Chapter Text
Laurent was sitting at the desk in his study, the afternoon light filtering through the blinds over the window. His computer was booted up, and he was waiting for the screen to announce the arrival of the HR Director from Ios & Akeilos. He could see himself on the screen, the reflection looking as poised and elegant as he’d worked so hard to achieve. Blond hair styled back away from his face, blue eyes piercing through thick lashes. His suit was a classic navy, the shirt lavender paired with a burgundy tie.
It was a good first impression to make.
There was a clicking then, the sound of a microphone connecting, and Laurent watched as the camera for the man interviewing him today connected. The man was looking at his camera, his brows furrowed and his mouth twisted in a complicated line. A dimple pushed into his right cheek. As his eyes focused back on his monitor, he offered Laurent a small smile, and said, “Sorry about the wait Mr. de Vere. I was having a bit of trouble connecting.”
It took Laurent a moment to answer. Not because he was nervous, although he was, and not because he had to think hard about what he should say, he would be able to charm the president in his sleep. No, his pause was the direct result of something deep within him shifting. Like the rough sound of stone scraping stone as you open a sarcophagus of old or the unclogging of a drain, Laurent realized with a gnawing horror that he recognized the man sitting before him. From a time long ago, on the balcony of a Prince’s room. His room.
“It’s no problem, sir,” Laurent finally said, regaining his bearings after the initial shock left him. Judging from the man’s expression, he didn’t recognize him in the least. There was no hitch in his breathing, no shifting, nothing that would show even a fraction of the discomfort that Laurent had just felt.
The interview began then, a fast-paced discussion about why exactly Laurent was the perfect candidate for this position. Could you please tell me about your degree? Why did this field interest you? What aspects of your previous positions have prepared you for this position? What do you think is your greatest strength as an employee? What do you feel our company is best known for? What could we improve on? Do you understand that if this position is offered to you that you will not be able to work for another company in this same field for a minimum of five years due to the nature of your work and the sensitivity of company secrets that you would obtain during your employment?
The questions were cut and dry - basic things that Laurent had been prepared to answer ahead of time. If he had to gauge the reaction of the man, Damen, then Laurent would confidently say that he’d surpassed whatever had been expected of him. When they’d finished their conversation about the non-compete agreement, the man smiled again, only this time it was a warmer smile.
“I expect you’ll be hearing from us soon, Mr. de Vere.”
“Thank you for your time,” Laurent responded with a warm smile of his own. As the call ended, he fell back against his chair and let out a huff of a breath. The anxiety was coming from the memories, he knew. There was Laurent and then there was Laurent. They were two separate entities.
But the feelings that were now swarming in his chest felt palpable as if he could pull them out one by one and count them in the palm of his hand. They were intense and so bizarre, and he had no idea what to do with them.
A few hours later, he was scrolling through his Instagram, when an email notification popped up at the top of his phone screen. He saw the name and felt his pulse quicken as he opened it. It read as follows:
From: [email protected]
Followup
Good afternoon Mr. de Vere,
I am pleased to inform you that Nik Comis, our office manager at the branch you interviewed for would like to set up a meeting with you in person to further discuss the full details of this position. Below I’ve included his contact information. Thank you again for applying to work for Ios & Akeilos.
Nikandros Comis
(617) *** - ****
Damen A.
Human Resources Director
Ios & Akeilos
(617) *** - ****
There was almost a sadness that seemed to fill Laurent’s heart at the same time the excitement did. He wouldn’t see much of Damen, which was going to be good for his heart. No worrying over small issues for no reason, no tension spurred on by Laurent’s inability to figure out why he’d suddenly remembered something like this. But it hurt - this letting go of something that felt like it should’ve been so important. There was comfort in closure, but there was also an introspective sort of sadness.