Chapter Forty

After finishing the leftovers from breakfast, Ileana was left to her own devices. However, her own devices happened to be quite boring. What the heck was she supposed to do with all the others out and about, doing their respectable jobs? If only she was more useful...

Luckily for her, she only twiddled her thumbs for a small amount of time because the doorbell rang again. She practically sprinted to the door and swung it open.  Behind it, she found Baekhyun standing there with a huge fluffy white dog, otherwise known as King.

“Hey Ileana.” He said, “Wanna come for a walk? King’s been missing you.”

“Do I ever.” She smiled back, “One sec.” She quickly shoved on her boots and stepped outside of the flat while locking the door behind her.  “Okay, let’s go!”

So, off they went and they eventually found their way to a nice park where other dogs were playing about. Baekhyun and Ileana took a seat on one of the park’s benches.

“So, how are things going with you?” Baekhyun asked.

“It’s all right. I’m getting kind of bored though.”

“Ah, that’s why you were so happy to see me.” He nudged her lightly in the side, “Hmm, maybe you could get a job to occupy yourself. You know, Lay should be able to help you out with that, considering all his connections and whatnot.”

Ileana thought a little about Baekhyun’s suggestion before nodding, “All right, that doesn’t sound too bad.”

“No need to be modest, I know I’m brilliant. And on the note of brilliance, I convinced the Arts and Entertainment ministers to join the good side. “

“Already?” she asked, surprised.

“What can I say, they love me. And they said they were tired of having their freedom of speech being…not so free.”

“Either way, it’s great that you convinced them so quickly, thanks Baekhyun.”  

“No problem, it’s not like I was really fond of the Senates restricting our creative rights anyways. It’s like…cutting off the wings of a bird.”  Baekhyun bitterly finished.

“Well, once this is all over, you’ll be able to spread your wings as far as you like.” Ileana lightly rubbed his back. Baekhyun turned his head toward her with a certain look in his eyes.

“Is it like this where you’re from?” 

She removed her hand from his back and sighed, “Not really.”

“Then what’s your home like?”

She looked away and slumped against the back of the bench. “Well, it’s definitely different from here. It’s not as technologically advanced and the whole energy thing doesn’t apply. We have peaceful areas and not so peaceful areas, but I was lucky enough to be born in a peaceful one.”

“What did you usually do over there?” Baekhyun asked again, seeming very interested in the topic.

“Uh well, I did what most high school students did. I went to school, hung out with friends occasionally, eat dinner with my family. It was a pretty easy living compared to here.”

“And…what about the boys?” Baekhyun raised his eyebrows suggestively. Ileana just shoved him away with a smirk.

“What about them? It's not like I was really interested in them and vice versa.”

“What! No way, I figured you had a lineup of guys waiting for you to notice them. I mean, I can think of a few here who are definitely interested.” Baekhyun winked, but Ileana’s smile vanished and she directed her sight to the ground.

“Y-yeah, but there’s nothing I can do about that.” She shuffled her feet nervously.

“Why not?” Baekhyun leaned in closer to catch a glimpse of her down casted expression.

“Well, after this is all done, I’ll have to leave…right? I mean, why bother starting something that’s just going to end?”

Baekhyun nodded his head and leaned back, “I get what you’re saying, but I think you need to make that clear to them. You know, to give them some level of understanding instead of leaving them hanging.”

Ileana sighed, “As much as I hate to admit it, you’re right. It’s just…it’s not fun, I don’t want to hurt them or anything.”

“Sadly dear Ileana, if you want them to get over it sooner than later, you’ll have to hit ‘em where it hurts.”

“Your empathy astounds me.” She replied sarcastically.

“Just telling it like it is.” Baekhyun smirked back and gave her a swift and strong pat on the back, “Don’t stress yourself over it too much. If you need someone to talk to, King and I will always lend a listening ear, isn’t that right King?” King sprung his head up from his sleeping position and glanced over to them. He sat up and stretched before looking at them expectedly.

