Chapter Text
PROLOGUE
As a child, Lexa learned quickly to fend for herself. She’d been in foster care since she could remember. Lincoln, her older brother once out of the system managed to gain full custody of her and worked hard on giving her a proper home. Of course he was only 4 years older than her, during the time she was in the system she worked her butt on trying to make a name for herself.
Business seemed to run in the Woods blood. At 19 Lincoln had settled his own personal training business and within a year it became quite successful. By the time he was able to get custody of his sister, she had a business plan in mind at only 16 years old. He promised her that as soon as she finished high school he would support her with any business plans she had.
She graduated high school with honors and with the full support of her brother, at 18 Lexa began to work hard to build her business from the ground up. At 22 Lexa was now the CEO of Woods Technologies and she took pride in her work. Her company was responsible for creating ground breaking medical equipment that allowed minimal invasive surgery, as well as the new 3D hologram for engineering.
She had become quite the celebrity much like her brother due to her success at such an early age. Lincoln had suggested she hire a publicist, and so she was conducting interviews. So far everyone she’d interviewed was… Lacking.
“I don’t know if this is even a good idea.” She spoke onto the cellphone. “Costia, I’m losing my friggin mind. These people, they’re too old fashioned! I don’t want a parent. I never had one and I sure as hell don’t need one now.”
She pinched the bridge of her nose as she listened to the voice on the other end of the phone call. “Maybe hire someone younger? Someone your age if it makes you feel better.”
Lexa sighed. “Where the hell am I going to get one of those!?”
A beep came on her office phone. “Miss Woods, your brother is here to see you.” Lexa took a deep breath before answering.
“Thank you, Monroe. Send him in... Costia, I will call you back.” She hung up the phone as Lincoln made his way into the huge office.
“Hey little sis. How is it going?” Lexa frowned. “That good, huh?”
She circled her desk and gave her big brother a hug. “Remind me never to take advice from you. It’s been hell trying to find a good publicist. They’re all…” She stopped herself from continuing.
“You need to get out more.” he said sitting down on the chair in front of her desk. “Octavia and I are going out tonight. Her brother Bellamy owns a bar called Polaris. You should come.” Lexa thought about it for a second. The offer was tempting.
“Octavia? Wait, my marketing director, Octavia? Lincoln what the fuck!?” She was visibly upset. “I can’t have my brother date one of my employees! That’s bad for business!” she spat, pacing the floor back and forth.
“Relax. I’m serious about this one. I swear. Lexa, I swear. She’s the one.” He pleaded. She stopped pacing long enough to take in her brother’s plea. She watched his eyes sparkle, it was a clear indication that her brother was telling the truth, not that he ever lied to her. She nodded.
“So, you coming then?” he asked enthusiastically. “I really want you to get to know her on a personal level.” Lexa nodded again. “Great! I’ll see you tonight!” He walked out the door shutting it behind him. The phone beeped one more time.
“Miss Woods, your 3 0’clock is here.” Lexa had had a long day. She was not in the mood for another interview.
“Send them in,” she said taking in a deep breath.
****
Lexa walked in to the Polaris a little after 7pm. She spotted Lincoln within seconds. He sat in a small booth with Octavia on his lap. “Hey little sis!” he waved for her to join them.
Lexa made her way to the group of people with Lincoln. “Lexa, this is Octavia’s brother Bellamy.” Lexa extended her hand to shake his.
“Nice to meet you.” She said.
“This one is Raven Reyes, my business partner, and of course, friend.” Lincoln winked at the brunette sitting across from him.
“Nice to meet you, Lexa. I’ve heard a lot about you.” And the girls shook hands.
“Yeah. Can’t seem to stay off those tabloids these days,” Lexa joked.
“Hey boss.” Octavia spoke, sliding off Lincoln’s lap and sitting on the couch.
“Please, just Lexa. You are my brother’s girlfriend after all.” She smiled at the girl as she nodded. Lexa slid next to her instantly throwing a hand over her shoulder. The conversation went on for about an hour. They joked and laughed. Lexa was surprised how at ease she felt with this group.
“Hey guys!” a blonde approached their booth and slid in next to Bellamy. Her eyes immediately fell on the brunette sitting next to Octavia. “Sorry, I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Clarke.” She extended her hand for Lexa to shake.
“Lexa,” the brunette replied as the bartender set another round of drinks on their table. As Lexa lifted her face to thank the waiter, she spotted Costia on the dance floor with a guy grinding all over her. Lexa was livid.
“Hey Lex-“ Lincoln was cut off as he spotted his sister making her way to the dance floor. “Oh shit!” he said pushing Octavia out of the booth so he could go after her.
“What the- I thought you said you were working late.” Lexa spoke through her teeth. Costia was caught off guard.
Lincoln appeared behind his sister grabbing her by the arm and pulling her to his chest. “Lexa, Don’t do this. Not here.”
