She wipes the back of her mouth with her hand and collapses against the side of the toilet with a heavy sigh. This is the 5th time this week that she has thrown up. She doesn't know what it is but the nausea keeps hitting her like a slap in the face and before she knows it she's puking her brains out. She knows that there's a stomach virus going around and she chalks it up to that. She just has a stomach virus she'll be okay in no time. Taking a deep breath, she stands from her seat next to the toilet and flushes it before walking to the sink. She turns the faucet and splashes cold water on her face. Thankful for the waterproof makeup she made sure to put on this morning before she came to work. She shuts the water off and takes a look at the reflection staring back at her. Two and a half months ago she would be excited to be in her office but now she just wants to go home, crawl into bed, and just sleep the world away. But she can't do that because she's Brooke Davis and Brooke Davis has a duty to save the world one day. Her first and only love predicted it and she didn't want to let him down. Not like she had done two and a half months ago on the sunny morning. She wanted to prove herself worthy of his written words.
"Millicent?" Brooke calls as she exits the bathroom and walks into her office. Before Brooke has the chance to sit down behind her desk, her humble assistant is before her eyes and ready to take whatever orders she has to give. "Millicent, could you send one of the interns to run down to the pharmacy and pick me up some antibiotics of some sort? I think I have the stomach virus that's been going around and I want to keep myself heavily medicated so I don't have to deal with it." Brooke explains to her, knowing that it sounds stupid but that's what interns were for. Doing the stupid errands Brooke didn't feel like doing.
"Of course, Miss. Davis-"Millicent begins but Brooke interrupts her by shaking her head.
"Brooke," She reminds her firmly.
"Brooke," Millicent corrects with a nod before she clears her throat and looks toward the office door. "Your mother is here and she wants to speak with you about the new designs." Millicent tells her in almost a whisper.
"Oh gosh. Add anything that will put me in a heavily induced fog to block out that woman on the list," She mumbles with a roll of her eyes as she relaxes back in her chair. Brooke has never had a good relationship with any one of her parents but when she had confided in her mother that her dream was to start a fashion line, Victoria had all of the sudden taken a notice of her young daughter. She monitored Brooke's every move and had even had the nerve to move in with her in a small home in the suburbs of New York. Well…small for Victoria that is. Brooke's father was still in California but he would fly out to see them every once and awhile. Those visits were never something that Brooke looked forward to. It was tiring having both of her parents under one roof. "Send her in," Brooke tells with a huge sigh and wave of her hand.
"Oh Brooke I need to see the new designs for our first line if we're going to present them to the board tomorrow. I need to make sure that we have everything accounted for and that it's up to par," Victoria enters in her usual designer suit and snarky look on her face. Brooke just wants to reach over the desk and rip that sneer off her face but instead she sits back and listens to her mother. "Also, I wanted to talk to you about finding a new assistant. That Millicent is just a little too slow and not to mention a little young to be someone's full time assistant. I'm thinking we can find someone a little older and with more experience than her," Victoria continues to speak not noticing the fact that Brooke has completely tuned her out and is trying to keep the nausea down.
"Mother," Brooke's voice comes out sharp as she looks at her mother with a fierce glare. This was a subject she argued with her mother over constantly and to be honest, it was getting quite tiring. "I'm very happy with Millicent, thank you very much. She's just what I need in an assistant and as for the designs I will have them delivered to you by three o'clock. I just have to overlook a few last minute things," Brooke says to her in a firm tone, letting it be known that at the end of the day she called the shots. "And before you start about anything let me tell you that I am not feeling well and am in no mood for complaints. So please for once keep it nice?" Brooke requests, putting a hand up to stop any incoming complaints her mother might have.
"You've been acting mighty strange since that Lucas character waltzed in here a few months ago. Are you sure that whatever dilemma you've been going through has nothing to do with him?" Victoria asks, causing Brooke's stomach to drop. She hasn't spoken to or of Lucas since that fateful morning and she certainly was not going to discuss him with her mother.
"Mother, that subject is not to be brought up. Lucas and I are none of your concern. He has nothing to do with you or the company so I kindly ask that you do not bring his name up anymore," Brooke tells her. She's surprised at how sharp her tone is but she can't help it. Lucas is a sore subject for Brooke at the moment. He's a subject that she doesn't even want to discuss and here her mother comes walking in mentioning him like it was no big deal.
"I'm just looking out for you and this company, Brooke. We don't need any distraction. Especially not some boy from Tree Hill who doesn't have his life in order," Victoria tells her in a crisp tone and Brooke leans forward and massages her temples because along with the nausea she feels a headache coming on. Lately, Victoria and this company were taking its toll on her. Brooke really thought that the stress from work and her sudden stomach virus were really starting to affect her and she knew she needed a break. Just for a week or two to clear her mind and come back fully refreshed and ready to work.
"This conversation is over. I have other things to attend to that are far more important than sitting here discussing something that has absolutely nothing to do with you," Brooke says, not looking up at her once. She hears her mother let out a stiff sigh and walk out of the office. Brooke lets out a sigh herself and sits back in her chair once more. Victoria was such a huge stress. She did more damage than help. "Millicent!" Brooke yells loudly, not bothering to use the intercom. Within seconds her brunette assistant is in her office standing in front of her.
"Brooke I've sent Tara out to get the things that you requested. She should be back within a short time and I-" Millicent was interrupted by Brooke looking at her and putting a hand up to silence her.
"Actually I have a rather important favor I need from you," Brooke says as she leans forward and folds her hands over the desk. Millicent nods. Ready for whatever Brooke is going to throw at her. "I need you to look up airline to tickets to Tree Hill," Brooke tells her. She's surprising herself when these words come out of her mouth but she knows that this is what she wants to do. What she needs to do. "I need you to buy me one that leaves on Friday. I don't care what time just make sure that I get booked for a seat on that airport for Friday," Brooke finishes having made her final decision. She needed to go back home to figure some things out and she didn't care who had a problem with it.
