Diamonds on your timepiece [Mr. Bojkov]

"Raymond Steelfox and his wife Victoria. They have one son Russell who just graduated from Hogwarts. Ravenclaw," Lulu's voice was soft and quick but confident as she watched a couple approach her boss Mr. Sterling Bojkov, standing a half step behind him.

Lulu had accompanied Mr. Bojkov to this formal function and while she was ecstatic to find a reason to wear this glittering set of midnight blue robes, stars seemingly sewn into every inch, Lulu was also still on the job. She was tasked with gently reminding Mr. Bojkov of any of the wizards who approached him and she had spent the past two days memorizing names and faces and tidbits of information that he might have need for.

It was a nice party thus far. Mr. Bojkov had greeted and chitchatted a great many people with Lulu assisting with names without fail. She watched a tray of bubbling champagne float by her with longing, but she didn't want to seem unprofessional while Mr. Bojkov still might have need of her help. She politely smiled as Mr. Steelfox, or Mr. Pudgy Chin and ill-fitting robes as she called him, spoke to her boss, her fingers gently running over her brunette locks trussed up in an elegant updo. Lulu didn't think she would ever tire of getting dressed up for events like this. It gave her even more excuses (as if she needed them) to exercise just about every shoe in the fabulous, extravagant collection he had gifted her. She was wearing a pair of strappy silver ones tonight that glinted and glittered whenever they peeked beneath her robes.

She gaze drifted to the right as she admired another woman's set of periwinkle robes, the cut and color worked fabulously for her and she wondered if perhaps she should get a set like that for herself. As she glanced back to her boss, she noticed another elderly wizard approaching Sterling and she waited for his name to pop into her mind like the rest had. And then she waited some more. Then she started panicking. The closer the wizard got, the more flustered she became. She didn't know his name. How could she not remember his name! She recognized his face from her flashcards, but what was his name?! Lulu clutched her bag nervously, her eyes widening, her heart beating frantically. Oh Merlin, oh Merlin.

Lulu glanced at Mr. Bojkov, knowing he would be waiting for her little whispers, but when she opened her mouth, she could only stutter. "I don't.. err--I can't remember.." she whispered shakily, her voice tinged with nervousness and panic. But then she remembered that she had stashed her flashcards in her clutch just before she left. Just in case! She looked at the wizard and he was almost to Mr. Bojkov, but she was sure she could get through her cards in time to get the name. A little thought about it being unprofessional to whip out the cards was long forgotten as she swung her bag around from her shoulder, eager to have the cards in her hands.

She was a little too eager though. Her elbow came up and bumped a floating tray of wine, causing it to topple. Right onto Mr. Steelfox and his wife as they had been departing from Mr. Bojkov. The tray crashed to the floor, the glasses shattering, the indignant and surprised shouts from the two people who had just been doused, and Lulu's gasp of embarrassed shock. For a moment, everything went still and all Lulu could do was slide her gaze over to the only person in the room that really mattered: Sterling.

Merlin, Sterling hated this part of the night. The meet and greet. The chatting and schmoozing. If he had it his way, everyone would be wearing name tags and doing something much more fun. He was sure there was at least one person here that was as fun as he was, but if the were here, etiquette dictated that they, like he, had to pretend that they were as mediocre and hideously boring as everybody else. He suppressed a sigh as another person approached him. The man replaced his exasperation and growing restlessness with a cheery smile, his cheeks dimpling cutely as he did so.

No. Sterling Bojkov was not having fun tonight.

The former Ravenclaw had barely taken two steps before more people wanted to shake his hand. He had to stop himself from rolling his eyes. He waited patiently for Louise to help him out with a handy little hint, but then… he kept waiting. And waiting. His irritation spiked as he was forced to actually turn his head and look at the girl beside him. Why wasn’t she fulfilling her role properly, hmm? She looked panicked and Sterling suddenly found himself wondering why he’d hired her. The errant thought disappeared, however, as he remembered to glance ahead. The man turned his attention back to the couple approaching him, forcing himself to hide the cocked eyebrow and unsatisfied look in his eye.

