This one had several requests as well, hope you enjoy! =) Thanks again. This one is a little long(er) so it’s under a read more.
Broken, as you clutch the sleeve of my jacket and beg me not to leave
“Ren, you know the Kenobi girl?” Hux asked nonchalantly as they sat at the conference table in the Partners’ lounge.
Kylo tensed at the question – it seemed innocent enough, but with Hux nothing was ever one dimensional. He always had an angle. “No, should I?”
Hux sniffed a little at the casual response, “One of the first years, straight off the subway from NYU. Didn’t you do the interviews this year, you should remember her.”
Oh he remembered her, the soft yellow dress and red flats – a shot of color in the dark array of business suits on both the men and the women lined up to interview at his firm. She had piqued his curiosity with her smile, but with her first answer she had won him with her words.
Rey was smarter than any other lawyer he had ever spoken with, and had somehow made it through law school in New York City with her softness and compassion intact. Kylo hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her after they had made their job offers.
“It’s hard for me to remember all the boring lawyers we hire, Hux.” He kept his tone bored, trying to compensate for the intensity of emotion that he felt for the topic of discussion. “Besides, the interviews were months ago, why would I remember some NYU scavenger begging for scraps? They’re all just grunts who do our research.”
Hux’s eyes flicked up to look out the wide window overlooking Central Park and smiled.
“Come on now, Ren – she was on our team for the Miller case a month ago. Brown hair, bright smile, had that idea about proposing the friend as an alternative theory?”
It was clear that Hux wouldn’t drop it anytime soon unless Kylo gave him something, so he relented. “Ah yes, Rey was it? Pretty little thing, wouldn’t mind striking one of our deals with her, if you know what I mean.”
“Don’t pretend like you haven’t already, Ren – I know you’ve already chosen her as your own personal first year.” His voice lowered as he emphasized the word personal, lacing it with implication. “Does she know?”
“Know what, Hux?” He was beginning to get more agitated, not sure why the sudden curiosity. Kylo threw a folder down on the table in exasperation.
“That you always choose one of the new girls to break in. A very special kind of initiation from their very own Senior Partner. Does she know you’ll send her away when you’re done with her?”
The sound of glass shattering was mixed with a loud gasp, causing Kylo’s head to whip towards the open doorway, immediately meeting the broken face of Rey. A caustic laugh behind him let him know that Hux had very much been aware of the girl’s presence, baiting him into the line of conversation. Barbed hooks that would hurt more being pulled out than going in.
But all he cared about was erasing that look on her face, the broken look that spoke of betrayal. “Rey…”
He stood up as he uttered her name and she sobbed, dropping the folders she had been carrying and turning to run. Cursing, he took off after her, leaving the sniveling Hux behind him. There was only one exit – the reception area with both stairs and elevators.
Kylo’s feet slid across the glossy marble floor of the reception area, immediately spotting her pressing the button for the elevator.
“Rey!” He shouted desperately, pulling looks from waiting clients and the reception staff. He knew soon there would be even more of his employees surrounding them, curious about why a senior partner was chasing after some first year.
She turned to him, a shocked look on her face as she heard her name and watched him run to her, eyes glancing at the people around. He had always been very careful at work, so no one would know about them – it was something she had wanted, too – whispers of sleeping her way to the top would have not done her career any favors, no matter how untrue they were. Hux clearly hadn’t been fooled, and Kylo cursed the day he had brought that man into the firm.
“I don’t want to talk to you right now,” Rey ground out, eyes red-rimmed already.
“Please, what you heard – it’s not true.”
Rey laughed blackly, “Isn’t it?”
Swallowing, he responded, “I mean, it was, but not-”
“Oh don’t even try to say it, Kylo. Don’t be so cliché,” her voice held a bitterness that he hated causing. “I’m yet another girl who you’ve fooled into believing she was special, aren’t I? Can’t you just admit it?”
Kylo began to pace, his hand running through his hair as he walked back and forth between the elevators. The one she had called had long since left, ignored by both of them. Reception was deathly silent except for the scuff of his shoes.
“Look, yes I usually fucked my way through the first years, okay? It’s who I am, there’s no reason for it – but with you,” he looked at her imploringly. “It wasn’t like that, I promise. We’re so much more than that now, you feel it I know you do.”
Rolling her eyes, Rey went to hit the down button again and Kylo skidded in between it and her, blocking her way.
“Get out of my way, Kylo. You can’t stop me from leaving,” she said firmly, and he was surprised at how well she was keeping it together considering how many eyes were watching – and what a mess he was himself.
“I just need you to listen to me,” he begged. “Please, I’m sorry – so sorry.”
Rey simply stared at him, her lip wavering as her arms gripped each other across her body, shielding her from his influence and the stares. Without a single word, she turned from him and took a few steps. Kylo realized she was headed for the stairs, accepting he wouldn’t let her leave the easy way.
“No!” He cried out and lunged out for her hand, grabbing it as he fell to his knees. He found feel the shocked gasps and murmurs, but all he had time for was her. “Rey, please, don’t leave like this.”
“I just need time, Kylo, you can’t expect me to immediately be ready to listen to you.”
He knew that, but he was selfish and needed absolution, so held on to her and pulled her closer to him. Kylo’s arms wrapped around her waist and he pressed his forehead into her stomach, silently praying that she would take pity on the broken man in front of her.
“Please, Rey,” his low voice said into her dress. “I love you, please don’t leave me.”
Her hands went to her mouth in surprise and long moments passed as he pressed into her, nearly suffocating himself. But slowly, so slowly, he felt hands touch his hair hesitantly and then with more confidence, running through it soothingly.
“Kylo,” she finally said quietly after a minute of her ministrations. “You need to let me go, give me some time.”
He squeezed her one last time before pulling away, hands dropping down to rest on his thighs. Kylo looked up at her and sighed at her grace, how she soothed his soul. Finally he nodded and felt her walk around him. He couldn’t bear to look at her as she waited, listening until the door finally beeped open and she stepped inside. The doors closed and finally he raised his eyes and faced the dozens of curious looks from employees and clients.