Seeping Thoughts

Throughout the day, Mason thought of a way he could give Lisa back her friend. He considered giving Bryan the next day off and then immediately decided against it, he had only just started working, giving him days off that early would not set a good work ethic and he wouldn't want to set a bad example for those below him. However he did want to make his sister happy so he had to come to a compromise. "Lisa would probably have finished her classes for today by now" he thought to himself as he checked his wristwatch then an idea struck him.

"Hey Bryan, why don't you take the rest of the day off? You've been working hard, just take the time to relax and hang out with a friend or whatever" he called out to Bryan who was in the middle of arranging Mason's slightly messy file cabinet.

"Oh really? Cool" he said as he shut the cabinet and stood, stretching dramatically. He didn't know why he was getting time off but he wasn't going to complain about having less work to do. He looked at Mason and noticed that he also seemed to be getting ready to leave. It was a little weird because Mason was kind of a workaholic. "Will you be heading home too, boss?" he asked Mason as the latter also stood from his chair

"Eventually yes, but right now I'm going to spend some time with Evans. You should spend time with your friends too" Mason said, hoping he wasn't too obvious about prompting Bryan to hang out with his sister.

As Evans' name was mentioned, Bryan felt a shiver run through him. He wanted to say "Okay sir " but what came out instead was "Can I come with you sir?" He felt like kicking himself as the words came out, why would he want to see the person who had threatened him, he might be a very hot person but that didn't make it make sense. He should be trying to stay as far away from Evans as possible.

This question surprised Mason, he had thought that Bryan and Evans didn't get along at all given their first encounter and his friend's opinion of the bad boy."It's alright Bryan, I don't need you to come there" he replied thinking he'd rather have some private time alone with Evans.

Bryan was disappointed, he couldn't explain the strange urge to see Evans that suddenly came over him, would seeing him again explain why he was somewhat excited by his presence? He decided to try again "But sir, I'm your assistant and if you're meeting with the co-CEO, I think I need to be there to note down important things and maybe fetch you two some things"

Mason was surprised and amused by Bryan's response, it seems the rebel was changing a little "I had no idea you liked working with me, anyone else would take the time off and flee immediately" he teased making Bryan flush "But it really is okay Bryan, my meeting with Evans is not an official one. Just two pals hanging out so there'll be no need for an assistant" he said a bit more seriously.

"But sir–"

"Go home Bryan. That's an order" Mason said, cutting Bryan off mid-protest. Bryan was wasting time, precious time he could be spending at Evans' office staring at him as much as he wants without it getting weird. Bryan was sorely disappointed, he had just missed his chance to see Evans just because he had to obey orders. He picked his work tablet and put it into his bag. Giving Mason a wounded look, he left the office sulking and grumbling something about bossy people who liked to wield their power over lesser men. He was more angry with himself than Mason for almost making a fool of himself over someone that obviously doesn't give a damn about him. He couldn't admit this to himself though, that would mean admitting that Evans had an effect on him and he would lose an arm and a leg before that would ever happen.

Mason was puzzled by this reaction but he shrugged it off, Bryan seemed to be trying to impress him but the timing wasn't right. To him, there were more important things at the moment, Lisa was going to have her friend back for the rest of today and so was he. He adjusted his tie and then decided to take it off instead, he loosened two buttons on his shirt hoping he didn't look crazy and left for Evans office responding to Ben's greeting and pretending not to notice the look of surprise that crossed his secretary's face when he saw his unusual appearance.

He poked his head into Evans office, the latter was staring intently at his laptop screen, he was oblivious to the fact that someone was looking at him. Mason's heart skipped a bit as he looked at Evans' face, he was obviously concentrating on something. He considered coming back but then decided to at least say hi first, all of a sudden, he burst out laughing making Mason jump a little.

Evans finally noticed someone at the door and looked up with a guilty smile, when he saw Mason, he rolled his eyes and visibly relaxed. "What are you doing by the door you creep?" He teased taking off earphones that Mason hadn't noticed earlier.

"Are you watching a movie?" Mason asked as he stepped in and plopped on a chair

"Yeah, are you going to fire me?" Evans teased

" I might" Mason teased back. He closed the laptop and leaned back on his chair looking at Mason properly

"Wait something's different about you, you look like a normal person right now not a CEO" he said laughing as Mason picked a pen and threw it at him.

"Where's your assistant?" Evans asked finally after he stopped laughing

"Oh I sent him home early"

"You sent your assistant home early and you're here lazing around in my office, I'm so proud of you" Evans said wiping fake tears from his eyes.

"Yeah all your years of trying to mislead me is finally paying off" Mason retorted equally as dramatic. They both stared at each other for a while before bursting into another round of laughter.

"So seriously, why did you send him home? Did he piss you off or something?" Evans asked seriously

"Oh I'm just trying to be a good brother" he replied

"Wait what?" Evans was confused, what was the connection between sending Bryan home and being a good brother.

"Well the thing is, Lisa has been acting really off lately. I thought she was mad at me for hiring Bryan, I mean she is but that's not the only reason she's been in a mood lately. You see, since Bryan started working for me, he hasn't hung out with Lisa much and I think that's what is bumming her out. So I decided to send him home early and hinted that he should hang out with her. If all goes well, by the time I go home, I'll be meeting a very happy Lisa" he finished looking quite pleased with himself

Evans had started laughing because he thought Mason was joking "You're serious? You really have him the rest of the day off so that he could hang out with Lisa?"

"Yeah that's what I said. I told you Lisa has been acting off. I think she's lonely" he replied seriously

"Did Lisa tell you this?" Evans asked with disbelief

"Well no, but I'm her brother Evans. I know her. I think she misses Bryan and it makes sense that she's still sulking after I apologized"

"Did it occur to you that she might not have fully forgiven you and that's why she's not herself yet?"

"That's not likely, she has been spending her evenings alone at home which is very unlike her" Mason said thoughtfully stroking his chin

"Mason, did you perhaps consider asking your sister what she wants?"

Mason looked startled at the question, what was the need to ask Lisa when it was already obvious what she wanted. "Evans I don't think you're listening, I already figured out what she wants" he said with confidence.

Evans shook his head smiling at Mason, for a really smart guy, he could be dumb sometimes when it came to Lisa.

"Look Mason, you are a good brother and all, I mean you're trying to be but I think Lisa would appreciate it more if you just talk to her. Y'know ask her what she wants instead of just making assumptions"

"What are you trying to say, Evans?"

"I'm saying you'd be a better brother if you include Lisa in the decisions you make about her life. Basically stop being such an overprotective freak." He finished jokingly making Mason smile and roll his eyes

"No promises but I'll try" he replied jokingly

"Well you can start by firing that little rascal you hired." Evans said, making Mason laugh. They teased each other some more before, with Mason blushing most of the time before he decided to leave for home with a big smile on his face.