Chapter 19
"Don't say you love me, you don't even know me, if you really want me then give me some time…" echoed throughout the building.
"Hey Evans! Your mobile is ringing! Pick it up!" yelled a frustrated Rick after the ring tone went on for a minute, getting out of his office chair.
"Don't say you love me, you don't even know me, if you really want me…" chimed happily in return.
"Stupid Evans… forgot her mobile phone, now I have to go answer it" grumbled Rick as he walked down the corridor towards Elle's office.
"I heard that, you know?" I replied frustrated as I heard Rick's heavy footsteps enter my office while I was eying my phone apprehensively.
"Why the hell aren't you picking up your damn mobile phone then?" roared Rick. "That bloody thing's been ringing for more than a minute and some of us are actually trying to do some work."
"Sorry!" I squeaked before looking up meekly and holding up my phone to show Rick who was actually calling me.
"Your mom? EVANS!!! Why can't you talk to her for three measly seconds and then just hang up on her? Turn your god damn phone off?" growled Rick still ticked off.
"Oh, why oh why, didn't I think of that?" I reply sarcastically, shooting Rick a deathly glare. "I only tried to hang up five times and she calls back and then I tried putting the phone in my drawers to block the sound, why don't you pick up?"
"Ok I will, Miss Incompetent with no consideration for other people" taunted Rick as he outstretched his hand for my phone.
Trying to prepare myself for what was to follow, I crawl under my table for shelter and a hiding place.
"ELEANOR MARGARET GARDINER!!! Do you think this is at all funny, young lady! I've been trying to reach you for the past quarter of an hour! Your father and I raised you better than that! Rejecting your mother's calls! What is this world coming to?" shrieked my mom's voice from the phone making everyone in a two metre radius flinch.
Quirking an eyebrow at Rick, who was standing there dumbstruck, I motioned for him to talk.
"H-H-hi Mrs Gardiner, I-I-It's R-R-Rick here… E-E-Elle's kind of busy at the uh… moment but… I'll take a m-m-message, if you would l-l-like…" stuttered Rick into my phone.
"Oh, Rick? How many times do I have to tell you, it's Anna not Mrs Gardiner that makes me feel old. How are you? I haven't seen you since Saturday… How have you been? Are they treating you well at Andersons?" asked my mom in a much warmer, friendly voice.
"Right… Sorry Mrs Gar-Anna, I'm alright and Mr Andersons been treating me alright. Was there a reason you were desperately trying to call Elle? I was trying to pick up her phone before, but I just don't understand how to use it… Sorry for that Mrs Gar-Anna…" suavely replied Rick.
"Oh, that's ok darling… I thought it was just Elle in one of her stubborn moods… You know how she is right? Well… can you tell her please that she needs to be, stress the needs to be, won't you, Rick? Home tonight at her old parents' house and tell her to go with Jen. Jen will remember. Oh, and tell her she staying till Christmas, no Boxing Day and I won't take no for an answer, alright? You guys are worked to hard, I swear if you just change careers and go into modelling, it will be a lot less stressful" chirped Marianna Gardiner.
"Well… yes, I suppose you're right, but ladies dig the whole business, lawyer man, thing Mrs G-Anna, so I wouldn't really want to get rid of all the ladies, if you catch my drift. Don't worry, I'll tell Elle that she has to come home tonight. We're kind of busy here but I hope I'll see you soon Anna. Bye" spoke Rick at an unusual fast speed.
"Oh, ok… you're probably busy with all those cases. Have a Merry Christmas and send my greetings out to your parents too, alright? Take care, Rick! Ciao!" replied Marianna Gardiner before ending the call.
"I'll talk to her" I said in a mock, patronising tone. "You sure did t-t-talk to her, Mr St-Stut-t-terer!"
Sighing, Rick takes a deep breath before saying "Evans you have to go home tonight and stay till Christmas, no Boxing Day; and that's an order. Umm… by the way you have to travel with Jen and is your mother suffering from bipolar at all?"
