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"What is highlighted in red can be taken out completely. What is highlighted in green can be brought down to only a sentence or two," I set Skywalker's ridiculously long pitch down in front of him. He glanced up from his computer and eyed the pages and the fresh coffee I placed a few inches to his left, "The rest is fine."

"Thank you," He mumbled, grabbing the pages with one hand and his coffee with the other. He took a small sip and sighed with content, his eyes closing momentarily to soak in the satisfaction given to him by a simple sip of coffee — I can relate.

I tilted my head, "Did you not get any sleep last night?" I asked, noticing the bags under his eyes.

He shook his head and slowly placed the coffee down, "Not really no, my brother decided to pay me a visit last night and he is what you would call, unhinged."

"Brother?" I questioned in surprise, how did I not know my CEO had two sons? He's never been mentioned in tabloids or any conversations I've had with Fred. Nor have I seen pictures.

He nodded with another sigh, this one mustered out of disappointment, "A product of one of my Fathers many affairs," He rolled his eyes and leaned back in his chair, "Another child he neglected and somehow gets thrown on me every once in awhile when his Mom decides she doesn't want to deal with him."

"How old is he?" I asked, only now realizing I was sitting in the chair across from him. The conversation intrigued me as I found myself leaning forward to learn more about someone else's messed up life. It made me feel not so alone.

"Seventeen, and he drinks like a fucking sailor. I found him busting into my liquor cabinet last night. I nearly beat him to death with a golf club thinking he was an intruder. I have no idea how he got his own key." He continued to vent, until he realized just how much he was sharing and quickly composed himself, "I'm sorry, I don't know why I'm telling you all this. The room is practically spinning from exhaustion, thanks for the coffee."

"What's his name?" I ignored his attempt to shoo me away.

"I call him Piett," He answered, sipping away at his coffee, "It's his Mothers maiden name because I refuse to call him by his actual name Firmus," He grimaced, "It sounds like a cats name."

I chuckled, "What's wrong with that? I had a cat named Firmus."

He knitted his brows, "Did you really?" The corner of his mouth twitched into a small smile.

"No," I shrugged.

He chuckled, "Name your future child Firmus," He smirked.

"Sure, then I'll name the next one Garfield or Winifred." I joked, these were terrible names. Not that I'll ever get the chance to pick a name, which was something I was always so excited about. The list sitting in my phone just seems useless now.

Willow for a girl.

Theo for a boy.

These are just examples of my list that goes on for miles. I've been choosing names since I was five and naming my Barbie and Ken dolls.

"Is there anything else you need?" I asked as I stood up, not wanting to take more of his time. Nor did I want to stick around long enough for a mood swing, I didn't sleep so I definitely didn't have the energy today.

He shook his head as he opened his laptop, "Not right now, but I'll—" he was cut off by the sound of his personal cell phone ringing. He picked it up from the wooden desk and furrowed his brows at the caller ID before answering, "Hi mom." He said low before waving me away. I turned to leave, "Wait, what do you mean tomorrow? It's not until next—" His voice went from soft to sheer panic in an instant. Just as I reached his doorway he called my name, "(y/n) wait." He demanded, "Of course we're ready, we'll be leaving as soon as possible." He switched between talking to me and his mom.

"What's going on?" I asked, facing him.

He ended the call and stood from the chair, visibly sweating, "The competing company heard about us wanting that book and gave the author a much higher offer," He groaned and fumbled through the drawers in his desk, looking for something, "Shes tempted to accept, but is willing to sit with us and listen to our offer before making a final decision. But only if we can get to her in Seattle by tomorrow, instead of next week," He rushed his words, walking to his coat rack and throwing on the extra layer, "Shes being impatient."

I thought we had days to prepare, not hours. This changes so much, and who knows if we have the funds to out bid the other company, "When are you leaving?"

"We," He corrected, "Are leaving right now," He found what he was looking for and held up his car keys, "A flight at the airport has already been booked by the CEO herself and if we don't want to miss it then we need to go right now."

My eyes widened, "I'm not ready for a plane, I don't have any clothes packed or—"

"I'll buy you wherever the hell you need when we get to Seattle," He walked around his desk, past me, "Let's go, now."

I quickly followed him to the elevator, snatching my purse from my desk as we ran.

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"Can you stop," I rubbed my temples to mend my migraine. There is nothing that frustrates me more than a pen clicking over and over again. I don't understand how no one else on this plane hasn't snapped at him yet.

Anakin side eyed me, finally taking his gaze away from the notes I had written him about his pitch, "I'm allowed to be nervous. This is my first time."

"It's going to be fine, just relax and take a breath. You're stressing yourself out way more than you need to." I grab the paper and flipped it over to the blank side. I took the pen from his hand and drew 4 lines on the paper, "Even if we don't get this book, we'll have many more opportunities. If you're gonna be in this business, you have to be okay with losing every once in awhile."

He watched every movement of mine intently, "What are you doing?"

"Getting you used to losing. Now what do you want to be? X or O?"

He narrowed his eyes, "You seem confident you'll be winning."

I shrugged, "Because I will."

He pressed his tongue to the inside of his cheek, "Okay, loser buys the winner a drink at dinner tonight."

"Dinner?"

"We have to eat eventually (y/n) and I don't know about you, but I can't survive on hotel food and McDonald's."

I raised my brows, "Fine, X or O?"

"X."

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"Again." He slammed his hand on the fragile table after he lost for the fourth time in a row.

I shook my head, "No more chances, a deal is a deal." I folded the paper in half a few times before putting it in my personal bag. Anakin pushed the table infront of him up and locked it in place against the seat ahead. The attendants have been walking around asking petiole to lift the tables, we're about to take off soon, "I'm surprised we made it in time."

"Yeah," He sighed, "Sorry about the uh—" he pointed to my nose that had a slightly red tissue sticking out of it.

"It's not your fault," I dismissed it as the pilot was announcing our departure, "I didn't know you were going to open the door for me." When we were rushing to his car in the employee lot, I was unaware he was right behind me. He was planning on opening the door for me, which is a nice gesture, I just wasn't prepared for it — so we both went for the door at the same time and while I was reaching for the handle, he was coming around me to beat me to the door which resulted in his elbow crashing into my nose.

"It's the gentleman thing to do," He shrugged before tightening his grip on his arm rests.

I noticed a shift in his breathing as the plane began to move.

"Are you nervous?" I asked, though his body language gave me the answer. But I was confused, surely he's been on a plane before, he went through TSA as if he's done it dozens of times, "You have been on a plane before right?" I asked, now unsure.

He shifted in his seat uncomfortably, "Yes, but I wouldn't say I'm a fan of them."

"Want me to hold your hand?" I teased, lightly brushing my hand against his.

"No," He scrunched his face in disgust, "You can fuck off though."

This is gonna be a lovely few hours, "I was just trying to be nice." I smiled, leaning my head back against the seat. I've hardly slept so if I'm lucky, this flight will be a blessing in disguise.

The plane soon picked up speed as it prepared to depart. Many around were mumbling on about their nerves while a baby or two cried from the back. I felt it finally lift from the ground as we headed upwards, straight for the sky. I took a deep breathe and kept myself relaxed. This part can be nerve wrecking for anyone, even for experienced travelers.

Not long after taking off, I felt a sudden tight squeeze and opened my eyes. Anakin looked just like me, head back and eyes closed, only he had his hand tightly gripping mine, "Shut up." He immediately muttered, likely feeling my stare.

"I wasn't going to say anything." I whispered, allowing him to hold my hand for comfort.

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