Chapter 1
by: Obsolete Love
The words started to move as though they had a life of their own… the alphabet that he knew slowly became confusing…
'Is that a d or a p or an f?'
He closed his eyes for a moment as the letters started to swim around the page… 'Stop… please stop… I have to finish this tonight…' His mute plea for help reached no one's ears while his hands started to gently massage the bridge of his nose, trying to relax his eyes…
A knock resounded inside the office and his closed eyes fluttered open to reveal kind, but clearly tired, aquamarine eyes.
The door opened slowly and a slightly plump woman with aged white hair peeked inside, eyeglasses somewhat askew on the bridge of her nose with lips forever curved in a smile.
A grin tugged upon the man's face as he stood up and walked to his door, opening it for the grandmotherly figure. "What are you still doing here, Mrs. Roberts? It's already past office hours, you know."
The elderly woman let the soft, scolding tone pass by like quick summer breeze. "Well, look who's talking! Mr. Winner, you need rest too! And I brought you a hot mug of cocoa to help you relax a bit… I had a feeling that your eyes are starting to hurt again."
Quatre guiltily looked away … She's right, of course… How come she always knew whenever it starts happen…? Ah well… she has been working for him ever since he started…
He needs rest… the mere fact that the words had started to jump at him and swim around the page, playing peek-a-boo with him was a sign for him to stop.
His eyes watched as Mrs. Roberts deposited his mug of hot cocoa on the desk. Her dexterity never ceased to amaze him… She might look old and helpless, but she's exactly the opposite… He was going to miss her…
"There… now be a good boy and drink your cocoa, then go home and sleep." Her tone left no room for argument and Quatre only willingly complied while he walked to his desk and reached out for the warm ceramic mug. Sometimes, he's just so glad for her motherly type presence, especially since he had never experienced how it was to have a mother who would nag him to death or order him around 'till he dropped. Although… he does have Rashid…
"Thank you, Mrs. Roberts."
She smiled at him as though he was one of her grandchildren. She will miss him but… she knows that she had met her limit…
"Quatre, the interviews aren't going as well as I'd hoped."
The handsome blonde adult frowned slightly over his mug. "What's the matter? Is the salary too low for today's economy? Are the demands too high? Isn't there enough applying for the position?"
Mrs. Roberts shook her head. "No, dear… The salary is high, the demands aren't that much and there were tons who applied for the position… But I do not feel that any of them are qualified at all… or I haven't met anyone whom I feel qualified enough."
Quatre smiled softly as he walked to Mrs. Roberts and placed a hand on her shoulder. "After your services, I don't think there will ever be anyone half as qualified to fill your shoes!"
Mrs. Roberts laughed cheerfully as she patted Quatre's hand. "Flatterer…"
Quatre just grinned at her response, but concern for the older woman nagged at him. He knew that she had been doing an unusual type of interview with the applicants... maybe it's taking a strain on her? "Do you want me to ask Stevens to conduct the interviews instead?"
Mrs. Roberts shook her head. "Oh no! Steven doesn't know the difference between a rock and a diamond! I want to be sure about the person who'll replace me! I'll know him or her when I see her… or him."
Quatre laughed at the rare confused look on her face. "Alright… I trust your judgement."
"Good!" Mrs. Roberts snapped. "If you trust my judgment so much, go home NOW! You do that or else I'm not going to leave this office until you do."
The smile on Quatre's face instantly disappeared as he glanced from the stack of papers on his desk to the elderly woman… It was already past nine o'clock… She should be asleep already…
"Alright, Mrs. Roberts. You win..." Quatre grabbed his coat. "I'll drop you off, alright?"
"Fine with me," came that cheery reply, a victorious twinkle in her eyes. In a few more minutes, the two walked out of the office.
Quatre nodded as they passed by a security guard. "Evening Lennard."
"Evening Mr. Winner!" Lennard's back straightened as the owner of the building stopped by his desk.
"Give my regards to your new, baby daughter, alright?"
Lennard grinned at his employer's smiling face. "I sure will, sir."
Mrs. Roberts hid her smile at the friendly conversation; slightly amazed at how he could be so aware when it comes to employees, even the most subordinate ones…
She gave him a glance under the shadows of the night while they walked to his car. 'But sometimes, you tend to be too concerned for other people that you push yourself to the limit and forget about your own needs…' How she wished she could tell that to his face right now, but she only sighed.
That's why she needed to find him someone who would be able to tell him when to stop and rest without backing down… Someone responsible and kind and with a backbone… someone who could feel… But so far, those she had interviewed were all too cold, calculating… or just plain… well… she just couldn't see them working with Quatre.
"Your stop, Mrs. Roberts." Quatre softly announced while he got out of his car to open the passenger door for his personal assistant.
Mrs. Roberts smiled her thanks, leaned to him and gave a motherly kiss on his cheek.
Quatre laughed cheerfully as he hugged his secretary, mother… and friend all rolled into one… then, with a parting wave, he left.
Mrs. Roberts shook her head sadly… She would miss him terribly… If there had been anything of significance she had done while she had worked for this young man, she hoped that it was her show of motherly affection… She had known, from the moment she'd set her eyes on him when he entered the late Mr. Winner's office with that set jaw and courageous spark in his eyes…
After the war… so young… How sad it must have been to be deprived of parental affection so early in life… She had known that Mr. Winner rarely had time for his family… known that Quatre's mother had died when he was but a baby… And as a mother then, so long ago, she saw a look of hunger in his eyes. Hunger for such affection as he looked around and acquainted himself with his father's taste… Quatre never even bothered to redecorate the room, wanting his father's presence to stay… the only thing he could be a part of…
A squeal of laughter interrupted her thoughts and the door burst open and three children tumbled out.