I was to busy groaning, so I missed the later half of what Rick was trying to say. "Huh?" I asked. "Sorry, I didn't catch what you said after the Evans you have to go home tonight"
Rolling his eyes, Rick enunciates each word slowly "I-S Y-O-U-R M-O-T-H-E-R B-I-P-O-L-A-R?"
"Bipolar? Why would my mom be bipolar?" I asked confused.
"Well… it might be because one moment she's shrieking in the phone and then the next she's calm and friendly" smirked Rick.
Shooting him an evil glare, I then stuck out my tongue. I know, excellent comeback.
"Anyway Evans, some of us have work to do and no time to stare at our phones and let them ring endlessly. I guess it means I won't see you till Monday, so Merry Christmas Evans, and try not to do something entirely stupid. Though I know that will be kind of hard for you" said Rick sombrely.
"Aw… that's so sweet! Rick you actually care about me! I didn't know you worried that much about me! That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. Aw… I don't wanna go now! Merry Christmas too!" I said in a fake high-pitched voice.
"Ah… I'm going to miss you Evans, to think a whole 5 days without my sweet, dear Evans… Oh how will I survive…" smiled Rick.
"I know…" I said sighing. "How will you live without me and my amazing awesomeness?" I added the fluttering of eyebrows for extra effect.
Rick and I both start laughing before in a serious moment, we give each other a hug. Ugh! Don't really want to remember it or hear Rick's smart aleck remark, so I kick him out of my office. Yay!
Chapter 20
"Stupid suitcase!" I cried out in frustration as it wouldn't open. I'm really all for locks and combinations on suitcases, so that no one can touch your stuff, but when you can't even get to it, that's a different matter.
Glaring angrily at the suitcase, I give it one last kick before plumping myself on the sofa, waiting for Jen to come home. I get bored with just glaring off into space, so I reach for one of my closest buddies, Mr Remote Control. Turning on the television, I begin to flick through channels before I find a Beauty and the Beast Christmas Special. "Yay!" I thought excitedly, I love Disney movies, they just rock. I sat there for the next hour happily.
The credits were just rolling, when Jen announced her presence in our apartment. "Hello! Hello! Elle? Are you there? Have you packed yet? Mom wants us home tonight!"
"Nope, the suitcase hates me! My mobile phone hates me! Everything hates me! Everybody hates me! The world hates me! Why? Why? Why me? I feel so alone!" I whined melodramatically before dropping onto the floor in a mock faint.
Jen starts laughing hard and recovers to say "Elle, you're worst than some of my patients and stop talking about inanimate objects as if they were alive. I'm going to have to commit you into a mental institution otherwise."
"What?" I asked in mock outrage "You can't seriously call that a warning! No Fair! And I'm your sister; don't I get any preferential treatment? Where's nepotism when you need it? I should at least get to go to a mental rehabilitation clinic first!"
Jen started laughing again and after a minute or two, I joined her. Finally the laughter stopped, well actually our insides got sore, and we were clutching our stomachs but that's not the point. "C'mon I'll get the suitcases open so we get put stuff in them, Elle just go and pack what you need. I've already got most of the things I need out ready" directed Jen.
"Yes Ma'am!" I said loudly before muttering "Yes, Miss Evil Neo-Nazi Dictator" under my breath as I walked towards my room.
"I heard that you know…" shouted Jen, pretending to be outraged.
"Nah Uh" I called back before turning to face my wardrobe. I threw several pairs of jeans, sweaters and pyjamas onto my bed. Thinking I was done, I had a look at all the clothes on my bed. Sighing, I realise mom's going to seriously kill me and rip my head off, because my clothing wasn't feminine. So I took a dress and two skirts out of my wardrobe too.
"Clothes, clothes, clothes, they're really useful things, if we didn't have clothes something la la la something something something to put a lot of things in" I sang merrily as I waltzed out into the living room.
