#ageplaying

  You know how like in some novels things happen right away one after another? Like the very next day or something?  Well that didn't happen with you.  The day after the whole fiasco with Romeo and Juliette... things were pretty chill. Boss of course seemed just a little agitated, but that was normal in your opinion since well... she always had a resting bitch face. Always. And then it was two days after it.  Still nothing. You somehow got hit in the head with a paper ball that was thrown so badly it flew over the small wall that separated the cubicles instead of the trashcan. Yeah. That person's aim was horrible, but eh. They offered you chocolate once so you were cool.  Three days after everything still was kind of cool. Someone's phone kept buzzing the Backstreet Boy's song I Want It That Way and of course any reasonable person would sing along with it which of course was you.  Then four- well that was Saturday. And that was your glorious dayoff of going to the store and getting facial masks.  And fifth was Sunday and with that you mostly chilled while working on editing your paper.  Six was... Monday to say the least.  No comment.  And then what do you know? A whole week went by the incident and it seemed that no one even remembered or cared or just... were even awake to see it.    Tuesday started out kind of nice. You didn't do that annoying thing of where you wake up like ten minutes before your alarm and then you try to go back to sleep because hey it's way too early but then you can't because anxiety and you spent like seven minutes inwardly arguing with your anxiety and before you know it- it's time to get up.  But that didn't happen. That happened on Monday, yes, but Tuesday? Nah you woke up to the beautiful bliss of birds using their vocal cords and like some violins playing in the background. Over all it was nice.  And you got a cheese bagel at your nearby bagel shop because they're everywhere.    You greeted the security man that stood by the door with a 'good morning' on your way into the large building that also housed other companies like some kind of shoe company and like maybe one of Jojo's bowties? You really didn't know and didn't really wanna know. You walked out of the elevator of the floor you were on and proceeded to make your way to your cubicle. You sat down with the rolling chair moving backwards a tad before you reached out and got out your laptop from the beach bag. You were just typing in the password and going to your documents when you heard a soft, "Good morning," from your left and you look over to the opening to see Ben standing there. A small grin came onto your face at seeing the dark skinned male.  "It is this time." You mused while thinking back on your grumpy mood yesterday. He chuckled while flashing that pearly white grin of his.  "And am I not glad for that?"  "Oh shut up." You said playfully towards the male as you brought up your latest project on your computer.  He just chuckled and shook his head as if he just knew that you wouldn't pull through on your threat. And well he was right.  "Uh huh. Anyways since you're in a better mood, I was thinking we could like go out for lunch?" He suggested with a shrug as you looked back up at him. He always liked to wear bright colors since he could always pull them off so well, so today he was wearing a neon yellow t-shirt and washed-out jeans. You weren't really wearing anything special. Just blue jeans, (f/c) shirt, and some converse so eh. Nothing special or extraordinary. Just the way you liked it.  But somehow Ben always looked nice in everything he wore.  You decided to just shove your writing abilities to the back of your mind as you pretended to think about it.  "Hmmmm. I don't know. I don't really know if I like you or not." You said while stroking your chin as if there was a beard there. He chuckled and shook his head.  "Awww. Come on, (N/n). I know you do and you know you love me." He practically whined to you with a childish pout making you giggle.  "Of course I love you. You're one of the few people that are tolerable here." You told him with a grin and a shake of my head.  'You know you love me' was that one inside joke between the two of you. Whenever one just wasn't budging on something for whatever reason the other would always play that card. And usually it worked.  He was probably about to say something about being offended by that statement, but your little bicker was irrupted.  "(L/n)! My office!" You heard your last name being called out causing you to sit up right in your chair. And there standing at her office was Boss. Now Boss... was an interesting woman. One, she was born and raised in Liberia until her family moved here causing her to have a very strong accent. Two, she was very... well... blunt. She was like the Simon Cowell or Gordon Ramsey of writing. And three, even though her natural hair was black, she had dyed it a sort of burgundy red that stuck out like on a traffic light.  But you've never been called to her office before. Not unless it was for another project. But... you were working on a project. So why did she call you?    You forced yourself to rise from the rolling chair before you took in a deep breath. Just... don't jump around conclusions. You and Ben shared a look of mutual look of worry and confusion before you forced yourself to walk out and into the hallway. Others had already stopped typing to give you the look of 'uh oh' as you walked. Honestly you felt like you were going to your own funeral at these somber looks. But alas you reached the glass down of Boss's office. It was that type of office from Superman of where the walls were glass. You had to admit, you liked it.  But at the moment you kinda wished the walls were concrete so no one could see you get fired. Wait.  Fired? Now that started the anxiety ball rolling.  But before you could turn away and maybe act like you were too sick to come to her office, she saw you and simply waved you in. Those glass walls. Traitors.   