InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "It's just 4 walls and a floor."

Hope Duffield (equestri) wrote in nevermore_logs,
@ 2025-05-15 12:24:00

Entry tags:

hope duffield, prince john

WHO: Hope Duffield, Prince John
WHEN: Thursday evening
WHERE: His place
WHAT: Grooming, manipulation, bad stuff
WARNINGS: TBA but bad

Hope had been at her job for five and a half months now, and she had worked her way up to PA already. She was incredibly pleased to had achieved that under her own steam, and far too inexperienced to realise that -in fact - she hadn't. It wasn't her own steam at all. It was grooming. The pitying looks she occasionally got from older staff she misread as jealousy. To her, she had gotten her position because she was incredible. But it was her first job. How was she to know no one worked their way up from intern to PA in five months without neoptism or favourtism or something darker? Though to be fair, with Hope it could had been any of those things - being the daughter of a senator. But it wasn't, and the older women in the office knew. They also knew they couldn't say a word.

Not that Hope would have listened anyway. John had told her some people might be jealous of how trusted she was, and they might talk behind her back. She was used to that anyway, and it didn't bother her. He had said they might lie to scare her off, but Hope had assured him she wasn't that easily scared. She was strong! She knew what she was doing!

Which was why, when a text came in from John as she was already cleaning her desk to head home, she answered it. I need a file now, no questions! You are the only one I can trust with this. Get the files off my desk, I trust you in my office not to snoop, and then bring them to my home.

She was the only one he trusted! She was exhausted and hungry, and she was supposed to watch White Lotus with Tori later, but she was trusted and she couldn't let John down. It sounded so important. And she wouldn't want to let him down. She shot off a text to Tori to tell her that she needed a raincheck and then another one to John to tell him she was on her way. He could count on her! That was why she had the job, after all!

She arrived at his doorstep, cheeks a little red from the jog from the Uber. But she was smiling when she buzzed up. She had the files in a manila envelope clutched close to her chest, and if it had been raining she would have shoved them under her light spring jacket. Luckily, everything was dry and she wouldn't be seen as having failed him.

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	equestri 2025-05-15 05:34 am UTC (link)
	"Gelato, you say?" she asked, perking up. "What flavour is it?" She was definitely interested. "I went to a wedding once where they had an entire gelato bar, and all the flavours were so fancy. Like...matcha and peach, and green tea and elderflower. Things like that. I had way too much and got sick. I was like seven though, so who can blame me?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

phony_king
2025-05-15 09:38 am UTC (link)

"Maple walnut flavour," John replied. "Your little self had excellent taste. Gelato is delicious."

It was nice chatting like this. The wall that professionalism put up between them was being broken down as they got to know each other a little better. John let his eyes wander while Hope wasn't looking, admiring her beautiful long hair and how the dress she was wearing fit her body and the blush on her cheek as she smiled. She was delectable, and John smiled, anticipating his moment with a dark thrill.

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	equestri 2025-05-15 10:23 am UTC (link)
	"I love maple walnut!" she said happily. Okay, so staying here for dinner didn't end up being the worst thing ever. "It's so kind of you to make me dinner, you didn't have to at all. I was just going to get some take away but this is so much nicer." The buzz from the wine was not hurting either. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

phony_king
2025-05-15 10:37 am UTC (link)

"It was the least I could do, making you come all the way here after hours. You really have been quite the godsend to me, you know? You're a hard worker and you're dedicated to the job. I admire that." John reached out to hold her hand for a moment, brushing his thumb over her knuckles. "You could go far in the firm, if you wanted to stay in the profession. I know horses are a bit more exciting, but the law has its moments." He took his hand back, spearing a tomato on his fork and popping it into his mouth.

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equestri
2025-05-15 10:49 am UTC (link)

The touch was weird, but Hope let it happen. He was like this a lot, honestly. She took what he said at face value and replied, "honestly, I have been considering it. I mean, I still want to go to the Olympics, but as a long term career..." She could teach, sure, but she wasn't sure she wanted to. More like she wanted to own a horse property, but she had to afford it first.

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	phony_king 2025-05-15 11:01 am UTC (link)
	"You have your whole life ahead of you, Hope. You don't have to decide now. Just remember I'll put in a good word for you." John set down his fork with a satisfied sigh, having cleaned his plate. "Why don't we go sit on the sofa once you're done? I'll bring the gelato over to you." It would be much cosier to curl up together on than this bar stool. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	equestri 2025-05-15 11:07 am UTC (link)
	"That is so sweet of you," Hope beamed. That he was willing to help her out with her career was so lovely. Suck it, Xander! She went to sit on the sofa, gazing out at the twinkling lights of the city below. "This view is amazing," she said softly, maybe even to herself. "I don't think I would ever get tired of it." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

phony_king
2025-05-15 11:14 am UTC (link)

John glanced over his shoulder at Hope as she spoke. "You're very welcome to come and see it again," he replied, just as quietly, before he went to the freezer to fill two cut crystal bowls with scoops of gelato. Returning with them, he also brought the remainder of the wine bottle and emptied it into their two glasses with a flourish. "What fantastic wine! Well done us getting through that!"

