“You fucking hired someone without checking their paperwork!” Lauren shouted as she paced my office and I grumbled, hiding behind the file that held everything I needed to know regarding Sebastian.
“Ya offered him an interview; it had to mean he was hireable.”
“And he is! He’s my number one pick but there are formalities.”
“That I created Lauren!” I shouted back, slamming my fist into my desk, my voice deeper than it usually was and she froze, staring at me, “I am the fuckin’ CEO of this goddamn company. We may have a causal relationship because of how long you’ve worked for me, but ya seem to have forgotten that at the end of the day, I make the decisions. I love ya, Lauren. Very much. Ya make a wonderful little sister but this is bullshit! Serenity wouldn’t do this shit.”
“Oliver. I just want you to do what’s best for the company. I have always done what I thought was best for you. But hiring someone because they make you feel comfortable for the first time in years isn’t the wisest business decision.”
“I would have hired him based on this alone,” I tossed the file down, “he’s incredibly intelligent, top marks in high school and college. Clearly dedicated to learnin’ what he needs to work here with us. Willin’ to relocate and live in the unit with me as you used to. I can control myself. I wouldn’t jeopardize Parallel by letting my desires get in the way. Ya just have to trust me.”
“I do,” she came over and hugged me, her bright orange hair smacking me in the face and I blew it away, making her laugh, “I’m sorry. I’m trying to look out for you is all.”
“I know,” I patted her arm softly, “I know ya are. You and Nita worry too much about me. I’m a grown man. I’m over Skylar. It’s been 9 years.”
“I know, Ollie.”
“I hate that you all still call me that,” I huffed, “but it’s fine.”
“We’re your sisters even if only one of us is blood. Sebastian should be here in a moment, I’ll let you handle his paperwork so you can explain everything. I’ll be in the office next door when you’re ready for me to put it into the system and start training him.”
“Thank you. Have ya found a venue for the weddin’?”
“Ah, we did! It’s in Genova.”
“Oh near my villa?”
“Mhm.”
“Send me the location. I'll try and contact the owner so it’ll be cheaper. I’ll also cover it for ya. My wedding gift.”
“Paying for the venue?”
“Yep. No different than I’m doing for Nita and Winnie.”
There was a soft knock on the office door and Lauren ran over, her jaw falling open when she got her first look at Sebastian.
I know.
He’s beautiful, isn’t he?
“Bonjour,” Sebastian smiled brightly, “my name is Sebastian Aubert. The receptionist should have informed you that I was here?”
“Ah… yes I apologize. I’m Lauren West. It's lovely to meet you,” Lauren held her hand out and they shook quickly, “Welcome to Parallel.”
“Merci, Mme West,” Sebastian nodded politely, “Bonjour, Monsieur Hope.”
“Bonjour, Sebastian,” I gestured to the seat across from me and he quickly came over, taking it without hesitation.
He listens so well.
“Lauren, can ya please ensure a temporary station is set up for Sebastian in the office next door? You’ll be trainin’ him in there,” I smiled as she continued to stare at Sebastian.
“Of course, Mr. Hope,” she nodded before mouthing, “What the fuck he’s hot!”
“Thank you,” I glared and she rushed from the room, “did ya get any rest?” Smiling at Sebastian, I started gathering all of the paperwork I needed him to sign.
“Not really. I slept on my flight from Paris so there was no need. I simply showered, looked through maps of the area, and had breakfast.”
“If ya get tired, you have permission to leave early today. I’ll ensure ya have a ride back to the penthouse.”
“Oh. Merci,” he smiled brightly.
“Of course. So. Here is this,” I handed him a massive folder and he stared at me in shock, “the top twenty pages are the agreement to accept the position, the terms of your contract, and the NDA I had written for myself. After that are the essentials for the position, my expectations, things like that. The job isn’t difficult. I simply ask for a few things. Manage my appointments, book our flights, ensure that whatever home we are goin’ to be stayin’ in for meetings is stocked with food and pet care. My assistant takes primary care of Aldo but he sleeps with me and I take him for his nightly walk. Lauren will spend the next few months teachin’ ya everything. Our first trip is to Denver in two months when we move there. Then we’ll go to Italy.”
“Italy?” He slowly began to look over the contract, the tip of his tongue sticking out and I watched him fondly, a feeling stirring in my chest that I hadn’t felt in 9 years.
“Lauren is gettin’ married and staying there. That’s why I needed a new assistant. I’m payin’ for her wedding for the most part. She’s a bit like a younger sister to me.”
