they resumed their work.

Regina plugged away on her article, touching a bit on the subject of toxic relationships, and how it was easy to get stuck in them. She felt it was pretty good about it. 

Midday a group of guys came in through the office and were heading to Killian's office. Regina watched them, having never seen any of them before. "Uh oh," Ruby leaned up. "Yeah," Tiana agreed. "What?" Regina asked.

"That's the competition, we may see your boyfriend get angry," Ruby said. Regina watched as they went into Killian's office, he shook their hands and they sat down, Killian sat behind his desk. Regina definitely could tell he wasn't happy, and had a stern expression on his face. 

She couldn't tell what they were saying, just that Killian was pretty stoic and rocking a bit in his chair. "Who are they?" Regina asked. "Well they compete over ads for the magazines, sometimes they get really aggressive, because it's all about how much each wants to pay the advertisers to keep certain ads," Tiana explained. 

"Killian typically wins," Ruby added. "Oh," Regina nodded. 

Regina watched as the other group headed for the door of Killian's office, he got up, and saw them out, he seemed pleased with himself. "You know Jones, you should have considered merging with us to better the whole magazine," one suited man said.

The entire office looked at the altercation now. Killian pressed his lips together. 

Regina's POV- GOD he's so sexy, look how confident he is, wow that's my boyfriend. 

"You see, I don't share. I don't share my work, my accomplishments, my employees, my success. You want a piece of it, keep pressing me. I reigned 3% higher in gross last year than yours, and you just want a piece of that, playing nice won't get you anything with me. Nor will playing hard ball, because I play harder," he said. 

Regina's POV- MY GOD he is fucking hot, look how stern he is.

"Your employee benefits take out of your pocket, merging would give you more money," the man replied. "I like my employees taken care of. Happy workers, means successful business, less turn around of employees leaving. What's your employee turn around? Oh right, 25%. What's mine? 1%" he grinned. 

"I like my workers taken care of, I'm not a greedy boss, I'm a bit overbearing and stern, but I like my employees to have proper healthcare, maternity leave, paternity leave, and vacation time, all that in which you cheapen on yours," he said. 

"Until we meet again," Killian smiled and they left. 

The office clapped, Killian smiled, and waved his hands up, "Woah woah, that's not necessary," He said. The group quieted, "Thank you, now back to being an asshole, GET BACK TO WORK!" he yelled playfully and headed back into his office. 

Regina texted him, 'Wow, now you have impressed me, even more- xoxo' 

He smiled and winked out the window. 

A/N-- They're going to have a fight at some point which will just be cute...