The Confusion and Joy of Love

Chapter One Meeting

Desarai was unlike any woman Richard had ever seen. She looked stunning in a vibrant green summer dress with her gorgeous blonde hair pulled loosely into a ponytail. Like her sister, Juliet, she was extremely intelligent in her field of work. She and Juliet would make excellent editions to their research team. "Hello, I'm Richard Alpert and you must be Desarai and Juliet Burke." "Pleased to meet you we both greeted shaking his hand briefly. I glanced away as Richard's soft brown eyes met mine and sat down next to Juliet at the table. He was quite the handsome man in my opinion. "Mittelos Bioscience is located just out of Portland." He turned on a slide show and it showed different facilities and people doing various activities. "I know it looks cheeseball but our people really are that happy. We are privately funded and privately funded means freedom. Every week we organize different events in and around the Portland area which is just great for hiking and biking." "I was flattered when your company reached out to us but I don't understand why you want me." Juliet sputtered. "Is it true you successfully impregnated a male field mouse?"Richard asked. "It didn't carry to term." Juliet replied modestly. "We are confident in both your skills and intelligence. Can I show you two something? What do you see?" Juliet wandered over to the screen and I hung back a bit examining the slide closely. "Its a human womb obviously, and judging by the decomposition of the endometrium, I'd say she was seventy." Juliet responded. "Actually, she's 26." What happened to her?" I asked stunned. "What if I told you that you had complete freedom and money to find out? We think you two are special and we want you to lead a team of highly trained professionals because we think you're just that good." "I can't." Juliet stated frowning. "Why not?" "My ex-husband wouldn't let me have this." Juliet said hastily. "He doesn't want you to have this opportunity?" "He doesn't want me to have anything." "Maybe if there was a way that we could reach out him..." "If he were hit by a bus how about that. I'm sorry to have wasted your time Mr. Alpert. I'm not a leader; I'm a mess." With that she rushed out without a second glance. I was rooted to the spot because my legs were refusing to move. "I'll talk to her. She's just overwhelmed that's all. I'm still interested in working with you Mr. Alpert." "Please, it's Richard and I appreciate you considering us." "Great, well, I'd better be off. I'm sure we will be in touch again soon Richard." I smiled and Richard returned it muttering, "We shall." Richard held out his hand again and I grasped it gently. I raised my eyes to meet his and I knew that my cheeks were going red so I hurriedly released his hand and rushed out the door to find Juliet. I found her already in the car waiting. "Jules, are you going to be all right?" "My life is just such a mess and I don't know how I would hold up in Portland. Its so far away from Rachel and I'm not who they think I am." "It would be a good opportunity to get away from Ed for awhile. Richard seemed like such a nice guy. Richard really believes in us and I believe in you. I would hate to disappoint Richard and the rest of Mittelos Bioscience." Juliet faced me with a smirk playing at her lips. "What?" I blurted hoping that I wasn't blushing. "Do you have a thing for Richard?" "I like him that's all." "I'll call him tomorrow and tell him that we are going." "We'll see." Juliet replied and started up the car and we drove to Rachel's flat. When we arrived Rachel was sitting on the edge of the couch waiting. "How did it go?" She prodded. "It's Portland. It's to far." "Juliet wasn't sold." I answered. "You didn't say no because of me did you?" "Why would I want to go all the way to Portland for research that doesn't even work?" "Because it does work." I froze and both Juliet and I stared at Rachel in shock. "What do you mean?" Juliet broke the silence. "I'm pregnant." Rachel stated grinning madly. "Are you sure," I prodded feeling excitement rush through me. Rachel grabbed her pregnancy test and showed us. It was the best news we could have asked for. We celebrated that night and stayed up late into the night.

LOST

The next day Juliet burst in to the house sobbing hysterically. "Julie what's wrong?" "He's---dead." I didn't need to ask who but held my sister as she cried. After she had finally calmed down a bit she announced, "I ran into Richard. He gave me the paper work for us to fill out. Where's Rachel?" "Laying down." "I think I should go lay down as well." With that Juliet went into the guest room and closed the door behind her.

LOST

Over the next few days we met up with Richard several times to sign forms and discuss terms. Juliet and I made sure that we would be back in time for Rachel's delivery. A week later we stood in front of a large building. Rachel got out of the passenger side and hugged us goodbye. This would be the last time that we would be allowed to have contact with her for six whole months. "I'm going to be fine." Rachel assured us. "Of course you are." Juliet said hugging her tightly. With a final goodbye we climbed into a white van with Richard and Ethan, who also worked with Mittelos Bioscience. "I felt nervousness fill me as we arrived at the doors. Ehtan opened the door for us and Richard helped me out. "Thanks." I muttered as we entered and came into an area where Ethan motioned us to sit down. He took our vitals and Richard told us to drink some orange juice that obviously had some powdery substance poured into it that wasn't flavour. "What's in it?" I asked timidly taking the glass but not drinking it. "It's orange juice with a considerable amount of horse tranquillizer in it." "You want us to drink it?" Juliet replied bewildered. "You're going to want to. It can be a rough journey." "I was fine with signing all of your paper work. Fine with agreeing to not talk to anyone in my life for six months..." "Why were you fine with those things? That's a huge leap for a job opportunity." Juliet remained silent. "I think your fine because you know that the place were taking you to is special and you have special talent. You took your sister, whose system was ravaged from cancer, and you created life where it wasn't supposed to be. There are other women out there that need your help." Juliet turned to look at me and I nodded. We both downed our glasses and Ethan and Richard exchanged a glance. "You probably shouldn't have drunk that so fast." With that my vision blurred and I passed out. The last thing I remembered was Richard catching me before everything went black.