"Grammy!!!"
"Gramma!!!"
"Gammy!!!"
Mrs. Roberts laughed as she steeled herself for the onslaught of hugs and kisses. "Hey you tykes…"
The merry, inconsequential babble enveloped her.
"Was that Uncle Quatre?"
"Why didn't Uncle Quatre come in?"
"Uncle Quatre?"
"Hey mom." The blonde haired woman standing by the door greeted her as she reached it. "Children, Grandma Laddi is tired."
"Oh, it's alright, Ann…" she gave a parting hug to the other three. "Uncle Quatre was tired so I told him to not bother."
She saw the disappointed look on their faces before they shrugged and nodded. "Well… it's past our bedtime… We're going up now!" Tyler- the oldest of the three- quipped. His brother and sister both groaned their protest.
"Go on, you guys… You have school tomorrow." Ann whispered and shooed the three up the stairs then faced Laddi. "We have some soup on the oven for you."
Laddi nodded and walked to the kitchen. "Thanks, Ann."
Ann grinned. "Well, we're the ones imposing on you, so it's the least we can do."
"You're not imposing at all… family is family, whether they be blood ties or not."
Ann poured the remaining soup in a bowl, gratitude showed in her eyes while she placed it in front of her mother-in-law. "As soon as the house is finished, we're out."
Laddi sighed. "Then the house wouldn't be the same again. I'm going to miss their noisy fights." She motioned her hands to the ceiling then heard the loud thump and squeals of laughter…
Ann rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Pillow fight again?! Children!"
The noise instantly stopped at the bellow and Laddi had to smother a laugh. She could very well imagine Ann's husband- her son Marc- and his brothers and sisters doing just that when they were kids.
"So, Quatre was working late again?"
Laddi could hear the protective tone in Ann's voice and couldn't help but smile. Quatre had become somewhat of an unofficial member of their family, and it wasn't because Quatre gave her sons and daughters jobs secure enough for their families and many more…
"Yes, I'm afraid so… I can't keep up with him anymore." Too many business deals coming up… Too many things, events and whatnots…
"Oh mom… You should tell him to take care of himself."
Laddi sighed. "I do but the boy doesn't listen… Stubborn as his father."
Ann grinned. Laddi was the late Mr. Winner's secretary so Ann can be sure that she's right. "So, how are the interviews coming along?" her eyes slanted shrewdly. "I better see who's going to fill my mom's shoes and work with Quatre… you know, just so I could be sure…"
Laddi grinned. She already consider her own judgement to be critical, if the applicants even get to Ann, the girl will chew them alive!
"You know that I promised Iria and Jessamyne that I'll look after Quatre while they're gone."
Laddi's grin became wider. Ah that, of course… She could remember that significant day… "Along with your hushed tones of matchmaking."
Ann blinked in bafflement and feigned innocence. "Matchmaking? Me…? Iria? Jessamyne?"
"Yes, you and your best friends… Even if you have Quatre's best interest, love isn't something that could be rushed, you know. Besides, he's got enough on his hands with those girls clamoring-"
Ann held up her hands in surrender. "Yes mother… I hear you."
Laddi watched her guardedly… There's a distinct mischief in Ann's eyes…
"Well, anyway, you haven't told me about the interviews yet… You know, maybe if I take the children away from the house while you conduct those meetings, there wouldn't be any distractions to-"
Laddi laughed, stopping Ann's words. "The children was helping me pick! It was fun to watch one of the applicants scream out in terror and show her claws when Gregory slithered into the room!"
Ann's eyes widened. "Gregory got out of his cage?! When did this happen?! Of course the applicant would scream!"
Laddi shook her head. "I said scream and showed her claws. Meaning-"
Understanding filtered in Ann's eyes. "Oh… one of them, huh?"
"So far all of them are one of them." Laddi sighed out.
Ann bit her lower lip. They sure have a big problem on their hands… Where can they find someone who's not a fortune hunter? She reached out and patted Laddi's wrinkled hands, suddenly aware of how old her mother-in law was… No wonder she's getting tired…
"Don't worry, Mom… We'll find someone. I'm sure we'll know who she is once we see her."
One phrase flitted through their mind…
I hope…
~*~
"Thank you so much for your time, Ms. Nesbitt." Laddi said as she reached out to the woman for their parting handshake.
"Same here, Mrs. Roberts." She reached out.
Cold, lifeless hands encompassed Laddi's own and right then and there, she reached a decision to slash out Ms. Nesbitt… She watched as the lovely woman walked out of the room then leaned against her chair.
Is it her? Is she being a bit over protective that she's overlooking and criticizing the applicants too much?
She shook her head and walked to the door, breathed in deeply before she opened the only barrier she had from the long line of waiting applicants… She watched as the children did their antics on the floor… Suddenly, she saw Tyler give Mark and Leslie the 'look'…
'Uh oh… what are they planning now…?' She should feel guilty but, truth be told, she was not. She was actually the one who told the kids to do whatever they wanted to anyone who came into her house.
How she got them to cooperate made her lips turn into a slight smile.