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equestri
2025-05-15 11:22 am UTC (link)

If she hadn't been so buzzed she would have spent more time thinking about how it was weird he had invited her to see his view again. As it was, she just smiled and gazed out at it. "It was such good wine," she said, holding the bowl of gelato in her hands. Then she glanced at him and asked, "could you play the piano?" before she could think better of it. Then she blushed furiously and shook her head, "sorry- Sorry, sir."

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phony_king
2025-05-15 11:29 am UTC (link)

"John. Please call me John." John took a bite of his gelato and set it aside on the coffee table. "For you, I will."

He decided to play Clair de Lune by Debussy, something pretty and setting the mood for a lowlit lounge at the top of the city. He wanted to see Hope relax and smile and be comfy with her feet drawn up on his couch. Wholly unprofessional of her to be half drunk with her boss like this. Such a beautiful girl was such a temptation, she must realise that.

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	equestri 2025-05-15 11:33 am UTC (link)
	The music was so gorgeous and John played it with such emotion, and Hope just melted. She ate her gelato in a daze, staring at him as his fingers caressed the keys like he had been doing it for centuries. She had no idea that he actually had. As it got to the part where the notes came faster, she just closed her eyes and let herself feel the music. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

phony_king
2025-05-15 11:52 am UTC (link)

John watched her as he played, noting how her body relaxed and her eyes drifted closed, the bowl dangling from her fingers. He followed the Debussy with a little Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, and then something more modern- Fly Me To The Moon, although he didn't attempt to sing it. He didn't want to leave it too long though or Hope was just going to fall asleep and that wasn't what he wanted. He wanted her awake and aware and willing.

When he finished the piece, he got up and went to sit next to Hope on the sofa, easing the bowl out of her hand before she dropped it on the floor. "Are you alright?" he asked gently, smiling down at her. "I haven't sent you to sleep, have I?"

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	equestri 2025-05-15 11:58 am UTC (link)
	She opened her eyes and smiled up at him, a little dopily. "Oh no," she grinned, "not at all. That was so beautiful, John. You're so talented. It's nice to see this side of you. I didn't mean to encroach on your time, but I really appreciate you playing for me." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

phony_king
2025-05-15 12:09 pm UTC (link)

"Not at all. Not at all. It is so nice to have someone here who appreciates what I do, actually. Playing for an audience is so much nicer."

One day he'd have her in his lap while he played, draped romantically in a sheer negligee, her pert little breasts teasing the fabric, and it would be a delight to amuse her before they made love. For now, though, for now... He got more comfortable on the sofa, sitting quite close next to her. "You know, Hope, I don't know what I'd have done without you this week. I know I have been a little distant, but sometimes I must- I can't be seen to play favourites," he said with a little chuckle, but it was of course bullshit because all the partners did, drawing new lawyers onto their teams.

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	equestri 2025-05-15 12:14 pm UTC (link)
	He had been distant, but she hadn't taken it personally. She had just assumed he was busy. It was nice to hear the praise again though. She had missed that. "It's alright," she said easily. "I understand! But I'm reading between the lines. I'm a favourite?" she asked, beaming. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

phony_king
2025-05-15 12:30 pm UTC (link)

"Of course you are. Didn't you realise?" John liked that she was comfortable next to him. She wasn't pulling away and putting space between them as he lounged next to her, his fingers brushing the back of her hand. "You're smart and loyal and beautiful... You've left quite the impression on me." His gaze was darkening as he glanced at her lips, his fingers moving to stroke the inside of her wrist. They were both well past the point of calling this a misunderstanding now, she only had to realise what was about to happen.

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equestri
2025-05-15 12:35 pm UTC (link)

He'd spent so much time, over the last five months, gracing her with little touches, that she didn't really think anything of this. She was high on sugar and buzzed on wine, and feeling dopey from the music, and so what if a powerful man who said she was his favorite wanted to stroke her wrist a little. It was harmless, right?

It wasn't like it was going to go any further.

"You have left an impression on me too," she nodded, "you do such amazing work, and you work so hard, but then you do beautiful things like play the piano with such heart, and make delicious food - I like that I get to know that part of you."

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phony_king
2025-05-15 12:46 pm UTC (link)

Such a sweet girl. John was 80% sure she had no idea, and 20% thinking she was as attracted to him as he was to her- only maybe she just had to realise it.

