Deeply Rooted

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Sophia Lucas was born and raised in small town Missouri. The twenty-eight-year old’s passion was art, but failing to find work in such a field was even more her forte. The past three years she had been working as a personal assistant for Rob Benedict, actor and musician. All the gratitude needed to be given to her older brother, however. He and Rob were high school buddies and kept in touch over the years. When her brother found out she was struggling to find a job out in L.A., the first thing he did was reach for his cellphone.

That was all fine and dandy. Sophia loved working for Rob; he was a kind, free spirited, creative, intelligent man. Sophia had always worked well under pressure, so she thrived off of keeping Rob on track and up to date with everything he was doing. Yet, six months was all it took. Six months was all that was needed for Sophia to fall head over heels for the blue-eyed man.

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Sophia sat in the green room next to Rob, going over his schedule for the current convention they were at. She pretended not to notice the way he nonchalantly slung his arm around her shoulder. She needed to keep it together, she couldn’t let it show. This was her boss.

“So you have your photo ops with Rich in an hour. Then at six you have the karaoke party downstairs,” Sophia teetered off everything that he had to do, all the while mindlessly chewing on her pen. “Then tomorrow is the crazy day, Robbie. You have photos in the morning, a panel at one and four, and then also you need to be on stage with Louden Swain at seven-thirty.”

Rob wasn't entirely sure when he had managed to strike it so lucky. He had managed to somehow catch an important role on a show that would one day became one of the most popular on television. Popular enough that his schedule was often far too hectic for Rob to be able to keep himself on track. Just when he thought he would end up losing his mind, an old buddy of his phoned up and shortly after, Rob was the proud new boss of a personal assistant. At first, all he had really noticed was how much easier life was when you had someone to help guide you.

He wasn't entirely sure when it had happened but somewhere along the line, Rob stopped noticing just how helpful Sophia was. He started noticing just how light affected her eyes, how they seemed to brighten whenever he walked into the room. How, when Sophia walked into a room, her smile seemed to just light up the room. The fruity scent of her shampoo when Rob managed to snag a hug without making things too strange.

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Listening to Sophia talk about the next few days, Rob nodded along as he threw a hand over her shoulder. He pulled her close and ruffled her hair, a small smile on his lips when she looked up to him. "Sorry, sweetheart. I couldn't resist the opportunity."

"As long as I keep a steady supply of caffeine in me, I should be good. And as long as I have a smiling face whenever I do something stupid, I think I'll be good," Rob teased, winking as he stepped away from her. "Gotta have my number one supporter here. Else where the hell would I end up? Can you imagine?"

The shade of crimson that Sophia flushed couldn’t have even been concealed by her make-up. Why did he make this so fucking hard? Why did he have to push the boundaries? Why did she have to work so hard not to push him up against that damn wall and kiss him? Regardless, she was keeping her cool. She was not going to give into Rob Benedict's flirtatious antics anytime soon… However, she would go back to her hotel room and think about it.

Sophia let out a melodic laugh and ran a hand through her hair, smoothing down the static that Rob had created. “Rob, I have to be here. Remember? That’s kinda what you pay me to do.”

As soon as Rich entered that room, Sophia crossed her fingers that Rich wouldn’t say anything embarrassing. She knew that Rich had been meddling, whether it be talking to Rob or talking to her. Rich had mentioned to her one time that she should just make a move, but Sophia was resisting. They needed to be professional. Didn’t they?

“Hey love birds!” Rich sang as he came through the threshold, causing Sophia to raise her eyebrows. “What?” He asked innocently when he noticed the look that she was giving him.

“Don’t you have autographs to be signing right now?” She questioned.

“Hey, my schedule is none-ya-business. You’re job is Rob, not me.” Rich stuck is tongue out at her teasingly.

"That's right. I am paying you," Rob teased, letting out a hearty laugh as he shook his head. He smirked as he watched her smooth down her hair. There was just something about getting Sophia riled up that he wasn't able to resist perhaps as much as he should have. Not when once things had settled back down, Sophia would be smiling and laughing. Her laugh always sent his heard racing - in a way he hadn't be so sure about for the longest time.

Even after Rob started having feelings for her, he hadn't realized exactly what was happening until later on. It wasn't until Sophia went on a date that he truly realized what the hell was going on. He had feelings for Sophia and there wasn't a damn thing that he could do about it. She was his assistant and besides, if he was perfectly honest, Rob didn't have that much 'game' when it came to women.

Looking over when Rich appeared, Rob let out an inner groan when he spoke. Didn't he understand what th bastard was doing? He was just making the situation even more awkward and that wasn't any good. Biting back the retort on the tip of his tongue, Rob only rolled his eyes at the exchange between the other two.

"Can we grab a bite before our photo ops? I don't think I'm going to have any time after," Rob mentioned as he shoved his hands into his pockets. "Soph? What do you think?"

