Way Industries

I was floating, you know where you can kinda hear what's going on but it all feels surreal? Your floating between the realm of sleep and consciousness. Well thats where I was, too comfortable to open my eyes and let reality intrude upon my peace. I could hear someone's soft voice murmuring something to me, it was pleasant and like velvet to my ears. There was something into the hand and it stopped, whatever I was laying on was really warm, and sturdy. Wait why was someone touching me? My eyes flew open and hazel eyes gazed lazily back.

“How’d you sleep sugar?” He murmured smiling at me. I quickly sat up in shock that I had just been sleeping on my boss, and scooted back into my seat quickly. A wave of fear swept through me as I realized that this could cause me my job, or those repercussions he mentioned.

“I’m...I’m so sorry Mr. Way, I didn’t mean to do that.” I was so embarrassed, I felt tears threatening to spill. God, why can’t I just be a good employee?

“Sorry for what Frank?” He studied me carefully.

“For that! For sleeping on you! For, for not being alert!” He was quiet, and as I glanced at him he started giggling. His cute nose crinkling slightly as he laughed at me.

I was so confused. “Mr. Way?”

“Frankie, baby, don’t worry about it. You were tired, I honestly didn’t mind. You’re welcome to use me again as a pillow.” He winked and turned his attention to his buzzing phone and typed a reply out to someone.

“How long was I uh, you know?”

“Asleep? Maybe a hour and a half. Were almost there. I need to inform you that one of the people that I will be negotiating with is kind of well-” he was interrupted by his phone ringing.”hold that thought” he mumbled while putting his phone to his ear.

“Ah! Yes Mr. Morgan! We are almost to the restaurant, yes! Soon, yes yes.” he paused nodding to whatever they said. “I’m hoping to close this pretty quickly, I think you can understand that.” I looked out the window, zoning out, until I heard Miss Bergstrom’s name.

“No no, Miss Bergstrom, no, she’s not with me anymore, I have a new assistant. His name is Frank.” I looked at him questioningly and he frowned at what the person said. Anger flashed in his eyes, and he said a hard goodbye before turning towards me.

“Listen Frank, when we get there, you need to stay with me. Mr. Morgan isn’t a very polite man. He likes to, well…” He paused trying to find the right words, “...try and make advances on everything that moves, if you get what I mean.”

“I don’t” I said quickly. He huffed at me rolling his eyes.

“Frank, for this to go smoothly, you need to stay with me and do not speak to Mr. Morgan. He’s a very perverse man. To put it bluntly he likes to fuck pretty things.Your cute Frank, he likes cute.” He shrugged
“Did he like Miss Bergstrom?” I questioned.
“Well he initially liked her. She’s very pretty, but a feisty one, but after Miss Bergstrom kicked him in a place that really mattered to him, he loathed her presence.” He laughed a bit at the memory. “Frank you hold a certain kind of innocence, and I know he’ll love that about you. He’ll… he’ll want you for that.” I squeaked out a little ‘Oh.’

“I’m scaring you aren’t I? Good, then you’ll stay away from him.” He glanced at me quickly then continued. “I’m sorry, but if you know what to expect than it might go smoother.” The car slid to a stop outside a restaurant, and Mr. Way gave me an encouraging smile. Mr. Morgan couldn’t be that bad, could he? The driver got out and opened the door for Mr. Way. Mr. Way stepped out with his briefcase in one hand and offered me his other to aid me in getting out. I blushed and took it, he pulled me the rest of the way out.

The restaurant we stopped in front of was accurately named “The Factory.” It was a relatively old factory building, once used maybe for manufacturing machines. The inside was modern looking, with a large bar and contemporary furniture. The walls were weathered along with the floor, but all in all the mix of modern and old worked surprisingly well. The restaurant was buzzing with noise from the mid-morning rush when we walked in. Mr. Way led us to a back table where a man in a beige suit sat with papers spread haphazardly across the table. He had blonde hair that rested on his shoulders. His piercing blue eyes lit up at the sight of us and checked me over a few times. I resisted the urge to bolt and followed Mr. Way’s lead, shaking Mr. Morgan’s rough hand and nodding a hello when he stood up to greet us.

Mr. Way spoke first,“Mr. Morgan so good to see you again.”

“And you Mr. Way! We need to do more business!”

“Of course!” Mr. Way agreed, “But” he continued “lets start with this deal yes?” We sat down across from him and his eyes were on me again.

“So good to meet you Frank, shame Miss Bergstrom left. Nice lady, but you look like you're much nicer than she ever was.” I cringed at his words, and Mr. Way noticed.

“Yes what a shame, Miss Bergstrom left, though I think that some people are very glad that she can’t kick them around anymore.” Mr. Morgan’s face went blank, and Mr. Way smirked at his little jab.

“Anyway, should we order something to eat before we start our business here?” Mr. Way said formerly.

“How about some drinks for the table?” Mr. Morgan suggested smugly. “Frank, a beer perhaps? Or something stronger?” He suggested, and next to me Mr. Way stiffened.

“Frank will not be drinking, you can if you’d like.” Mr. Way replied coolly.

“Would you like one Way? Oh wait I apologize you don’t drink.” I frowned and glanced at Mr. Way confused. Why didn’t he drink? Mr. Way ignored his comment and studied his menu. Mr. Morgan called over the waiter, and ordered to mimosas. I was confused as it was with the whole situation but that drink order stumped me even more as I had no clue as to what it was and why he requested two. I could sense Mr. Way growing angrier next to me as an orange drink in a champagne flute was set in front of me.

