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Post by Brandon Finn on Sept 15, 2015 23:27:55 GMT
For the first time, Brandon was actually dreading going home. He had gotten so used to the idea that after spending so much time at the office that the Penthouse could be his place to unwind and relax. And it had gotten to the point that he had a hard time thinking of even just being in the Penthouse without Amber being there. It was strange how quickly the place that he had spent nearly all of his adult life in had so quickly started to feel like their home and not just his. But without her being there it felt empty and uncomfortable. He barely remembered what his routine had been like before she had moved in with him, let alone what it had been like before she reappeared in his life. Truthfully, he was sure that he would have called Eliot or someone to go out for a few drinks, met a woman, and brought her home. The problem was, he didn't want to do meet a woman and bring her back to the Penthouse. Not only did it seem horribly disrespectful to Amber, he didn't want to do anything that would jeopardize his relationship with her long-term. But in the short-term, he wasn't sure how to stop dwelling on what he should have done to keep her from leaving.
Deciding that drinks were the best cure for it, he had arranged to meet up with Eliot for drinks, just like they had always done in the past. Sure, recently they had nearly come to blows over things that had been said about Amber, as well as the reappearance of Alayna and some mystery kid, but all things considered he wasn't sure that he really had anyone else to call. Suddenly things had felt very real when he realized that they were probably at the stage where they should have been dividing up their friends. He didn't want to think that this break-up was permanent, but the truth was, he wasn't sure how much time she was going to need to forgive him and move on.
He had made his way through the crowd in the bar, greeting old acquaintances that he hadn't seen since he and Amber had really started dating again. It felt strange and familiar all at the same time, and even more so when he had started relaxing enough to flirt back with a few women he had met while grabbing a drink.
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Post by Eliot Quinn on Sept 15, 2015 23:50:33 GMT
Eliot had been absolutely elated when Brandon had contacted him for a night out. So as he stood in the middle of the crowded bar, his arm hooked over the shoulders of two women, he grinned broadly when Brandon arrived. "There he is!" he shouted over the noise. He took a sip of his drink and watched, with amusement as his friend continued to relax. He whispered something into the ears of the girl's he'd been entertaining and sent them off on their way. He grinned, taking a sip of his scotch. "Welcome back to the land of the living," he nodded at Brandon. "We mourned your absence, Finn. And in honor of your return, look around and take first pick," he joked.
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Post by Brandon Finn on Sept 16, 2015 0:03:13 GMT
Brandon grinned at the sight of his old friend, a woman already hanging off of each arm. Like he was coming to find, some things absolutely never changed. Some things, he noted, he wished would have changed. But, he attempted to distract himself with another drink from his own glass of scotch, now wasn't the time to focus on things that he wished would have changed. Still grinning, he shook his head at Eliot, "I think I'm going to ease back into it," he said, trying to avoid the fact that he actually had no desire to take his pick, so to speak. As far as he was concerned, he and Amber would be getting back together soon and this was just a distraction until then. "Can't overdo it in one night," he added, "It had been a while since I've been out, after all."
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Post by Eliot Quinn on Sept 16, 2015 0:11:50 GMT
Eliot chuckled at Brandon, shaking his head. "I always like to think that the best way to get back in the game is to dive in, but whatever you think it best, Brandon. It's just good to finally have you back." Taking a sip of his drink, he leaned back against the bar and surveyed the crowd. "Bet I can drink you under the table for sure now that you're out of practice." A few familiar faces passed by and he greeted them happily, offering to buy them all a round to celebrate Brandon Finn's great return to their social outings. He chuckled and kept his eyes on a few women who seemed to be keeping a keen eye on his friend, filing that information away for later on in the evening.
