04.06.2015
Copyright © June 2015 All Rights Reserved
Chapter 14: The Daydream
Sandra Adele Rosé
Earlier this morning when we arrived in front of the building, I felt a little insecure especially because once we all got out and a valet took care of Liam's car, he didn't hesitate to take Adeline off her feet.
At first I thought that he was just pitying her fragile form, but then he turns too me with an arched eyebrow and what made him more attractive were his cheekbone. It just never occurred to me like now of his features, this made me slightly jealous- don't tell him though.
But anyway, I saw that he offered his hand to me patiently waiting for me to accepted the offer. He thought wrong if he believed that I would accepted it, since my mind was somewhere else.
Shouldn't he be worried about walking in like this- I mean don't get me wrong, but there would be hundreds of workers just on the ground floor who will immediately misunderstand what they see.
He studied me with those hard eyes, "Don't tell me you are worried about what they might think." He stated without missing a beat.
Yes.
"No, it's not that. I'm worried how this might affect your normal tough shell." I tried to explain gesturing between us irritably.
He sighs, wearing a poker face. "You over think too much, and it's not like the whole world will find out... if they value their jobs." I glared at him not convinced. "Fine, they can gossip for all I care but we both know the truth right?"
My arms were now crossed as I avoided his eyes at all cost, as he was losing his patients with an annoyed look on his face. "Okay fine." I gave in unwillingly, because people around the sidewalks and streets began pecking at us while walking the busy streets.
Ade was bored by now with her head resting on his shoulder as her hands were around his neck. I ignored the fact that their hair color were closely similar- except my daughters hair was much darker.
This time he didn't ask but instead he grabbed my wrist firmly, pulling be along like that was appropriate towards the entrance. I demanded for him to let me go, and he did when we were entering.
I followed closely behind him after rubbing my wrist Liam had a firm grip on earlier. It wasn't as clique as I thought they would be, because both men and women only spared as a curious glance, before turning back to their work.
Liam said a few words to the lady at the front desk which I wasn't paying attention to, but I got the message when she looked at me with acid shining through her eye. She never liked me since day one. I rolled my eyes in my head.
We got to the elevator but when it reached the ground floor it emptied out and Liam stepped in after ushering me inside, the guy had the guts to not let anyone else on who have been waiting before our arrival.
"You didn't have to do that." I mumbled under my breath, once the elevator ascended up to the last floor.
"I can do much worse, sweetheart." His voice informed bitterly as always and this made me scold openly at him.
So the air in the small space filled with tension- at least for me it did. I just couldn't wait to get out of here, but then again it's a long way up. By the time the doors to the elevator opened to reveal the fast floor, I was covered in my sweat- literally, and out of breath. I made my move to exit that extremely small space, however I should have been more- what's the word?- graceful, because Liam send me a disapproving look at first.
I raised my hand to stop his opening mouth from commenting. "Don't even try." I straighten out my slightly wrinkled clothes and look forward. In fact the place looked deserted at first, but I realized people were actually busy. The front desk at the lobby which would have been Jennifer's working spot was empty.
Liam walked around me carrying a asleep Adeline. She must have been bored out of this world. A smirk was playing on my lips, however it disappeared when I notice she was actually comfortable. I sighed and just followed my boss.
This is going to be a long day, I could feel it. He opened one of the familiar doors to his office going in, and I didn't have enough time to watch my steps resulting in me crashing into Liam's back, and it hurt.
He basically stopped out of no where after taking a few steps. "Hello dear brother, what took you so long?" A feminine voice greeted. I poked my head to the side and witnessed her sitting in Liam's chair. There also was Jennifer standing across from her writing something down in her notepad.
Liam ignored her request. "What do you think your doing here?" He raised his voice pissed of at the unannounced visit. I flinched at the sound quietly but his sister didn't seem affected.
"Well I'm here to make sure you kept your word," I moved from behind him; he was blocking my view. "It's been a while, and I think I'm going to lash out on mother soon." She waved her phone and it began to ring. The blonde pushed it onto Liam's desk, like she could care less.
"You may go, Jennifer." He commanded. On her way out she spared me a glance in which I shrug not quite sure what it meant. Once the door clicked Liam continued speaking. "I have a busy schedule, and you decide not to wait for that call, Morgan. What even makes you think I'm qualified for what your asking for?"
There was a sweet but dangerous smile on her face, "Your qualified alright. And who else could take that position if no you? While you manage the finance... and everything, I have the time to make a decision about it."