Sterling was steeling himself for the inevitable moment where they would expect him to know who they were.

And then – tragedy. The man was not prepared for calamity to strike, and he definitely hadn’t thought that it would strike here, for him. His eyes widened as he watched it all, seemingly in slow motion. “Miss Prescott?” He said, his voice sounding strange against the gasps of horror from the two guests who had been saturated with alcohol. No. instead of shock, a deep, heavy irritation settled over his features. After a moment in which everyone around him seemed to be absolutely still, he spoke. His voice was hard, like steel. Clear and articulate, but absolutely cutting.

“Forgive my assistant.” Sterling’s eyes met Lulu’s and though a soft smile settled on his face, it absolutely did not go to his eyes. “She hasn’t been to an event this prestigious before. I imagine she was intimidated.” His words managed to be both apologetic and condescending at the same time. Waitresses were already fussing over the guests that had been affected, so he couldn’t really do any more there. He’d have to send apologies later… The man made a mental note to have Lulu write them for him. “Please excuse us. Miss Prescott, follow me.” Sterling bowed his head graciously at those around him and begun walking away, assuming that Lulu would follow him.

“You have humiliated me, Louise,” He told her quietly, his voice dripping with warning for her to tread lightly.

She froze as if turned to stone for a few long seconds that seemed to last an eternity, her gaze glued on Sterling. Finally everything sped up and it was all a blur to Lulu as she couldn't seem to look away from her boss. People dabbed at the Steelfoxes clothing. Indignant grumbles sounded. Glass shards were swept away. More champagne was passed around. But Lulu couldn't focus on anything else except him. She thought it might have been a good sign when he smiled at her. Smiling was good right? Maybe he would see the humor in it? A 'ha ha she's so clumsy in an endearing' sort of way? But then she caught the look in his eyes and she felt like she wanted to die on the spot.

Her skin tightened over her face and she felt a red hot blush warm her cheeks as Sterling made apologies for her. The condescension in his tone had her wincing and though she tried to save face by smiling apologetically and stepping back, Lulu was absolutely mortified. At the incident she caused, at her boss apologizing for her, at everything. She had the strongest urge to apparate away on the spot, but that would require focus and at the moment, she had none.

Alfred. Alfred Montague. Dammit! Now she remembered the name and she wanted to kick herself and her stupid memory for not being helpful when she had needed it. But those thoughts were soon forgotten as Sterling spoke again, instructing her to follow him. She clutched at her purse and her face paled even further as she stiffly followed him out of the ballroom.

His quiet words were even worse than if he had shouted at her and she tried not to wince. She was so sure she was going to get fired and she silently mourned the loss of her shoe collection if that was to be the outcome. "I'm very sorry, Mr. Bojkov," she started, her voice burning with sincerity as she rushed over her words in an attempt to assuage him. "It was an accident. I'll make sure it won't happen again." Lulu could chatter when she was nervous and she couldn't stop herself from continuing. "I remembered his name though! It was Alfred Montague. Remember the wizard who served those cucumber sandwiches that you hated and made everyone listen to his latest opera song he recorded?" Her eyes brightened as Lulu tried to find something good about the situation, tried to find something that would distract him from firing her. "At least you didn't have to speak to him?" she offered hesitantly, hopefully.

Lulu started speaking as they walked, but her words washed over him like a light breeze. He seemed deaf to her words. The woman had been performing admirably, remembering everything and doing her duties properly. She’d helped him at numerous meetings and with paperwork behind closed doors. None of this seemed relevant right now, somehow, with the shock and anger that Sterling felt. He was as fickle as a sickle, just like his mother had told him hen he was younger. He changed his mind a lot and “forgot” important details if they didn’t feel so important at the moment. As for right now? Well, Lulu had been speaking for long enough.

