Blaine replies to Quinn’s message, greeting Denise and wishing them the best. This is what he meant when he said that Quinn has a life on her own, which is fine. He likes Denise, based on the stories Quinn’s told him, the same way she likes Kurt.

Lately, they’ve been growing more apart, though. They’re more tangled up in their own lives. Blaine is a bit disappointed that he won’t be able to call with Quinn today, but he knows she’s having fun and that is great.

Blaine makes some tea and he thinks of Sunil’s words.

Blaine doesn’t really miss Quinn. He told Sunil and Kurt that he does, but he also immediately realised that it isn’t true. Is that bad of him? He meant what he said. Quinn and Blaine have their lives, but they talk often enough and it’s already April. She’ll be in Slovenia soon. It could’ve been worse.

It really could’ve been worse.

Besides, he has Kurt here.

And Tadeja and Sunil, of course.

“Kurt invites you to see his play.”

Tadeja looks pleasantly surprised. The two of them are walking towards a very important meeting. Blaine’s quite nervous, so he talks about Kurt instead. For some reason, Kurt is always a great topic to talk about.

“Oh, I’d love to go,” Tadeja says, “Could you give me his number? I keep meaning to ask him.”

“Sure.”

Blaine opens the door for her and she tells him he’s a gentleman. Once they’re inside, the nerves overtake Blaine.

He’s done his work. He knows all the ins-and-outs about this company. Even though his dad doesn’t put him on the front line to do the heavy lifting, Blaine cares, so he keeps up. After all, it is technically his job to oversee this branch and for a new potential international company, they’re doing all right. Connections are made. Investors are interested. Blaine’s travelled to several European countries for meeting and other business people travel to Slovenia, like now.

Three Italian men are waiting in the room, together with some of the company’s members.

“And here is Mr. Anderson,” one of Blaine’s colleagues says.

The tallest of the Italians gives him an apprehensive look. He shakes Blaine’s hand.

“I thought that we’d be meeting with the boss.”

“I am him,” Blaine says.

“You’re… young.”

“I am.”

The Italian then turns to Tadeja.

“One doppio please. No sugar.”

Blaine’s grip falters and Tadeja also looks unhappy, especially when the other Italians also give her their coffee orders.

“Let me get that for you,” Blaine cuts in before Tadeja can tear them down. She’s right to do so, but this can’t go wrong.

Tadeja forces the Italian men to shake her hand.

“Tadeja,” she says coldly, “I am Mr. Anderson’s associate and Slovenian guide and translator if needed. You can call me Ms. Vodnik.”

Blaine has to hide a smile. He likes her. Quinn would like her to. Blaine hasn’t really talked about Tadeja to Quinn, because he spends most of his time talking about Kurt, but damn, Quinn and Tadeja would get along well.

Blaine returns with the drinks and the meeting starts. As usual, Blaine’s just sitting there for show. He listens attentively and he makes notes, but he isn’t expected to speak. Honestly, Tadeja’s function is more intensive than his.

He watches how Tadeja does her job, but these Italian fuckers don’t give her the time of day. Neither do Blaine’s own employees, he notices. Has this happened before? He’s never really paid attention and that makes him feel bad. Quinn complains endlessly about sexism in the business world, so he should’ve known better.

When one of the Italians cuts her off again, Blaine speaks up.

“Let Ms. Vodnik speak, please.”

Everyone turns to him, but Blaine acts like nothing’s big has happened. He gestures to Tadeja to continue.

Tadeja starts talking about strategies, only to be interrupted by another man. Tadeja and Blaine share a look, and Tadeja gives Blaine a tired nod of approval.

“Gentlemen, Ms. Vodnik knows more about this strategy than any other person in the company, since she’s created it. I do not appreciate anyone talking over her.”

“Apologies, Ms. Vodnik,” the tallest Italian at least sounds a bit sincere, “It’s just that we are… a bit surprised. You and Mr. Anderson do not really fit the image of higher ups that we had in mind.”

Another silence falls over the table.

Tadeja still looks tired and she meets Blaine’s eyes, so Blaine sees that as permission to deal with this. He lays it all down. Some of his colleagues try to stop him, but Tadeja shoots them an icy glare that makes everyone cower in fear. Blaine tells his guests that he does not tolerate this disrespect and he ends his monologue by getting up.

“Let’s reschedule, shall we?” he spits out, “I don’t think we will come to an agreement under these circumstances.”

Everyone silently packs up their stuff and they leave. Tadeja squeezes his arm as she passes. Only one person remains. Dejan, another higher-up in the company.

“What was that?” Dejan demands.

“Don’t start,” Blaine says back. He’s still high on adrenaline.

“Mr. Anderson, did you know who that was?”

“Of course I do. I do my job. I know what is going on in this company.”

“Then you also know that this meeting was of utmost importance.”

Blaine lets out an annoyed sigh.

“My father told me to oversee everything, and I oversaw this and I am not happy. I did not receive my education at Yale to be treated like this. Tadeja also didn’t deserve this, from any of you.”

“Your father put you in this position as a stand-in,” Dejan spits out, “He would not want you to make decisions of your own and you know it.”

And with that, Dejan pushes past Blaine and walks away. Blaine’s left alone, wallowing in his own anger. Dejan is right, though. That’s what hurts the most. Blaine’s known this from the moment his dad asked Blaine to do this.

This is a vanity project. A project Blaine took on because it looked good on his resumé and it would put distance between him and Quinn.

Fuck.

It still hurts to hear it like that, though.

He can feel the panic rise. He needs to get out of here. Blaine reaches for his phone. He needs someone to talk to. He needs someone he trusts. He needs his best friend.

He automatically dials Kurt’s number.