Chapter Text
To say Hope had a tough job was a compliment to say the least.
Running the family business at the height of his 37 years was extremely tiring.
But worst of all, while all of her relatives took advantage of the family money, Hope had to deal with investors picking on her at least twice a week.
And when the investors showed up, the other employees had to deal with Hope's wrath.
Hope did her best to be a good boss, she really did. She understood when an employee needed to take a day off, she hated it when they needed to work overtime, and one of the first things she had done when she became president of the company at age 25 was to have a daycare center built in the building for those with young children.
Hope more than anyone knew how horrible it was to see parents coming home late and barely having time for their own children. She spent most of her life running around the company building.
And of course the senior staff knew that when Hope put on her “serious face” it was pure façade because they knew that President Hope is as sweet as eight year old Hope who bumped into anyone who got in her way while running. .
But there was Hope, putting on her best "serious face" as she made her way across the meeting floor.
“What do they want this time?” Hope asked Penelope, her assistant.
“The usual.” Penelope says simple.
“My head on a platter because they think it's absurd that all my relatives and my father put me in charge.” Hope speaks and Penelope simply nodded.
“And you were in the latest issue of PageSix.” Penelope says and Hope stops walking.
Hope turned to her assistant and Penelope handed her a tablet on the PageSix website. The cover was a photo of Hope at the last event she had to attend last month.
“When will little Mikaelson go the same way as the rest of her family?”
That was the title of the story and Hope took a deep breath before swiping her finger across the screen until she was on page 8 of the digital magazine.
Hope read the article with her jaw clenched as she felt anger bubble up inside her.
It was obvious Hope knew that sooner or later people were going to talk about her personal life.
But when Hope went from “the most eligible bachelorette in the business world” to “the Mikaelson without a family”, she couldn't know how to answer.
Freya had his wife Keelin and their son Nik. Kol had his wife Davina and as the two were the youngest they took the opportunity to travel around the world. Klaus had a great relationship with his ex-wife Hayley, who in turn was now married to Elijah. Rebekah lived with Marcel in Europe.
So, it was safe to say that, beyond the company, the Mikaelson family legacy is having a family.
“A day of peace. Hope sighs and hands the tablet to Penelope. — It was all I wanted, a day of peace.
Penelope smiled weakly at Hope. She was the redhead's assistant for almost two years and followed closely when investors tried to reach her or when something didn't go according to plan.
And sure enough, running a music company had things not to go according to plan.
The company was responsible for, among other things, financing the career of some artists. Whether they are already at the top of their career or still wanting to start their music career.
“Well, if I don't rip the heads off at least three investors, you send help because I must have exploded in there.” Hope speaks and Penelope ends up laughing at her boss's exaggeration.
Hope took a deep breath before entering the conference room.
It was time to slay some dragons.
…
Hope was sitting at a table in the company cafeteria. Because it was clear that one of the biggest buildings in town would have a cafeteria inside as Rebekah refused to have to see her brothers' faces every day without having a place where she could relax while she worked there.
The building had fifteen floors, with Hope's office and Penelope's desk at the top. Below Hope's floor was the meeting floor and below that was the cafeteria.
It was a great view they had of the cafeteria, not as good as the view from Hope's office because she needed a few minutes to relax, and also not as good as the view from the boardroom so Hope could dream that she was pushing an investor. or another from above.
“I hate my life.” Hope complains to herself as she had her elbows on the table and her face in her hands.
“Wow.” A voice speaks next to Hope. “You look terrible.”
Hope turned at once to find out who the person was who had dared to speak to her in that tone.
But, as soon as she turned, Hope came across a woman with brown hair and eyes of the same color with a smile on the corner of her lips.
“I bought this for myself, but I think you need it more than I do.” The woman says and hands Hope a cupcake with some colorful sprinkles on top and a cup of coffee.
“Thanks?” Hope says in confusion as she accepts the extended food and the woman sits down next to her. “You know who I am?”
“The great Hope Mikaelson.” The woman smiles even more when she speaks Hope's name. “I think I would know the name of who pays my salary.”
“You work here?” Hope asks even more confused.
The woman couldn't even blame Hope for not knowing who she is, after all, there were many employees spread across the other floors of the company.
“Yes, I work on the discovery team.” The woman answers. “Josie Saltzman.” She holds her hand out to Hope, who gladly takes it.