“Looks like he’s ready to finish his walk.” Ileana smiled and ruffled the dog’s fur. Baekhyun agreed and they both started walking back to Lay’s building.

“And this is where I drop you off.” Baekhyun made a dramatic hand gesture to the front of the building.

“Thanks Baekhyun, for coming to see me and listening.” Ileana grinned, trying hard to show her gratitude.

“Anytime, Ileana, anytime.” And then he waved good bye and continued down the sidewalk with King. She turned around and walked into the building. She entered the elevator and pressed button at the very top of the panel. She figured it was better to talk to Lay about a job sooner than later, boredom was something she always had a hard time coping with. Finally, the elevator came to a halt and opened its doors.

She walked into the lobby area of Lay’s office floor and met with his secretary, “Hi, is Lay available now?” The woman looked up and appeared to have recognized her.

“Ah, yes. Go right on in.” The woman gestured with a pen to a door on the right. Ileana nodded and gave her quick thanks before entering Lay’s office. 

When inside, she was surprised to find a rather busy and professional looking Lay behind his desk. He also didn’t bother to acknowledge her when she entered, which made her roll her eyes. So, she stomped her feet, making as much noise as she possibly could as she made her way to his desk. Not even a glance. When she finally had reached the edge of his desk, Lay still hadn’t looked away from the documents in his hand.

Tsking, she reached over to grab the documents. However, Lay decided to pay attention right then and pulled back his hand back so she couldn't grab them, “And what did you think you were going to do with those?”

“I don’t know, burn them? It’s not nice to ignore someone you know.” She sat down in one of the plush chairs in front of his desk and crossed her legs. “So, I have something I need to discuss with you.”

“Doesn’t everyone…” Lay drawled and let the documents drop onto his desk.

“I want a job. I’m bored.” She said as sternly as possible.

Lay analyzed her slowly, ”That’s nice.”  

“Yes, so… can you hook me up?”

“Why don’t you go work for Sehun again?” Lay leaned forward and rested his chin on one of his hands.

Ileana averted her gaze for a few moments, “I don’t really think I’m needed there. I guess, I was hoping for a placement that’s not too far from here and I can still get involved with both Sectors.”

“Hmm, I think I have something for you.” Lay backed up his rolling chair and stood up cooly. He walked around the desk and beckoned Ileana to follow him with a wave of his hand. She raised a questioning eyebrow but followed after him. They exited his office and stopped at the secretary desk.

“Congrats, you’ve been promoted to the ground floor. I expect you down there in 10.” Lay dryly told to secretary behind the desk. The secretary’s mouth bobbed up and down while glancing between Lay and Ileana. She profusely thanked Lay and bowed her head a dozen of times while packing up her things. Ileana on the other hand, narrowed her eyes and turned toward Lay.

“Your secretary? Really?”

“It fits all your requirements.” Lay smirked and absentmindedly tapped his fingers on the desk.  She opened to retaliate but couldn’t find anything that sounded valid enough. 

“…When do I start?” she mumbled, leaning against the desk.

“As soon as she,” Lay pointed to the frantically packing secretary, “is done.”

“And what are my duties?” She asked, not completely sure if she could handle a secretary job. She wasn’t exactly trained or experienced in the fine arts of being a secretary.

“Sit there and look pretty?” Lay shrugged his shoulders, “You’ll figure it out.”

“Real helpful.” She replied through a fake grin.

“Would you like me to take back the offer?” Lay raised a challenging eyebrow.

“And how does the boss like his tea?” She blurted out quickly in response.

“Black.”

“How surprising…”

So the rest of Ileana’s day consisted of self-teaching herself on how everything works around her new secretary desk. The COMM barely rang and when it did, she was instructed to always say Lay was busy and take a message. Lay did his scheduling and just about anything else that you would think a personal secretary would do. Really, her only jobs were the random errands Lay would send her on (“Get me a bagel from the 34^th floor” and “Go get an envelope on the 23^rd floor”) and well, preparing his specialty black tea.

