I am Venomous.

Ah, my sassy, mean baby 🥹 she is definitely judging you.

Alastor's POV

Fawn and I arrived at the station bright and early.

I needed time to pull Thomas aside before I completed my morning duties.

The moment she and I stepped foot into my office, Niffty and Fawn spotted each other.

Without even needing to look, I knew there was a bright smile on my woman's face as she lifted her hand and waved as if she hasn't seen Niffty in years.

She let go of my hand, beginning to migrate that direction before pausing and spinning around again to face me.

I looked down at her, ready to ask what she needed but before I could say a word she got on her toes and stole a kiss.

On the lips.

Then proceeded to turn around, and I became but a memory as the women grouped together and began chatting while Niffty completed her morning chores.

I blinked, a bit surprised at the show of affection, but rather happy that yesterday's disagreement seems to have blown by smoothly.

Learned my lesson is an understatement...

Note to self...do not make decisions that will affect your woman without her present.

It will be an unpleasant, and quite terrifying, experience.

After recovering my composure, I straightened my suit jacket and took a deep breath before turning to head towards Tom's office.

I was humming softly to myself, the hallway of course being empty seeing as it's very early and most of the reporters aren't yet here...

Except one...

Right outside the recording booth, Mindy was standing there...staring up at the wall of awards that I've won.

My steps slowed, and I observed her quietly. Her confidence was gone, replaced by...defeat.

She looked utterly defeated.

Her hair was down, framing her face loosely, and her outfit was hardly put together...completely out of character for her.

I came up beside her, coming to a stop just a couple feet away from where she was standing.

"Melinda, darling..."

She didn't react to my words. Just kept her eyes straight forward.

Her expression was blank, completely emotionless...except for the single tear I watched fall from her bottom lashes.

I lifted my hand, going to reach for her, but...maybe she needs space...

So, I retreated my hand and sighed, going to continue my way towards Thomas's office.

Then, as I was walking away, I heard her voice speak very quietly.

"Melinda..." she whispered, and then chuckled.

I turned to face her, and she was still looking at the wall. Until finally, she turned and faced me fully.

"You haven't called me that since the first week I met you..." she uttered, and once I got a full view of her I felt guilt settle onto my shoulders.

Never would I have even batted an eye for what I'd caused had I not had Fawn in my life.

But one look at this broken woman in front of me has me feeling terrible.

I don't think I have ever seen her without makeup on...she loves her makeup, and I used to compliment her regularly on her skills in the area.

Now, she's not wearing a stitch of it...

"Do you remember?" She asked, a tiny smile quirking her lips before they quivered and she shook her head and looked to her feet.

"I was...uh...your superior, for a while...but I noticed immediately that there was something so special about you, you were just..."

She paused, seemingly remembering something. A few tears fell down her cheeks, cascading quietly before dripping off her face.

She ignored them, acting as if they weren't staining her skin at all.

"...talented." She whispered, "so talented, and so...good at everything...you were so fun, and so loud," she chuckled.

Her smile faded, and she lifted her eyes, "then you got that promotion...you know the one...the one that made you this," she nearly hissed, motioning to the wall next to her.

"And suddenly...you were above me. I had to...claw my way to the top...I had to beg, and-and plead...and you don't even understand the first of how awful men can truly be, you don't get it!"

Her voice finally cracked and tears were pouring down her face.

"But I kept my mouth shut, just hoping that one day you might remember what I did for you...how I let you do every important report, I let you slip by on certain rules, I let you rise."

She took in a deep breath, and pointed at me, "because I thought you were different."

The silence between us was loud. Horribly loud. The ringing in my ears was nearly unbearable as I swallowed to try and rid my throat of this lump of guilt.

Mindy is the only woman I've ever known who was unapologetically herself.

In my timeline.

Now seeing that it was all a front, and she was hiding this behind that mask of confidence...this broken shell of a woman...

She started towards me, her heels clicking against the tile floor as she approached.

I stood perfectly still, straightening my back nervously the closer she came. Then, she stopped just in front of me, looking up at me through her lashes that were stuck together from crying.

Looking into her eyes, I saw absolutely nothing.

No life, no fire...no Mindy.

"But just like the rest...you proved me wrong."

With that she brushed past me, and I stood there staring forward until I heard the clicking fade away.

There was the sound of a door shutting distantly, and finally, I released my breath.

I didn't even realize I'd been holding it.

My mind was running, fuzzy thoughts and memories that I'd forgotten until that moment resurfacing.

Quickly, I shook my head and took in a deep breath before turning on my heel and continuing my path.

The rest of my walk was a blur, right up until I pushed Thomas's office door open without even bothering to knock.

He was at his desk, working on some paperwork until he heard me enter and looked up.

His relaxed expression lifted to a smile, which I returned. Although, mine felt a bit dampened.

"Alastor! Ah, my friend, you're alive!" He chuckled, and I couldn't help but shake my head and chuckle as well.

"Barely," I commented, "she definitely gave me the what-for, that's for sure, my friend...let me advise you, do not upset your lady...they can be quite terrifying when they want to be," I shivered, remembering last night.

Thomas snorted, "I could've told you that much Alastor. Why, when I'd realized she had no idea why she was there, I sent out a prayer for you."

I rubbed the back of my neck, "yes, yes...well, it's all ok now, anyway...we talked about it, and apologies were given," I waved it off.

"Ah, well that's good...that Fawn is a ferocious one, I tell ya," he laughed, and I nodded.

That, she definitely is.

"And speaking of her, did she have any questions about the job?" He asked, and I sighed, taking a seat in one of the office chairs he had sitting by his desk.

