The ticking of the clock was tortuous and with each agonising chime Grace Farrell's anxiety grew.
It had been a little over ten minutes since she had followed her employer into the office and he had yet to say a word, from her usual seat the secretary watched him nervously.
Traveling from one side of the room to the other his expensive leather shoes paced the dark green carpets his breathing heavy and eyebrows furrowed.
It was times like these that unnerved Grace.
In the years she had known Mr Warbucks he had always been a very articulate man, straight to the point never afraid to express his opinion however harsh they may be. This was something she had become accustomed to, in these instances there was a certainty of where she stood but now the silence made her doubtful.
Illness or intense disapproval the only times her boss was ever remotely quiet and the brunette didn't care for either of them , wringing her hands together she wondered which of the two it would be .
He seemed fine. Then again he would never confess to illness many times she had insisted on calling a doctor only to be dismissed for the night...no this wasn't health related. Perhaps this was something she had done? Her heart rate quickened at the thought her mind being to reel with possible reasoning's he had ultimately liked the painting she had delivered , the house was spotless and Annie well ..Annie!
Instinctively she stood her voice unintentionally high as she blurted out.
"Maybe I should take her back sir "
Stopping at his secretaries movements the Billionaire turned.
"What?"
"Annie Sir, she seems a very understanding child . I'm sure that .."
"Miss Farrell " he tried walking over to his desk .
" if your uncomfortable with her being here " she continued following him " if you would rather have a boy then .."
" Miss Farrell for pittys sake calm yourself "
Backing away Grace sat down .
" I ..I'm sorry sir "
Taking a cigar from the box in front of him Mr Warbucks shook his head .
" I've told you the child can stay haven't I ?"
Grace Nodded .
" yes sir "
" then please " he said taking a puff " stop worrying "
Looking to her lap she felt her cheeks grow warm .
"Sorry Mr Warbucks, you just seem a little.."
"Simply thinking Miss Farrell. "
Lifting her head Grace watched him curiously.
"Anything I could help you with Sir? "
Sitting down another ring of smoke left his lips.
"What was the logic?"
"The logic sir?"
"Of bringing the child here."
"Oh, of course. I'm sorry Sir I should have telephoned you this morning. the whole idea was very last minute I apologise "
Lifting his hand in dismissal he gestured for her to continue.
"Well when you asked me to do some damage control I had to take into account the damage caused"
The billionaire frowned.
"I assume you have read this morning's paper"
"I have"
" Then you will know Sir what the press have been saying , or rather what Mrs Vicarage has been saying "
"Total nonsense Miss Farrell! "He boomed stubbing out the cigar.
"You were there! I was nothing but reasonable to the woman ".
"I agree "
Mr Warbucks nodded curtly.
" Well If you remember Sir , it wasn't just your behaviour towards Mrs Vicarage that was documented but also her children . "
" Ah "
" Yes exactly "
" And you brought her here too.."
"Prove them wrong "
Intrigued the billionaire leant forward his forearms resting comfortably on the desk in front of him .
"You are so much more than what they make you out to be . you are .."
Watching her boss raise an eyebrow Grace quickly bit her lip.
For a second or two neither of them said a word the ticking of the clock back filling the intervals of interaction between them.
The nervous apprehension the secretary felt made her shoulders stiffen.
"Inspired idea Miss Farrell!" he had declared suddenly slamming his hand down on the dark wood separating them.
Firstly flinching at the movement Grace relaxed slightly and not used to such compliments from her employer tried her best not to blush.
"Why ...Thank you Sir "she stuttered grinning shyly at the man before her .
For a split second she was sure he had smiled back the corners of his mouth titling skyward by the smallest fraction as the familiar feeling she felt on these rare occasions began to rise in her chest only to be extinguished as he turned in discussion of their next topic and she was left uncertain as to if she had imagined it.
" Now " he began lighting his second cigar of the evening " can we go over the plans for the Pittsburgh Factory? "
" Yes , of course " she replied leaping into action " I'll get the file "
Collecting what she needed Grace took out her notepad and began to fill its pages as her boss reeled of the details of his latest business venture .
The rest of the evening was spent in a similar manner Mr Warbucks in his stride words flying from his mouth thick and fast when he was silenced by the office door swinging open a pyjama clad orphan standing meekly beneath its frame her small hand clutching tightly to the dog at her side .
