" She's good but I have to get your thoughts on this? We might have found another one just like you", referring to Kat. Jen disputed that, no one would measure up to her. That was a burn.
"I mean by enthusiasm, not importance. Is my girl getting jealous?", He asked jokingly. She smiled disregarding the hash comment.
When there are differing viewpoints in his mind, Gunn has to seek contributions from his only friend and help, Jen. She is the only one who can at least reach him with an open mind. She's afraid fairly of him as well.
"What idea?", she questioned.
Jen had been curious about what the new girl wanted with their boss, her curiosity was about to be suppressed.
It wasn't the ideal office norm but Gunn's advisor happens to be Jen, they discussed employees and work together. He gets their complaints, requests, and responses through Jen.
If a third party was to look at it for what it is Jen would be his deputy. Her little post had more than enough power. But above all, she had respect from the employees as well as love and admiration from guys.
Her rigid office practice and official capacity draws them into her. She hardly judges or acts cruel. Not unless you joke around with her. Like the story of Pius. One Kat would learn about from Raj pretty soon.
" Making web3 part of our games . It's lousy but I had thought about it myself ", Gunn clarified with divided attention to her and his laptop. That was not a bad topic, Jen was satisfied that the new girl was nothing but professional.
She hated his runaway brides. She has seen the damage they inflict to the company's health and that of Gunn.
In the past, his dates have had a bad impact on his work, and that was the final thing she wished for in times like this. Some did cost the firm volumes, paying for five-star hotels check-in , buying cars as presents, and palatial flats. They also were draining his attention from important work.
The worst part was her being the one to plan for the check-in, order the cars, arrange dates and be left to collect his broken pieces back to normal only for another girl to come and restart the wheel. It was all the same.
"It is an overlay ambitious project with a downside and probably boosted incomes, what are your thoughts?", she had to hear his take. In the end, she only helps him affirm his suggestions.
"She means us well but I as well have doubts, should we make a tryout game for the examination? I have been working on one, wanna see", is a declaration, not a question. Jen shook her head declining the offer.
He tapped his laps. A smart move that made her body shock but maintained the right mind for judgement.
He wanted to put her in the lion's den but she was too smart for his fraud. She knows him more than all his employees combined. He had to do better than that.
Better, he never gets overly flirtatious with other employees as he does with her. He feels safe to show his dark side hidden from the rest and desires Maybe because they have been friends long before colleagues. She knows what he is.
" A pass.
Sorry but no, I don't have that kind of insight, I'm your assistant/ secretary remember?", she hoped it was enough. His talking makes it hard to stay.
"You have made so much contribution to my endeavors before, what's the hold?", Gunn sensed the heavy air in the room, as if she was not pleased.
He likes making people anxious, that's his main goal. Some more than others.
He can tell when it's a bad anxiety or a good one that comes from his coquetry- which he is yet to start. If she was tense about anything he had to dig for answers as she hardly shares.
"I'll try it after you're done. That way I can be brutally honest", a credible answer she gave.
"Brutal, right?", Gunn joked chuckling. The anxiety building had to be dealt with, which better way than jokes and flirtation?
"Right"
Jen was about to leave, she felt it coming. Periods that make her regret why she appeared there after all. But never once had she doubted her opinion to follow him in this kind of work.
It was the right choice then and still is. She had to invest all of her fortunes in the organization, she has a ten percent share. Highest and only stake in the company not his as he wanted it to be private.
It started as a vague conclusion between two friends and ended up being the most valuable enterprise they would have ever been part of. Jen flashes the past before he drew her back to the present.
"I can see you loosened it, finally, it looks seasoned. I have always wanted to have a hot associate ", remarked shutting his laptop to give her full attention.
Jen flickered, she never knew how to fight his flirts. He does it so well. One might think he is praising them or both. Partly as he has the cards and because he knows how to do it like a pro. One thing right and wrong was how it made her feel. It was a fluid feeling, not explainable.
"Why did you call me in? I do believe there is more to the new girl's suggestion. ", she asked. At times she is lucky to get anything out of him, although he is brutality honest.
Jen had to hold her ground, even if anxiety was strangling her and the goosebumps in her were wild. He always had the same effect on her and any other girl that crossed his way, just not as open as with her. She can numb the feelings for second and act brave.
"I needed to see if you choked yourself only around me, guess I was right. Do guys come to your desk in hypocrisy to see me, a lot?", he asked awfully serious.
Jen diverted him. He was making the uneasy situation worse, "If that's all, please ", she was raising from her seat to leave.
" That would be rude, we are just starting . Don't you get lonely staring at your laptop all day? Because I do", Gunn walked from his revolving chair to her side, to make it more personal.
He kept his distance, he was settling on the edge of his desk. She sat. She hit herself for sitting when she could have escaped. Why did she sit? She had no idea.
"You have conveyed what you had t. I have demanding tasks to attend to. You don't want a sluggish junior, do you?", she made an error.
Gunn bit his lip sensually, "I do, then I can punish her. A raise perhaps?" the room was smoking hot for Jen. Her face was reddening, eyes rolling back and forth and feet shaking involuntarily from the ground. She was barely holding it together.
He saw that and decided to make it easy for her. "In all sobriety, lately, we have had many cases of our workers getting sick and spending huge bills. I wanted to know what you think about that", that was working. She was finally cooling down.
Inferring to it as their firm made it seem like they were 50-50 allies, which would be a lie. With a 10% stake, a huge salary, and a hell of bonuses she is the most paid firm employee. The rest are paid well.
She has it all paid to her bank account and readily accessible by the firm whenever in need of fast cash, she's the most valuable member of the company.
Her salary would be challenged soon enough
"I recommended a health security scheme for workers, you stepped on my toes, remember?", she reminded him. Gunn was planning on making hers as hard as it can get .
" You want to step on mine? I'm sorry for being overly ambitious", his defense. He never thinks of himself as a bad guy, even when the truth is plain as day.
"That's not the exact term ", she mumbled keeping her eyes away from him and trying to focus on anything less him.
"What is? You are free to say, your job is warranted no matter what, Uh?", He said. That big is quite true, she is the only one who can fire herself from GPLAy.
"A bit greedy", she gave an alternative.
"Don't sugar coat it, I was a d!ck, true. But, I am ready to try new things for the firm. It's not all about making that coin, you know., He was being genuine.
He saw her discomfort. He knew the right kind of energy around her and what might have been on her mind. He decided to give her a break. I'm making you uncomfortable, you're free to go"
"Right", she whispered.
"Pending appointments ?", Gunn asked smirking. Today was a success, that was how he wanted it to he.
"No!",she said trying to get out of there as fastest.
" Great, have coffee brought in my office, please. Decaf. Precisely, for the whole crew, my treat ", he requested as she was opening his office door.
"Noted, thanks ", Jen mumbled fleeing the hot scene.
As she was closing the door he was returning to his sit adding, "Not for you, fetch yourself a hot chocolate, it's good for blood pressure regulation "
She felt a sense of freedom after the door closed behind her and took deep breath..
She couldn't have loathed him more or admired him less. It was all contrasting. But one thing was right, that her blood pressure was far from normal. And so was the heat.