Folded Fondant ~ Sebastian

The Beginning at the End

**A jump back in time to the first encounter**

I ignored the clock, but it did not ignore me. I could feel its taunting glare burning a hole in my back. Today was the day I got to meet my adversary from nights ago. The phone call gone horribly wrong. Today I would get my chance to tell that woman, her time was appreciated but the position was not hers.

I was going to enjoy this. Yup, I'm definitely being a dick. But phone call....

Id just finished directing Ola on how to pipe vines, when the front door chimed. It was late and the shop was in its lull before the rush hour would make this place a madhouse.

Giving in to my timeless temptress, I saw it was minutes past half-past four and figured my confrontation has finally arrived. She was also late. Bracing myself for what I was certain would be an unpleasant conversation, I walked around the counter looking at the floor.

Only when I heard her hello, did I look up. "Hi. I have an interview here at 4:30. I'm looking for a Sebastian McLoughlin."

My eyes widened as I glanced at her quickly. My head dropped back and I exhaled. My eyes shut tight as I counted to ten. When that didn't work they popped open and I glared.

Mother fucker.

Giving myself only three more seconds to dwell I looked back at her. Her open expectant expression. The expected defeat around her tight-lipped mouth.

Her hair was a wild mess, that I think had more to do with the assault of the wind outside and less with lack of upkeep.

There was something about her eyes, the unexpected pale pastel green notwithstanding, that made my heart drop and my stomach plummet with it.

It was resignation. Defeat. Acception. As if she already knew the outcome, not just of this encounter but all encounters, and had accepted that it would never end well.

Her cheeks were pleasantly high, tucking in the big round eyes, and they were sharp. But the hollow between her jaw and cheek was just a little too much.

A quick glance over her again told me she was all points and sharp lines. A little too many points and sharp lines. I frowned at that. I recognized that look at St. Agatha's. I prayed I was wrong.

Her mouth was pursed tightly as if she was holding back every unpleasant thought and insult going through her at this very moment. I wondered what they looked like relaxed, or curved into a pleased smile...wrong turn in thoughts Ian. Her bottom lip was only slightly plumper from what I could tell, and the cupids bow was just the perfect amount of a dip. It was both pleasant and very very unfortunate. That was the mouth that had given me a dressing down.

Feeling I'd spent more than enough time staring at her lips, and being in danger of reaching creep territory, I moved on to the rest of her.

Her shirt was loose, black and flowy, part of the shoulder slipping off to reveal her bra strap. I frowned, it was February and there was a jacket desperately missing. Lower still were simple jeans. Form-fitting and dark blue. They were clearly worn, looking thin and threadbare, a tear at her knee. But they led straight to a pair of equally worn chucks.

This woman clearly needed help and had no idea how to ask for it. Not just ask for it. But refused to accept it. I fought my grimace.

She was at the end of her rope and I'd goaded her into an argument in an interview that no doubt she would have passed with flying colors. Guilt and shame made an uncomfortable appearance at the base of my neck.

"I'm sorry I'm late. I was, um, unexpectedly detained." She added quietly. It wasn't hesitant but cautious. I held a finger up to silence her.

Debating what to do here. I still had that urge to pull her into an argument, fight with her tooth and nail to sooth my pride over the call. But a bigger much more common part of me wants to help her. Needed to help.

Well...she was my new employee.

The right side of my brain sealed the decision before the left could rationalize and logically accept it.

My eyes snagging back to that tear. My eyes narrowed to focus on this one place and not bounce back up to her mouth.

I could feel my lips pulling into a deeper frown at the odd turn of my urge to see her smile just once. I needed to focus.

What was with the attire? Was she purposely fucking with me? More like she came in for round two with the intention to tell me to fuck off. I pressed my lips tightly to keep from smiling. I opened my mouth to speak to her for the first time.

"What'd you do-crawl here?" My hand twitched with the urge to facepalm myself. Great. Just great Ian. I forced my muscles to comply in keeping my grimace at bay. There was no backing out of that. Her mouth dropped in surprise. Then closed into a pursed gate holding back her insults. Fire and indignation burned in her eyes.

Oh yea, she definitely wants to tell me to fuck off. I believe only shock at my rudeness kept her from voicing her retort.

"Don't ever come in like this again." My self-reprimand itched in my brain. Ma's voice cursing me out just at the back of my mind

Not sparing her another glance in fear I'd say something even ruder. I called out to Heather who had been bringing up the case replacements. "Heather, please take Ms. Romanov to the breakroom. You'll find the employment paperwork on my desk. After, show her to her locker to stow her bag."

Heather nodded and turned with the appropriate beaming smile at the woman standing-most definitely shellshocked-behind me.

I didn't look back I just pushed myself to move into the kitchen, through the back room, and out the back door. Only in the alley, hands at my hips, did I let out a string of curses.

Guilt, shame, pride, and anger soured my mood. This was my problem. I had a way of sharpening my tone just too much when I was stressed out. Saying things I knew I should have swallowed when irritation got the best of me. Things I've been working on because my employees deserved better. Yes they pushed my buttons, yes some days were just a train wreck but it was my responsibility to lead, not dictate.

I had a long way to go if what I said to Dalia was any indication. Despite everything we said to each other Tuesday night, she didn't deserve that. I would fix this. Make no mistake I would. I promised myself I'd do better and I would.

Mark my words I would fix this.

Looking around me, I chose left and started walking to mellow out. I thought back to her look of indignation. That need to snap back at me.

I couldn't say what I got myself into. She was going to break me. I just knew it.

And for some reason that realization made me smile.