you are two sides of the same coin. both without families. both accustomed to getting their way.

you sat in his office, listing off the companies that he owns and the disparity of pay between the male and female workers. he keeps a cool expression the entire time you underhandedly chastise him, occasionally a smirk would tug at his lips— but then back to business. you were smart. you were fighting for disparities against mothers who can’t afford even shoes for their children.

“never had shoes meself.” he remarks, gazing out of the blinds of the meeting room.

“so now you deny others?” you don’t miss a beat.

“and barefoot i grew up mean.” he turns to face you now, leaning against the wall.

“oh, i know.”

“oh yeah, you know everything.” he drawls, nodding patronisingly.

“you grew up mean, you say? threat in there i think somewhere,” you drawl back.

“no threats,” his gaze bores into yours though his tone remains light and genuine.

“the whole of birmingham knows you, mr shelby,” i remind him, equally as patronising.

“sweetheart,” he shakes his head, a small smile on his mouth as you roll your eyes at the pet name, “whatever you’ve heard, i don’t need to make threats.”

he thinks he’s got you- and you think you’ve got him. he makes a point of claiming he will increase the pay of the females and cut the pay of the males; telling the men with families to feed too, that it was your idea. and a cunning businessman he is.

“you know, everything you’ve said here today, the fact we’re having this meeting, tells me that you are a woman without a family,” he gestured with his hand, cigarette between his fingers, from his place leaned against the wall. his gravelly voice ever so even it almost irks you. almost.

“and everything i hear about you tells me you’re a man without a family as well.” well he sure as hell didn’t expect that. “i will call an extraordinary meeting with my executives as soon as boxing day. you will hear the whistles blow all across birmingham.” you match his even tone, an air of collected malice lacing your words.

“i’ve heard lots of whistles blow, sweetheart,” he calls after you exasperatedly as you turn on your heel and leave. he lets out a breath, shutting the door that you pointedly left open.