You took in a deep breath and entered into the carpeted office room. Besides being all fancy with her name on the door in a sort of Instagram font, Boss had a reddish, dark brown wooden desk with four small drawers on each side at the top, and two large drawers at the bottom. The desk was definitely an expensive one since the handles for the drawers had designs on them. Overall Boss just causally flexed with the desk.  And the carpet was like really comfy too as you shifted on it sort of nervously. Boss just looked at you before she picked up a Rubik Cube and just twirled it in her hand. She looked down at the multiple colors as she mixed the cube up.  And finally easing the growing of your anxiety- she spoke.  "Sit down, (L/n)." Obediently you sat down in the brown, leather chair that actually fit very well with the desk. She waited a few moments as if she was waiting to see if you were comfortable before she spoke again. "Do you remember what happened last week?" What? What happened? What week? Last week?  What happened last week?  You had no fucking idea.  But were you gonna admit that? Hell no.  "Yes, I do." You told her with a nod to make it seem like you weren't an idiot.  "Well, today... I got the phone call from Stevie saying that she and Issac have gone back to his home town to get married."  Wait... who? Then... ohhh yeeaaaah.  Last week... those two. Right.  "Wow. They didn't waste any time, huh?" You said while acting like you had an excellent memory of all things at all time. Yup.  No dummy here.  But that kinda brought up a question... why was she telling you this?  "No, they did not." She said with a shake of her head before she leaned forward in her seat. "But.. I'm sure you're wondering why I am telling you this." You nodded at her words and she took this as a cue to continue. "Well... I assigned Stevie to an assignment that I thought that she was ready for, but now that she's getting married... well... I will need someone else for it."  Huh. Why was she telling you this?  Then... wait... oh. Oh.  "You... want me for the assignment?" You asked as you couldn't hide the surprise that leaked into your voice.  Huh. So obviously you weren't the first choice, but at least you were the second. Better than none, right?  "If you will take it." Boss responded with a shrug as she looked down at the Rubik Cube while simultaneously solving it and speaking. Woah.  "Well I mean uh- I would love too, Boss. But..." You briefly trailed off as you shifted in the leather seat.  "Just what is the assignment?"  "It's actually an interview." An interview? Now... that is something you did not have that much experience on. Who would you be interviewing? Harry Styles?  Oh now that would be great. (But sadly this isn't a 1D fanfic) "Well uh... I don't really have that much experience with like journalism and like interviews." You awkwardly confessed as you scratched your head. "But... who is it?"  Boss paused as she stopped almost... completing the Rubik Cube. What. How did she that so fast? But your confessed and amazed eyes moved back up to Boss whenever she answered your question with, "Edward Gimmens." Then... wait.  Edward Gimmens… as in... that really rich guy?  That Edward Gimmens? You just stared at your Boss in amazement as she finished the Rubik Cube. But you weren't amazed by her skill- okay yes you were actually- but more with the fact as... "How... did you get an interview slot with him?"  As far as you knew the philanthropist, billionaire, and whatever he had on his resume didn't do interviews for magazines that centered around Millenniums and Gen-Zs. He did it for those really big and out there magazines, you know?  "Well, believe it or not, he came to us. But that is not important. You'll have to come up with your questions and such, but you can use Stevie's notes." She said as she set the cube down and pulled out a folder out from her desk.  You blinked a few times at her rapid explanation as just.. woah. "But of course that's if you are taking the job."  That... was the million dollar question, wasn't it? Or the billion in this case. Ha, ha, ha.  "I... well... I... what makes you think I can do this?" You found the words coming out of your mouth before you could stop them. Uh- uh- uh- "Of course I am grateful you offered it to me, but umm... why?" You quickly added as to not seem rude.  "Well... Stevie was my first choice since she's done work like this before." Boss began with a shrug as she leaned back against the chair. "But when she had to go... well... you just popped into my head as the next capable person to do this."  You? Capable? You still got anxiety with ordering your own meal. "You... think I can do this?" You asked hesitantly and in an unsure way as your (e/c) eyes met Boss's. She smiled just a tad before she leaned forward.  "(L/n)… I see potential in you. You're a good writer and you know how to set a pace right in whatever you write. You're just... how do I put this? Not confident in your abilities. So... I'm giving you the old... shove-you-out-of-the-airplane thing."  That... did not sound ideal. Not at all. But still you slowly nodded your head.  "All right. Thanks, Boss, I'm honored you think so highly of me, but umm... can I have some time to think about it?"  "Ah yes. Of course, of course. Take as much time as you need." She said while waving her hand in the air and with her accent sort of slurring her words together making the 'course' sound like 'close.'  "But just not too much time. This does need to be written, you know."  You nodded before you stood up from the comfy chair.  "I'll... let you know by Friday." You decided on that day while your anxiety told you in one ear that you won't be able to decide by then and your self worth was whispering how she would find someone else in that time period. Fun times.  "That is good, (L/n). I'll be awaiting for your answer." She said with a nod as she stood up as well. You couldn't help, but slightly smile at the way she worded things. "And ah! Just in case you do decide to take the job, here is the notes Stevie had." She said while picking up the folder she had brought onto her desk previously. She handed it to you and you took it from her dark and freckled hands.  "Just read it over and see what you think."  "I will Boss. Thanks." 