“I did not offer you this job so that you could humiliate me in front of people we are trying to impress, you clumsy idiot,” he told her under his breath, smiling dangerously at a waitress who offered him champagne. He took two drinks and offered one to his assistant, a look in his eye implying that she should definitely take it. Despite the childish insult, Sterling’s words seemed to carry an intimidating weight. He was smiling, his eyes were sparkling, but he was furious. It seemed to roll off of him in waves. “Sasha,” he called, coming to an abrupt halt. His eyes were fixed on Lulu. “I never want to see this woman again, take her away, please.”

In her long gown and robes and tall heels, she struggled to keep up with his long-legged strides. She hustled along, anxious to get a look at his expression, but all she could manage was a side angled look from where he strode in front of her. Her optimism that this all might blow over sank with each step and shriveled altogether when he spoke. It was his smile that put her over the edge though. She shrank under that smile and accepted the glass of champagne meekly.

Lulu smarted under his insult, her cheeks reddening even more at his blatant recalling of the incident. You clumsy idiot. The insult reverberated in her mind and she tried to fight taking it to heart. It was an accident. An ill-timed, unfortunate accident. Her mental justification didn't make her feel better at all and her eyes slid back to Sterling's. She regretted it a second later when she saw his eyes glittering with fury. She expected him to berate her some more, maybe send her off for the night. Or honestly she never knew what to expect from him.

But not this. Never this. Her mouth dropped open as Sterling called to Sasha, shock overcoming her meekness. "You're firing me?" she asked with disbelief, honestly looking for him to confirm her fears. She looked between Sasha and Sterling and evaded the hand that Sasha reached out toward her. "You can't," she told Sterling, her eyes wide, heart racing. "This was only an accident." True. "Everyone seemed fine." It would take some time for the Steelfoxes to forget, but nothing a nice owled bottle of brandy wouldn't fix. "I'm the best personal assistant you've ever had." Wait, what. Lulu surprised herself by saying it and then let it hang out there in the open. She hadn't mean to say it but now that she did, she found she meant it too.

“Yes I can,” he snapped, rounding on her. Sterling’s demeanor fell somewhere between childish and scary. It was unsettling and intimidating, perhaps because he sometimes did behave like a child who had too much power. “I haven’t had a personal assistant before,” he told her matter-of-factly, his voice steely and cold “so technically you’re also my worst assistant.” The man crossed his arms defensively, but said nothing to Aleksandr, who was obviously awaiting an order of some kind. The man looked helplessly between Sterling and Lulu, unsure of what to do to please the former.

“You’re the worst personal assistant I’ve ever had,” he repeated, driving the idea home. He was pleased with his own facetiousness, that much was obvious. A hint of a smile crept into his eyes. Sterling uncrossed his arms so that he could take a deep sip of his drink. What a fancy occasion! Gross alcohol, lots of boring people and a terrible assistant. He dropped the empty glass into Sasha’s hands and put his fists on his hips. “Why should I keep you?” he demanded, turning back to Lulu with a cocked eyebrow. Internally, he was coming up with fun things he could have her do. Hoops she’d have to jump through to get back into his good books.

He turned on his heel so quickly to snap at her that Lulu was taken aback momentarily. She had seen him angry before, but not like this. Never like this. Lulu found herself hesitating, assessing him, before she made a move. Unfortunately that also gave him another opening to insult her. Lulu felt shaky with both her temper and her chagrin. It wasn't right. This wasn't right the way he was treating her. And all of a sudden, Lulu wouldn't have it.

She didn't quit her job at the Ministry to come work for a bratty git like Sterling. "I'm not and you know it," Lulu threw back at him, drawing herself up to stand a little taller. His words were like a slap and Lulu tried not to falter under his gaze. Be like Eri, be strong like Erika, she told herself. "You should keep me because I am your best assistant," she said firmly as she tried not to wither under his look.

