kageisuke | Drabble #34

The relationship between Renee Sharps and Marco Ballantyne was a complicated one. They were both CEOs of companies, but they were not ranked the same. He was far higher in status than her, and not simply because he had inherited the position. He had done much to solidify the PS's power during the years he had been in charge. Renee had done so with SPAWA as well, but her experience was half of his and it showed, despite her best efforts.

They were rarely around one another during social gatherings. They would make a point of speaking to each another, as they did to anyone else that was worth noting. It would have been suspicious on Renee’s part if she didn’t. They would talk for a few minutes and that would be the end of it. Showing too much interest in one another –especially if they insisted they were only friends- would have their faces plastered on the front page of tabloids and their names on the lips of every gossip monger out there.

Marco would have been amused by it all. He had even told her as much, chuckling at the way her face twitched at the suggestion. This was all in the privacy of the executive meeting room. It didn't really matter who's, as it seemed he held the advantage regardless. If there was one thing she could appreciate, even if it annoyed her to no ends, it was just how confident he was in everything.

She really did mean everything...

Marco wooed all women in public. Even in private, he could spew sweet words without a trace of the smarminess that other men seemed to leak out by accident. She wasn't sure if he loved women or hated them so much he wanted to use them. At least he didn't even try those corny words with her. She supposed he realized it would get him no where. He had other tactics to use on her, she was sure, but she never realized just how complex they were until she had nearly fallen under his thumb...