Page 16 of Saving Little Lina: Part One

"I don't need to," he responded, his smirk widening. "Your blush says it all."

A fiery retort was on the tip of my tongue when Hank held up his hand, effectively halting the conversation. "As much as I'd love to continue this charming exchange," he drawled, his gaze locking onto mine, "I actually have work to do."

With that, he turned and strode off, leaving me staring at his retreating back, a maelstrom of emotions swirling inside me.

"Wow, Lina," Mike quipped, his tone dripping with dramatic exaggeration, "you and Hank are quite the pair. If that heated banter of yours had dragged on for another second, I swear, I'd have expected you both to start tearing each other's clothes off, right here in the middle of the office."

Mike's brazen joke cut through the residual anger still simmering within me, pulling a reluctant smile from my lips. His easy humor had a unique way of lightening the mood.

Emboldened by my softening expression, he pressed on. "Y'know," he mused, assuming a tone of exaggerated wisdom, "as a seasoned Little, I can tell when two people are meant to be together. And let me tell you, you and Hank - you're a match made in heaven."

My eyebrows shot up at Mike's audacious proclamation. The idea was ludicrous, absurd, downright ridiculous - and Mike knew it. His lips were twitching, his eyes gleaming with barely contained laughter.

"In your dreams," I retorted, unable to suppress the smile creeping onto my face. "I'd rather juggle flaming swords than even entertain the thought of asking Hank to be my Daddy."

My response was met with a hearty laugh from Mike, who seemed thoroughly pleased with my indignant retort. Shaking his head, he pivoted the conversation with practiced ease. "Well, no time to waste dreaming up unlikely scenarios then, Lina. It's time to meet your new boss - the brilliant, the intimidating, the one and only Jess."

As Mike guided me towards a sleek glass door at the far end of the office - the lair of the revered CEO of Apex Creations, his cheerful chatter filled the air. His words were a comforting murmur, subtly steering my thoughts away from Hank and back towards the reality of my first day at a new job.

The moment we stepped into Jess's office, I felt like I'd been transported into another dimension. The room was a sanctuary of sophistication and refinement, a mirror reflecting the persona of the woman at its helm. Just as I was about to absorb the magnitude of this grandeur, Mike, in a fit of unrestrained enthusiasm, shattered the tranquility.

"Lina's a Little too!" He blurted out, his voice echoing in the cavernous room. I felt as though the floor had given way beneath me. The words hit me like a punch, leaving me winded, my heart pounding a frantic tattoo against my ribs.

My head snapped towards him, my eyes wide with shock. But before I could utter a word, the silence was split by an unexpected sound - laughter.

Jess, her laughter resonating through her office, was leaning back in her chair, eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh, Mike," she chuckled, shaking her head in disbelief. "You never cease to surprise me."

Turning her attention to me, she gave me an apologetic smile. "Lina, I'm sorry for Mike's sudden outburst. You see, I'm a Mommy myself, well-versed in the age play community."

I blinked, my shock gradually subsiding at Jess's nonchalant admission. She, the revered CEO of Apex Creations, was a part of the community? This unexpected revelation slowly dissolved the tension knotting my stomach.

"Mike here," she continued, her voice taking on a soothing tone, "has a knack for blurting out secrets when he's around Dominants. It's his way of coping with his nerves around Doms, I suppose."

She turned her gaze back to me, her eyes conveying genuine understanding. "You have nothing to worry about. Quite a few of our colleagues at Apex frequent the club, 'Kink'. We foster an environment of acceptance and freedom here."

Mike, his initial cheer subdued, was now wearing an apologetic expression. "Lina," he muttered, his voice trembling slightly, "I didn't mean to...I'm so sorry."

His regret was genuine, his concern evident in his wavering voice. I breathed out, slowly regaining my composure. It wasn't his fault. With a small smile, I reached out, placing a hand on his arm. "It's okay, Mike," I assured him, my voice steady. "I know you didn't mean to. Besides, we’re friends now, and friends don’t need to apologize."

As his anxious expression morphed into a relieved smile, I felt a wave of understanding wash over me. Here, in this place of innovation and ambition, we were not alone.

“We’re friends?” The smile that crept onto Mike's face was pure, unabashed joy – the kind that echoed the innocence of his Little side.

I couldn't help but smile back. "Of course, you silly goose," I said, a hint of fondness creeping into my voice.

Mike's face turned the brightest shade of red I'd ever seen, but the delight in his eyes was unmistakable. "I can't wait to tell Daddy I have a new friend!" he exclaimed, his tone filled with childlike enthusiasm. Before I could respond, he bolted out of the room, leaving me with Jess.

The silence that ensued was a calm and comfortable one.

"I watched your recorded interview," she began, a thoughtful expression on her face. "I must say, I'm thoroughly impressed. You are undeniably one of the top two ad creatives in this company."

Curiosity piqued, I found myself asking, "And who's the other one?"

Jess didn't miss a beat. "Hank," she replied, a tiny smile gracing her lips.

The name hung in the air like a mist, bringing a sting of... something. Uncomfortable. The unease quickly turned into surprise when Jess added, "He's the brother of Patrick, our late company founder."

"But let me make one thing clear. Hank earned his position here, not because of nepotism, but through his talent and hard work. He was the best, until you came along."

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