'Uncle Quatre needs a new secretary and he wants you guys to make sure that they're nice…'
She emphasized on nice, of course… and so, the carrot was dangled in front of the horse and the grandmother and grandchildren united under one cause…
The three children went from one applicant to another, pestered them with questions, and tugged at their skirts then said innocent remarks like-
"You look pale, are you sick?" or-
Laddi's eyes widened at what Mark just told one heavily make-upped woman-
"What do you look like under that mask?"
She quickly stepped back in her makeshift office, closed the door and laughed her heart out. The children's honest liveliness against the stark, calculating auras of those women outside… She should tape this!
With the many nephews, nieces and extended families Quatre had, it's a must for the new secretary to have a flare with children! But so far… those picture perfect business attired and cosmetic clad women out there are sadly… not right.
'Ah well… on with the show…'
Laddi opened the door and inwardly grimaced when she heard the doorbell, signifying the arrival of another applicant… She watched as Leslie opened the front door and only gave a quick appraisal to the new addition.
A slight frown appeared on her forehead as she saw front creased black pants instead of the usual fashionable skirt she had seen on everyone, so far.
'Okay, Laddi, one at a time… you'll get to her later.' She gave a tired smile to the next applicant- who seemed, at the moment, near the end of her patience with Mark's continuous questioning.
~*~
'Maybe I shouldn't have come… maybe this is a mistake… I mean… I don't have enough experience… this is such a professional job…' Doubts rose and stayed at the back of her mind and her fear doubled as she took in the women inside the parlor, waiting to be interviewed…
'Oh God… Shanah, what have you gotten yourself into now?' She suddenly felt as insignificant as a bug… All those smart looking women ahead of her… how could she possibly get the position?
"Hi!"
The soft, cheerful greeting made Shanah glance down and she saw an adorable little girl in a pink dress, holding on to a doll… The little girl invoked a warm smile from her, lighting the green and golden specks in her eyes. For a moment, her nervousness disappeared.
"Hello."
Shanah watched as the little girl frowned at her, trying to look very serious… 'Cute, for a girl her age to do so…'
"Are you s'posed to be interbeud by my Gammy?"
Shanah bit her lower lip. 'Gammy?' Ah well… it must be the same woman… "If your Gammy's name is Laddi Roberts, then I am supposed to be interviewed by her."
A sparkle of mischief appeared in the little girl's clear blue eyes and Shanah had a feeling of… dread…
"C'mon. I want you to meet my brothers."
Shanah was suddenly pulled toward two blonde boys, who, at the moment, were busy talking the ears off the group of women lined outside a large oak door…
"Mark! Tyler! We have a new one!"
Shanah inwardly cringed at the little girl's announcement… She could feel everyone's gaze zero in on her, appraise her and she could almost hear the huffing sounds of 'she's no match for me' disregard…
Well… she just came here to try her luck… A spur of the moment decision when she typed in her application and sent it after she saw the job opening for the Winner Enterprise… She's not even really sure of what the job was except that the pay was good and that the company was one of the best in standing, not to mention that the name had been used over and over again in business schools… She brought herself back to the present as the little girl introduced her brothers.
"This is Tyler, our biggest brother, and that's Mark, and I'm Leslie."
Oh, blame it for being such a softie with children, but Shanah couldn't stop herself from smiling at the innocent looking kids in front of her. "Hello."
She didn't miss a certain look the three gave each other before turning back and sending her their innocent smiles… Once again, she had a feeling akin to dread…
"Leslie will take care of you, okay?" the tallest of the boys, Tyler- Shanah reminded herself, said with that grin…
Mark nodded. "Leslie, show her your doll collection…"
'Emphasis on the 'doll'… I wonder why…' Shanah saw Leslie nod and turned to her while her brothers went back to their incessant chatter with the other women.
"What's your name?"
Shanah looked down at the little girl with blonde pigtails. "Shanah."
The little girl nodded. "They don't want to play dolls with me…" A pout followed that remark while she pointed at the two boys. "And those women won't either…" Her baby blue eyes started to water…
Shanah cannot help but feel as if the little girl is playing her for a wimp but… she who could resist those baby blue eyes! "That's too bad… Tell you what… Since there's still a lot of people, and it looks like I'm last, I'll play dolls with you."
Instead of a smile on the little girl's face, Shanah saw slight shock then a troubled look in her eyes…
"Er… you will have to sit on the floor with me."
Shanah looked down at her pants. "That's okay. This is black."
"Uhm… but…" Then, almost as if noticing her mistake, she smiled widely. "Er… sure… uhm… I'll just get my dolls…"
Confusion warred in Shanah as she watched Leslie walk to her brothers and tug them away from the parlor… She had a feeling that something was going on around here but… what?
~*~
"Didn't work!?" Tyler cried out. "What do you mean 'it didn't work'?"
Leslie pouted. "She's the first one who said she'll play with me…"
"Uhm… should we let Gregory out now?" Mark's soft voice asked.
Tyler shook his head. "Nah… Mom got mad at us, remember? B'sides, that's only for 'mergencies."
"Grammy liked it." Mark countered.
The three kids looked at each other and laughed.
"Well… anyway, Leslie, just get her irritated." Tyler said, using his big brotherly voice.
Leslie shook her head. "I don't think so… she seems… nice."
"Everyone is nice." Tyler countered, not getting what his little sister meant.
