guavejuice | Beauty and the Geek- B/J AU part 1/6

Banner by Vonnie

yvonnereid Thank you SO much!!!
Special thanks to

kinwad

Author:

guavejuice
Pairing:Brian/Justin
Brian's POV
Beta:Kim

predec2 Can't thank you enough!!
This isn't a WIP.
Re-posting Part 1
Disclaimer:I own nothing
Comments are love.

Part 1

-Monday morning – Kinnetik, Inc. – Pittsburgh-

"S...sorry, c…can you please tell me where I can find Mr. Kinney?" a small voice inquires from behind me as I rush in from the car park to enter the main lobby of the building. It's a cold and gray Pittsburgh morning, and I'm quite edgy. It's not just because of the frost and snow, but because I've got this big presentation this morning and I feel like shit.

I wouldn't normally turn around to gaze at any random guy who asks for Mr. Kinney on any given day around here – because it's usually Cynthia or Ted's job to take care of those things – but just out of curiosity and just because I'm in the mood for a little game of hidden identities I turn around to gaze over my shoulder.

The guy just stands there, his shoulders almost folded inward, his dirty blond hair absently curling over his forehead. He's wearing a blue plaid shirt paired with some light Chinos, a dark brown belt, and an oversized, dark red lightweight jacket that makes him look like a traveling salesman. And is it just my imagination, or is the guy wearing a pair of those old-fashioned, tinted eyeglasses? I had no idea they even made this stuff anymore.

The guy lifts his head to look at me, and then I notice he's carrying a laptop case and a worn out, black duffel bag behind him.

I pull my lips inward and decide to enjoy this game a little while longer. "No, I have no idea who this guy is," I tell him.

"This IS Kinnetik, Inc., isn’t it?" The guy sounds desperate, and I almost feel sorry for him.

"Yes, it is," I answer him.

"And is Mr. Brian Kinney the CEO of this advertising agency?" the guy asks.

"I guess. I haven't seen the guy in years," I reply with a shrug. "He's kind of a recluse. He hardly ever comes here. I'm actually kind of new here myself, but people who’ve worked here longer than I have say he's a coldhearted jerk.” I lean in conspiratorially, glancing around as if I were afraid of being overhead, as I tell him softly, “Rumor has it he hasn't even left his house in the country for years. He's never ventured out to even attend his own Christmas or New Year's parties. Quite an eccentric, weird guy, if you ask me." I pause and peer at the younger man who appears baffled by my disclosure, and I find it hard to keep a straight face. "Oh, and from what I’ve heard he's gay, too…but no one really knows for sure," I continue. "But that's not any concern of yours, I guess, so don't let me keep you. Good luck finding Mr. Kinney.” I take another look at that guy, deciding to quit while I'm ahead. What the fuck, I'll probably never see that geek here ever again. But it had been fun while it lasted. He seemed so gullible! I almost felt guilty about that, but I quickly dismissed that notion.

"Thanks for the info," the blond replies with a grateful looking smile. The fucker doesn't give up, does he? He frowns thoughtfully as he adds, "I never would have thought of him that way, though. I mean…" he stops and scrunches up his nose, which makes him look adorable in a weird sort of way. Wait… did I just think THAT?

"What do you mean?" I ask him against my better judgment, not thinking about my previous desire to leave.

"Well, I did some research online after I got this job offer," he informs me, pushing his glasses further up on the bridge of his nose. "The guy is one of Forbes’ 100 most successful CEO's, he's a well-known philanthropist, he supports many charitable causes – LGBT and otherwise – and also donates heavily to art education programs in public schools. His Christmas AND New Year parties are supposed to be two of Pittsburgh’s most impressive social events of the year. I'm quite surprised to know you haven't even met him, then. His assistant made sure to point out to me that Mr. Kinney was going to meet me here in person today," he advises me. Did I hear a bit of pride in his voice over that statement, as well as just a little anxiety?

"And you are…?" I ask, curious now, trying not to give away too much.

"Justin Taylor. I'm the new IT guy," the guy informs me helpfully.

Oh, it figures.

Taylor briefly hesitates before politely extending his hand to shake mine, and I have to hide my surprise when I feel some sort of electric jolt pass between us before I nod curtly and let it go.

"Well, Mr. Taylor, you’d better get going then; it’s not very good etiquette to show up late for your job interview," I advise him before I head over to the elevator, only to soon realize that the geeky-looking guy with the mop of curly hair, tinted eyeglasses, chinos and the horrid, synthetic, dark red jacket was intending to cram himself, along with his laptop case and duffle bag in there with me. I smile over at him halfheartedly in resignation and barely stifle a sigh just before the elevator door opens and we step inside.

I try to look the other way, but then the guy reaches over to press the elevator's button. I almost cringe as the sound of his jacket's synthetic fabric fills the air as he moves.

Our shoulders almost brush against each other's as his finger pauses over the floor buttons. He's much shorter than me, but I can still readily see the confusion in his eyes as he tries to decide which floor to pick.

Think fast, Kinney, I tell myself.

I can feel the heat of his stare on me as he no doubt waits for me to help him, but I can't. My stupid joke seems stale now. Fuck, I have a client waiting for me. I can't afford to be stuck in this stupid comedy of errors now. What was I thinking? As if suddenly remembering something, I watch as the blond finally selects the correct floor – right where my office suite is located – just before I impulsively select another floor where the Art Department is located. I don’t know why I just don’t come out and tell this guy who I am, but I feel unexpectedly awkward, so I am forced to improvise.
"Good luck!" I call out to him a minute later as the elevator stops and I hastily step outside.

"Thanks, guess I'll need it," he replies with a small smile as I nod.

I groan as the elevator door closes behind me, and starts to ascend to the executive office floor – the same floor where I am due to meet with an important client any minute now. “Fuck,” I growl once more, shaking my head in disgust. What just happened here?

TBC…