OUTSIDE BOARD DIRECTORS
by RILAYAWRITERabout 2 hours ago
•medium read•buildup intensityThe elevator doors slid open with a quiet *ding*, revealing the 28th floor of Minkus International Headquarters. Maya Matthews-Hunter stepped out first, her short blond hair catching the light as she adjusted the strap of her sleek black blazer. Behind her, her wife Riley Matthews-Hunter followed, as she smoothed the front of her fitted dress.
The boardroom dining area was already alive with conversation. Stuart Minkus, Chairperson of the Board, stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, his tall frame casting a long shadow across the polished marble floor. Beside him, Farkle Minkus, his son and MI Chief Science Officer, leaned against the table, his fingers tapping absently against a glass of water. The moment Maya and Riley entered, Farkle’s gaze flicked up, a slow smirk spreading across his face.
"Right on time," Farkle said, pushing off the table to greet them. "I was starting to think you two got lost in the building." Maya rolled her eyes, but the corner of her mouth twitched. "Please. I could navigate this place blindfolded after that labyrinth of a Lab Vault you have downstairs."
Riley chuckled, nudging Maya’s shoulder with her own. "She’s not wrong. Though I’d pay to see you try it."
Stuart clapped his hands together, drawing their attention. "Alright, let’s get settled. Jennifer his wife and President of the MI Foundation, and Isadora, his daughter-in-law and MI CEO, will be joining us shortly, but we can start without them." The group moved toward the long mahogany table, where place settings gleamed under the soft overhead lighting.
Maya slid into a chair beside Riley, their knees brushing under the table. A spark of electricity shot up her leg at the contact, and she shot Riley a sideways glance. Riley’s brown eyes met hers, dark and knowing, before she turned her attention to Stuart. "So," Stuart began, folding his hands on the table, "as you both know, we’ve invited you to join the Board as Outside Directors. Your expertise in strategic development and innovation is exactly what Minkus International needs right now." Maya leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs.
"And what exactly does that entail? Beyond the obvious, of course." Farkle grinned. "Beyond the obvious? Well, for starters, you’ll have access to all the perks of being a Minkus Director. Private jets, exclusive events, and—most importantly—the ability to shape the future of this company." Riley raised an eyebrow. "And the catch?" Stuart laughed. "No catch. Just a lot of personal responsibility. You’ll be expected to attend quarterly meetings, provide input on major decisions, and occasionally represent the company at high-profile events."
Maya exchanged a glance with Riley. "Sounds like a lot of schmoozing." "Only if you’re bad at it," Farkle teased. Riley smirked. "Lucky for you, we’re *very* good at it." The door to the dining room opened, and Jennifer and Isadora swept in, their heels clicking against the floor. Jennifer, ever the picture of poise, took the seat across from Maya, while Isadora settled beside Stuart.
"Apologies for the delay," Jennifer said, smoothing her skirt. "Traffic was a nightmare." Stuart waved a hand. "No matter. We were just getting started."
Lunch was served shortly after—plates of seared scallops, roasted vegetables, and a delicate risotto that smelled of truffle and parmesan. Maya picked up her fork, but before she could take a bite, Riley’s hand brushed against hers under the table. A silent question passed between them, and Maya’s pulse quickened.
Farkle, ever observant, caught the exchange. "Something on your mind, Riley?"
Riley’s fingers lingered against Maya’s for a fraction of a second longer before she pulled away, reaching for her wine glass instead. "Just thinking about how this is going to change things."
Maya smirked. "Change things? Or just give us more excuses to spend time together?" Riley’s lips curved into a slow smile. "Both." Stuart cleared his throat, though there was amusement in his eyes. "Well, I for one am looking forward to seeing what you two bring to the table. Literally and figuratively."
The conversation flowed easily after that, shifting from business to lighter topics—weekend plans, the latest tech innovations, even a playful debate about the best way to cook a steak. Maya found herself leaning into Riley’s space more than once, their shoulders pressing together as they laughed at Farkle’s terrible jokes.
At one point, Riley’s hand found its way to Maya’s knee under the table, her fingers tracing idle circles against the fabric of Maya’s slacks. Maya’s breath hitched, but she didn’t pull away. Instead, she turned her head slightly, her lips brushing the shell of Riley’s ear as she whispered, "You’re playing with fire."
Riley’s breath was warm against her neck. "Maybe I like the heat."
The tension between them was palpable, a live wire humming just beneath the surface. Maya could feel the weight of Riley’s gaze on her, the way her body leaned in just a little closer, as if drawn by an invisible force. Farkle, ever the instigator, leaned forward. "You two are *terrible* at hiding your chemistry."
Maya didn’t look away from Riley. "Who says we’re hiding it?" Riley’s fingers tightened on Maya’s knee, her voice dropping to a murmur. "Maybe we should take this somewhere more private." Maya’s heart pounded. She could practically feel the heat radiating off Riley, the promise of what was to come hanging in the air between them. But before she could respond, Stuart stood, raising his glass.