"Your travel arrangements have never been smoother, I make sure you always get a room with a view to the east and a portkey not before 10am. Your schedule has never been more in order. There are more owls than ever thanking you for your donations and 'personal notes' of inquiry, all organized by me. Plus, you're the one that stole me from my Ministry job in the first place. You had to have your reasons, right?" And then her words ran out and Lulu was more surprised at her little outburst than before. What the hell am I doing?! She tried to stick by her guns, keep up the confidence that had just propelled her into word vomit, but she also cringed at the idea of losing her job. 

Well technically she was right about being the best, but he was also right about her being the worst. He wanted to point out that she was also the most mediocre, but then she started talking. And talking. And talking. Damn, the girl could talk! Sterling was distracted by the passion with which she spoke. And he did like eastern-facing rooms, it was true. Somewhere in the middle of her little speech, the man couldn’t help but crack a smile. She was still in trouble, but she was like a little feisty mouse with that mouth of hers and it pleased him. He hadn’t let go of the idea of making her jump through hoops, but he liked this weird little display.

“You’re just embarrassing yourself further,” he said dismissively, waving a hand at her. He was still all worked up, but the fire was gone. Sterling had been known to fire employees for much less than what she’d just done, but he also wasn’t used to people actually telling him what they thought. He wasn’t used to “no” and he wasn’t used to people sticking up to him. Maybe he’d fire her. Maybe he’d promote her. Sterling only really knew how he felt as the words came out of his mouth. “I knew I made a fantastic decision hiring you. Didn’t I?” Sterling turned to Sasha for approval, “didn’t I make a fantastic decision hiring her?” An impish smirk danced across his lips. He couldn’t help it.

“You’re interesting, I’ll give you that. And you’re still in trouble.” His smile disappeared for a moment, replaced by very serious eyebrows and a stern look. He pointed a finger at her to make sure she knew that he meant what he was talking about. In a moment, though, he was back to his smiling self. “Did you want to stay here and be boring with the rest of the borings?” he asked, glancing around the room obviously unimpressed, “Or did you want to go get ice cream or something?” Sterling felt like rewarding her.

His smile in the middle of her rant made her nervous. It seemed like it was a regular, happy smile, but with Sterling, Lulu felt like she never knew what way was up. The man was so mercurial that she couldn't quite keep up. She blushed red when he pointed out she was embarrassing herself, and a tiny voice inside her mind petulantly said, 'No I'm not.' She pressed her lips together to avoid going off on a rant again that might get her fired if Sterling hadn't already made that decision and she watched with fear and wariness and fire in her eyes. His swift change in moods had her reeling and she looked between Sterling and Sasha, as if something in Sasha's expression might hold the answers for her. "Yes," she mumbled in response to his question even though she wasn't sure if he was looking for an answer.

Well this reaction couldn't be leading to something bad right? Lulu felt a thrill of pride in herself flit through her, a smile tentatively curl up the corners of her lips. She felt herself exhale a long, deep breath when he called her 'interesting,' not realizing she had been holding onto it for so long. Lulu stilled when he pointed a finger at her and warned her, but she only nodded. Part of her wanted to jump up and down, squeal with laughter, and go buy herself a five-tiered cake that said 'you go girl!' on the top for standing up for herself. The other part of her just wanted to sag into the nearest sofa, dogged with relief that her outburst hadn't gotten her fired.

Lulu decided for something down the middle. She nodded with a smile at Sterling and took a step toward him. "Ice cream sounds great. Acelyn's?" she asked, naming one of his favorite ice cream shops located in Diagon Alley. "James said they might have a new flavor in this week that you might like." James, the store owner, and Lulu had a great relationship as it wasn't unusual for her to pop in if Sterling was craving a specific flavor. She hadn't known 'personal assistant' also meant 'personal ice cream fetcher,' but Lulu didn't mind terribly much because she always treated herself to her favorite flavor: tropical island.