"You know what else I'm good at? Foot rubs for your aching feet." John sat up and pulled Hope's foot into his lap and began to rub the ball of her bare foot with his thumbs. "I have rave Yelp reviews on this. Much positive feedback. Just lie back and relax. You know, I like that I get to know you better too. It may look glamorous, living here, but it can be lonely. Thank you for seeing that I'm more than just the job." He was trying to subtly angle her leg so he could see up her skirt, thanking God for a warm day and bare legs. And this way, foot rub could turn to ankle, to calf and then thigh...

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equestri
2025-05-15 12:50 pm UTC (link)

He didn't give her a chance to say no, and now her feet were in his hands, and it felt good, even though this- This was too far, right? "Y-you don't have to do that," she stammered, trying to be polite about it. But this was more than just little hand touches, and all of a sudden she kind of wanted to leave. But he had hold of her feet, so it wasn't like she could go anywhere. And she wanted to keep her job so she couldn't hurt his feelings.

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phony_king
2025-05-15 01:13 pm UTC (link)

"I want to. I want to make you feel good." John smiled at her, keeping relaxed and calm. Her feet were so shapely as he ran his hands over them, so cute and nicely formed, just like the rest of her. He was alert to her mood and he didn't want to give her a chance to back out before he could convince her that she did want him, actually. "Hope, you... You must know how brilliant you are. Dressed in these cute outfits in the office, your social media posts- Can you blame a man for not being able to get you out of his head?" His hands were on her ankles, rubbing upwards to the undersides of her knees, caressing the shape of her. She wasn't lying flat, just watching him, and he caught her eyes, trying to appear non-threatening, but by God, the temptation to spread her knees apart and slide between her thighs-

Instead, he leaned in and kissed her, his mouth soft on hers, one hand coming up to cradle her jaw and slide his fingers back into her hair. Her mouth was delectable, and he was going to coax some responsiveness out of her. Hadn't she just said he'd already left an impression on her?

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equestri
2025-05-15 01:20 pm UTC (link)

Oh god-

Hope's head was spinning as John kissed her and how had she let this happen?! Oh Jesus, this was not good, this was not good at all. Her body went stiff as his fingers slid into her hair, and she wanted to push him away. If she did that though, she might as well kiss her job goodbye.

Her stomach turned to ice, and she didn't kiss him back, but she didn't stop him either. She had to figure out how to get out of here. And just never come back again.

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phony_king
2025-05-15 01:29 pm UTC (link)

John broke the kiss, but he didn't pull back very far. "Don't be scared," he murmured, stroking her cheek with his thumb. "Nothing bad will happen to you, I promise." She might be worried about what would happen at work after this, but he wasn't going to fire her. Retaliatory firings cost a fuckload of money and a watertight NDA to sweep under the rug. He didn't want to have to pay her off. He wanted her to kiss him back. And let him fuck her, but the kissing part would come first. Then he'd come later, ha ha.

She was so beautiful in the low light, her hair glowing like burnished copper, that sweet concerned little look on her face. He had to kiss her again, finding her quite irresistible.

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equestri
2025-05-15 01:35 pm UTC (link)

She was scared and she was sure that showed on her face. It wasn't just her job she was worried about though, it was what was happening right here and now. She didn't want this at all. In fact her body was screaming that all of this had to stop right away. The idea of kissing John further made her feel sick. And she hadn't even thought to consider anything else.

She had to get this to stop right now, and she had to do it in a way where he wouldn't feel bad or rejected. She pulled back and said, "please, you- you don't have to- Please, I should go."

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phony_king
2025-05-15 01:47 pm UTC (link)

"Go? But you've been drinking, I can't let you run into the street half drunk. How would that look?" John looked at her, all skittish and nervous. He didn't want to spook her now. Damn, maybe he should've encouraged more wine. He'd thought- he'd hoped- that she was at least a little sexually interested in him, underneath. Maybe she was only trying to save face?

"Fuck," he hissed, turning his face away. "God, I'm an ass. How stupid of me to think-" He gritted his teeth, looking as self-flagellating as he could. "How could someone as young and beautiful as you ever see something in me? I thought- You've been so eager to spend time with me, I thought you wanted- fuck!"

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equestri
2025-05-15 01:51 pm UTC (link)

It was the perfect play, because Hope had spent her life learning how to placate people in positions of power when they were losing their shit. And guilt worked on her. She knew her place.

She knew her place.

It was like something clicked in her head and her entire body when numb as she said, "it's not that! It's just- I don't want to get you into trouble. Would- No one can know about this...right?" Oh god, that wasn't what she wanted to say at all, but it was what came out. "You're not stupid. You're not."