Sophia sent a glare in Rich’s direction as she rose to her feet. Richard was a good guy, really, he was. Not to mention he was Rob’s best friend, so there was a certain respect that she had for him. Sophia knew that Richard’s intention was to get the pair of them to hook up. Rich, one drunken night, and even said that he “shipped” it. Sophia was certain that Rich needed out of the con life for a moment, the fans were definitely getting to him.

Sophia took her tablet and shoved it into her bag. She hated carrying the stupid thing around, but it was much easier to organize Rob’s schedule on it. Staring at her small phone screen wasn’t cutting it anymore. Once her bag was slung over her shoulder, she grinned at Rob. “Sure thing, Robbie. But I want sushi. You picked last time.”

Sophia strode across the room, passing Richard. She reached out and gave him a nudge on the shoulder, “Behave yourself, Rich.” She quipped, giving him a small smirk.

Once out in the hallway, she resisted the urge to loop her arm through Rob’s, something they did when they were back in LA. But this was a convention, and she didn’t want the fans up in arms over Rob and his assistant.

"Sushi?" Rob echoed, his nose scrunching as he shook his head. But that was the thing about Rob and Sophia. Sure, she was his assistant and he was technically the boss, but they were close friends as well. When you spent so much time together over the past few years, you grew closer. Without getting close, there was no real hope to be able to really get along. Things had been a bit awkward in the beginning until they had managed to get on the same page but things were still okay.

Following Sophia out of the room, Rob grinned as they managed to sneak out of the hotel without being spotted. That was always the hard part about conventions.

"As long as you don't try to feed me with some octopus sushi again, I'm golden," Rob said, a small grin on his lips as he glanced over to Sophia. "That was the worst sushi that I've ever had. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but..." he shuddered at the memory, shaking his head.

Unlocking their rental car, Rob climbed in, waiting for Sophia to join him before taking off, heading to a nearby sushi joint.

“Robbie,” Sophia scoffed as she got into the vehicle, setting her bag in between her feet. “The only reason you didn’t like it was because you asked me what it was. You were all for it and ‘man this is sooo good,' until I told you what is was.” Sophia laughed at the memory. “Then you told me I tried to poison you."

As Rob drove, Sophia couldn’t help but smile as she took a lingering look at him. Regardless of the feelings that she had for the man, he was truly her favorite person. He was such a good friend and an amazing supporter of everything she wanted to do outside of her work for him; she truly didn’t know where she would be without him. He helped her as much as she helped him.

Sophia stared out the windshield as the scenery changed around them. She decided to tentatively approach the subject, and see what Rob’s reaction would be. “What’s with Rich lately?” She laughed, hoping it didn’t sound too forced. “That man is all aboard the ‘Rob and Sophia’ train. He even called us Rophia. He said that ‘Sob’ sounded to sad.” Sophia couldn’t help the laugh that was genuine that passed her lips at the last part, because not only did Sob sound incredibly melodramatic, but it was also terrible.

"Octopi have eight legs! Why do I want to eat any part of an animal that has eight legs?!" Rob demanded, shaking his head in denial. It was disgusting for him to even think about. He had been trying to enjoy sushi mostly to help impress Sophie. She had been nagging him for months on end to try sushi and Rob had finally caved in hopes that it might land him some more brownie points. But there had been o way or really knowing because he didn't really know where he stood to even begin with.

Rob started laughing at the mention of the ship names, shaking his head as he rolled his eyes. He pulled up to the sushi restaurant, climbing out and heading around to help Sophia out. "I say next time he thinks we don't realize that he's listening in, we should really mess with him. Give the poor kid some fuel because if he's coming up with Rophia and Sob, he must be desperate. Don't you think?"

Rob glanced over to Sophia, offering a goofy sort of grin as he held open the front door for her.

Sophia gave Rob a small smirk. He isn’t interested. “Yeah, that’s the last thing we need to do, Rob. Give Rich more shit to throw at us.”

Once they were seated, a comfortable silence fell between the pair as they looked over the menu. The particular restaurant that they were at offered more than just sushi, so Sophia knew that Rob would be just fine trying to find something to eat. When the waitress came around to take their order, Sophia spouted off the usual that she normally got and then watched as Rob gave her his order. She noticed the way that the waitress lingered at Rob’s end of the table. I’m gonna be sick.

Sophia pulled out her tablet out of her bag, just to go over some last minute things. She noticed that next week, the week they got back into LA, Rob had a CD listening party the same day that she had agreed to go on a second date with some random she met at a local coffee shop.

“Robbie, we gotta problem.” She muttered, not even looking up at him. “The twelfth is next week, the same day that Louden Swain has a CD listening. I’m not gonna be able to make it, I actually have a date and—“

Sophia immediately put her hand over her mouth, realizing what she had just done.