"No, Tyler, I mean… nice. She didn't give me that look the others gave when I opened the door…" Leslie wrinkled her nose, tried to imitate the look of disgust on the previous applicants' faces before they gave their smile, and then looked at her brothers.
"How about if we help you later on?" Mark suggested. "I'm getting tired with those other ladies…"
Tyler frowned, contemplating on the decision. "Okay… we'll help as soon as we can."
"Alright… I'm going to get my dolls now." With one last significant look to each other, they separated.
~*~
Shanah stifled a laugh while Leslie finished the 'dolls play' in front of her. 'Maybe I should have been a schoolteacher… Pre school…' She thought, bemused.
She looked at the clatter of dolls and stuff toys that circled them and hoped that whoever's in charge of cleaning the place wouldn't get mad at the mess.
"Then, my most beautiful doll shrieked 'Ah! No! Not my beautiful hair!!!'"
Shanah's attention riveted back to Leslie who started cradling the beautiful doll… A slight pang of sadness encompassed her heart. "She is… beautiful."
"Oh yes… I'm not going to let anything happen to her because she's my most beautiful doll."
Shanah inwardly flinched… Such a little girl and already the 'beautiful' indisposition had already gotten to her. "You know… beauty isn't really all that. There's also what's inside a person that counts."
Leslie's blue eyes gazed into Shanah's green eyes and she saw intelligence beyond the little girl's years.
"I know that. My Gammy say so, my mommy and daddy say so… Uncle Quatre say so."
'Cornered by a little girl… Good one, Shanah…' She looked away from Leslie's eyes and said the only thing she could think of… "Oh…" Shanah glanced at the closed oak doors and then checked her watch…
'Oh my…!' Her eyes widened in slight disbelief… Had it been two hours already? She checked the line and saw that there was two more left and gave a sigh of relief.
"Shanah… I'm hungwry…"
"Huh…?" Shanah looked at Leslie. Did she hear that correctly?
"I'm hungwry…" As if to accentuate on that fact, Leslie's stomach grumbled.
"Uhm…" Shanah swiveled to Tyler and Mark, still not done with their chatter. 'Well… they're going to stop now…'
"Just a minute, okay Les?" She stood up from the clatter of toys and walked to the two older brothers. "Tyler, Mark, do you guys have any snacks that Leslie could munch on? She's hungry."
Tyler frowned as he looked from Shanah to Leslie then that mischievous light seeped into his eyes once again. 'Oh, good one, Les…'
"Uhm… I don't know… we don't do anything in the kitchen… Mommy gets mad." Tyler gave Mark a slight nudge.
Mark went straight on cue. "Yeah… and Grammy."
Shanah frowned at the mischief she could see in their eyes, but the distinctive growl she heard from Leslie's stomach-
"Shanah… I'm really hungwry." Leslie whined as she tugged at Shanah's pants.
Shanah looked from the kids to the women with noses upturned in the air… 'Well… I'm not going to get help from their side…But…' this wasn't her house… She might get the interviewer mad if she-
"Shanah…" Leslie's whine became more pronounced.
Shanah looked down at watery blue eyes… 'Oh… heck with it… I'm not likely to get the job anyway…' she faced the two boys. "Could you take me to the kitchen? I'm going to whip something up for Leslie."
Mark's eyes bulged. "Uhm… Could you… make me some, too?"
Tyler frowned while he looked at his little brother.
Mark pouted. "Well, I'm hungry too… And I'm tired."
Shanah stared at the kids. Considering the fact that Tyler and Mark had been bugging the women to be interviewed since she got here… she'd bet that they're tired!
"Okay, just show me the kitchen and I'll make something for all of you."
Leslie jumped up and down and willingly complied as she pulled Shanah into a homey kitchen while Mark and Tyler followed.
Shanah looked around and smiled at the comfortable atmosphere. It reminded her of the olden days when grandmothers baked cookies for grandchildren… or mothers with aprons… The sun dried flowers set in the basket centerpiece along with fruit was a nice touch…
"Okay… let's see what I can do…" She saw a loaf of bread and the toaster… Easiest to do and the least intrusion…
"Tyler, you are such a big, strong little boy… I was wondering if you could please bring out the milk from the fridge? That is… if you have some."
Shanah grinned inwardly as Tyler's chest instantly puffed out at the compliment and responsibility.
"Mark, could you pass me some butter and cheese? If it's too high in the fridge, just tell me and I'll do it myself."
Mark nodded happily, walking after his brother.
A tug at her pants made Shanah look down into Leslie's doll face.
"What do you want me to do?"
Shanah touched the little girl's nose. "How about you tell me where the knives, plates and glasses are?"
Leslie nodded as she pointed. "Knives… plates… glasses."
In no time at all, she had buttered toast and melted cheese, cut in triangles on the plate and three glasses full of milk.
Three pairs of eyes looked at her for confirmation and Shanah smiled. "Eat up!"
Soft squeals of delight echoed in the kitchen as the three grabbed their share. She was washing the bread knife when a voice made her gasp and drop the knife- thankfully not slicing her finger!
"Miss Winter?"
'Oh no…' Shanah slowly turned around to face the professional voice, an excuse ready on her lips.
"Gammy! She played with me!"
"Granma, we got hungry."
"She made us some food."
