Sticky Notes, a Luke Hemmings AU
Part One
As soon as the elevator doors opened, Noa strode out and came to a stop in front of a large receptionist desk, typing furiously on her phone.
“Miss, can I help you?”
Noa held up one finger as she finished the last few words of her email and hit send, then looked up at the woman who’d addressed her. “Apologies,” she said. “Work waits for no one. I have an appointment with Luke Hemmings at 3.”
The “clack clack clack” of the receptionist’s nails against keys sounded. “Noa Lexington? Head consultant for Irwin Music Management?”
“That’s me.” Noa said.
“Shit, you’re pretty.” The woman sighed, rubbing at her face as if she was frustrated.
“He’s in his office, good luck.” She finished, pointing at a large door with her thumb.
Confused, Noa stepped into his large office, the heavy doors slamming shut behind her. A blond looked up from a stack of papers on his desk, raising an eyebrow at her.
“Can I help you?” He asked, his Australian accent thick and heavy. “Are you here about the secretary position? Those interviews aren’t for another 30 minutes. My receptionist should not have let you in here, I have a very important meeting soon with-“
“Noa Lexington?” Noa asked, cutting him off.
“You’re Noah Lexington? I was expecting-“
“A man. I know. It’s Noa without an ‘h’, Mr. Hemmings. What did you want to talk to me about?” She asked, observing him cooly. His hair was quaffed back slightly, a light stubble gracing his chin. She could see why this very young, very attractive CEO was one of the most sought-after bachelors in Boston. She knew this meeting was going to be trouble.
“Please take a seat, Miss Lexington.”
Briskly, Noa walked across the expansive office, taking a seat in one of the chairs in front of his desk.
“Why are you stealing all of my employees, Miss Lexington?” Luke asked, cutting right to the chase.
“I am doing no such thing, Mr. Hemmings, I am simply in charge of hiring Mr. Irwin’s employees. He gives me a list, I give them a call.”
“Let me rephrase my question, then. Why is Ashton Irwin stealing all my employees?”
“He is building a business, Mr. Hemmings, something you wouldn’t know about.” Noa explained, not believing he was wasting her time asking you why all of his replaceable employees were quitting. Anger flashed briefly in his eyes at the mention of his inherited company and fortune. “And he is building it rather rapidly and successfully. He wants the best.”
“So do I.” Luke said. “And I will have to ask you to refrain from recruiting my best employees.”
“I cannot comply,” Noa said simply. “If there’s a problem you will have to contact Mr. Irwin about it.”
“I tried. Seems he’s a very busy bee, a little frazzled with all the work that comes with running a successful company. He was unavailable to me, and you were the next best thing.”
“Well, I’m sorry for the inconvenience,” Noa sighed, digging in her purse and snatching two business cards, one of Ashton’s and one of her own, and handing them to him. “I will personally see to it Mr. Irwin finds time to meet with you over this issue, because I cannot do anything about it.”
Luke plucked the cards from her hand and flicked them over his shoulder, standing from his large office chair slowly and circling his desk. He placed a hand at the back of Noa’s chair, reaching across her to do so as to loom over her in a threatening manner. “I would much rather not waste any more of my time on him. I want this issue resolved. Now.”
Noa looked up at him with a level gaze. “I can’t do that, Mr. Hemmings.”
“You’re sure that we can’t come to a sort of compromise today?” He said so lowly it was almost a whisper. She swatted his arm from the back of the chair, deciding he was much too close for comfort, which forced him to straighten. “A head consultant doing an HR’s work?” He continued, circling Noa’s chair. She rolled her eyes at his desperate attempt of a power trip. “That must be beneath you. Perhaps you should come work for me. You must be very good at your job, considering you are able to take so many employees from my company.”
“That’s an offer I can’t take, Mr. Hemmings.” Noa answered without hesitation. “And we value our HR. They are not below me, or Mr. Irwin for that matter. I’m only in charge of the employees he wants specifically, the rest- that is, the people who come to us- is up to HR.”
“It’s an offer you can’t take or won’t?” He asked.
“Both.” Noa answered, averting her gaze downward, just wanting this meeting with this incredibly self-righteous asshole to be over. He, however, took this as a sign of weakness rather than exasperation.
“Do I scare you?” He asked and Noa’s gaze flicked back to his, flaming with annoyance.
“No.” Noa said. “You may run a company, Mr. Hemmings, but so does Mr. Irwin. And I help him.” She continued, standing slowly and facing Luke, looking him in the eye. Though he towered over her even in her heels, she kept her steely, level gaze on him, jaw tight and chin upturned.
“Contact Mr. Irwin. Goodbye, Mr. Hemmings. I surely hope to never see you again. But if I do, it will be on our turf. You are giving me a challenge. I’m not afraid of those.”
“I admire your courage, Miss Lexington.” Luke mused, wandering back to his own seat.
“I like to think I am quite courageous, but I am not in this case. Courage requires the presence of fear, and like I said, you do not scare me. Have a good day.” Noa turned and sauntered out of Luke’s office, her red platforms clacking powerfully against the shiny stone tile.
---
“Noa!” Ashton said when Noa entered his office. “How did it go at Hemmings Incorporated?”
“He’s an ass, Ash.” Noa sighed, plopping into one of the chairs in front of his desk and digging around her purse for a bottle aspirin to quell the headache that’d been slowly surfacing during her drive back to work. “But we’ve certainly got his attention. I’d be surprised if he didn’t contact you by the end of the week.”
“Perfect. Thank you Noa.”
“You owe me one, Irwin. The man’s intolerable.”
“I do. Take the rest of the day off, I’ve put you through enough by making you go talk to that hardhead.”
Noa nodded and excused herself from her boss’ office, taking the elevator down to the lobby with thoughts of a hot bath and a glass of wine.
--
Part 2