  With one final goodbye and wave to Boss, you exited out of the office and back down the hall to your cubicle.

So... you weren't getting fired? You actually kind of got promoted in a way? I mean, if you did this interview right... others would be put on your desk. 

But this was Edward Gimmens, the CEO of Gimmens Incorporated. This was a man who's spent nearly three decades in making his name known in whatever way.

He was a well known and looked up to man in whatever he did. Whether it be taking mankind steps closer to having flying cars or what he was most known for, and you found it a little humorous, cosmetics. 

Yes that's right.

The philanthropist, inventor, and very rich guy was famous for his makeup. Somehow he had figured out a way to have any foundation or concealer or blush fit exactly to your skin tone. Instead of having to make a formula for each different skin tone, he was somehow able to make one for all. Needless to say, the product instantly became a favorite around the world. Even you had tried it once, and contrary to what you expected, it somehow blended perfectly. 

He was like the Willy Wonka of makeup. And you were suppose to interview him. 

  You sat back down on your rolling chair with a huff. But should you take it? It was a great- like really great- opportunity for you and the magazine. Of course Boss can always get somebody else, but still. 

It was great and big and perfect, but... also stressing. You were going to have to come up with questions... but Stevie did leave behind notes for you. And thinking of the notes- you had the folder. 

You set it on your desk before you opened it up to see the Instagram font that was Stevie's handwriting. 

Man. You'd probably kill someone for being able to write that elegantly.

You read over what she had so far in her notes and you had to admit that she had some pretty good ideas of what she wants to ask. You bit your lip and decided to close the folder for now. 

Hmm. Maybe... just maybe, this won't be so bad.

But of course- you needed another person's opinion on this. 

"Hey, Ben?" You decided to speak up over the clicking keyboards to your cubicle mate. 

"Yeah?" Came his one worded reply.

"I would love to go to lunch with you."

