enterprising
adjective
1. having or showing initiative and resourcefulness
"How are you holding out with Eyva back at home?" Grant had joined me early for breakfast down stairs. We had classes together this morning so he was catching a lift with me to campus.
"OK, I guess? I dunno. I think after everything she did to me, I still find it kinda hard to move on. But she really has lost her memory and has become almost a new person. I like her now, which I could never in a million years say that about her before the car crash." We were eating pastries and drinking milk at the kitchen island. Mrs H was cleaning up dishes from the family breakfast upstairs. I got up too late to participate with them as I'd spent most of the night reading through all the material that Wallace gave me on Liberty Building and the new cafe designs.
"Good morning," Eyva's voice called out sweetly behind us. I shuddered at the voice as past memories resurfaced. I turned to see her in her Crystal Pear bedroom robe over cotton pyjamas. This was the robe I designed and gave her in the hospital.
"Morning. Sorry if you heard that." I mumbled.
"Its OK. It wasn't anything. I know I wasn't the best of sisters with you before..." Both Grant and I snorted at that comment. "I um... Sorry. I'm sorry."
I turned around and took a deep breath. "You don't remember. You are almost like a different person now with the amnesia so I will try not to hold it against you. But, please give me a little grace if I get caught up with it all like this." I ask her as she walks around the kitchen island and into view.
"I think I can do that, and you have to give me grace too, especially if I ever do get my memory back and revert back to Eyva 1.0, OK?"
What a horrible thought.
"Have a seat, Miss Eyva. I'll get you some breakfast. What would you like?" Mrs H started fussing around us all, getting my step sister situated and fed. Turns out she prefers savoury foods for her morning meal, so Mrs H served her a small avocado salsa salad and toasted focaccia bread.
I'd spent the whole meal since Eyva arrived thinking about the ramifications of what would happen if she did get her memory back. This worried me, as she would probably forget these lovey dovey moments and revert back to her prior self. I kinda like who she is now, and I don't want to see this Eyva disappear.
"What are you plans now that you're out of hospital?" I asked her, curious as to what she was going to do with her life.
"I'm not too sure what I want to do now. I think I may use this time to figure out what I want to do with my life. What I'd like to study. Where I'd like to visit. I was wondering if maybe when I'm well I might go travelling for a bit. Dunno." She shrugged her shoulders and continued speaking about her plans. "I have a few weeks off school before Dr Styles will allow me back. He said that with head trauma, the road to recovery is very long and arduous. I have to see him tomorrow, then twice weekly until the end of the year." We were currently in the middle of the year, so it was a long time for medical check ups for her.
"They probably want to make sure you don't turn stupid on us. Or zombie, that a real risk, I hear." I snarked.
"Miss Lily!" Mrs H growled me and Grant nearly fell off his chair laughing.
"Come on, Grant. We have class to get to." He helped me get up and situated with my crutches.
"Um, can I ask a question please?" Eyva asked. "It may be a little bit personal, but are you two going out together, like boyfriend and girlfriend?" It was a reasonable question and one I wasn't offended with.
"He's gay." I replied dead pan, then smiled when she looked like she didn't believe me.
"Yes, he truly is. I'm trying to find a Boy-Love for him at Uni. So far it isn't working out so well." I giggled at Grant's dirty look directed my way.
"I am not attracted to the opposite sex. I haven't had a partner before, male or otherwise, but feel strongly directed to finding someone the same sex as I." Grant answered her question very professionally.
"Can I ask why you two seem to be together all the time, then?"
"Yes, you may. I am Miss Lily's office manager and financial officer in training. She has signed me up for five years to gain my accounting qualifications and I am in turn, bonded to her business for the following five years post graduation. Does this answer your questions, Ms Eyva" Grant smiled kindly at her.
"Yes, thank you. I understand now. See you tonight, Lily." She waved us out the door.