Clarke watched the exchange from the booth. “Ah crap. The media is going to have a field day once they get a hold of this.” Octavia sighed.
“The media? Wait, that’s THE Lexa, Lincoln’s sister? As in Woods Technologies, Lexa?” Clarke asked.
“The one and only. The media has been all over her lately,” Octavia replied.
Clarke quickly sprung to action as she watched Lexa pull her hand away from Lincoln. “Bellamy, Lights on the stage!” She called out and Bellamy took off the opposite direction.
“Who the hell are you?” the guy dancing with Costia called out.
“Who the hell am I? I’m her girlfriend. Who the fuck are you?” She spat, closing the gap between her and him. Suddenly, the lights came off and a spot light lit up the stage.
“Testing, one, two, one, two. Hello everyone.” Clarke came on the stage giving Lincoln enough time to drag Lexa out of the dance floor. “I’m sure most of you already know me.” Clarke continued.
“Hell yeah!” a few called out from the stage and Clarke laughed.
“This is sort of last minute but my friends have challenged me to play a song for you guys.” She said, picking up a guitar and throwing the strap over her shoulder. She strummed it to test it out as she scanned the room trying to find Lexa. She knew it was useless, because the room was mostly dark. “Alright. Please don’t kill me if you hate it.” She said as she began to play and sing.
Lexa’s eyes were fixed on the stage. The girl’s voice was breathtaking. Beautiful. “I don’t know how she does it.” Bellamy spoke behind the siblings walking up along with Octavia and Raven. “She saw what potentially could be disastrous for both my business and your reputation-“he spoke to Lexa, and her eyes widened. “She quickly sprang into action. That brain of hers amazes me sometimes. That’s what makes her a good publicist I guess. That is, if she had someone to do that kind of stuff for I mean.” He continued.
Lexa was mortified. “I am so sorry, Bellamy. I don’t know what came over me.” He placed a hand on her arm reassuring her.
“It’s alright. I would have decked the guy on the spot myself.” He smiled turning his attention to the singing blonde. Octavia and Raven smiled proudly at the girl on stage singing her heart out.
Lincoln pulled his sister back for more privacy. “Lexa, you can’t keep doing this. You have a company now. You have to behave. The media is just waiting for you to slip. They will tear you to pieces.” He spoke softly.
“I know. I just- on the bright side, I found my new publicist,” she said pointing at the stage. Lincoln smiled at his sister as her eyes darted to the stage, giving Clarke her full undivided attention.
Clarke finished her song and the crowd erupted in screams and applause. She made her way down and Lexa grabbed her by the hand. “Hey, can I talk to you?” Clarke nodded.
Costia watched from the bar as Lexa pulled the blonde with her to the back of the stage.
“Bellamy told me what you did.” Lexa began.
“Well, I’ve seen the tabloids. I figured you could use a break,” she replied and Lexa smiled.
“Thank you.” Lexa’s hands began to sweat. She didn’t know why she was getting so nervous.
“Lexa, are you okay?” Clarke grew concerned by the second.
“Sorry. I wanted to ask you something.” Clarke nodded in response. “He also mentioned you weren’t working with anyone at the moment.”
“Times are tough these days.” The blonde said with a small laugh.
“Would you – I mean, would you be interested in becoming my publicist?” the brunette asked.
Clarke smiled. “Really? I’d love to! Thank you!” Clarke gave Lexa a bear hug and Lexa sank into the girl’s embrace. Somehow, this hug seemed to lift a huge weight off of her shoulders.
“Are you kidding me, Lexa!?” Costia’s voice came through sharp. “You have the nerve to give me hell, while I’m working, may I add, and you’re here doing the same?” Lexa instinctively pushed Clarke behind her as if to protect her from Costia.
“Excuse me? You call this work, Costia? Really? Some guy rubbing all over you is work? What are you a pole dancer?” The words seemed to slap Costia in the face. “And for your information, I just offered Clarke a job as my publicist. She gave me a hug as a thank you.” Lexa spoke coldly.
“You expect me to believe that?” Lexa turned to Clarke and she quickly understood. She walked way giving the girls some privacy. The arguing continued and faded the further Clarke walked. She decided to stay close just in case she would need to spring into action again. I mean it was her job now.
“You can’t seriously think I would cheat on you.” Lexa’s voice was soft and broken. “I love you.” Costia met the brunette’s eyes and closed the gap between them.
“I know.” She whispered. “But Lexa, you’re always working. I’m so sick of making plans and you never follow through.” The girl held Lexa’s hands between hers.
“You know how hard I’ve worked for this. The prototype is almost completed – “ Lexa spoke. She wasn’t going to defend the reasons why she worked so hard. But she also didn’t want to keep fighting with her girlfriend.
“Tell you what…” Lexa spoke closing the gap between them. “How about we go home and talk about this privately?” Costia nodded and both girls made their way out of the bar holding hands.