"Actually...that's why I came to speak with you, Tom...y'see, Fawn doesn't want the job..." I began to explain, and he sat forward a bit more, tilting his head.

"Oh? Why ever not, she'd be lovely as our reporting lead...she knows the prestige of it, does she not?"

I sighed, nodding, "yes, I told her...and then proceeded to get lectured about how she didn't work for that position, and how the person who did..." I met his eyes then, "deserves her job back..."

His eyes widened, "you mean she passed up that job and then requested it be given back to Mindy?"

I nodded.

He sighed, and sat back in his chair, "well...that would certainly be an awkward conversation to have, if I consider it..." he held a finger up, then pointed at me.

"Mindy has given me grief since my first day here. The woman is bossy, nosy, and overall just a pain. It's not that I don't respect her as a worker, but as a person she's a sour apple, and that just will not do...multiple times I've reprimanded her attitude and the response I receive is a roll of her eyes and some sarcastic statement."

I looked off to the side, cringing slightly.

Yup...that's Mindy.

Then I closed my eyes and recalled that look on her face just minutes ago.

I sighed again, much softer this time, "yes...she's quite abrasive. That doesn't mean she deserves what we did yesterday..." my eyes lifted to meet his again, and he was listening quietly, "she just doesn't know you yet...once she gets used to you, she will be less..." I shrugged slightly, "standoffish."

"Just give her some time...once she warms up to you, she will not treat you as such. Please, reconsider her...she really is a talented person, and my best reporter."

He was quiet for a moment, then shrugged, "well...I trust you, Alastor, so if you say she's worth another shot, then...I suppose I'll think about it. Until I come to a final decision, not a word of this to her, alright?"

My smile widened and I nodded, "of course, my friend..."

Then he perked up slightly, "now, whether I decide to keep her or not, there is still a secretary position opening up...perhaps miss Fawn would be interested in that?" He asked, and I thought about it for a moment.

The thought of my Fawn running around and serving everyone else like a maid didn't make me particularly happy...but, it's not my decision in the end.

Plus, these fools all know by now who she is and just exactly who she has the favor of...they'd be numb in the brain to disrespect her in my building.

"Hm...perhaps. I'll speak with her about it later, and see what she says," I said and he hit his desk with his fist gently.

"Good man!"

With that, I excused myself from his office, heading back to my own.

Fawn's POV

The window in Alastor's office is great for people watching.

It's got a perfect view of the street, and an added bonus being the view of the cute little flower shoppe.

Niffty had to go clean the basement, so I stuck around up here to wait for Alastor...however, he's taking a bit longer than I thought he'd be.

I blew a soft raspberry from my lips and sighed.

Then, the sound of a door opening made me perk up. I turned around with a big smile on my face.

His eyes found me immediately, and the grin on his face widened.

"Well, hello there handsome...I thought you were never coming back," I commented playfully, and he chuckled.

"Says the one who dropped me like hot coal the moment we stepped into the office," he retorted, walking up to me.

I hummed, meeting him halfway and resting my arms onto his shoulders. He put his hands on my hips, rubbing me gently.

"Touché..." I purred.

His eyelids lowered and he bent down to kiss me. It was short and sweet, and when he pulled away from me he began to lead me over to his desk.

I followed him, watching as he sat into his chair. Of course, I got into position to hop up onto my usual spot on his desk.

But he stopped me, taking one of my hands into his.

Wordlessly he pulled me into his lap, and I blushed slightly at the gesture. He's never done this before...

My back was to his chest, and he wrapped his arms around my middle before resting his chin on my shoulder.

He buried his nose into my neck and took a deep breath, snuggling into me further as he exhaled.

"Well, you're feeling awfully touchy feely today," I said, reaching up to run my fingers through his hair.

"You smell good..." he mumbled, then he placed his hands flat on my belly.

"How are you today? Do you feel ok?" He asked me softly, gently rubbing my stomach.

I nodded, leaning back against him.

"Yes, I feel much better today...still a bit achy, but not too bad."

He hummed happily, "good...good, it pained me to see you so distraught..." he murmured, placing a kiss against my neck by my jaw.

I giggled, "quit that..." I chastised him lightly as I tried to squeeze him out of that area by shrugging my shoulder.

He growled playfully and nipped at my neck with his teeth, making me giggle even harder.

Then, him being the boy that he is, his hands trailed up to my chest and he cupped both my breasts and squeezed.

I gasped and tried to pry his hands off of me...but of course, he had an iron grip.........and also I might have not been trying very hard, but you can't prove anything.

"Naughty!" I hissed, although I couldn't help the smile on my lips.

He chuckled evilly, massaging my chest carefully, "I just can't help myself...not when it comes to you..." he purred next to my ear.

I huffed, settling back into him, "yea yea...did you talk with Thomas?" I asked, turning my head so I could see him partially.

He rolled forward closer to his desk taking one hand from my chest to begin looking through his papers.

The other hand stayed put.

"I did, darling...he says he will consider it. However, don't say a word to Mindy, ok? He hasn't yet made a final decision, and it would be cruel to get her hopes up."

I got a little hope at the chance that she may be getting her position back, "good...I hope he gives her another shot," I sighed.

"Me too, darling...also, he said it's fine that you didn't want that job, however, he's offering you the secretary position if you'd like to take it?" He said, phrasing it like a question.

I pursed my lips and hummed in thought.

"Won't they just walk all over me...?" I grumbled, and Al scoffed.

"Not if they know what's good for them."

His thinly veiled threat made me snort softly and I chuckled.

"Alright...I guess that wouldn't be so bad."