The Secretary {Once-ler x Reader}

Too Close for Comfort (Chapter 5)

     As N walked to work the next day, she noticed something strange. As she neared the factory, she saw The Once-ler talking to a furry orange creature. 

     "You know what," Once-ler said, irritation in his voice, "I don't have time for this."

     He pushed the creature away and walked up the balcony to his office. N watched the situation with curious eyes, careful not to get noticed. That didn't work.

     The creature turned around, spotting N from a few feet away.

     "Um... Can I help you?" she asked hesitantly, glancing up at the balcony as she approached. 

     "Are you with him?" asked the orange guy.

     "I... I'm his secretary, yes," N said, tilting her head slightly. "Who are you?"

     "I'm the Lorax," he said and, after getting only a confused look from her, he continued, "Guardian of the forest... I speak for the trees. And Beanpole over there broke a promise. A very important promise." 

     That caught her attention.

     "Well, as his secretary, I'd like to know more about this... promise. What exactly did he do?" N asked carefully, mentally picturing the time. She had only a short while to spare.

     The Lorax was silent and moved his brow, a scowl on his face.  

     "I can tell you," he started, "but why do you really want to know?" 

     "As I said, I'm his secretary," N said. In reply, the Lorax crossed his arms, obviously not believing that was her only reason. Finally, she knelt down so that they were eye level and said quietly, "You said you're the guardian of the forest, right? I bet you don't like what's happening to the trees. Well, neither do I. If there's anything, anything, you can tell me about The Once-ler that could help me, I'd really appreciate it." 

     The Lorax sighed, glancing up at the balcony. 

     "He used to be a better man," he said. "Once he saw that everyone needed the trees, he promised not to chop 'em down anymore. But as you can see..."

     "He lied," N finished, standing up. "And you knew him before all... this?"

     The Lorax gave a curt nod. 

     "Then why don't we work together?" suggested N, sticking out her hand. "He won't listen to either of us by ourselves, but if we work together..." 

     The Lorax glanced at her hand, then back up at her. Embarrassed, N pulled her hand back and continued, "Well, think about it. Anyway, I have to get going so..."

     She gazed up at the balcony, seeing The Once-ler looking down at them. Their eyes locked and he turned around, walking away. 

     -     -     -

     N tried her best to avoid her boss, but she had to drop off some paperwork before the end of the day. 

     Okay, I'll just go in quickly and put it on his desk, she thought, gripping the folder as she pushed open the door. The Once-ler was busy adding something to the small model of Thneedville resting on his desk, so N placed the folder next to it without a word. 

     "What were you talking about earlier," Once-ler asked, looking up. 

     "Um... When?" N asked, blinking innocently.

     His eyes are so blue... No, no, stop it. But he really is attractive... Ugh, stupid FN, why did you have to show me that video?

     The Once-ler was staring at her with an odd expression on his face. He stood up and opened the folder, looking through it as he walked to the other side of the desk.

     "Let me just be clear. If that furry meatloaf tries to talk to you, just walk away," he said, setting the folder down. There was a certain pain in his eyes, almost a sense of guilt. But that faded as soon as he faced N. "Anyway, remember our conversation after you scribbled on my painting?"

     N nodded, her face heating up from the embarrassment. Not only had she done something stupid recently, but the Once-ler was a bit too close for comfort.

     "Well, I said some things, and I meant it. You're a great worker, N, and I'm glad you work here. Because..."

     The Once-ler cleared his throat before quickly continuing.

     "Ireallylikeseeingyoueveryday!"

     N tried to make out the words of the sentence he just said.

     "Pardon?" N asked.

     Once-ler took a step back, laughing nervously. She had never seen him like that before, but it made sense once she finally understood what he had said.

     N opened her mouth to say something, to either reject what could possibly be a confession or accept it, but she was speechless. She didn't even know herself anymore, let alone trust herself to say something. 

     Taking advantage of her momentary confusion, The Once-ler leaned forward. N automatically put her fingertips on his lips, stopping him from getting too close, and found herself placing her hand on his desk, leaning back to get farther away from him.

     Finding her words, she tried her best to sound professional as she said, "From eight to five, I'm your secretary. Behaving like this during work hours is highly unprofessional, Mr. Once-ler." 

     "Right," he said, pulling back and straightening his tie. "Oh, look at the time. It's almost time for you to go already." 

     Without looking at her, he scrambled to his chair, almost tripping. N walked to the door, heart beating, then stopped. 

     "In a few minutes, you technically won't be my boss," she said, glancing back. "If you want to give me a call..."

     The Once-ler looked at her, not saying anything. N, turning red, opened the door and quickly went outside.   

     What just happened? What just happened? What just...

     N shook her head, trying to clear away the shock. It all made sense now, why she wasn't fired when she vandalized Once-ler's picture and why she had been more of an assistant than a secretary. FN had been right: He had feelings for her.