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Post by Brandon Finn on Sept 16, 2015 0:37:44 GMT
Brandon smirked and shook his head, sure that there was probably some truth to Eliot's bet. But the fact was, he wasn't sure that he had really cared at that point, and really, what was the worst case scenario of that situation? That he would end up passing out in his bed having spent the night not focusing on the fact that Amber was no longer living at the Penthouse? The worst part, he was realizing, was that her things were still all over the place, taunting him into believing that this break-up was just temporary. He really hoped it was. "Is that a challenge?" he laughed at it, deciding to just give in to it. "It hasn't been long enough for me to get that out of practice."
Gwen had been lingering at the office a bit later than she probably would have, mostly because she had been curious how the aftermath of her kiss with her boss had played out. Admittedly, Brandon had done a pretty fantastic job of ignoring her all day, and she had been a little pleased to see it. She assumed that it meant that he either felt so guilty over it that he was trying to avoid her, or that he had told his girlfriend and he had been banned from interacting with her anymore. Either way, she was surprised how easy it had been to seemingly cause a rift between he and Amber Jacobs. But, for insurance purposes, she wanted to make sure that she had truly done her job before celebrating. When she overheard him on the phone making plans to meet for drinks that night, she had wasted no time in ensuring that she could make a little pit stop to just check in and see if she needed to further press matters. She was surprised to find him with Eliot Quinn, but had smirked and walked over to them to greet them, glad that she had purposely chosen one of her more clingy dresses for this occasion. "I don't want to bother you, Mr. Finn," she started, giving her boss a small smile, "I just wanted to come over and say hello," she turned to Eliot, "Hello, Mr. Quinn."
Brandon hesitated for a second, not really sure where he stood with his secretary at the moment. He knew he probably should have hated her or been angry with her, but as far as he was concerned, it had been his fault that he had let her kiss him, and it had been his fault that he had let his relationship with Amber fall apart. "It's no bother at all," he told her. "And it's Brandon, actually."
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Post by Eliot Quinn on Sept 16, 2015 0:46:17 GMT
Eliot smirked at Gwen upon her approach, looking her over easily. "Call me Eliot, Gwen. It's nice to see you again. Tell me, shouldn't your new job with Finn Industries involve keeping up office morale?" he asked gesturing to Brandon. "Because my friend here could probably stand to have a bit of fun tonight," he teased, taking a long sip of his scotch. He leaned over the bar and ordered himself another drink, returning to the two of them with a small grin. "So, in all seriousness - how are you liking working for my boy here?" he asked, sharing a grin with Gwen, knowing that she would understand exactly what sort of fun he was hoping to engage in on this outing.
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Post by Brandon Finn on Sept 16, 2015 1:03:05 GMT
Gwen smirked a little at Eliot before shaking her head, "My job is to do whatever Mr. Finn - Brandon - needs me to do." And the truth was, she was more than happy to provide whatever she needed to in this circumstance, for a multitude of reasons. The first being that she was sure that her involvement with her boss was going to lead to something much bigger and better for her some day, and the second being that if anyone had ever seen Brandon Finn she was sure that they would understand entirely. "It's been really great, actually." She took a drink of her gin and tonic from her glass and smiled at both of them. "Everyone at Finn Industries has been so nice, and it's been fascinating getting to work for someone who's done so incredibly well for themselves at such a young age," she turned to Brandon, "You really are quite amazing, you know."
He was sure that it wouldn't have mattered how old he was or how many times it had happened, there was something about getting one's ego stroked that just provided such a boost of confidence. And if he was being honest, Brandon was feeling like he needed a little pick-me-up. It was just strange that it was coming from Gwen, who at this point was probably the only person he wasn't sure how to act around. "That's very kind of you but completely unnecessary. I already hired you for the job, there's no need to keep flattering me."
Gwen nodded, "I wouldn't have said it if it wasn't true."