Whatever they were talking about, Liam didn't look convinced one bit. He stood firm just staring at his sister, maybe silently communicating- if that was possible. "Please... Liam."
"Sometimes I get how Cameron feels," He said quietly that only I managed to hear it considering I was next to him. "As much as you get what you want, we're both stubborn but this is the very last favor I'm doing for you little sister."
Her body was shouting in glee as she opens her purse and pulled out a gold envelope. "Thanks, we'll discuss this at the dinner." That caught his attention as she got up and walked towards him. "Your invite is on your desk. Hi Sandra." She was about to walk off but stopped- "And who is she?"
I opened my mouth to answer, even though she wasn't questioning me, but Liam was a step ahead. "That's non of your business, don't you have somewhere to be?" After sparing us a curious look, she opened her mouth only to close it again.
"Goodbye Liam." Morgan dangerously said with her back towards us. She was gone without waiting for a reply from him, and he wasn't keen on answering anyway.
My attention was grabbed when there was movement around me. "Hand me the blanket." He had settled Ade's sleeping body on the expensive looking sofa at the side of the room. I blinked a few times before processing with his order.
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Liam became heartless from then on, maybe because he opened the gold envelope and took out the fancy sheet of writing to read. That definitely was when it started and he began working more, ordering people around, threatening to fire them.
That was not the environment for Adeline to sleep in- or be around. I just never want her to witness a moment were he may lose his temper.
I didn't want to upset him or get in his way, so I stayed clear of him but also close just in case Ade woke up from her quite long nap.
There's a lot of things happening on the last floor because we've reached somewhere in the winter season. And even when most of the workers leave for their Christmas break, the industry would be wide awake and people are going to be coming in during those days, that's what Jennifer told me.
I attended to my duties which weren't simple anymore, in fact most of the help came from Jennifer who's happy to help. With the file attachments, I entered Mr Douglas' office to see a little meeting going on. There were five people including Cameron and Jennifer, seated on extra chairs.
When my eyes fell on the sofa and it was empty, my heart began beating faster. As I look around for Adeline, I saw that she was sitting on Liam's lap coloring something on his desk. It would have been a perfect moment except the serious atmosphere in here. I've only been gone for twenty minutes.
I sat in the only available chair which was unfortunately right next to Liam on purpose. "Do you mind writing notes for me?" He whispered towards me. Did I hear right? I thought he ordered not ask. So I was not prepared when my head snapped to face his already guarded one.
Instead of refusing, I nod in acceptance. That's the least I could do to repay him for taking care of Ade, and from the looks of it she's refusing him from writing and concentrating. I picked up his notebook and pen and carried on.
"The targeted income has been decreasing between last month and this month, we believe this has something to do with the workers. Maybe they don't have someone above them to demand exactly what they want, if we don't get them back of their feet this will lead to bankruptcy." The man leading the meeting said. "We need a new idea."
Wait a minute... what are they talking about?
For the next minutes they talk about their crisis that still remained unknown to me. There must be some kind of business falling apart. I did my part and wrote the useful information down.
My eyes drifted off to find something interesting, unfortunately my eyes fell on a magazine pile-- no scratch that, it was the simple logo and sign, and I knew it from somewhere.
"Where are we going?" I asked with a curious smile, his reply was very clique something you'd watch in a movie or read in a book. I liked reading a lot, you'd see me in a quiet corner trying to finish my next book.
"That's for me to know and for you to find out." After that teasing look he faced forward to get us to our destination safely. The car began passing various high street store which were familiar, but I just never bothered to buy anything from there.
When the car stopped, there was nothing exciting to see from a few bakery shops. The frown on my face deepened as the door was held open for me.
"What's with the frown babe, I haven't even told you where we're going." The smirk on his face made me look stupid, as he helped me out with his gentleman manners. My mood lighted for just touching his hand, which sent some sort of sparks throughout my body. He took both of my hands in his pulling me to him, after shutting the car door. I was confused but I didn't mind being close to him. "Now, I love you very much Cassie and not many girls are luck to come here- not that I consider you a lucky girl, because your worth much more than luck." He finished seriously like he never wanted me to forget it. "Turn around."
My first reaction was to say something back but he didn't give me a chance before changing the conversation. At first, I didn't make a move, I became doubtful of what could be behind me. So with a deep breath I span around and I was knocked of my feet. I wasn't expecting anything so mind blowing. Before me stood- not exactly in front, but anyway, there stood any women's dream, the boutique any female would kill for. The Mary Lynne Jane fashion line. Okay not the actual company but the boutique, where they have from wedding dresses to the tiniest details of a wedding. I slowly turned back to the insane guy behind me after having a mental heart attack, after observing the sign on top of the precious glass store. I couldn't say a thing.