  The heavy aura of flower perfume filled the office room making it feel like an over stuffed oven. The lights that lined on the ceiling were bright and blinding and if one would look too long their vision would be effected by the lights. The air conditioning wasn’t working so the smell of someone’s perfume was sticking around in an unwanted way. The sound of people occasionally clicking their mouses and someone sighing in annoyance about something was heard. 

But then suddenly- there was a loud shout. 

“Oh I can’t do this!” A young male shouted from somewhere before he leapt to his feet revealing his head a couple of cubicles away. But only his head was visible. Not any other part of his body was seen. Just his head.  “I can’t go on pretending!” He continued to proclaim my it’s his head bopping to his words like some kind of desk you.  “I love you, Stevie! Not Daniela! Only you!”  A couple of workers had stopped doing whatever they were doing to look at the male with a sort of what the fuck expression. A few began to mumble saying that he had clearly lost it.  But then after just a few moments from his proclamation of love, a gasp- that was somehow high pitched- was heard before another head popped up. But this time it was just the top of the head, not the whole head.  This was the woman Stevie- who’s real name was Stephanie and no one knows why she insists on Stevie- and she was probably staring at Issac with a mixture of Disney Princess and wide eyed doe. 

“Do you really mean it, Issac?” She asked with a southern draw that made her ‘you’ sound like ‘ya’ and she empathized on ‘mean.’ But her southern voice came out squeaky as she attempted to raise her voice. 

“I mean it!” He shouted at the top of his lungs to her while extending his arms like some kind of pelican about to take flight. And as soon as his wondrous words met her ears, Stevie let out a squeal and the unfortunate people who were just trying to do their job plugged their ears. 

  Almost like magic was suddenly existing in our world, both of them dashed out from their cubicles at the same time. Then they were galloping towards each other. The ones that were able to watch the spectacle or were awake enough held their breaths as they waited for a collision similar to what would happen in a jousting match. But whether it be pure luck or- and I’m not going to say it was aliens- aliens, he hooked his arms around her waist and she threw her arms around his neck somehow at the same time. Then they were kissing in such a way that made the strong perfume smell be suddenly pleasant rather than overbearing. Music was dancing around them as they started to move their mouths in sync.  Well actually the air conditioning turned on and someone’s phone was running a Backstreet Boy’s song. 

  But of all the cubicles they could have stopped and collided with each other at... they stopped at yours. You. A smile woman working in this office. You were the unfortunate one who had to watch and hear all of their lip smacking and sounds that were like those times you have a shake and just can’t seem to get the ice cream out. You were the one who had to just sit there and watch all of this. You sighed and rubbed your temples while turning back to the screen. You were trying to get work done- trying. It was kind of hard with the moans that Stevie was making at the moment.  You seriously needed some ear plugs just to get your damn articule done. See you were a journalist for the Sharzet (odd name right?), an online newspaper that mostly targeted young adults and older teens while occasionally there would be a few articles aimed for an older generation. You were at the young and ripe and still nervous age of twenty- three so you didn’t consider yourself old... yet. 

  You had taken English as your major in college just to be a writer. You were ready to pour your heart out into a story and give it your all yet... it never came. So you decided to use your writing skills and grammar skills to use and apply for a job at the Sharzet. Surprisedly, you got the job and to be honest it wasn’t that bad. Sure you did have to do some late night editing when you would rather watch bad auditions on YouTube, but for the most part it wasn’t so bad. It had good pay and mostly nice people who were just trying to move along in life, same as you.  Mostly. Besides the couple that were still somehow making out.  God don’t they need to breathe? Like get some air in those lungs?  Well the only air coming out was them moaning so maybe that’s how they were breathing.  But honestly couldn’t they even get a room? Jeez. 

  Sighing, you rolled your eyes and pulled your hair over to one shoulder. You were just trying to get this articule done now. You could always go home, but... wait. Why should there be a but? Technically as long as you get the articule done, you can work wherever. You generally liked working in the office since it would keep your mind focused.  But since those two clearly weren’t letting up anytime soon... maybe you should go home?  Yeah... that sounded much more promising than hearing the remaking of Bonnie and Clyde right by you. 