“That’s sweet of you to do,” he smiled at me before going back to the contract, “oh! What is… a clothing fund?”
“I pay everyone a yearly fund to ensure that they have appropriate clothing for work and home for themselves and their children and spouses. Every person gets two thousand a year on top of their salary and bonuses.”
“But mine…”
“Is far higher I am aware. You’ll be attendin’ charity events, galas, gallery openings, and business meetings with me. I need to ensure that you can afford to buy suits, tuxedos, shoes, and pretty much anythin’ else you want. If ya need more and have spent the fund, please inform me and I will take ya to my tailor in Denver, Tokyo, or Genova. They are all lovely.”
“And this about a car?”
“Well. I will more than likely be bringin’ ya to and from the office with me as I have for Lauren over the years. However, there will be times I need ya to run errands for me and I don’t allow anyone to drive my car. Ever. So I purchase a vehicle for my assistant. Something that can fit Aldo. I’ll allow ya to choose. It’s in your name. Ya have a driver's license yes?”
“I do,” he nodded, “I will need to get a new one for the United States, however.”
“That can be handled immediately. I’ll have Lauren take ya. Then we can just transfer it to Colorado. Easily.”
“Let’s see,” he chewed his lip, landing on the NDA, “Um… oh. I am not to inform anyone of how you spend your days at home.”
“As you’ll be there as well, I wish for my privacy. I spend most of my free time playin’ video games, readin’, or cookin’. I don’t want people to know that about me.”
“Very well. I am similar and ask the same.”
“We'll add that to your NDA when you’re done signing these.”
“Finally. I am not to share the fact you… are crippled? That cannot be correct.”
“But it is. I wear a leg brace. I have weak muscles from a car accident and can’t walk without it. It’s why I never take the stairs and employees don’t see me around the office much. But as I want to ensure that they know me, that I am involved, I hold company barbeques, holiday parties, and things of the like to keep the familial environment I worked hard to foster. The only people in the office who know about my leg are Lauren, my sister Serenity who runs the Denver office for now, her fiance Garett who you met this morning, and now you.”
“That does not make you crippled. That is poor language for it, Monsieur Hope. You use an… appareil de mobilité. I do not remember the English I apologize.”
“Hm… I think mobility device.”
“Oui!” he beamed, “that. I would change the language in this.”
“I will then. I had someone else write it a long time ago and they were unsympathetic toward the disabled. It was awful but I… I didn’t get around to fixin’ it.”
“We easily can,” with a nod, he quickly signed it and handed all of the paperwork to me.
“Thank ya. Now,” I went to the template I had for NDAs, “there is a basic outline that you saw essentially stating that anything you hear in meetings can not be shared outside of Parallel and if you do, you will be immediately fired and prosecuted. Every employee signs one. But as my assistant, I need to know what to add that refers to you specifically.”
“Okay. First, I will only be called Sebastian Ansel Aubert. My name is different on my passport and all other legal documents for now. I will be changing them when we settle in Colorado.”
“Easy.”
“Second, should anyone discover that my true name is Maria Anita Aubert and I was born female they will keep my privacy. I do not want to struggle with the hate of being transgender.”
“Oh,” I whispered, “right okay,” clearing my throat, I quickly added what he wished before folding my hands on my desk, “Sebastian, I want ya to understand that Parallel has a strict nondiscrimination policy against race, religion, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, and way of life as long as that last one doesn’t cause harm to anyone.”
“Really?” he whispered, his eyes wide.
“Of course. As my assistant as well as roommate, you will hear me dream. I talk in my sleep. I will more than likely still call for Skylar as he destroyed me. That is my ex-boyfriend. I am gay, my brother is pansexual, and my sisters are both allies. My parents are both gay as well. I have two fathers. I created an environment that is open and welcoming to all as long as they have the qualifications for the job. I’m sure you’ve noticed that every charity I support is for LGBTQ+ people. I own and maintain a building in Denver that is a club for kids 12 to 18 who need friends that are going through the same changes as them. I pay for gender-affirming items for these kids as well and run a co-ed summer camp for all children from ages 6 to 15, older kids serving as junior counselors. The camp is to help kids learn about the environment and conservation as well as make friends if they have struggled as most kids who come there have similar interests. I also pay for the children who wish to go but their families cannot afford it as I have a scholarship they can apply for.”
“Do you go to the camp?”
“Occasionally but it’s rare. I never have the time. I prefer to spend my summers travelin’ and workin’ from remote places. Which is why you’ll receive a tablet, laptop, and two cellphones, one is a business line and the other will be your personal phone with a new number.”
