5. Publication Agent

"I got the badge!" he screamed again, taking another shot of the vodka on the table and Jason harmonized with him, a few from the staff doing so as well.

Melissa had joined them, taking a few shots but settling when she found herself feeling a bit sick. Eric showed the badge to everyone, bragging about it as he continued friendly conversations with them.

Jason wrapped an arm around his shoulders, "He did that trick to all of us; I said I wanted to quit after reading it because I thought he was a fraud."

Eric laughed, "I was seconds from not telling him, but I didn't want to lie."

"I almost failed since he scared the brakes outta me," a woman said, Rebecca, as she reached for her drink. She was seated on the other side of Jason, "He made me cry."

"He made Miranda cry," Jason chuckled, "but she's not any good. Of course we're all jealous that you got that spot faster than all of us, but she sucks."

"Then why does he keep her?" Eric asked.

"It's his step-sister's niece, but he seriously does not like her."

Eric shrugged shoulders, "She seemed rude to me."

"Draven can be extremely rude if you get on his bad side," Jason made sure to say, "so make sure to be nice and always ready."

Eric frowned, "He doesn't seem to rude, he said I can get drinks from his office if I'm thirsty." Jason and Rebecca both widened their eyes. They seemed shocked, and Eric paused for a moment, "Did he not offer that to you guys—"

"Hell no!" Jason exclaimed, raising his eyebrows, "What did you do, put him in a charm spell? He hates anybody being in his office, let alone even stare at his fridge in his office."

"There's something odd with you," Rebecca breathed, Jason nodding his head to agree.

Melissa smiled, "Well, Eric is a special person, he deserves it all."

"I'm not saying he doesn't I'm just trying to figure out what's up with Draven." He stood in a confused stare for a moment, before raising his drink, "Let's just drink to it!"

The night continued, and soon enough, Justin came to the gathering, hearing about the big news and congratulating Eric, who hugged him tightly, drunker than ever as he took a bunch of other shots.

As always, Melissa and Justin carried him back to the appartement, however he was awake this time. "I can't believe I'm actually a member of Draven H. Malcom's editing team," he breathed, barely able to sleep as it all jumbled together.

Melissa laughed as she headed to the bedroom, a bit drunk herself but prioritizing Eric; he needed to change and head to bed.

Justin stayed with him, kneeling in front of him as Eric sat on the couch. He reached for the bottom of his shirt, "You need to change."

Eric raised his arms, and let Justin pull the shirt from above him, "All this happened because of you Justin, and I'm so thankful for you."

"Yea, yea," Justin chuckled, finally pulling the shirt from around him and revealing Eric's fit skinny body.

Eric's eyes were barely open, "No, it's all thanks to you, and I can't imagine what I would be doing without you." He leaned forward, and wrapped his arms around his shoulders, tightly embracing him.

Justin laughed, tapped his back a few times then attempted to pull away, but Eric did not let him. Eric only pulled his face apart, and when he noticed Justin's eyes divert once from his own to his lips, he crashed his lips on Justin's.

Justin shocked, taken by surprise but did not pull away. Instead, he gripped Eric's jaw, depending the kiss and Eric wrapped his arms around his neck, holding him tightly. Melissa peeked from the bedroom, holding Eric's change of clothes but waiting, blushing from the sight.

After the kiss, Eric pulled backwards then before Justin could say something, his eyes rolled to the back of his head and he fell asleep. Justin chuckled, standing to his feet and Melissa finally exited the bedroom.

He glanced in her direction, and it was evident she knew what occurred. "It just happened—"

"I think he likes you," Melissa quietly said, reaching for Eric's arm and slipping a sweater over his upper body, "he talks about you a lot."

Justin shook his head, "I'm not gay."

"I know you're not."

"There's something about him though," Justin breathed, feeling his heart pounding in his chest, "that drives me nuts."

***

"This is the real chapter," Draven said, shoving a booklet towards Eric who had not expected it to be that huge, "there are two different versions; you will tell me which one is your favourite and you'll let me know why. You'll correct anything you find odd, and even the design, you need to tell me. It won't hurt me, I promise."

Eric nodded his head.

Before Eric exited, Draven quickly said, "I heard you went to the bar last night." That was an odd question, but he nodded his head. "How was it? The others treating you right?"

"Yea, Jason's been welcoming."

Draven's eyes widened when he heard that, "Jason?" He seemed surprised, and when Eric nodded his head again. "That sounds great. If you need any help, let me know."

As he exited the officer, many staff members crowded him before he could even step away from the door. Miranda was in the front, and she extended her arms, "We were here before you, we deserve to know the newest project you're working on."

Eric frowned, tightening the booklet against his chest, "No."

"Come on," a man said behind Miranda; his name on the badge was Jonathan, "it's only fair."

"I can't do that."

"Yes," another woman amongst them counter argued, "you can." She had blond hair that almost touched the floor; he badge name was Amy.

Eric's grip tightened even more, "Stop it."

A few chimed in afterwards, and it was only when Draven opened his door after the raucous outside, that the others stopped talking and attempted to squirm back into the seats. However, when his eyes settled on Eric's trembling shoulders, he felt an anger broil inside his stomach.

Immediately, he marched in the center of the desks, capturing everyone's attention, "If anybody even dares approach Eric or peek over his work, I promise, you will get fired from this office."

That was not an empty threat; whatever Draven said goes, and they all grumbled under their breaths but continued their work. He advanced towards one of the desk to a woman named Emma; she was a redhead and had freckles.

"Emma, did you finalize the touches for the cover of Midnight Ravens?"

She reached inside her desk, "Yes sir, I was able to adjust the colouring, and recentrer the drawing. Here is the printed version," she made appear somewhat of a magazine, with the cover of his story on the front. Midnight Ravens was a comic story that expelled chapters on random publications such as newspapers and magazines every week. Every week, there needed to be a different cover for the chapter due, and he knew he could always count on Emma.

He smirked, staring at his edited drawing, "You're such a blessing."

She blushed at the comment, beaming in her seat as he stepped past her desk. He returned to his office, grabbed his suit and threw it over his shoulder before heading towards the elevator.

Eric, who had been reading through the booklet of his new project, heard his name being called across the floor. He raised his eyes, and saw Draven waving at him, "I have to go meet my publication agent, you want to come?"

The entire floor's faces fell.

Draven never asked that to anybody before, not even his own step-sister's nephew.