Shanah bit her lower lip nervously as she looked at the grandmotherly figure. "I… I hope you wouldn't mind my intrusion in your kitchen… I mean…" Her voice faltered as clear, intelligent blue gray eyes caught her own.
Laddi took in the appearance of her last applicant for the day… Seems younger than the other girls… Fresh… Oh yes… of course… her application… Laddi's quick mind tried to remember what she could about this girl… Graduated, interned… So far all her references had only high praises for her… She could also tell that she was very smart through those thick glasses covering her clear emerald eyes, though at the moment, she was very nervous…
"Oh don't worry about it, Miss Winter. I'm just happy that you helped my grandchildren. I hope that they… hadn't been any… trouble." She gave a significant look at the trio who instantly grinned.
"Oh no… they weren't any trouble at all… Leslie's such an angel, and both Tyler and Mark had been such gentlemen in helping me."
That shook Laddi as she glanced at her two boys. ''Been quite a gentleman'?' Her glance went back to pant-clad woman to finish her appraisal of the last candidate. The list checked here and there in her mind.
"Miss Winter, would you mind if you let yourself in the room behind the oak wood door where the interviews are conducted? I would like to talk to my grandchildren for a moment."
Shanah quickly nodded, trying to cover her nervousness. "Of course, Mrs. Roberts."
"Bye Shanah!"
"Thanks for the food."
"Yep! Thanks!"
The children's gratitude made Shanah want to smile at them, but one look at the hard-faced grandmother, her smile faltered and she quickly scooted into the said room.
Laddi turned to the kids, her face softening. "Well?"
"I think she's nice. I like her." Leslie said as she bit into her sandwich.
"I think she's good." Mark added his own opinion.
"Better than the others… She was able to handle Leslie's whining." Tyler announced before gulping his milk.
'Ooohh… Praises from the critics… First time too…' It's her turn now… "Okay, well, you guys clean up right after, okay?"
The kids nodded before Laddi left the room.
~*~
Shanah wrung her wrists nervously while she paced in the middle of the room… 'Okay… so maybe what I did was wrong… alright… so be it… intrusion in someone else's home has always been bad… I'll just have to take whatever blow she gives me…' She looked at the closed doors and remembered that hard look on the elderly woman's face. 'Oh God, she's mad!'
She heard footsteps stop just outside the door and Shanah straightened her back to meet her judge, ready to face the consequences.
The door opened and Mrs. Roberts came in, her face as stoic as ever. "Have a seat, Miss Winter."
Shanah complied… If she didn't get into a chair soon, she'd fall over because her knees were shaking so badly!
She waited until Mrs. Roberts was behind her desk before she started her apology. "Mrs. Roberts, I know that intruding upon someone else's home is also violating personal sanctuary. I will say that I apologize for doing so, but I cannot say that I am sorry for doing so. The children were hungry and though this house does not rightfully belong to them, they do live in it, therefore a part of the household. I had asked for their permission and they willingly gave it." Shanah's hands were in tight fists on her lap while her eyes courageously met Mrs. Roberts' scrutinizing gaze…
Something ticked in Laddi's brain as she looked into the young woman's emerald eyes… It might be because though the girl was clearly nervous, she had still met and accepted the problem head on, and had not backed away like some spineless coward… Or maybe it could be because she saw honesty in those eyes and clear face, uncovered by any powder of sort… either way, she had always trusted her gut instincts. Laddi let her stoic mask fall and gave way to her true self…
Shanah blinked a couple of times to make sure that she was not seeing things as Mrs. Roberts suddenly… smiled! - warmly- at her…
Laddi leaned against her chair, her nerves finally relaxed. "I think you'll do just fine…"
Shanah tilted her head in confusion. "I'm sorry… I don't think I understand."
Laddi grinned. "Do you want the job, my dear?"
Shanah was still trying to keep up with what's happening… and had Mrs. Roberts just called her 'my dear'? Well, how could she ever get out of a confusing rut if she didn't get answers, right?
"Mrs. Roberts-"
"Laddi." The elder woman cut in.
Shanah gave a faltering smile, once again surprised at the warmth from this once stoic woman. "L-Laddi… I'm a bit confused… Are you offering me the position? If so, since the description of the employment is still a mystery to me, I would like to know what it is and what is to be expected. The article was vague about it."
Laddi's grin widened. The poor soul is confused… of course… "Let me clarify then, Miss Winter, or may I call you Shanah?"
"Sh-Shanah." She stuttered, still quite bewildered.
Laddi nodded. "Alright, Shanah. I am offering you the job you had applied for." She saw the look of disbelief cross her face. "The job is to be Mr. Quatre Raberba Winner's personal assistant."
At that revelation, Shanah's eyes bulged. Mr. Quatre Raberba Winner's personal assistant?! The Former Gundam Pilot, head of the Winner Enterprise himself? But that could only mean…. Her gaze traveled to the grandmotherly type woman in front of her.
Laddi saw the question in her eyes and she nodded. "I'm Mr. Winner's personal assistant… Or was, if you will accept the job. You do know Mr. Winner, don't you?" Laddi wanted to see Shanah's reaction to the question and she wasn't disappointed as Shanah gave her a look of pure, utter disbelief.
"Mr. Winner is most notable in the business world…" Shanah's voice came out in a whisper.
Laddi nodded once again. "Yes… he has accomplished quite a feat, that young one…"
Shanah nodded her agreement while she tried to collect her wits about her.
"Mind you, working for him will be a challenge."