Introduction to Business Finances was as boring as it sounded, but it was a core course for my degree and I had to take it. Same with Grant as well. We finished class then took a taxi down town. Patricia had dropped us off at Uni this morning, but she went to Liberty Building to set up meetings and make arrangements ahead of my arrival.
I had another body guard today, a new lady called Tania Kumar. She was on trial with Mr Denault's security team, kinda like an interviewing experience to see if she would be suitable for Eyva's lead body guard position. Looking at the stiff as planks woman, I'd say she wouldn't be a good fit.
The three of us got out of the taxi at 144b Salem Rd, down town Mt Sommers City. I looked up at the 16 floor tall building and realised that Wallace could have done a lot worse for a 'kicking you out of house and home' gift. It could have been much bigger, I snark to myself as I look at the neighbouring building with its taller structure.
Patricia dismissed Ms Kumar and took over her usual role of body guard beside me. I leaned into her and quietly spoke of my opinion of the new bodyguard.
"Too stiff, inflexible in given situations, would probably jump in and ask questions later. She wouldn't be suitable for Eyva at this time. She will need further training to become a personal body guard, but I think she'd be OK on building security." I spoke quietly to Patricia who took notes before we stopped and looked at the building that stretched above us.
A white structured building with blue tinted glass windows in wide panels across each floor level. It was modern, but not flashy like the private school I'd just graduated from. It looked clean, tidy and had large lettering at the second to top floor spelling 'Liberty'.
On the ground level were a row of retail shops and business service outlets. These ranged from an accounting and law firm, to a couple of fashion stores. This side of the building featured a large pet store on the east end of the ground floor shops. Patricia lead Grant and I to a small lobby entrance that opened into a larger lobby with a security turnstile check point that lead to a bank of three lifts. Stair cases could be seen through doors on each side of the lifts.
We passed through security with the help of Patricia, but instead of taking us to the lifts, she lead us to the main entrance ahead and back outside. Almost directly beside where we came out was the Library cafe that I'd been enjoying meals and meetings in over the last few months.
"I know that you wont be able to see much of the building today with your sore knee, but I wanted to introduce you quickly to the cafe owners." Patricia spoke as she lead us to the staff access in the busy popular cafe. I was introduced to the husband and wife team who ran the place and thanked them for their fantastic meals and coffee. They chatted with us for a while, then handed us a coffee drink each on our way out of the cafe again.
"Is the floor above the cafe being used? What business is situated there?"
"Wallace had the business move to an empty unit on the fourth floor in anticipation that you'd like to add it to the teahouse when you have it renovated. A staircase is being install as we speak."
"Woah, really?" I was really impressed. I'd not long ago told my mum about my dream of opening a traditional Asian teahouse.
We were let through security once again then introduced to Bob Plankard, the business manager who runs the every day aspects of the building. I was really interested in getting to know this man, as he was my ticket to making this whole building run like a well-oiled machine.
"Welcome, Ms Twice. I've been expecting you. I have heard great things about you and am impressed with all you have accomplished at such a young age. Mr Overmeyer couldn't stop bragging about you." Bob Plankard was a slim man with dark hair greying at the sides. He carried himself well, like he knew what he was doing and I felt like he was the kind of man I could learn to trust easily. I mean, he worked for Mr Overmeyer for many years here in Liberty Building and on other projects prior to Wallace buying the place five years go. Under my step father's ever watchful eyes, I was certain that I wouldn't be taken advantage of.
"Thank you, Mr Plankard," I replied as I shook his hand.
"Please, call me Bob. I've worked under Wallace for so many years now that we're on a first name basis. It would be weird having you call me that now that you're my boss. Also, Wallace and I - we've developed a rivalry on the golf course. I managed to beat him during our last company tournament, but I don't think he will let me live that down now. So he now calls me 'That Bob'. I'm kinda used to it."
"Yes, I can imagine that he would want his winning title back. I am sorry for your future loss." I smile at my new building manager and know that we're going to get on really well.