There was no one else in the world that could get away with calling him Robbie other than Sophia and his own mother. It had been alarming the first time that she had called him by the nickname mostly because he found that he didn't care even the littlest bit about it. Sophia, she was different. But he still wasn't ready to admit it.

Rob had only been half listening to the problem that Sophia mentioned because she was a good problem solver. She was able to fix whatever issues came up pretty easily. He only bothered to clue in when the word date passed through her lips. Rob's head immediately snapped up as he looked up to her, eyeing Sophia as she covered her mouth. His eyes narrowed as he focused on his breathing. It would do no good to lash out at her but the jealousy that sparked in the pit of his stomach wasn't something he had really been prepared to encounter.

"A date?" Rob asked, tilting his head to the side slowly. "Post pone it. I need you at the listening and I mean, whatever guy you're going out with should be respectful of your job. Right?" Rob pressed, lacing his fingers together to keep from balling his hands into fists.

Sophia immediately noticed the change in Rob’s attitude, but she couldn’t place what it was. She matched him, her head tilting to the side. “Postpone it?” Why would he want her to postpone it for a listening party? She could understand if it was for a convention or a meeting or an interview… But literally, all Rob had to do was show up at a certain location at a certain time with his band.

“Rob, you don’t need me there, I’ll be dead weight anyways. I’ve already heard the album five thousand times, I mean fuck, it’s on repeat in my car—I’ll probably ruin it for everyone by singing over you.” She laughed, trying to ease the sudden tension that was brewing between the two of them.

If Sophia was ever going to get passed her feelings for her boss, she needed to get out and go on dates. Even if Rob was the only thing she thought about during those dates, it was a start, right? She always found herself texting Rob during them, anyway. She was always wondering what he was up to or if he needed any help—any excuse to be near him. As Rob continued to stare at her she sighed, “I ain’t getting out of it, am I?”

"Yeah. Postpone it," Rob confirmed with a nod of his head. There really wasn't any room for argument but he was at least willing to entertain Sophia long enough until she realized that there was no point in arguing with him. Which didn't take nearly as long as he had been fully expecting to have to wait. Good.

Clearing his throat, Rob nodded slowly. He gave her a lopsided grin as he shrugged her shoulders. "Nope. No choice for you, darling. But if you want to believe you do..." Rob shrugged again. "Whatever will make you happier, I'm all for. But I want you at the party because I'll loose my mind if I'm on my own. You should know that by now," Rob pointed out quietly. I want you there because seeing you happy and enjoying my music makes me so damn proud.

"Besides," Rob started, clearing his throat as he leaned back in his seat. "What guy is going to be as good looking as I am? Who can sing as well as I do?" He teased, raising an eyebrow as he tilted his head to the side. "Well?"

“Well, Mr. Benedict, I guess you do have a point.” Sophia sighed playfully with a raised eyebrow. There was really no way she was going to be able to say no to him. Once again, for the second time that day, her face was full blown crimson because of Rob. No one is ever going to be as handsome or talented or beautiful or as kind as you… She answered in her mind.

Sophia cleared her throat, running a nervous hand threw her hair. She pulled her best swooning pose and batted her lashes at him. “No one will ever be as good looking as you, nor will there be anyone’s whose voice can move the mountains like yours, Sir. Not a fairer lad in the world as you.”

Sophia giggled as she settled back into her seat. She crossed her arms and looked at Rob inquisitive. There were so many questions she wanted to ask him. Did he meant to flirt with her, or did he just do it because? “You’re lucky I like you Robbie. A single girl like myself and I am cancelling a date for my boss? Shit, you got it made with me, don’t ya?”

Rob's heart leaped into his throat when Sophia flirted right back at him. He couldn't help but wonder if maybe she felt the same way that he did. Rich was always talking about how much he just wanted to see them get together and that was exactly why. He couldn't help but smirk, running a hand through his hair before shaking it out. His attention was focused on Sophia and it took all his self control to stop from trying to kiss her.

Tilting his head to the side as she spoke, Rob grinned as he nodded slowly. "Yeah, I got it made. A gorgeous girl that keeps me on track. What more could I want out of life?" He asked, eyebrow raised as he studied her. Noticing the jolt his words caused in her, Rob couldn't help but be satisfied.

When their food arrived, Rob leaned forward and began to eat immediately since they didn't have that much time left before he had to be back at the hotel.

“Knock it off, Robbie.” Sophia muttered, a small grin still plastered on her face as she looked down at her plate. What on earth was he doing to her? The more that Rob openly flirted with her, the more her self-control began to dwindle. She most definitely didn’t want that to happen. Not only was Rob her boss, but he was so very important to her. Sophia didn’t want to lose their friendship or complicate things between them. Plus, she didn’t even know if the signals he was sending her were signals to begin with. Rob was notorious for being a nice guy… That’s all he was doing, right?