“I told you Frank wasn’t drinking” Mr. Way growled.

“Oh Gerard, let the kid live a little, drink Frank, its good.” Mr. Morgan took a sip of his own and I looked at Mr. Way questioning what I should do. He ignored me so I looked back at the drink. He didn’t directly order me not to drink it, it couldn’t hurt could it? I could try it, it did look interesting, the thick orange liquid bubbling with carbonation.

“No thank you, I prefer not to drink so early.” I said quietly. Mr. Way looked at me pleased. I guess it was some kind of test, and I actually did well for a change. I smiled to myself, it felt nice to have pleased him. Mr. Way visibly relaxed then, and called the waiter to remove it from in front of me. Mr. Morgan didn’t look to pleased with that but I honestly didn’t care what the slimy bastard thought.

“Henry show me the contract please, I’m not in the mood to eat anymore.” Mr. Morgan or Henry slid the papers to him and Mr. Way slammed his menu down. He then took the papers from Henry, looked at them quickly then laughed.

“This is bullshit Henry! You think this is acceptable? This isn’t even close to what we discussed!” Mr. Way voice gradually growing louder as he pointed at Henry. “You no good bastard, what is this shit?” He slammed the papers down and I practically jumped out of my seat. Note to self don’t piss him off.

Henry, shrugged not phased by Mr. Way’s outburst. He must have dealt with an explosive Mr. Way before. “It’s basically the same thing Way, the bands just wanted a few things differently.” He took a sip of his drink shrugging off the death glare Mr. Way gave him.

Mr. Way laughed maniacally, “This Morgan is not a few things, its entirely different.” He pulled a pen out and began marking the papers up furiously.

“What are you doing Way?” Henry asked rolling his eyes.

“Fixing your fuck ups. Writing what should have been written. You know, doing your job.” Henry glared at Mr. Way.

The restaurant grew louder than quieter as time passed and Mr. Way continued to work. Eventually Mr. Way pulled out his computer and started typing the newly revised contract up. Waiters came every hour asking if we needed anything and I sent them away, letting him work. Mr. Way had me read off some of his notes as he typed, but that was the extent of him needing me. I was left for the most part to sit quietly. I studied Mr. Way, he was very attractive while working. Correction, he was always attractive, but when he worked I couldn't keep my eyes off of him. His brow furrowed and his tongue poked out of the side of his mouth, he was so focused that he didn’t even notice me staring at him. Henry got up a few times to go to the bar and order more drinks, getting more and more intoxicated. Eventually I got up and Mr. Way finally pulled himself away from the papers to question where I was going. I quickly said bathroom and he nodded an approval, allowing me to leave.

After relieving myself I stood in front of the sink letting the water flow through my fingers as I spaced out. I was still exhausted from many sleepless nights, and sitting still for so long wasn’t helping. The closing of the bathroom door brought me back to reality and I realized that Henry now stood in front of the door.

“Mr. Iero, so lovely to finally have you to myself,” he sauntered towards me. “Mr. Way wants to keep you all for himself. I see how he looks at you.” I backed away from him, hitting the wall as he continued forward. He only stopped when he was inches from me. I flinched when he reached up towards my face, his hand paused mid air “Don’t worry” He tucked some of my hair behind my ear. He leaned closer to my face, and breathed out “I won’t hurt you,” causing my stomach to churn and the overwhelming smell of alcohol.

Henry jumped back slightly when the bathroom door swung open, almost losing his balance.

“Morgan!” Mr. Way barked out from the doorway, “Tomorrow you will have set up meetings with these bands so we can discuss, what I have fixed. Understand?” He didn’t allow Henry answer, “Good, Frank we’re leaving.” Mr. Way grabbed my hand and lead me out of the restaurant and to the car, where the driver scurried out and barely managed to open the door before Mr. Way reached it. I slid in first and Mr. Way followed behind me.

“I’m sorry that happened Frank, unfortunately for us we have to deal with him again tomorrow.” He didn’t look at me all.

“Mr. Way-” He put his hand up cutting me off.

“Please, Gerard. Call me Gerard when we aren’t doing work.”

“Gerard, I, you don’t need to apologize, I shouldn’t have been alone with him. You told me not to be alone with him, and I didn’t listen.” I tried to reassure him.

“No it’s my fault Frank, I said I wouldn’t let him near you, but somehow I let him slip past me. ANd how could you have known that he’d barge in there. But anyways,” He waved his hand dismissing the subject, “You did good today Frankie. You pleased me. How about since it only just the afternoon, I’ll take you to get some clothes because we’re staying here for a while. Then how about we go out to dinner maybe, before finding a hotel for the night?” He suggested shrugging.

“Mr- or uh Gerard, you don’t need to do that.” I said hesitantly.

“You pleased me Frankie, this is a reward, and an apology. Don’t argue with me sugar. You deserve this.”

Notes

sorry for not updating yesterday, I wasn't up to writing. I wrote this two days ago though, and this morning I ripped it apart because I hated it, then left it, and finally fixed it so its semi okay. I actually hate this chapter a lot but I can't seem to get it write so here it is. Its longer than my usual chapters, but crappy. The chances of me updating tomorrow are all based upon my SAT scores. If I did okay, then expect an update, if I didn't do well, I'm not going to be able to update.

Tell me what you think maybe? I really appreciate all the comments and votes, makes me smile. Thank you so much for reading <3