"To new beginnings," he said, his voice warm. The moment was broken, but the tension remained, coiled tight and ready to snap. Maya lifted her glass, her eyes never leaving Riley’s. "To new beginnings." As the group clinked glasses, Maya knew one thing for certain—this was only the beginning. And whatever came next, she was more than ready for it.
The boardroom dining area was already alive with conversation. Stuart Minkus, Chairperson of the Board, stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, his tall frame casting a long shadow across the polished marble floor. Beside him, Farkle Minkus, his son and MI Chief Science Officer, leaned against the table, his fingers tapping absently against a glass of water. The moment Maya and Riley entered, Farkle’s gaze flicked up, a slow smirk spreading across his face.
"Right on time," Farkle said, pushing off the table to greet them. "I was starting to think you two got lost in the building." Maya rolled her eyes, but the corner of her mouth twitched. "Please. I could navigate this place blindfolded after that labyrinth of a Lab Vault you have downstairs."
Riley chuckled, nudging Maya’s shoulder with her own. "She’s not wrong. Though I’d pay to see you try it."
Stuart clapped his hands together, drawing their attention. "Alright, let’s get settled. Jennifer his wife and President of the MI Foundation, and Isadora, his daughter-in-law and MI CEO, will be joining us shortly, but we can start without them." The group moved toward the long mahogany table, where place settings gleamed under the soft overhead lighting.
Maya slid into a chair beside Riley, their knees brushing under the table. A spark of electricity shot up her leg at the contact, and she shot Riley a sideways glance. Riley’s brown eyes met hers, dark and knowing, before she turned her attention to Stuart. "So," Stuart began, folding his hands on the table, "as you both know, we’ve invited you to join the Board as Outside Directors. Your expertise in strategic development and innovation is exactly what Minkus International needs right now." Maya leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs.
"And what exactly does that entail? Beyond the obvious, of course." Farkle grinned. "Beyond the obvious? Well, for starters, you’ll have access to all the perks of being a Minkus Director. Private jets, exclusive events, and—most importantly—the ability to shape the future of this company." Riley raised an eyebrow. "And the catch?" Stuart laughed. "No catch. Just a lot of personal responsibility. You’ll be expected to attend quarterly meetings, provide input on major decisions, and occasionally represent the company at high-profile events."
Maya exchanged a glance with Riley. "Sounds like a lot of schmoozing." "Only if you’re bad at it," Farkle teased. Riley smirked. "Lucky for you, we’re *very* good at it." The door to the dining room opened, and Jennifer and Isadora swept in, their heels clicking against the floor. Jennifer, ever the picture of poise, took the seat across from Maya, while Isadora settled beside Stuart.
"Apologies for the delay," Jennifer said, smoothing her skirt. "Traffic was a nightmare." Stuart waved a hand. "No matter. We were just getting started."
Lunch was served shortly after—plates of seared scallops, roasted vegetables, and a delicate risotto that smelled of truffle and parmesan. Maya picked up her fork, but before she could take a bite, Riley’s hand brushed against hers under the table. A silent question passed between them, and Maya’s pulse quickened.
Farkle, ever observant, caught the exchange. "Something on your mind, Riley?"
Riley’s fingers lingered against Maya’s for a fraction of a second longer before she pulled away, reaching for her wine glass instead. "Just thinking about how this is going to change things."
Maya smirked. "Change things? Or just give us more excuses to spend time together?" Riley’s lips curved into a slow smile. "Both." Stuart cleared his throat, though there was amusement in his eyes. "Well, I for one am looking forward to seeing what you two bring to the table. Literally and figuratively."
The conversation flowed easily after that, shifting from business to lighter topics—weekend plans, the latest tech innovations, even a playful debate about the best way to cook a steak. Maya found herself leaning into Riley’s space more than once, their shoulders pressing together as they laughed at Farkle’s terrible jokes.
At one point, Riley’s hand found its way to Maya’s knee under the table, her fingers tracing idle circles against the fabric of Maya’s slacks. Maya’s breath hitched, but she didn’t pull away. Instead, she turned her head slightly, her lips brushing the shell of Riley’s ear as she whispered, "You’re playing with fire."
Riley’s breath was warm against her neck. "Maybe I like the heat."
The tension between them was palpable, a live wire humming just beneath the surface. Maya could feel the weight of Riley’s gaze on her, the way her body leaned in just a little closer, as if drawn by an invisible force. Farkle, ever the instigator, leaned forward. "You two are *terrible* at hiding your chemistry."
Maya didn’t look away from Riley. "Who says we’re hiding it?" Riley’s fingers tightened on Maya’s knee, her voice dropping to a murmur. "Maybe we should take this somewhere more private." Maya’s heart pounded. She could practically feel the heat radiating off Riley, the promise of what was to come hanging in the air between them. But before she could respond, Stuart stood, raising his glass.
"To new beginnings," he said, his voice warm. The moment was broken, but the tension remained, coiled tight and ready to snap. Maya lifted her glass, her eyes never leaving Riley’s. "To new beginnings." As the group clinked glasses, Maya knew one thing for certain—this was only the beginning. And whatever came next, she was more than ready for it.