Yes, Sir

8.0

•- Austin Wood -•

I fix the button of my suit as I step through the threshold separating me from the rest of my employees.

I'd received the call from Laine just moments ago that my interview, or as she referred to it, 'damage control' was set to begin.

I find Jace Conners, a man whom I'd been interviewed by countless times, gawking at the sight of Laine as she offered him the kind hospitality Ed that were in her job description.

I extend my hand to the man and eye Laine with a level of curiosity to try and peer into what she could be thinking in that intelligent brain of her's.

"Jace Conners, a pleasure to see you again," I lie as the man in question shakes my hand with ease.

He nods his head but it was clear the feeling of disinterest and minimal resentment was more than mutual.

I guide him into my office and usher Laine to follow.

"My apologies for an audience, I'm just trying to make sure I don't say anything too idiotic," I joke lightly as I take the baseball from my desk for my own enjoyable pleasure. It released stress better than any stress ball or calming mechanism I'd ever practiced. Of course the ultimate stress reliever would be a bit of fun with my assistant who hauntingly wore a more scandalous dress for the day, but I would never be open to the idea of another man staring at what was all mine to cherish.

"Of course," he nods before taking a seat on the leather couch, "The sooner we begin, the sooner this interview can be published. I suspect you'd like your name off the tabloids after your birthday, yeah?"

I wasn't new to the interviewing process. His prep questions could easily be morphed into words that I don't say, or actions I don't Comite. He wanted to get a reaction early on so he could understand what situation we were dealing with. But I intended to keep an achievable mysterious and unpredictable approach to my wording to steer him off his infuse shock of the situation at hand.

"Unfortunately, Jace, I'm not all too worried about the events of my birthday. But please, begin with the questions," I motion for him to continue before glancing to Laine who gave me such a stern expression, I was sure it could burn me alive.

"Your birthday was a huge success, and many of our readers would like to know what 30 feels like for someone of such high social status?"

I brush my thumb along the tip of my nose before situating myself in my seat comfortably.

"There is a certain quota for people who hold high success and power in any public figure based career. Many think you should be married by thirty with a kid on the way, and while maybe that is the ideal age of marriage and family, I've engrossed myself in my work to pace the way for that type of living situation. A lot of people don't realize that like all humans, I too crave a white picket fence with a dog and a stunning wife, but realistically I want to provide for someone before settling."

My answer was prolonged to make my intentions to Laine clear. Of course she knew what I wanted from this relationship. I saw a bright and happy further with her, and I could tell in her eyes that she felt the same. But as we begin to take these steps in our relationship, I just know that the confirmation is what she truly needs in order to feel safe and prepared for what I was offering to give her.

"Speaking of beginning a life as a taken man, there have been speculations about you and a certain employee based on the pictures taken at your party. Would you care to comment?"

I glance to Laine at the same time as Jace.

I knew what I had to do to make our relationship last. There was that level of need for us to finally be public about what either of us wanted and pursuing such desires was all I could think about as the words slip through my mouth like they'd been waiting for years.