***
Clarke walked into Lexa’s office slightly nervous about what her first day would be like. The office was huge. Lexa’s desk sat at the right side of the room. A set of couches on the left, complete with a small coffee table. A few feet away was a hallway leading somewhere, and Clarke wondered where I led to. Her eyes slowly gravitated toward the girl standing in front of the window, which made up the 4th wall.
“So Clarke, how much do you know about me?” the brunette asked as she turned to face the girl.
“Not much really. Aside from the fact that you’re only 22 and own a very successful company, all I know is what the media releases.”
Lexa motioned for the blonde to take a seat on the couch. “Which is what?”
Clarke sat down on the couch closest to the hallway. “Well, lately it’s all about the drama with Costia and what not. They seem to really enjoy that.”
Lexa sighed crossing the room and sitting on the opposite couch from Clarke. “Well, I guess now it’s a good time as any for you to learn more about me.
Lexa told Clarke about her childhood and her time as a foster kid, and how she worked so hard to create the company she now owns. Clarke in turn told her about her childhood, and how she became a publicist. Their conversation ranged from likes and dislikes to current and past relationships. I was amazing to Clarke how easy their conversation flowed. They couldn’t seem to stop.
The laughter between the girls died down when a knock interrupted them. The door cracked open and Monroe peeked her head in.
“I’m sorry to bother you Miss Woods, but your 10 is here.” Lexa nodded at the girl “Thank you, Monroe. Please, send him in.”
Monroe disappeared behind the door as it closed. Both girls stood up and hugged each other goodbye.
Lexa found herself enjoying the blonde’s embrace a little too much. She always seemed to feel lighter whenever Clarke was around. “I’ll see you later?” Clarke spoke as she headed for the door. “You bet.”
As Clarke walked out the door, Lexa’s 10 o’clock walked past her. He looked at the blonde up and down as she made her way to the elevator. He licked his lips, eyes still locked on the girl’s body. Lexa felt a pinch of jealousy as she watched the man behave like a horny teenager.
“I find it extremely annoying that men think it’s appropriate to behave like they haven’t fucked in years, around a pretty girl.” Lexa spoke through her teeth causing the man to clear his throat.
He made his way further into the room “I’m sorry, Miss Woods.” He extended his hand for Lexa to shake.
“I don’t particularly feel the need to associate my company with the likes of you. So, please. ” Lexa motioned to the door instead of shaking his hand. “Tell your boss why you lost my interest in his proposal.”
It had been a year since Clarke became Lexa’s publicist, but she can’t pin point the exact day or time she fell in love with the brunette. She doesn’t know if it was when Cage tried to publicly shame Lexa for standing up for her. Or maybe it was when Lexa confided in her that she and Costia were having problems. Maybe it was when the news about Lexa growing up in the system broke out and the girl had been a complete mess. All of which Clarke had been there. She had gotten a handle on things faster than Lexa could process.
When Cage came after Lexa for turning down his proposal, Clarke set up an interview with Time Magazine where Lexa spoke about fairness in the work place. “If your performance goes beyond expectations and you’re a hard worker, we offer opportunities to move up within the company, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. I can’t be more proud to say that my staff has proven to be more than worthy of their title. They are great at what they do.”
The magazine conducted interviews throughout the company. Everyone spoke highly of Lexa and her company. “She’s fair and always stands up for you no matter what. She always has your back.” A male employee spoke.
Needless to say, when Cage’s employees got wind of what really happened, a lot of them spoke out against him and his company. “I’m glad Miss Woods did what she did. It’s about time someone taught them how to respect women. It’s a shame that a 22 year old is teaching grown men how to behave.” Someone said.
When the media got a hold of Lexa’s childhood, there was only one thing, “Tell the truth. It doesn’t make you any less a person for being where you are now. If anything it makes you much better. You fought hard to get where you are.”
She held the crying girl tight in her arms as the brunette cried herself to sleep. Lexa was worried what people would make of it. They might not be nice about it at all. As she had learned at an early age, people were cruel.
“It will be okay, Lex.” She spoke still holding the girl rubbing her back. “We’ll get through this together. I’m here for you. I’m your girl.”
Clarke set up yet another interview. This one was a tv show. “We are what we are.” Lexa spoke. “I worked hard to get where I am. And if I can do it, anyone else can. It’s a matter of wanting to better yourself.”
“Must be a woods thing.” The host explained, “Your brother, Lincoln is very successful as well.” Lexa nodded and laughed. “Yes! He is. I’m incredibly proud of him.” Clarke watched with pride. The way Lexa carried herself, not even a mature CEO could have handled themselves the way Lexa had.
During the months, Clarke and Lexa had grown extremely close. So close that one day, Lexa told Clarke how much her and Costia had been fighting. Since the bar the night Lexa offered Clarke the job, things had gotten worse and worse. Somehow the media found out and were having a field day. Of course, this time around Lexa asked Clarke to stay out of it. Clarke complied, but only in the aspect of the media. She was always there for Lexa whenever she needed her.