“Ah, that would help… my phone does not work here.”
“They both have international callin’ and text free so you can contact your family.”
“Oh! Please add this to my NDA. I am an orphan. I was raised in an orphanage in Beauvais. If others discover it, I ask that if it is somehow published or spread around, the person who did it is reprimanded. It is no one's business but yours as you are my boss.”
“Sebastian,” I whispered and he shrugged.
“I knew no different. I was raised near a catholic church by nuns. Left at 18, had ablation des seins for my gender thanks to an organization in Paris, discovered I cannot take testosterone as I am allergic to one of the ingredients, but I am happy and my true self. I simply haven’t had my name changed as the money was something I did not have.”
“How did ya fly to New York?”
“Mme West sent me plane tickets.”
“And your hotel?”
“Before I knew that you were paying? Because you sneakily added your card after I walked away? It was the last money I had.”
Pressing the intercom button on my desk, I cleared my throat, “Lauren?”
“Yes, Mr. Hope?”
“Has Sebastian’s bank account been transferred already?”
“Yes. I contacted Crédit du Nord a moment ago and they’ve transferred it to our credit union.”
“Can ya add in his clothin’ fund, the fund for overtime pay, and lodgin’ please?”
“I will contact the finance department. It will take about an hour.”
“Thank you.”
Sebastian was staring at me and I shrugged, finalizing the NDA before printing, signing, and handing it to Sebastian who signed without a word.
“Are ya okay?”
“I am fine,” he cleared his throat, “I apologize. The last day has been a whirlwind and I am struggling. I went from nothing to… well more than I could have asked for. Merci, Monsieur Hope.”
“Ah, that’s the other thing,” I undid my tie, tossing it into my drawer, “I hate being called Mr. Hope. Please, when we are alone like this in the office or at home, I am simply Oliver.”
“You may call me Bas then.”
“His name is Ollie,” Lauren popped her head into my office and I glared at her.
“If you call me Ollie I will be very mad. I hate it. But, Lauren is like a sister and my siblings call me Ollie as well. It’s awful. Some even call me Oliver Tyler.”
“Your parents named you as a lord,” Sebastian laughed, “but your siblings not.”
“He’s right,” Lauren snorted, “you even look like one.”
“Hey!” I pouted.
“She is right, Oliver,” Sebastian smiled and my heart thudded, “you remind me of those Victorian novels. Do you know what I mean, Mme West?”
“Just call me Lauren,” Lauren waved her hand annoyed, “but yes. Oliver has the same appearance that’s described to be the love interest in every romance novel from the past. Tawny hair that comes to your upper back with bits of auburn throughout, hazel eyes that are warm and welcoming unless you’re angry, a wide smile, tall and broad-chested. Oh, it’s enough to make a fair maiden swoon.”
“Lauren I’m gonna pitch you off of a cliff,” grumbling, I grabbed a stress ball from my desk and threw it at her, “Stop gangin’ up on me.”
“I can make it worse,” Lauren bounced over and opened my office door and my older sister Serenity came walking in, popping her gum.
While my sister Winifred was my twin, Winifred, Serenity, and our brother Silas could have been triplets as I was the odd one out. They were all blonde, Silas and Serenity had curly hair where Winifred and I both had wavey hair, and the only one of them with different eyes was Winifred, hers deep green. Serenity and Silas had the same sky-blue eyes as our father Hunter, effectively smaller versions of him. I was the tallest of the four of us, the same height as Hunter who was 6 foot 5. Our father Grayson was absolutely tiny in comparison, only 5 foot 6, his hair ashy blonde but I had always found him adorable, wishing I had been small like him.
“Oh for the love…” I sighed, going over to hug her.
“Hi little bro,” Serenity giggled, “I wanted to meet your new assistant that Lauren was texting me about. I was already in New York after all. I have a meeting with Streamline in an hour.”
“Fine fine. Serenity,” I gestured to Sebastian who immediately jumped up, fixing his jacket, “this is Sebastian Aubert. Bas, my older sister and COO of Parallel, Serenity Hope.”
“It is so nice to meet you,” Serenity smiled, shaking Sebastian’s hand before she looked at me, her eyes wide, “oh.”
Shaking my head quickly from my new spot behind Sebastian she nodded as she realized I hadn’t shared who Sebastian resembled from my life.
Shit.
She’s going to tell Garret.
“Serenity? Can we talk alone for a minute?”
“Sure.”
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