Interview (AU)
"I don't need a new secretary, Hope," Hank Pym said, annoyed.
"Yes, you do, dad," Hope said, staring at her father, who was sitting in his office chair. "The baby will come any time soon," she said, looking at her baby bump, "I won't be working for you anymore, and you need someone to look after you."
Hank sighed as he knew that his daughter was right. He may be CEO of Pym Technologies, but he does need a secretary at times and especially now.
"How many candidates do we have today?" Hank asked.
Hope looks at the papers on her clipboard. "We have twenty," she said.
Hank groaned, "That many, huh? I don't guarantee that we'll find one today, Hope," he said.
Hope smiled, "Don't worry, dad. There's always tomorrow and the next," she said.
"Let's get this started."
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Hank didn't like any of the candidates that day, nor tomorrow or the next. He was getting tired of interviewing people and ready to give up when Hope asked: "There's a coffee shop down the street, dad. Do you want to come with me?"
"I don't know, Hope. This is starting to get ridiculous," Hank said, huffing.
"I won't be leaving till next week, dad. There's still hope," Hope said with a smile.
Hank wasn't sure, but he stood up to follow his daughter out the door. Once out, he sees the candidates that were waiting sitting on the chairs against the wall.
"How many today, Hope?" He asked.
"Um...." Hope murmured as she looks, "15."
"Let's see who's left standing after we get a snack," Hank said, making Hope nod.
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"I don't think that was a good idea for me walking that far," Hope muttered once they returned to the building.
"Do you need to sit?" Hank asked worriedly.
Hope shook her head. "No, I could feel the baby kicking while walking," she explained.
Hank didn't say anything but smiled as they went to the elevators. They weren't the only ones waiting as there was a man there that looked like to be Hope's age.
He was fidgeting nervously as he held a briefcase in hand. "How long are you due?" The man asked, looking at Hope.
"Oh, any time soon," she said.
"Congratulations. Boy or girl?"
"Girl," Hope said, smiling.
"I have a daughter of my own also," the man said with a fond smile. "She's two years old," he added.
"I see."
"I really need this job," the man said, not noticing Hank beside Hope. "I just got divorced and landed in prison a few months back," he explained.
Hope raises her eyebrow as the man clearly doesn't recognize her. The elevator doors opened as the people went out.
Luckily, they were the only ones in the elevator as they continued to talk.
The doors opened again as the man went out first, followed by Hope and Hank.
"Well, good luck to the interview," the man said to Hank as he sat down to the empty chair next to the man.
"Dude...." The man beside him murmured, looking up and seeing both Hank and Hope.
"Actually, you're coming with us," Hank said with a smile.
"What?" The man asked, surprised.
"To continue your interview," Hope explained, smiling.
The man blinked in confusion before looking at the picture behind Hank. He swore, "Look, I'm sorry about before, Mr. Pym, sir. I shouldn't have bothered you," the man said sheepishly.
"Look, um..."
"Scott Lang, sir."
"Just come with us to continue your interview. This isn't for the secretary job," Hank said.
"It isn't?" Hope asked, looking at him.
"It's not?" Scott asked, surprised.
"Nope, it's for being my assistant," Hank said as the other two didn't say anything.
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"Is this why you made me your support assistant? To come with you to this gala?" Scott asked beside him.
Both men were dressed in tuxedos and were in a charity gala. People were drinking, talking, and even dancing to the music.
"This is part of being an assistant, Scott," Hank said as someone went up to them.
"Hank, long time no see," the man said with a smile.
"Tony," Hank said, "how are things at Stark Industries?" He asked.
"Oh, the same," Tony replied, looking at Scott. "Is he your sugar baby?" He asked.
"His what?" Scott asked bewildered.
The two men ignored him as Tony continued to talk. "If he is, have you met mine?" He asked, looking behind and tapping the other man behind him.
"Meet Peter Parker, an intern for Stark Industries," Tony said.
"Hello," the young man said, smiling.
"You like them young, don't you?" Hank asked.
"He isn't underage, Hank. He just turned 18," Tony explained.
Scott choked on his drink and started coughing as Hank patted his back.
"Anyway, glad you found someone, Hank. What's your name again?" Tony asked Scott.
"I'm..."
"Don't answer that. He doesn't need to know," Hank said quickly.
"Protective, are we? Come on, baby, let's get you something to eat," Tony said as the two turned around and left.
"An old flame?" Scott asked as soon as they were out of earshot.
"Yes."
"So, sugar baby?" Scott asked, looking at Hank.
Hank didn't say anything, but he did see a smile on Scott.
It was going to be a good gala.