“You look young.” Hope scores. “Especially for working on the discovery team.”
Josie is twenty-five years old. In fact, she thought it was a compliment to Hope to find her new.
“And surely you must be new here to know that when I'm like this I don't want company.” Hope is thick and she knows it.
Hope was used to people wanting to approach her to want something in return.
“And I think all this bad mood is a lack of coffee.” Josie says, making Hope laugh.
“And lack of sex.” Josie thought, but Josie wouldn't say that to her boss.
“Here.” Hope breaks the cupcake in half and hands one of the pieces to Josie. “I don't eat a lot of sugar.”
“Is she really offering me my cupcake?” Josie thought to herself, but still she accepted the extended half.
“I'll take the coffee, too bad for you.” Hope jokes.
“Okay, you can buy me one later.” Josie says and bites her half of the candy.
“Wow, Hope Mikaelson is flirting.” A voice speaks behind them and Josie stares at the person while Hope closes her eyes and takes a deep breath.
“Ethan.” Hope says looking at the man behind them. “This is Josie. Josie, this is Ethan.”
Josie just nodded and finished half of hers, taking the glass from Hope's hand and taking a sip. All under Ethan's watchful eye.
“I came to ask how many investors you threw out the window today, but I see you're in good company.” Ethan says and smiles at both of them. “See you later, Josie.” And then he walks away.
“He's one of the company's lawyers.” Hope explains when the man leaves.
“Well, I have to go.” Josie gets up. “I have a boss who sometimes gets very stressed and decides to take it out on employees.” She jokes and Hope ends up laughing.
“Good work, Josie.” Hope smiles and Josie waves weakly at her.
She smiled before bringing the coffee to her lips.
She would need to make sure she paid Josie for her coffee one of these days.
…
“Where were you?” Josie's teammate Jade asks as soon as Josie enters their floor.
“Drinking coffee.” Josie shrugs. “Did you find the next Justin Bieber?” She asks, sitting in her chair.
“If I find the next Justin Bieber, Hope might even kick my ass out of this company.” Jade grumbles and Josie ends up laughing.
Hope always said that she wanted to find original artists, not the “new” someone.
Josie decided to focus on her work. She couldn't go back to the coffee shop and buy a new coffee because she didn't want Jade asking questions, after all, she had just come back from the place.
Josie only stopped and sat down with Hope because she wanted to share an idea she had for her boss. Hope was alone and that seemed like the perfect opportunity to talk to the redhead and that's why she tried a relaxed conversation with Hope.
Josie got lost as she listened to the demos that new artists sent to the company and jotted down a few names. She took the paper with the names and got up, she would have to hand the paper to Penelope so that she could deliver it to Hope.
As Josie walked through the company, she felt eyes on her. Strange as she was, Josie got into the elevator and pressed the button for Hope's floor.
As soon as the metal doors opened, Josie barely had time to step out of the elevator Penelope was standing in front of her, completely scared.
“What happened?” Josie asks worriedly. “Is it because I took so long to give you the list? I already brought it.” She shows the paper and Penelope takes it.
“Get off this floor Josie.” Penelope speaks hastily.
“Penelope, what's going on?” Josie asks in confusion.
“Josie, just leave, please.” Penelope practically begs this time.
“There she is!” A man speaks behind the two and Josie is confused.
There was a man Josie didn't even know the name of, Ethan with a huge smile on his lips and Hope with her eyes wide with fear.
“Good afternoon dear.” The man who Josie didn't know the name approaches and extends his hand to her, even without understanding, Josie accepts the extended hand. “My name is Matt Donovan.”
“Oh yes, one of the investors.” Josie says, she had already seen the man at one time or another in the company and Penelope used to, in several lunches they had together, complain about the company's partners after Hope got irritated.
“I see you mentioned me, Hope.” Matt smiles at the redhead. “I only hope for good things.” This time he smiles at Josie.
“Sure.” Josie forces a smile. “I just came to deliver a list to Penelope, I'm on my way back to work.” Try to dodge the conversation.
“Oh so there's a list for something.” Says Matt.
‘Yes, from my work’. Josie thinks.
“I hope it's for a dinner party.” Matt says excitedly. “But I'll leave you alone.” Look at Ethan. “Let’s go Ethan.” He nods toward the elevator and the two walk away from the women.