He chuckled nervously rubbing his neck, "I know your not into these chick things but I thought-"
I cut him of by jumping onto him. "I love you I love you I love you, how could you pull something like that off? You got me an appointment with MLJ, that's a once in a life time offer. Thank you." I hugged him tightly, burying my face into his neck.
It was like Vera Wang- only better.
A pathetic tear spilled from my eye which I quickly got rid of. "Then we need a new idea, like you said. How about a Fashion Auction, models wearing the latest gowns that are not out yet. It's all about come big or go home, this could be a ultimate raise by only auctioning one piece of exclusive designs and there are no copies. I'm sure everyone would go nuts for one design only and their date would probably purchase it, if we invite all important people." I rambled not even sure if I just interrupted to only speak a lot of crap.
"If you don't mind we did not ask for your opinion." The guy said acidly, and maybe all of them agreed. I felt angry because he never specifically said who can talk, all they were interested in was ideas, and I offered one.
"How about you shut up and listen to Sandra's idea or we're going to be here all day." Cameron spat irritated. "Continue shortcake." He said with a wink.
"Just a simple thought, nothing big." I concluded shrugging my shoulders slightly.
There was silence for a few moments, "Then it's settled, I'll just have to confirm with the future heiress. That will be all." Liam nodded as final. The meeting closed like that and everyone except Cameron left.
I sighed and closed the notebook, putting it back where I got it from. "I finished!" Adeline exclaimed out of nowhere, holding up the picture from her coloring book. It was a dog holding a balloon with grass and sky as a background.
I didn't feel like talking, so I gave her a thumps up even if her coloring isn't very accurate. "That's a lovely picture Ade." I cooed. The smile of her face was contagious then suddenly my stomached rumbled. "So who's hungry? I'm picking up lunch."
"Can you get me my usual?" Cameron asked me typing away on his phone. That's a funny question considering I didn't know what his usual was, but I still agree.
"My usual would be fine." There was this tension signs the meeting was over and there wasn't much to say, none of us wanted to have a conversation.
I gave Adeline a kiss and left as quickly as I could. On the way I asked Jennifer if she wanted anything and when she shook her head, I was off to the bottom floor.
I wasn't aware of the black car parked across the street until I actually got there. Mostly our lunch came from across the street where Liam recommended. Someone got out of the drivers seat and opened the back door. The chauffeur watched me as if he's telling me something, I ignored the stranger and continued to the other side.
"Ma'am please get in the car."
My head turned toward him while I stopped in my walk. "Why would I get in that car?" I asked as if he was actually stupid to think that I would get into a strangers car.
"If it makes you feel better, there's someone who wants to see you." He informed stiffly. Now that caught my interest, but I gave him a not satisfied stare. "Just five minutes of your time."
With a look to the left and right I got in, and when the door locked and clicked I was damn stupid for getting in. It was dark but I saw a figure seated far from me.
"Nice to see you again Sandra. You know its hard to get five minute of your time while working in that building." The familiar voice said however I couldn't place a face to him, just because he wasn't so familiar. "Don't tell me you don't remember me. It's only been a few weeks."
He faced me with his gloomy eyes that shone in the dimness. That's how I began placing his features, and I did know him. Dressed in a suit, he moved his head slightly from the dark and into the light.
I sighed remembering him well. "Well anyway, I'm here to tell you my offer is still standing, even if Liam refuses, it's always opened for you." He said plainly.
I opened my mouth to reply but the car door opened and I didn't get a chance to say anything. I nodded at him and got out of the car. The car did not wait for me to leave, instead it drove off. I practically had a conversation with James Saunder.
I knocked on the very familiar door before entering Liam's office with two brown paper bag that contained our lunch and coffee holder containing our drinks. This time the tension was evident throughout the room. Maybe my daughter didn't notice it, but my breath was knocked out of me but the aura.
Cameron even seemed tense for the first time since we have met. "What happened, did a cat die?" I asked settling the bag down on Liam's desk.
Nobody answered me, but Liam and Cameroon shared a look while Adeline continued coloring. It was as if they where debating, or maybe I chose the wrong time to enter. "It's nothing important that concerns you." I walked further in and Liam slowly closes this laptop. "You forgot your phone and it rang."
My head snapped to him. "Did you pick up? Who was it?" I asked quickly. He shared another look with his friend.
"No one important- in fact it was a wrong number." He said avoiding me and looking at the bag. My face dropped at the information.