He had been called many things in his time but Oliver Warbucks was first and foremost a business man.
His philosophy being that there were only three necessitates in life.
Money. Power and capitalism
Narcissism in a suit he was ruthless in these things.
A permanent fixture in the world of aristocracy the press where no stranger to him , documenting whatever information they could dig up .professional and personal stories sprawled across the pages regardless of their validity deluding the public that they knew the black and white figure in the photograph , total nonsense of course .
There was only one person who truly knew the balding billionaire, personal secretary and right hand woman Grace Farrell.
Quite the opposite of her boss she had worked for the past decade loyally at his side, her calm an organised demeanour differing greatly from that of her employer.
The past ten years seemed nothing to how she felt, why the brunette could hardly remember working or living anywhere else. Upon walking into the mansion that very first day she had thrown herself into the job ensuring that both the schedule of Mr Warbucks and his household ran like clockwork.
Checklist and Clipboard in hand Grace quickly scanned its contents, her Grey heels clicking rhythmically against the marble floor as she busily made her way around the mansion a neat tick gracing her paper as each job was assigned.
Mr Warbuck's would be arriving home later that evening and Grace knowing her boss knew he would expect nothing short of perfection, boy was there a lot to do.
The mansion had been buzzing with activity since the early hours of morning and for Grace it had been nonstop .
turning the corner she sank down onto an empty chair sighing in relief as she enjoyed a rare moment of rest.
Closing her eyes for a second she took a deep breath inhaling and exhaling slowly as prepared herself for the hours ahead.
Opening her eyes she glanced down at her watch, observing the hands as they travelled slowly around its face the sound of the grandfather clock down traveling down as she watched the dial display two o'clock.
Mr Warbuck's was due back at six giving her four hours to pull everything together.
Looking down at her list once more she stood up straightening her skirt and walking towards the kitchen.
"Miss Farrell " she heard a voice call.
" ah Drake just the person I was looking for "
The butler raised an eyebrow as he closed the distance between them
"As you know Mr Warbucks will be arriving home in a matter of hours "
The older man nodded.
"I need to pop out for a while, I trust you can manage whilst I'm gone "
" of course "
Handing him the clipboard she quickly ran through what sill needed completing .
"I shouldn't be too long, only an hour or two "she explained .
"Everything is in hand madam "
Grace bit her lip
"Make sure that .."
"Miss Farrell "Drake interrupted.
With a nervous giggle she patted him on the shoulder "ok "
Rolling his eyes he watched as his dainty manager hurriedly made her way to the cloak closet, muttering a quick thank you as Mrs Greer helped her into her coat.
After having arranged to meet the asp at two fifteen the black limousine was already waiting, the passenger door opening for her and she elegantly slipped inside.
Pulling out the morning newspaper from inside her bag she shook her head at the latest story.
" Oliver Warbuck's , businessman and Billionaire has been labelled cold a callus by the wife of former business partner Henry Vicarage in an interview last week . " he was despicably rude to my children when he visited my husband last summer , yelling at them as if they nothing more than the dirt beneath his feet . My husband and I were so appalled by his behaviour that …"
Having read the article twice over that day she didn't bother to finish . Letting out a heavy sigh she quickly put it back in her bag.
"Everything ok Miss Farrell? "
Looking up Grace met the concerned eyes of her driver.
"oh I'm fine " she reassured smiling briefly as the car pulled away .
She should have known something like this would happened , She had received a telephone call from her boss only the evening before warning her of his latest dispute.
" Miss Farrell I have spoken to Henry Vicarage and have informed him of my withdrawal from the project ."
" but Mr Warbucks …"
" It was a sinking ship Miss Farrell and I did not make my money by trying to save something that cannot be saved ."
" very well sir "
" A fair warning Miss Farrell I shouldn't be surprised if his wife contacts the press. she has never been fond of me "
" yes sir "
"Ghastly woman, if anything does arise I'm sure you are capable of dealing with it "
"Of course sir."
"very well , I will be arriving home tomorrow evening "
As he typically was with this kind of thing Mr Warbucks had been right. That morning the newspaper had arrived as usual complete with the black and white image of her employer plastered across its front page.
" Hudson Street orphanage Miss "
Slowly the vehicle came to a stop and glancing out of the window Grace's blue eyes grew wide .
"oh boy "
Clasping the handle of her briefcase she took a deep breath, smiling nervously as she stepped out.
Around the car a small crowd had formed all staring in wonder as they whispered amongst themselves eyes young and old following as she gingerly made her way up the concrete steps and rang the doorbell.
It was only a second or two before a voice could be heard loud and brash as it grew closer.
"Alright! Alright! "
Roughly the door swung open revealing a woman ten or so years older than herself, her body slumped lazily against the wooden frame as she looked the up and down.