When the elevator door closed, Penelope let out a tired sigh and Hope walked over to Josie.
“Can we talk?” Hope asks and Josie nods. “Penelope, don't let anyone into my office.”
Hope walked with Josie towards her office and Josie gave Penelope one last confused look before the door closed behind her.
Hope's office was spacious. She even had a sofa in there and a table with drinks that Josie was sure the bottles cost more than her month of work.
“Here.” Hope hands Josie a glass with whiskey and ice while she holds a similar glass for herself.
“I prefer not to drink at work.” Josie comments. “What was that?”
Hope gave a nervous laugh and downed the rest of her drink, turning to pour another shot.
“That was Ethan being the biggest gossip in this company and saying more than he should.” Hope speaks. “He saw us in the cafeteria and spread the word that we're together.”
“What?!” Josie screams. “And why would he do that?”
“Matt came in here upset about the newest story about me and since Ethan was here, he talked about what he saw in the cafeteria.” Hope explains. “And before I could even explain myself, we heard Penelope say your name and they left the room.”
And then Josie downed the contents of her glass in one gulp.
“So that's why people were staring at me on the way here.” Josie understands. “If Ethan saw it and assumed that…”
“Other people did the same.” Hope complements. “Look Josie, I'm sorry about that, it's really not my intention to put you through this.”
There were two knocks on the door and Penelope entered.
“I'm sorry.” Penelope speaks. “But I think you'll want to see this.” And then she shows his cell phone to both of them.
“Do you have a company group?” Hope asks in surprise.
Of course they had a company group and Hope wasn't a part of it. After all, who wants to have the boss in a chat group?
“Motherfuckers.” Josie complains when she sees that she has been removed from the group.
Most of the messages, after Josie's withdrawal from the group, were about the new “couple”. And what caught their attention the most was a photo of Hope holding out half of the cupcake to Josie as they both smiled.
'I can't believe Josie is dating the boss'
‘They are cute together’
'It doesn't surprise me, Josie doesn't like to talk about her personal life'
'I hope Josie tires the boss with a lot of sex after a meeting with investors'
That particular message made Josie burst out laughing. At least she wasn't the only one who thought Hope's bad mood was a lack of sex.
“You're dating.” Rafael Whaite enters Hope's room, startling all three. “You're dating and you haven't even told me.”
“And why would I have to say anything to you?” Hope asks the man.
“I don't know Hope, maybe because I'm the vice president of this company.” Rafael says it as if it were obvious. “And you act like a heartless bitch who only cares about work. When I tried to set you up with my brother you ignored me for days.”
“Once again.” Hope is serious. “Why should I say anything to you?”
“Fuck, Hope!” Rafael rants. “Landon, or even me would be the best option for you and you just brushed it off.”
“It's because she already had someone better.” Josie speaks and puts her hand on Hope's waist.
Who did he think he was to talk to some woman like that?
“I hope you know it's not going to stay like that.” Rafael speaks in a threatening tone and leaves the room stomping.
“My God, my company.” Hope pulls away from Josie and feels her breathing get heavy. “I'm so fucked up.”
Hope put her hand to her chest. The desperation of knowing full well that Rafael would do anything to get her out of the company's helm.
“He will have the support of investors.” Hope starts to ramble as her breathing gets even more uneven. “And they'll catch any slip up on me to get me out of command.” She continues. “My family isn't here…”
Josie looked confused at Penelope as Hope rambled on. Penelope returned the look as confused as Josie.
“Hope.” Josie calls the boss, but Hope was too busy freaking out to hear her. “Hope.” She calls once more and approaches Hope, holding both hands of the redhead. “Look at me.” Ask and so Hope does.
Josie had never seen anyone look so lost in her life.
“I will help you.” Josie guarantees.
“What?” Hope asks weakly. “How?”
“Well, it's a family they want you to have, isn't it?” Josie asks and Hope just nods. “Then let's give them a family.”
“Josie, I can't accept it.” Hope shakes her head.
“Yes you can.” Josie guarantees.
“Josie, what would you get in return?” Hope asks. “I mean, I fool investors and everybody and I get to keep my company, but what about you?”
“I'll think of something later.” Josie says and smiles at the redhead. “So, do we have a deal?”