DISCLAIMER: Obviously I DON'T own anything to do with the Mummy films, that's all Universal studios and stuff.

I do own Rosalie/Laura Evans, her friends, and anything else unfamiliar to the Mummy franchise

Anyway, I hope you enjoy :)

Chapter 3: Offers And Homesickness

They ended up in a small café a couple of streets away from the nightclub, it was quiet with a few late night patrons catching up on some reading or generally chatting. Michael led them to a seat near the open window, Laura was thankful for that as she was still flustered from Alex's actions.

"Forget about it, guys like him don't think with their heads at his age," said Michael as he placed his cup down.

"Are we speaking from experience?" Laura asked jokingly.

Michael gave her a knowing smile and settled into his seat.

"Now down to business, as I mentioned before this is all about you."

"Okay, and what exactly does my singing tonight have to do with anything?"

Michael took a sip from his cup before continuing.

"My family have a history of taking risks, and on many occasions this had paid off very well. My father currently funds archaeological digs, and the most recent one has been rather successful."

Laura listened carefully, not quite sure where this was going.

"Some of this money has been given to me and I'm considering setting up my own nightclub. After seeing your performance tonight I would like to recruit you."

Laura placed her cup down and looked at Michael.

"Wow, I'm flattered that you would consider me for this but it seems like a sudden choice. After all this was only my first performance ever, what if I ahven't got what it takes?"

"I'm a risk taker Miss Rosalie," he replied, "plus I've often been told I have good taste. I saw you and I knew you were a winning package, you have the voice, the look, and the personality. People like you."

Laura felt a blush come to her cheeks and took another sip from her cup. Michael leaned forward to continue talking.

"If you took up this offer I would take care of you, make sure that nothing happened like tonight."

"I appreciate that Mr Williams but, as you saw tonight, I can take good care of myself."

"I know," he laughed, "but I could give you a good pay and a more freedom than Jonathan could."

Laura stopped drinking and looked Michael in the eyes, he was getting cocky and Laura had too much respect for Jonathan to let someone say a bad word against him.

"Jonathan is not some sort of slave driver, Mr Williams. He has been nothing but a good boss. Admittedly he does have some flaws but he knows how to treat an employee."

"I'm sorry if I upset you but I fear it will be Jonathan's flaws that ends up destroying his nightclub and your future, I'm just trying to save you before he drags you down in oblivion."

Laura began to feel anger rise, how dare he say those things. She didn't see how she could need saving from Jonathan, he was harmless. Laura knew he cared enough about his business not to let it go under, if that happened then he would loose money – the most important thing in the world to him. She sat in silence with Michael for a while before he spoke again.

"Please Miss Rosalie, just think about my offer."

"I have, and I'm very sorry but I will have to turn it down Mr Williams."

As she got up to leave she left a bit of money to go towards the coffee. As she turned to go Michael grabbed her by the wrist.

"That's it then, you would rather work for that idiot than me?"

She freed herself from his grip, the anger she felt was almost too much to kept bottled up. When she spoke again her tone was stern.

"If he was an idiot why would his nightclub be the most popular in Shanghai? If he was a terrible boss I don't think he would have given me the push I needed to actually sing in the first place. I'm sorry Mr Williams but there is nothing you can do to change my mind."

Before she walked out the door she turned to him.

"By the way, Jonathan got the money for the club on his own. It wasn't given to him to use as a way to impress people."

Laura smiled triumphantly as she left an angered and stunned Michael in the café.

OxO

She opened the door to her apartment and placed her coat on the standing hanger near the door. She was greeted by the ivory colour walls of her living room, a thick red and gold Chinese border ran across the top. The walls themselves were decorated in things that Laura had brought from the market like paintings or various colourful wall hangings. On the shelf's were some figurines of dragons and other mythological creatures as well as pictures of friends and family from London. The kitchen was smaller than the living room but the walls were a jade green colour with wooden cupboards attached to them, it was pretty plain compared to the living room. The bathroom was concealed but attached the kitchen, it had enough room to fit a bath in as well as the usual appliances. As she left her bag on the sofa and tucked the mail she had received under her arm she headed to her favourite room, her bedroom. The walls were a deep red and the furniture was items from the market. Items like the wardrobe, chest of drawers and a two small bedside cabinets were elmwood and had gold Chinese patterns etched into them. The bed itself was a double and was covered in a white duvet and the frame was a darker wood than the furniture, just above the bed was a large fan with a picture of a beautiful Chinese lady holding a paper umbrella – Laura's favourite find from the market. Amongst the mail was a white envelope, Laura instantly recognised the writing as her friend Emily's. She placed the other mail in one of the cabinet drawers and opened the letter, it had been two weeks since she had sent the last letter. She propped herself up with the pillows and began to read.

