The velvet leash

chapter five

[Avery's POV]

A few weeks has gone by ever since Miss Sarah Bloom had started working at her company. Avery didn't really know why but she couldn't her mind off of her. The woman was smart, had a good sense of humour, was very attractive... But so what? Its not as if she was not surrounded by attractive and intelligent women... Maybe it was the feeling of being unattainable. The idea that she did not fall for Avery as quickly as she had through the years become acostumed to. She could swear sometimes the woman was, moderatly interested in the very least.. but as soon as she saw it, it was gone.

She tried to relax, to think about something else, someone else... Which brought her mind to the present moment... She reached down and brushed a soft lock of hair , bent underneath her desk was a very pretty woman, in a pretty compromising position... The woman stopped and asked "Am I doing anything wrong Av?" Avery ran her hand down her cheek "No, Bella. I am just a bit distracted by work that is all. You are being a very good girl as always" Bella had a look that showed she wasn't really buying the explanation but the praise was enough to appease her, Avery's hand traveled back up to her hair to position her back into place "Now, how about you keep being good and make me forget my worries sweetie?" The woman eagerly complied.

When it was over Avery still hadn't moved from her office chair, but now she had Bella sitting on her lap, relaxing a little from all their activities before Avery told her "You have been very good. Please inform Helena that I will require her to stay late today" Bella smiled t the implication "Yes Avery".

After a few minutes she rose, and exited through a door on the office right side, which connected to Helena's office. It used to be Fred Jones office but he requested a change soon after Avery took charge claiming the walls were not insulated enough and relocated to a new office where he himself could also have a bit more privacy of his own...

As soon as Avery considered herself presentable - something she never used to care that much before... She turned to the door on the left side of the office and knocked politely before entering Sarah's office.

When the company was still run by Jones Senior he had made two connectng office spaces, one on each side of his own for each of his descendants. The right one had belonged to Avery and the left one to Frederick. When Avery inherited the majority of the company, she bestowed her office to Fred as part of a simbolic tradition. When Fred requested to be moved she gave the office to Helena. The left office had been unoccupied ever since, until Miss Sarah Bloom arrived. Avery had not planned it in advance, but it made sense for a personal assistant -at least that is what she told herself.

She entered Sarah's office and almost blushed when she saw the woman quietly working away with headphones on... Sarah actually blushed and took off the headphones "Oh I am sorry... Sometimes music just helps me work better", "Oh... I understand." Avery said without completely meeting Sarah's gaze. She could still hear 80's soft rock comming from the headphones before Sarah also took notice and turned the music off. "You have a great taste in music" Avery complemented trying to fill the silence "I wanted to know how you are adjusting so far?" Sarah gave her a shy smile "Oh, I am settling fine. Everyone has been very nice and helpful. Especially Helena and Fred". Helena being friendly? Avery thought.. Fred being friendly she could totally see it. Part to gain ammo to annoy the hell out of Avery and part because well that was truly Fred. She used to joke to him, back when they still worked with father, that she had the right side because she was the brain of the company and he had the left side because he was the the heart of the company - would it be too much to ask to any and all deities that he might forgotten that? She wondered but Sarah's voice brought her back to the present "He even commented that this has once been his office" Avery mentality face-palmed herself.. of course he did not... She just had to hope he hadn't shared that particular story with Sarah. "Yes, it was.. back when my father still ran the company. I had the right side office and he had this one". "Helena's office then?" Sarah asked. Avery just noded Sarah had a strange expression on her face.