Gabriel checked the bathroom mirror. One black tunic with dressy asymmetrical hem, thoroughly lint-rolled, check. One pair black skinny trousers, thoroughly lint-rolled, check. One pair black suede ankle boots with stacked heel but good arch support, also lint-rolled for good measure, check. A little clear mascara, check. A little matte lip balm, slightly tinted, check. A touch of said balm on the cheeks to achieve a becoming “I’ve slept this week!” flush, we stan a multitasker, check. Cute new rose gold hoops, check. Hair placed in loose bun secured with cool wooden hair stick purchased in Chinatown in order to show off cute new rose gold hoops, check. Vibe: Omega who understands the value of a first impression, is ready to do the work elbow-to-elbow, but is not part of your capitalist system? Big check.
The board meeting was upon him. It was time to look behind the curtain and see who the wizard was. He had pictured Victoria Park Anderson several different ways since talking to her, but had decided on “Glamazon of a Certain Age.” Tall, willowy, black sheath dress, maybe smoking a cigarette in a holder. Maybe has a ring filled with poison. He had probably been watching too many old movies.
He swiveled once in the mirror, trying to see if there was anything else he could possibly add or subtract that would affect the way all his new bosses on the board felt about him. And then closed his eyes and ran the script he had prepared in his head in case this exact moment happened.
Gabriel?
Yes?
Are we seriously doing this? Are we thinking we got hired for our looks?
Not really, no. I had a pretty good resume, tbh.
Then do our looks matter that much at this meeting?
Honestly, no. But.
But nothing… but you know what? Throw on that cool cuff bracelet. It screams “free-thinking yet dependable.” And then stop worrying about your looks.
Got it.
Okay. He was done. Time for the big commute. He walked out of his office, hung a right, went up the stairs, and stood outside the meeting room door. He was on the agenda at the end of the meeting, and he was supposed to present himself at 7:45. It was 7:43. Great. For once in his life, early. What was he supposed to do? If he knocked at 7:43 was that being eager or ingratiating? If he knocked at 7:45 was he punctual or a slacker? Before he could finish his calculations, the door opened. A small, beautiful Asian woman with an impeccable loosely curled black bob, a complexion that defied all attempts at chronology, and a very French-spensive looking navy skirt suit stepped out.
“Gabriel?” she verified.
“Yes, I’m Gabriel.”
“I’m Victoria! We spoke when you were so sweet and called me the other night.”
So much for lanky glamazon, but she was indeed gorgeous. “Oh! Mrs. Anderson! How lovely to meet you in person!” Gabriel reached out to shake her hand.
Victoria took his hand and beamed at him and turned her cheek for an air kiss, which Gabriel supplied, thanking God he'd done a semester in France so that he knew the cue. She gave his hand an extra squeeze. “Please, call me Victoria! I’ve been looking forward to meeting you since we first saw your resumé! I knew you were the one!” She cocked her head and listened to the voices in the board room for a moment.
“My son is just finishing up a presentation to the board, so we’ll head in and when he’s done, I’ll introduce you to everyone. Come on this way.” She opened the door and they slipped inside quietly. A few of the people seated at the long table in the darkened room turned and smiled at them, and Gabriel politely smiled back. The rest were looking at a pie chart being projected on the wall. Gesturing at the pie chart was… "Dr. Alexander Anderson,” said Gabriel, surprised.
“Oh, have you met my son?” Victoria whispered.
“Yes, ma’am, I have. I was… a patient of his. Four years ago.”
“Oh!... Ohh. Oh, Gabriel. Oh, I’m so glad you’re here with us. What a blessing you are to us” she said, squeezing his forearm.
Gabriel wasn’t sure where to put that comment, but he knew it was very nice. He smiled yes but shook his head no and hoped that conveyed an acceptable response to a heartfelt compliment.
“Are there any other questions?” Dr. Anderson was asking.
“Do you have any other questions?” Gabriel heard Dr. Anderson saying in his mind. He sounded exactly the same. It was a little hard to tell in the glare of the powerpoint, but he looked exactly the same, too. Was his hair shorter now? Gabriel thought it was. Gabriel felt a little trickle of ptsd adrenaline, but he breathed it away. He’d been planning to come to the clinic to thank Dr. Anderson and open up a direct channel of communication between his office and the clinic anyway. Things didn’t always have to happen according to the little scripts in his head. He was flexible now. He’d roll with it.
“No questions? Well, that wraps the report, then. Thanks for your time and attention.” Dr. Anderson switched off the projector and gathered his notes.
Victoria tapped the switch on the wall to bring the lights up and elevated her voice just slightly. “Everyone? If I could have your attention for just a moment?”
You could have heard a pin drop on velvet as the heads turned Victoria’s way. Gabriel tried to look humble and pleased and dedicated and above all, normal, but he was nervous, and going through something right now, and he wasn’t sure he sold it.
“This is Gabriel Cooper. Mr. Cooper is our newest partner here in the Legal Fund offices. He comes to us straight from a clerkship for Justice Angela Wethers of the California Supreme Court, who we all know has spoken out so clearly on Omegan legal rights, and we are so very happy that he has joined us here at the Foundation to help us achieve our goals. Please give him a warm welcome."
The room applauded enthusiastically and the members of the board turned to him with welcoming smiles. Gabriel felt himself blush. Multitasking sheer matte lip balm on these red cheeks? Gilding the lily. And then he did exactly what it had just occurred to him to try not to do, and he found Dr. Anderson with his eyes. Dr. Anderson was looking at him, which… obviously he would be under the circumstances, but Gabriel still was somehow not prepared when their eyes met. The blush ratcheted up and he cursed his genes.
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