" Sandy's not used to sleeping in a room by himself , he gets lonesome"
Upon instinct Grace beckoned the girl closer.
Walking closer Annie brought her Pet with her , the dogs breathing becoming heavy as he spotted something though the glass of the large patio doors .
Breaking away from his mistress Sandy began to bark at something unbeknown to his human comrades.
" What is wrong with that Dog ?! " Mr Warbucks Yelled covering the speaker of the telephone in his hand " Punjab Remove this Animal and Its Mistress along with it !"
The bodyguard walked smartly towards the dog only to be stopped in action by a rainfall of glass as the doors smashed and a heavy black ball landed with a thud against the carpet.
In the blink of an eye Punjab had sprung into action skilfully and elegantly leaping forward and taking hold of the object before as if dancing spinning around and throwing it back into the darkness of the garden .
Much braver than Grace Annie ran forward and Miss Farell had only just reached her when the black sky became full of light a thunderous explosion voicing itself so loudly the chandelier above them shook .
" oh " Grace gasped pulling the little girl protectively closer .
" Well done Sandy " she heard her boss praise when the barking had ceased , the moans of the culprit filling the room as he was dragged squirming inside .
" I think I should take Annie to bed Sir " Grace said leading Annie away .
" Your right Miss Farell , we will continue tomorrow "
" very well sir "
Nodding her head in a bid goodnight Grace took the little girls hand .
" come along dear"
" good night Mr Warbucks "
Walking along the dimly lit hallways Grace guessed it to be around midnight and turning the corner she yawned tiredly .
Late nights typically never bothered her , employed by Oliver Warbucks she was use to working well into the morning but pushing open the large white doors of Annie's room Miss Farrell found herself to be quiet exhausted .
Unable to imagine how tired her tiny companion would be Grace place a gentle hand to her shoulder.
" Its dreadfully late Annie " she said softly walking her over to the bed .
Pulling back the satin sheets she helped the little girl climb into it .
" Try to get some sleep "
" was that man trying to kill Mr Warbucks ? "
" Annie I .."
" who was it ? "
" the Bushavicks dear " Grace sighed adjusting the sheets .
" Mr Warbucks is living proof that the American system really works , they don't want anyone to know about that . "
" leapin lizards "
" yes well " The Brunette said softly sitting on the edge of the bed .
"he's fine isn't he , you don't have to worry "
Looking up at the woman gazing down at her Annie watched her smile gently and as she brushed a hand gently across the little girls auburn curls Grace wondered as to whether who her words were intended to comfort .
There was no doubt of the danger her boss was in on a daily basis , he was consistently in the public eye and with his often blunt demeanour he had no shortage of enemies but it was incidents like this that shook her .
Threats like this were few and far between yet Grace's mind was already reeling with plans of heightened security .
Thinking out loud once again she adjusted the covers over Annie's small frame .
" What a way to spend your first night "
" Well its better than being at the orphanage that's for sure " the redhead quipped .
A smile brushed the older females lips but simultaneously the typist was saddened by the little girls words, was the orphanage really that terrible ? .
" Miss Farrell? " Annie asked softly a moment later " C ..could you stay with me just for a little while . until I fall asleep ? "
" of course dear " she replied sweetly shifting her position slightly .
" you know you didn't have to lie that it was sandy who was afraid . I was a little nervous too when I first arrived here. "
" Really ? " the redhead questioned her green eyes widening .
" uh huh "
" And your ok now ? "
" Yep , Mr Warbucks was very kind to me "
" he doesn't seem very kind to me "
" He doesn't to a lot of people dear , I doubt even Mr Warbucks Realises ."
" you like him a lot right ?"
" Well I've known him a long time Annie "
" I've known Miss Hannigan my whole life and I don't like her at all . "
Grace Giggled .
" Come on now Annie , Bed time "
Gently she placed her lips to the little girls forehead leaning over soon after and switching off the bedside lamp .
" Don't worry Miss Farrell " she heard Annie yawn " Hes safe with you ."
Thank you for all your lovely reviews they mean so much to me I hope your enjoyed this chapter and continue to let me know what you think I really do appreciate your opinions . Thank you for reading x