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Post by Eliot Quinn on Sept 16, 2015 1:19:17 GMT
"Well, Brandon," Eliot quipped. "It seems like you've hit the jackpot here. Remind me to get in touch with your HR department next time I need a secretary to replace Rose." His eyes raked over Gwen, smirking at her before turning his attention back to his friend. "Remember what I said about the best way to get back into the game," he nodded. "If you don't take advantage of your charming new hire, I might have to," he joked. Eliot, meanwhile, knew fully well that he planned on taking Gwen to bed. After all, they'd successfully driven a wedge between Brandon and Amber and he was feeling an awful lot like celebrating. But he didn't see the harm in seeing if he could spur Brandon into driving a final nail into the coffin of his dull and now former relationship - just in case.
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Post by Brandon Finn on Sept 16, 2015 1:53:50 GMT
Brandon had to admit that there perhaps was some truth to what Eliot had said. Gwen has been doing a great job as his secretary, and small discretion aside, he had no complaints about her role in the company. And had it been a year ago, he might have even felt differently about their kiss in his office. In fact, it might not have stopped there. But it wasn't like it had been a year ago, and he still wasn't sure that he wanted to do anything that would ruin his chances to make it up to Amber later. He took another drink from his glass, willing his conscious to just shut up for a little while. "Help yourself," he advised Eliot with a smirk, as though daring him to interact with Gwen in a way that he didn't dare to.
Gwen pretended that she hadn't heard their little exchange about taking advantage of her and she toyed with the small black straws in her glass, looking around the crowded bar. In all honesty, she didn't mind being a pawn, particularly when she knew that the payoff of it all would be more than enough to make it all worthwhile.
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Post by Eliot Quinn on Sept 16, 2015 2:22:09 GMT
Eliot smirked a bit at Brandon, ticking his eyebrow up and then turning his attention to the brunette woman who had joined them for the evening. "Don't mind if I do," he nodded. "Gwen, can I get you a new drink?" he offered, smirking. "Brandon here is going to try to get his sea legs again. It's been a long time since he came out to play with the rest of us. But I'd be happy to show you a good time tonight, if you're up for it." He smirked at her easily. As much fun as he'd had plotting the ruin of Brandon and Amber's relationship, he figured it was good and done. After all, why did Brandon Finn always have to be the one to beat him to all the fun? He'd been thinking since her first visit to his office, after all, that Gwen would look particularly nice tangled up in his silk sheets.
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Post by Brandon Finn on Sept 16, 2015 2:36:13 GMT
Gwen smirked at Eliot, having assumed that there might have been something about this particular arrangement in their previous agreement. When it came down to it, she had done her job in terms of the situation with Brandon Finn. For all intents and purposes, she had broken him up with his girlfriend and they were all out having a drink or two to celebrate, or at least to have a drink or two. "A drink would be great, thank you. It's been a while since I've gone out and had a good time," she remarked, trying to figure out exactly what their next moves were going to be.
Brandon laughed softly, polishing off what was left in his drink before ordering another. "Oh, Eliot will be sure that you thoroughly enjoy the evening," he commented with a smirk.
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Post by Eliot Quinn on Sept 16, 2015 3:12:37 GMT
Eliot smirked in Gwen's direction, leaning over the bar to order her another drink. "He's right about that, you know. I'm excellent company." He eyed Brandon for a moment, "I feel bad bailing on you now that I finally got you back out," he admitted. "We could all hit another bar together?" he suggested. "Or you and I could pick this up tomorrow night, maybe you'll be in more of the mindset to pick yourself out someone suitable too."
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Post by Brandon Finn on Sept 16, 2015 3:24:23 GMT
Brandon shook off the idea, knowing that had things been a little different or had their timing been a little different, then he wouldn't have hesitated to leave Eliot on his own while he brought a woman back to the Penthouse. "It's fine," he commented, giving a small shrug. "I'm sure there will be plenty of other nights to grab a drink. Enjoy the rest of your evening." Though, truth be told, he knew that without Gwen and Eliot around he was sure to head right back to his apartment, drown whatever feelings surfaced with a couple more drinks, and call it a night.
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