  You shut down your laptop and closed it before placing it in your bag and standing up from the rolling chair. You stretched out your back with a satisfying pop before you pushed in the chair til it was underneath the desk. There we go. You pushed some of your hair from off of your forehead before exiting the cubicle while swerving around the pair as if they contained the Black Plague. And in your opinion- they were. 

  You started walking down the small hallway with the walls of cubicles. But you didn’t get more then a foot away from yours when you decided to stop in front of Ben’s cubicle. Now Ben was one of your work friends that you actually became close to. You and him hanged out multiple times during the week whether that would be going to lunch together or watching movies or going to the library since Ben just loved fantasy- and get this- romances that are set in the 1800s. Yes. I know.  But he was a total sweetheart and would probably be the best boyfriend and husband to whomever got him.  You cleared your throat to alert the dark skinned male of your presence as his back was hunched over a computer. Then he immediately straightened up and looked at you. And his signature, golden retriever smile came onto his face showing his white teeth that happened to look whiter against his skin. His sort of rosey cheeks also had freckles on them. 

“Oh hey, (Y/n).” He said as his dark brown eyes just seemed to brighten at seeing you standing there. 

“Hey. I’m gonna finish up at my house. So if boss asks just tell her I went home.” You told him as you slightly adjusted the bag containing your computer on your shoulder. It was actually an old beach bag of yours that you bought to go to the beach... but you never really did. So it was just... your computer bag. 

“You’re leaving?” He asked as his thin eyebrows rose at hearing your words. Then he checked the leather watch on his right wrist. “But it’s not even four.” 

“Yeah I know. But I would rather work at home then here with the remarking of Fifty Shades.” You said in a sort of dry tone as honestly you were all there for love and everything, but come on.  That doesn’t mean you have to make out in your own fucking work place. 

“What?” Ben asked confused and you just simply pointed down to the couple who... ooooh. Boss caught them and she just looked so done. 

  And you didn’t really feel like explaining the whole deal to mister tune out here so you just said, “See ya tomorrow.” And just yeeted yourself out of there. You were tired. But yet... you just needed coffee. Or oooh. A coffee nap.  Like where you drink coffee and then go to sleep and then the coffee wakes you up? Yesss. Well you did that once and you didn’t wake up until two hours later so maybe it wasn’t the best thing to do. 

  As soon as you walked out of the building, you were hit in the face with a sudden mixture of both windy whoosh and rainy slap. You blinked a few times before you wiped your face off from the rain slap you just got. Ugh. Windy rain. The worst rain. But hey. Raining and stormy weather is the best writing weather. Or at least that’s what someone on Tumblr said. You dodged a couple of people walking down the sidewalk. Since the headquarters of the magazine you worked for lived in a rather populous city, you decided to just move here and get an apartment instead of making an forty- five minute drive each day. And the apartment you lived in was kind of nice as well for the low rent you paid for it. It was your home at the moment. And it felt nice to have a home. 

  But your thoughts were sudden kicked out of the window of your mind when you turned around a building and- bam! A new wall!  Your hand reached out to grab onto something as you stumbled backwards. It happened all so fast. But then someone’s hand reached out and grabbed onto yours. You were suddenly stopped in mid fall while having yourself in a 50 degree angle. What.  Then you noticed the pale hand clasped around your own before your eyes snapped up towards the male. And standing there was a man in maybe late forties or fifties with the most greenish eyes you have ever seen. There were pure green. You blinked a few times as you found myself now standing upright. You looked down at your feet to make sure everything was all right, but huh wow uh... this guy was strong.

“Uh thank you sir.” You nodded towards the brunet with graying temples and who was still holding your hand. You awkwardly looked back up at the male only to see he was staring intently down at you. Uh.... weird.  Then once his green eyes met your (e/c), he snapped out of it. 

“No problem.” He said curtly as he just let your hand drop. Wow okay.  Then before you could even say anything else- he just steered himself around you like you were just an obstacle. You glanced over your shoulder to see him confidently striding off. Huh.  That was... weird to say the least.  But eh. There were weird people in your city and that guy probably was no exception.