Lay exited his office and told her she was free for the day. She threw her arms up and nearly sang hallelujah. She got to her new flat within a minute and plopped down on a couch. Her little moment of peace was interrupted when the flat’s COMM rang.

“Hello?” She droned into the communicator lazily.

“What are you wearing right now?” A voice purred.

“My birthday suit.” She teased back once she recognized the caller.

“Oh really? Seems like you’re expecting me, I’ll be there in ten.”

“What can I do for you, Luhan?”

“Kiss the floor I walk on because Sehun and I have successfully convinced the Environmental and Energy ministers from both Sector M and K.”

“Right on! This is going to be a lot easier than I expected.”

“Meh, we energy people don’t care much about politics but we do care about our privacy, which the current Senates usually disregard. Not sure how the other ministers are going to be.”

“Hmm, well either way I’m pretty sure you’ll guys have more privacy and freedom to do what you want when we’re done with this.”

“That’s all we’re hoping for. So, do you think we should have a meeting tomorrow and do a progress report?”

“Sounds fine to me. I know Baekhyun managed to convince the Arts ministers as well, so that’s a total of four ministers we don’t need to worry about anymore. I haven’t had a chance to talk to anyone else though.”

“That’s all right. I’ll contact Lay and he’ll be able to work out a good time for everyone to meet up.”

“Thank the gods for Lay’s impressive interpersonal skills.”

“A gift many are envious of and-HEY, no! You don’t mix those-Oh goodness, this cannot end well. Listen, Ileana, I gotta run. I’m training a new intern and I swear he’s about to burn all of Sector M down with his so-called intuitive and ingenious compounds. Bye now!”

Ileana laughed, “All right, bye Luhan, I hope to you survive until tomorrow.”

“I’m not making any promises…” Luhan grumbled and then a smashing of something was heard in the background, “You can’t be serio-Now I really need to go, bye Ileana.”

“Goodbye Luhan.” 

---

Oh haiiii, how is everyone?
/runs and hides in corner

I'm sorry for not updating earlier. I've been like really sick. (Fever, vomiting...) for the past few days and I didn't even want to touch my laptop...which is strange. I love my baby. I tried to type this up yesterday...and let's just say I wasn't making much sense. Hopefully this is okay, cause I'm still on the recovering end. Oh welllllll. 

Baekhyun, Lay and Luhan lovers, where you at? I got some more Baekhyun characterization in there. I kind of imagined him as a quirky, boasting type, who can be real cute when he wants to be. Lemme squish you Baekhyunnnie <3

And we gots some coool Lay in there and mischevious Luhan. 

Lay, you have a point. I feel like there's alot of different ships in this fic. My bad...not really. If only I could write OTP-12. Oh well. 

 

I gots another poll for you guys, since your opinion does matter to me dearies. Here's your question!

When I say "Sandman", who comes to mind first? KAI or LAY? GOGOGOGO, answer the poll. I'll release the details later!

 

 

All righty. That done. 
I started a new fic, it's an OTP....KAISOOOOOOO. Any shippers out there? Anyways, I have the foreword up and feel free to subscribe if you're interested. I'll start it when my Baekyeol is done (like, only need to write the epilogue). 
And I will start another OC chaptered fic when this is done. I have two ideas that I will reveal later and you will have a chance to choose which one you rather. They differ very much from each other. I haven't figured out the main guy for either of them though...

Kay, done. Leaving now. Buh byee

Giveaway of the day?
Um.... err. Dang. I don't know today. *rummages through gifs* Oh, this will do.
*Throws BubbleTea with an obvious big red straw so you don't miss your mouth when attempting to drink it like Chanyeol*

BYYYYE LOVE TO ALL <3333333