Dear Laura,

I'm so glad you have settled now and are enjoying a new adventure in Shanghai. My family says hello and wish you well. Dear old Dad has had a full recovery from the accident and is gardening again – much to my mother's displeasure.

I miss you too, it is strange not having my best friend around anymore to talk to. The bracelet you brought me from the market was lovely, I refuse to take it off as it is so beautiful – you always had good taste.

My job in the museum is getting stressful now, we are expecting some new pieces to come in soon and I swear my boss is turning into a madman. He refuses to go into details with me where these artefacts have come from but my guess is Egypt, when I know for sure I will let you know. I hope one day you and I will get the chance to go there, it always was a childhood dream of ours.

I can not believe that you have Jonathan Carnahan as a boss, have you asked him about his sister and if her books are true? By the way I noticed you left your copies at mine, I am going to try and sent them over to you – you need to finish your copy of the mummy returns missy.

By the way, do you remember Richard from the bookstore? I ran into him on my lunch break and after we got talking he invited me to dinner with him! I'm so excited! Have you met anyone yet in Shanghai? If you have I want to know all about him, I want to make sure he is good enough for my Laura.

Rosalie is a nice name but I still do not understand why you hate your real name so much. Laura is a beautiful name. Surely there is a singer out there that uses their real name?

Anyway, I look forward to your next letter and I will try to get your books to you. I miss you and I will try my hardest to make sure I come and visit you at some point.

Emily.

OxO

Laura placed the letter in her lap and sighed, she was suddenly feeling very lonely and homesick. She missed Emily more than she thought, even though the two of them weren't related they were like sisters. Kim was a good friend but she found there wasn't a bond there like there was with Emily. She was happy that she took the chance to go to Shanghai but it was on days like today when Laura wondered if she had done the right thing.

The only family Laura knew was the one that adopted her, when she reached the age of eighteen she had left them and never made contact again. The relationship she had with them was strained one. Laura was the first to admit she wasn't the easiest child when she was younger as the curious and adventurous streak in her had always got her into deep trouble. Things got a bit better as she got older but the adoptive parents were still wary, most of the time they were afraid to let her out of their line of sight. When it came to leaving them, things didn't end on good terms. A screaming match had erupted and the parents accidentally admitted that, when Laura was little, they were going to send her back to the adoption home as they thought they couldn't cope. Hurt and angered by this Laura told them she never loved them and stormed out, never speaking to them again. Emily was the only one who was there for her, they shared an apartment together for a while and Emily's parents hired Laura as a waitress in their restaurant. When Laura had enough money curiosity got the better of her again and she travelled, ending up in Shanghai.

Laura got up walked over to the window and looked up at the stars in thought. She knew she was stronger than she thought, or else she would have never had the courage to travel alone in the first place. Her adoptive parents had done the best they could at raising her, taught her right and wrong like parents should. Laura wondered if sometimes she hated them as much as she did, or if she was trying to place the hate she felt for herself on them instead. It was on days like this that Laura let tears fall, at least no one was there to see it. She was strong but sometimes it felt like a wall she put up, just waiting for people like Alex to come and test how strong it was. She crawled into bed and let the stress of the day fade as she fell asleep.

First, I want to thank those who have reviewed so far. The reviews mean alot to me and help me continue to write, I'd love to hear more of people's ideas and points of view on my story.

This isn't my favourite chapter, I've gone over it soooo many times and this seems to be the version I'm most happiest with. If I suddenly find a better way to fo this chapter I probably will update it.

Well, what do you think? Please review - constructive criticism is needed :)