California Dreaming (A Robert California x reader fanfic)

A Closer Connection

Yeah. Just like Jim said, he walked in and walked right out. He drove straight to Tallahassee and somehow convinced Jo to let him be CEO! Her own job! That's just crazy. He's got some skill.
What do I think of him? He's an... interesting man.

I watched as Robert walked around the office looking for someone to conversate with. I always hoped he would talk to me but I also didn't. He had only spoken to me twice and each time I was shaking. I wasn't scared, I was just nervous. He always had his intense stares and he was so confident. I didn't want to say the wrong thing. It also seemed like he would get closer to me throughout the conversation.

"Hello (Y/N). How are you doing today? Tell me about your morning," Robert spoke smoothly as he walked over to me.

"I'm- I'm doing good today, Robert. My morning has been very mild and easygoing. I brushed my teeth, got ready, and drove to work. Then I sat down here at my desk by Stanley and Phyllis to begin my work," I smiled at him because I didn't know what else to say or do. I could feel myself already shaking a bit.

He smiled back and he put his hand on my shoulder.

"Tell me then, what would make your morning more exciting," he said with a glint of amusement in his eyes.

I don't know what to say. Oh god. What do I do? He still has his hand on my shoulder! He makes my days better. Wait... Did I just think that? I could feel my face starting to heat up. I need to say something quick and stop acting stupid.

"Uh- if today was casual Friday, but we don't have those anymore," I turned my head slightly and glanced to his hand on my shoulder.

I looked back at him and he was just staring at me. I looked down and smiled.

All of a sudden I heard him sigh and say, "Everyone! Casual Friday's are now back on schedule. Casual but appropriate. If you break that rule then it will be taken from you only.".

I felt his hand squeeze my shoulder and I was about to thank him but Andy started talking. So Robert turned around and walked into his office.

"Hey nice work, (Y/N). How'd you manage that?" Phyllis asked.

I laughed, "I honestly have no clue, Phyllis.".

I looked back at my desk to see what I was working on. What is this? Oh god. It's Robert's notebook and it's open! I flipped it over and I saw a list.

I was confused. What did these two lists mean? Why was I on the left? I was at the top? What was I on the top for? I went over to Pam and Erin talking at the reception desk.

I whispered to them, "Guys, Robert California left his notebook on my desk. It was open and look at what it was open to!".

Pam and Erin's faces dropped.

"What does this mean, (Y/N)," Pam asked me.

I sighed, "I don't know, Pam.".

We all looked at Jim and called him over. Eventually, the whole office found out. We were all trying to figure out what it meant. Jim photocopied the notebook.

Suddenly, Kevin started yelling, "Warning! Warning! Warning!".

So we put the notebook away, and Robert went back to the conference room and shut the door. We told Andy and we eventually convinced Andy to ask Robert about the notebook.

Andy then gathered us up to try and figure out what the groups had in common. Dwight then had us line up into our groups and "attack" each other.

Again, Kevin yelled our warning that Robert was coming.

Robert opened the door from the kitchen and started to speak, looking at each of us whilst he said our names, "I'd like to invite the following people out to lunch— (Y/N), Jim, Dwight, Angela, Darryl, Kevin, Toby, Phyllis, Oscar.".

He invited us to lunch? So we're on his good side? I hope this is what this is about. Hopefully, I don't get too nervous.

We got to lunch and we talked about "The Street" as Robert had called it. We all agreed to his analysis of  Sesame Street. I genuinely agreed with it because I think Robert is a very intelligent man. He knows what he is talking about.

Do I like Robert California? Well, he is a little judgmental and he can make you uncomfortable very easily. He's very smart though. He could be a genius!
What do you mean? Oh, like that? Uh...

Toby got up and told everyone to forget he was here.

"That was weird," I muttered to myself.

Robert looked at me and smiled, but I looked away to avoid his gaze. It is hard to make eye contact for so long with such a powerful man. Although I do like to look at him. I have to admit he's very attractive.

Dwight then asked a very bold question, "You know, I feel comfortable enough now to ask you this question. What made you pick... this group?".

My head moved upwards to look at Robert. Everyone got quiet and Robert replied, "I just think you guys are winners and I wanted to have lunch with you.".

Does Robert think I'm a winner? Me? I smiled at that. Nobody had told me that before and it was nice. Even though it was a group and not specifically me, it was still something.

Robert then went on to call the other group losers and immediately said afterward, "Probably shouldn't have said that.".

That wasn't very kind of him. Throughout the rest of the lunch, I caught him staring at me multiple times. I always did the same thing, I smiled and looked down. I couldn't help it. Whenever we made eye contact I felt butterflies in my stomach.

Eventually, lunch was over and we all headed out to our separate cars. When we got back to the office, Dwight and Kevin were making fun of all of the people who weren't at lunch. Andy got upset and called Robert out of the conference room.

Robert immediately told everyone he was doing what he believed in. Positive and negative reinforcement.

He ended his speech with, "Winners, prove me right. Losers, prove me wrong.".

Before he returned back to the conference room, he looked around the room. Eventually, his eyes met mine, and he winked at me then went back into the room. I could feel my face heat up. Why did he do that? Everyone was looking at me now! I turned back to my computer and started my work again.

"No. No, no," Andy started saying.

He went right into the conference room where Robert was and demanded he make a new list. We all felt proud of Andy and what he did. I packed my stuff up and got ready to leave for the day. On my way out I high-fived Andy. I went to my car and saw Robert getting into his car.

"Have a nice night, Robert," I waved to him.

He smiled at me, "You too, (Y/N).".