"As is every hurdle in life." Shanah answered.
Laddi grinned at the response. "He needs someone hardworking, organized, steadfast and someone who can easily take off with him to wherever he needs to go."
'So far so good…' Shanah thought, excitement starting to burst in her. She wouldn't try false modesty and say that she wasn't any of those.
"I've talked to your references and they've all said that you are the very essence of those qualities I am looking for." Laddi saw a faint smile on Shanah's face. "Not only that, but my grandchildren have a very high regard for you already… You passed their tests."
That
revelation nearly made Shanah fall off her seat. "Their tests?""I put them up to it, so don't blame the kids." Laddi said with that mischievous twinkle in her eyes.
Shanah concluded with conviction that the kids got their mischievous streak from the woman in front of her.
"Mr. Winner has quite a large family and sometimes they drop by. The sheer number might… overwhelm you. Are you from a large family, Shanah?"
Shanah shook her head. "Sadly, no… I would have loved to be, though."
Laddi nodded. "It's fun. Well, anyway… You will keep track of Quatre's schedule, remind him of any changes- this will include weddings, birthdays, and anniversaries- keep his papers intact, draft memos, and follow his favors."
"Favors? That's a nice substitute for orders." Shanah said, feeling giddy with excitement.
Laddi laughed. "It's favors, not orders… you'll know what I mean soon enough. So," she leaned forward, "Will you accept the job?"
Faced with the direct question, Shanah's nervousness came back in full blast. "Why would you trust someone who's just out of business school and with small training?"
Laddi grinned, that question reminding her so much of her youth. "Because when I was around your age, the late Mr. Winner interviewed me to be his personal assistant, and like you, I was just out of school… When I asked him the question akin to what you just asked me, he said that it was because he felt I would do my best in my tasks and I just needed a chance… That is how I feel about you, Shanah… I have a feeling that you will do the very best you can, you just need a chance to prove it."
Shanah's lower lip trembled at the overwhelming confidence suddenly placed upon her and she knew, deep inside her she knew that she would not let the woman in front of her down... "I will do the best I can." She heard herself whisper.
Laddi smiled. She has a feeling that Shanah will do exactly what she had just said. "How soon can you start?"
"How soon do you want me to start?"
Laddi grinned. "As soon as possible."
"Then you've got the right girl." Shanah said, confidence exuded in her tone.
Laddi grabbed a business card from the table and handed it to her. "I'll be expecting you at that address tomorrow at 7:30 am sharp. Training will start then."
Shanah nodded and tucked the card in her breast pocket, nearest to her beating heart.
Laddi extended her hand over the table…
Shanah reached out to touch it…
Warm hands, though shaking, met Laddi's own and she knew, right then that she made the right choice.
Shanah walked out of the double oak doors and saw the three kids lined up against the wall, looking at her expectantly. She stopped and gave each of them a knowing look. "You little imps tricked me…"
The three kids grinned, not at all disagreeing with her. Shanah laughed and the kids started to laugh along. Laddi reached the door just in time to watch Shanah give Leslie a goodbye hug, and to ruffle Mark and Tyler's hair before leaving…
Shanah Winter… There was only one thing that bothered Laddi about her… The fact that she seemed to be hiding herself behind those funny looking glasses and dowdy clothes… Then again… there might be a reason why, or maybe she's just making a mountain out of a molehill…
~*~
0900 Hours
Thursday
Winner Enterprise
"Do you understand it so far?"
Shanah looked up at the woman and nodded. The organizational process was pretty simple to understand… Though she made a mental note to change some things and to re-arrange the drawers later on to fit her personal taste… other than that, the usual office mechanisms were the same- except that they were all top-of-the-line office mechs… She would gradually remember her co-workers' names, though having her own personal office connected to the Head would prove it difficult to get to know the people around her ASAP… Ah well, she'll find a way.
"Give me a recap." Laddi ordered as she sat on her table.
Shanah started listing off the things she was just given a crash course on, adding which room was which and where.
Laddi grinned. "Good. You've got everything… Oh! I almost forgot!"
Shanah looked at the grimacing older woman who became her friend. "What is it?"
"You have a male counterpart."
Shanah frowned. "What do you mean?"
Laddi grinned. "His name is Rashid- and don't ask me for his last name because it's hard to pronounce. But don't worry about it, everyone calls him Rashid." She shook her head. "He's something like Quatre's personal bodyguard, most trusted friend, loyal assistant and he's a hard man to bring to your side, but once he's there, he'll stay loyal."
Shanah gulped at this new information. "Is… Is he going to… do you think he's not going to like me? Give me a hard time and all?"
Laddi frowned. "Well… most likely. Since you're new and he doesn't trust people easily, he'll give you a hard time, but stay calm… he's only doing it for Quatre's sake… Too many people are out to get him, you know."
Shanah nodded.
"Which reminds me…"
"Another thing you forgot to tell me?"
Laddi nodded, her grimace more pronounced than ever. "The most detestable part of this job."
Shanah steeled herself. "Okay, give it to me… I think I can handle it."
"You have to literally fight with women."
Her eyes blinked in disbelief at the serious look on Laddi's face… Then, Shanah couldn't help herself as she started to laugh. "Really, Laddi… come on…"
"I'm not kidding."
Shanah's laughter faded at the serious tone. She looked at Ladi. "You're serious."