“Anyway,” Sophia smiled after her first bite; when she finally somewhat regained her composure. “I’ll postpone my date since you absolutely need me there. But it’s gonna costa ya.”

Sophia popped another piece of sushi in her mouth and watched as Rob looked at her in confusion. After finishing her bite, she grinned at him. “You gotta sing me a song.”

It wasn't as if Rob minded singing for Sophia. It was something that he genuinely enjoyed, to the point where you could likely catch him singing in the shower if you were around when he took a shower. That tiny little smile on her stupid face was all Rob needed to want to break out into song right here in the middle of some sort of sushi restaurant. God, how Rob wanted to if it would be enough to make her laugh.

Rob gave a playful roll of his eyes, unable to contain his smirk as Sophia seemed to think that she won this little argument. What little she actually had. "Such a tragic song. As if I haven't sung for you before."

Rob cleared his throat, tossing down a few twenties once the waitress came back over with their bill. He thanked her before standing, leading Sophia back out to their vehicle. "How long is the photo op supposed to take tonight?" He asked suddenly, glancing over to her with a small smile.

The look that Rob was giving Sophia was something that she couldn’t quite pinpoint. However, she battled her confusion with a smile on her face and a quirked eyebrow. She crossed her arms in her seat, “Yeah, sure you have. Like, while I have watched you practice and stuff. Buuuut, you’ve never sung for me in front of other people. Gotta say that’s what your doin’ too, cuz, you’re making me cancel a date so you have to make up for it, Benedict.”

Sophia let out a small, song-like laugh as they each slipped out of the booth. She followed Rob out of the restaurant and into the vehicle. When he asked about how long the photo op was, she once again pulled out the stupid tablet. “Uhm, bout an hour and a half I think. Got anything else panned?”

As they drove down the road, Sophia became consumed in her own thoughts. She looked out the window and watched the scenery of the city pass by. Three years ago, she never would have thought she would be where she was at now. Her life was great, to say the least. Rob wasn’t stingy when it came to compensation and he had even helped her sell a few pieces of art work over the years. A small smile spread across her lips. She lazily rolled her head over to gaze at Rob.

“Hey Robbie?” She asked quietly. “Thanks for everything. Never thought I would be able to travel the world with my best friend.”

Rob had been lost in thought as he headed back to the hotel. He was trying to sort out the schedule for himself in his head so he wouldn't have to turn to Sophia every time that he finished with an event and had to find Sophia to figure out what the fuck was even going on. What he was going to be doing next. Letting out a sigh, Rob glanced over when Sophia caught his attention. He raised an eyebrow, offering a small smile when she continued. His smirk grew a bit as he reached over, giving her knee her gentle squeeze.

"Course, Soph. What would I do without my best friend to travel?" Rob's smile was goofy as he dropped his arm back down to his side but it killed him. It killed because he knew that he was putting himself in a position to only ever be Sophia's friend. After all, Sophia was going on a second date with some guy. His heart skipped a beat as he forced down the feeling in the pit of his stomach.

"It gets so lonely without someone to talk to and you're always there for me. Every time without fail. And hell, you even manage to make me laugh every once in awhile. Which is a fucking miracle if you ask me," Rob teased. He pulled into the underground parking lot of the hotel and climbed out, wasting no time in heading up to his hotel room so that he could change into a fresh pair of clothes before his photo ops.

Those three words were right on the tip of her tongue as she got out of the vehicle, “Rob!” She said as she watched him make a mad dash to the elevator, probably to get to his room to change. She looked down at her feet, feeling like some heartbroken girl in a cliché eighties movie. Sophia looked down at the ground and mumbled to herself, I love you, you goof.

When she finally got herself together she made her way to her hotel room. Sophia knew that Rob would want her at the photo-ops, the man wanted her around for everything. But Sophia chalked it up to Rob being slightly co-dependent on other people. He had admitted it several times. She just wanted him to be dependent on her in another way. But they needed to be professional.

After changing, there was a knock on her hotel door. When she pulled the door open, she half expected it to be Rob, yet it was Rich on the other side. He was leaning on the door frame, his arm supporting his weight about his head. Rich had a ridiculous smirk on his face as he barged into her room, kicking the door being him.

“How was your date with Bob-O?” He asked, rifling through her mini-fridge.

“It wasn’t a date Rich, get over it.” Sophia rolled her eyes as she crossed her arms.

Rich turned around back to her, chugging a mini-sized wine bottle. “Here’s the thing Sophie, everyone see’s through you two. You got poor little neurotic Robbie who can’t do anything by himself, and you got you waiting at his every beck and whim, jumping to be able to help him whenever you can—“ he held a finger up when he saw Sophia try to protest, “Ah, ah. As I was saying, you two were made for each other. Get it over with.”

“He’s my boss, Speight. He’s my boss.” Was all Sophia said before she left the room.