" Yeah "
" Miss Hannigan ? "
" who's asking ? "
" Oh sorry , I'm Grace Farrell ." the secretary explained extending her hand ." The New York board of orphan's s..sent me "
At her words there was an instant change in the woman before her, shaking her hand enthusiastically as she pulled her inside.
"Oh, why didn't ya say so? Come on in "
Lead down the dimly lit hallway Grace tried to keep track of what the woman was saying , now trapped with their arms linked together she passed little girls cleaning the uncarpeted floors and watched as they were hurriedly huddled upwards by their headmistress .
Confusion growing by the second she couldn't make head or tail of her ramblings and as Miss Hannigan finally pausing for breath the brunette spoke .
" Miss Hannigan what on earth are you talking about ? "
The look reflected back at her was as confused as her own and after a moment realisation seemed to dawn and like a heavy brick Miss Hannigan Dropped her arm .
"Hey, are you selling beauty products? Cause I don't need no beauty products. "
"no , Miss Hannigan I think you have.."
"Cleaver idea "she interrupted "somebody obviously went to college, but it aint gonna work on me "
Pushed back the way she came Grace tried to explain and it was only when she was inches away from the front door that she finally managed to wriggle free from the woman's grasp .
"Miss Hannigan " she exclaimed stepping back "I am the private secretary to Oliver Warbucks "
She held in a giggle as the older woman's jaw dropped .
"W..W...Oliver Warbucks? The millionaire ? "
" No " Grace said softly " Oliver Warbucks the Billionaire , Mr Warbucks would like to invite an orphan to spend a week with him at his home, I'm here to select one "
" Oh " Miss Hanngian stammered placing a hand to her head " what kind of orphan did you have in mind ? "
" Well .." Grace paused aware of the children around them "Miss Hannigan could we please go somewhere a little more private? "
It was only then that the headmistress seemed to notice the girls scrubbing the floor at her feet and quickly pulled them up her nervous chuckle returning as she spoke.
"This way "she instructed and swiftly made her way past the stairs and to what Grace presumed was her office.
Watching her Slumping heavily in her chair Grace perched on the one opposite , glancing briefly at her watch before speaking.
" As I said Miss Hannigan Mr Warbucks would like .."
" A kid for the week yeah " the red head muttered flipping through the unruly pile of papers on her desk .
" quiet ? , tall ? , lazy ? " she continued waving her hands .
Miss Farrell watched the door of the closet behind her slowly creaked a jar , a small , smiling face peeking out the narrow crack that had formed .
" Well " Grace smiled the child's eyes meeting hers " Friendly " the little girl waved " intelligent , and happy "
" Hmm , how old ? "
Grace looked towards the closet secretly hoping the little girl would give her a clue , ten fingers were held up and the woman smiled .
"Ten "
"Ten "
The door opened a little further and Grace could see the mass of gorgeous ginger curls atop the child's head .
" Oh I almost forgot , Mr Warbucks prefers.. red headed children . "
" Nope , sorry aint got it " Miss Hannigan replied swinging her legs up onto the desk .
" Well , what about this child ? " Grace questioned walking towards the closest .
" What Annie ? "
Annie , Opening the door fully Grace Nodded taking the little girls hand in her own .
" You Don't want Annie "
" Why not ? "
" Shes a drunk "
Miss Farrell scoft .
" Miss Hannigan that's ridiculous "
Bending down Grace asked Annie sweetly .
" Annie " she smiled " how would you like to spend a week with Mr Warbucks at his house ? "
The youngster grinned " Would I ?! "
Grace couldn't help but laugh when the little girl flung her arms around the young woman tightly .
"I think that is a yes , " she giggled " come along now dear Mr Warbuck's Limousine is waiting "
" Oh Boy ! "
Taking Annie's hand once more the pair made their way into the corridor only to be stopped seconds later by a less than impressed Miss Hannigan who waved her finger animatedly between the two .
" Hey ! wait a minute , take your pick but you're not taking Annie "
" why ? "
" she's gotta learn her place " she responded crossing her arms .
" her place ? "
" And " the woman responded grabbing the other hand " Annie's entirely too cheeky "
Now Grace Farrell was a very civilised woman and had never had an argument in her life but something rose within her that she couldn't control and with a gentle determination she firmly tugged Annie back .
"Well Mr Warbucks likes cheeky orphans!"
"Tough! "
This had gone on for a while and Grace was surprised the poor child hadn't complained of injury but as they walked down the steps and towards the car both had triumphant smiles upon their faces the little girls grin infectious as she waved back to her friends and patted her dog..Yes she had acquired one of those too , affectionately upon the head .
How Mr Warbucks would react to her plan remained to be seen and with him due home in a mere hour and a half she was soon to find out .