It wasn't a question but Laddi still nodded. "Let's just say that being the most eligible bachelor has its ups and downs."
Shanah frowned. "Doesn't he like the attention?" She doesn't really look at the society page of the newspaper… She usually goes from comics to business to world and that's it. So, everything she knew about Mr. Winner was his reputation in the business world.
"Quatre? Like it? How about you judge that on your own." Laddi suggested while she stretched. "Ah, my aching bones."
"When is he due back, again?" Shanah asked as she went to a wall and pressed a button. A wall slid open, revealing a small kitchen.
"He's going to be back tomorrow, just in time for my party, the sweet thing."
Shanah grinned. That's the fourth time this morning, in less than two hours, that Laddi had shown how much she cared for Quatre… 'He must be quite a guy.'
~*~
2000 Hours
Thursday
GC25-375 (Galaxy Colony)
"I will be expecting the latest profiles and numbers sent to the Main Office by the end of this week." A hesitant look flashed over his aquamarine eyes. "That is enough time, I presume?"
The nine men in front of him murmured their agreement.
He nodded as he stood up, wanting to escape the stifling room. "I will review the papers and give my decision as soon as possible."
The others stood also. They all shook hands with enthusiastic smiles and finally left.
His tired eyes flittered over to the corner of the room and met his friend's scowling glare. A smile tugged his lips. "Rashid, did you get everything alright?"
"Tried to get the particulars while the discussion was going on but I couldn't. I just hope Laddi would be able to distinguish who's who in this tape. I'd be happy once I'm relinquished from this job."
Quatre bit back a laugh. Rashid had been doing Laddi's job for almost a week now and… with that definitive grimace on his face, it didn't fit well with him at all!
"Rashid, you forget, it will not be Laddi who will be doing that." His tone showed his sadness.
Rashid's scowl left his face, replaced by a solemn look. "Yes. I just hope that the person who will be replacing her will be good enough."
"Well," Quatre picked his suitcase off the table, "She wanted to pick the new person her way, so… Let's just trust her judgement the way that we usually do. Shall we?"
Rashid nodded as he grabbed the pieces of papers scattered all over the desk and the tape recorder. "We have three hours to spare before the eight hours flight back."
Quatre donned his heavily tinted sunglasses and smiled. "That's just enough time to buy her a present."
"No! Not shopping!" Rashid stopped dead in his tracks as he stared at the blonde youth in front of him in utter alarm.
Quatre thanked the Gods that he'd already got his back to Rashid when he let out a wide smile. 'Poor Rashid…' His friend had always disliked shopping… good thing his sisters' influence gave him an upper hand. "Come on, Rashid. How else will we be able to find the right gift?"
Rashid let out a set of expletives while one of his hands crumpled the papers he was holding and the other hand went to the gun hidden from plain view. Then, he gave a sigh of resignation and finally followed Quatre. 'Ah Allah… Get me through these three hours!'
Just for the fun of it, Quatre grinned. "I am going to get Laddi the perfect present even if I have to scour this whole colony."
Rashid inwardly screamed, while his physical outlook became darker than ever.
~*~
0730 Hours
Friday
Winner Enterprise
"Master Quatre, we're here." Rashid gently shook Quatre's shoulder. The poor boy had fallen asleep in the car. They came straight from the airport, and Quatre was still clutching the present he found for Laddi… He knew for a fact that Laddi's retirement was hard on Quatre, especially since she became somewhat of Quatre's unofficial mother, and for that, he was ever thankful to the woman… At least this time, his unofficial mother wasn't really leaving him, she'd only be a couple of minutes drive away.
"Master Quatre." Rashid nudged him harder.
Quatre frowned as he was pulled away from a dreamless, much needed sleep… He could hear Rashid's voice-
"We're here, Master Quatre."
'Where? Baxter Colony? Jade? Earth?' destinations flitted through his tired mind while he slowly opened his eyes and then eyed his father's building… 'Oh…' He gave an apologetic look to Rashid.
"Let's go give Laddi her present, shall we Master Quatre?"
Quatre gave a sigh of relief that Rashid hadn't prodded him about his sleeping habit. A grin quickly lit his tired face. He had given an early notice to all his employees that there wouldn't be any office activities this particular day. It's specifically for Laddi's retirement party, and he was quite sure that everyone would be here to give their regards.
For a moment, Quatre thanked whoever it was that installed the indoor bath in his private shuttle. At least he was able to freshen up a bit. "Rashid, you go on ahead to the conference room, I just want to deposit these papers on Laddi's desk before I forget."
Rashid frowned. "I'll do that if you want."
Quatre shook his head. "I…" have to say good bye…
He didn't finish his sentence but Rashid saw it through his eyes. He gave a curt nod before he turned away.
Quatre sighed and his shoulders sagged. One more beloved person in his life would leave him… Of course she'd still be near but not as near as before… He'd miss her motherly hugs and kisses… her warm, delicious hot cocoas and home baked cookies… soft scolding…
With his head tilted down, he turned the knob to Laddi's office-
BLAG!
SPLASH!
"Ow!!! Hot!!!"
"Ooff!!!"
Quatre grabbed the door to stop his fall, closed his eyes and grimaced at the pain of the head-on collision of whoever collided against him. 'Great! First a migraine, now a headache.'
Shanah bit her lower lip to stop the stream of 'ouchies' that wanted to spill out of her lips while she held on to the front of her ruined blouse with one hand- to ease the heat off her chest- and the half-filled tea cup with the other.
"Oh dear…" she can still feel some warm water running down her chest but her initial worry was on the fact that her new employer would come in, find the dang spill, slip, fall and probably fire her to kingdom come…
At the nervous 'Oh dear', Quatre opened his eyes to look at the source of all his trouble, so early in the morning. He looked from the steaming mug to the tilted head and down to the wide spot of water on blouse she was holding away from her skin. His initial anger was instantly replaced with worry and slight guilt when he felt the nervousness being exuded from the woman in front of him.
'It's half my fault anyway.' Quatre chided himself. "Are you alright?" He took a step forward and the woman promptly stopped him with the world known hand signal for stop- She could have been a policewoman with that firm hand.
"Don't take another step if you don't want to slip." Her soft voice gave the warning before she moved away, half ran to Laddi's desk and took out a box of tissue papers.
Quatre looked down and saw what she meant.
"Oohhh!!! I better clean this up before he arrives… I hope he's late…"
He watched her instantly fall on her knees to clean up the mess… for a moment, just for a teeny second, his gaze fell on that small space that showed a small expanse of chest. Quatre blushed and instantly bent down to get some tissues, his curiosity pricked by whoever this woman was… and… what does she look like? So far, all he had seen was the top of her brown hair, tightly coiled in a bun at the nape of her neck…
"Before who arrives?"
Shanah bit her lower lip when she noticed the man in front of her grab some tissue. "You don't have to help, it's alright."
"It's partly my fault. Why are you so nervous?" Quatre had never met someone in this state of nerves before… he could feel it blasting him away.
"I don't want Mr. Winner to find this spill… I'm new and-"
Quatre grinned. 'So, that's why.' He noticed thick reading glasses perched on the floor and reached out to pick it up, probably hers… As soon as he saw her nod her approval on the floor, he offered it to her.
Shanah looked at the man's hand that held her own glasses and smiled softly… She hadn't really given so much as a glance to him but he helped her wipe the floor clean and tried to talk to her… She looked up and stared into the clear aquamarine eyes, framed by dark lashes, reminding her of a clear lagoon.
A slight blush tinted her cheeks, making her face all the more… Quatre tried to find the word… 'Lovely…' He smiled at her as charmingly as he could and tried to feign off the sudden shyness he could feel coming on to him while he stared into her crystalline emerald eyes.
"Here you go." Quatre offered the glasses to her once again, not really knowing what to say.
Shanah unwillingly took her eyes away from the handsome man in front of her and looked down at her glasses, wanting to crush it to smithereens, but instead, she reached out for it. "Thank you."
"You're wel-"
"QUATRE!"
Laddi's voice interrupted Quatre while the older woman rushed to him to give him a quick motherly hug.
Shanah's eyes bulged slightly- 'Huh?!'
"Mrs. Roberts!!! I missed you." Quatre gave back the hug given to him with all the enthusiasm Laddi had.
Shanah slowly shook her head from left to right… 'It can't be…'
Laddi looked over Quatre's shoulders, saw Shanah and gave her a grin. "I see that you've met my replacement."
That kicked every doubt that rose in Shanah's mind out of the door. Through her shocked haze, she was able to straighten herself before the man who had helped her.
"Shanah Winter, this is Quatre Raberba Winner. Quatre this is Shanah, your new personal assistant."
Quatre felt the sudden change in Shanah as he reached out for a handshake. The once warm though nervous air disappeared, replaced by a slightly cold aura. He watched as she reached out for his hand, watched as she quickly donned on her glasses before they touched and gave a firm, indifferent handshake.
"Good morning, Mr. Winner."
Quatre nearly frowned but he caught himself. She'd just set the ground rules on how they would call each other… though he would have liked it better if she'd just call him by his name and vice versa. "Pleasure, Ms. Winter." For a moment, the irony of her name and the cold aura he could feel dropped in his mind…
Laddi frowned at the icy demeanor between the two… Did something unpleasant just happen here?
"I'm sorry for the earlier trouble, Mr. Winner. I promise that in the future, I will make sure it will never happen again."
Quatre nodded, letting go of her icy hand. Maybe he could blame the reason for her sudden change to embarrassment? "It's alright, Ms. Winter. It was partly my fault."
"It is still a promise I intend to keep, sir." Shanah looked down at the tissue papers in her hands. "Excuse me, I have to throw these away…"
Laddi shook her head but her happiness that Quatre got back in time made her forget as she pulled the youth into the party.
Quatre followed with a grin, but in the back of his mind he had a feeling that Shanah's sudden change wasn't at all due to embarrassment…
Inside the office, Shanah splashed cold water on her face and recalled what just happened. "I wished he was late… I can't believe I said that to him!" She wiped her face, donned her glasses once again.
Well… he didn't fire her, so she'd just make sure that she would be the best PA he had ever had and make sure that he would forget about that little incident.
For a moment, she recalled those soft aqua eyes when he stared at her… She shook her head vigorously and covered up the fact that she found him attractive. "Money, brains, power and looks…" She stopped… 'Yep… definitely looks…' She shook her head again. "No wonder women are after him… Guess I really will have a handful on my hands…"
She looked at her now plain features… at her thick glasses… at her tightly pinned hair… at her tasteless clothes and nodded, giving herself time to thank whoever it was that told her to always keep spare clothes in the office before walking back into the party.