"Its bags, bags, bags, they're really useful things, if we didn't have bags, what would we do to put a lot of things in, Elle" sighed Jen as she saw the pile of clothes in my arms. "Jeez, Elle! You do know that mom is going to have a fit right? You need more dresses and skirts than that; we are staying home for 5 days."
Wrinkling my nose in disgust, I turn my back and start placing my clothes in the now opened suitcase. "Sure, open for Jen but not me, you evil, devil spawn suitcase" I muttered.
Jen shook her head at me and walked off into my room, before coming out a minute later with another dress and two skirts in her arms. "Here, at least take these with you" sighed Jen in resignation.
"Takes, Jen-Jen" giving her a warm smile. "Are you done packing yet?" I asked.
"Hmmm… almost, just got to get a few more things and then I'll be done. Shall we leave at eight o'clock then?" asked Jen thoughtfully.
"But that's in 15 minutes" I groaned.
"Yeah, well we better get a move on since we have to be home by tonight" lectured Jen.
"Ok, ok, we'll go at 8" I said in a defeated tone, waving a white camisole in the air.
Jen started giggling and said "You're right, I win!" before running off towards her our bathroom.
"Damn, now I have to stop procrastinating…" I thought to myself as I tried to suppress a groan. Moving quickly, I chuck in my shower supplies, trusty toothbrush, several pairs of shoes and handbags, my mobile phone charger, diary and the book, "He's just not that into you" that I've been reading of late. Going through a mental checklist I'm satisfied with what I've packed until I remember…
"Oh no!" I yelped as I raced to my room and dived under my bed. The Christmas presents! I really am an old silly billy.
"Ready?" chirped Jen 10 minutes later.
"Yup!" I replied with mock equal enthusiasm as Jen hoisted her suitcase and laptop carrier bag and handbag. Mimicking her, I hoist my suitcase, laptop carrier bag and handbag, taking a last look at our apartment. Jen takes our gift for Ben and we lock our door and go down the lift together.
"Are you ready for Christmas this year?" I asked Jen.
"As ready as I'll ever be...So what do you want this year?" asked Jen.
"Not Charlie" I smirked.
"Elle!" squealed Jen, as a red blush crept across her face.
"Honestly, I don't really want much this year because whatever I answer otherwise, I'll sound like a horrible, selfish prick or I'll make you feel bad because what you got for me wasn't it" I replied smiling.
"What makes you think I got you something?" teased Jen as we walked out of the lift.
"Well… maybe it's the fact that you're such a generous, kind-hearted sweet person, that wouldn't forget about her dear, dear sister" I joked back.
"Smart aleck!" muttered Jen as we left the building.
"Bye Ben!" we chirped together.
"Are you girls going home for the holidays now?" asked Ben a bit wistfully.
"Sure are, but don't worry, we got you a gift so you won't miss us too badly…" I smiled at Ben.
"Elle!" chastised Jen before turning to Ben and smiling and saying "Don't pay attention to her Ben, Merry Christmas for Saturday." She then handed him our gift.
"You girls didn't have to" Ben said, his eyes misting.
"Sure we did, it's because of you that Jen's been able to get out of here not mobbed by her fan club" I said.
Jen vehemently cried out "What?!"
Chuckling Ben says "I really am going to miss you girls be careful, alright?" as our taxi pulled up. We each give him a hug and peck on the cheek before entering the taxi.
Chapter 21
"Girls! You're home!" cried mom as she ran out of our house to give us a warm hug with Mike and dad trailing behind.
"I've been so worried about you too. I heard on the radio that the snow was getting heavier, and that there were going to be several road closures! I was afraid you wouldn't be able to get here by tonight" rambled mom after she gave us both an embrace.
"Hello my Jen and Elle" smiled dad as he gave us each a crushing hug after mom's dramatic speech.
"Jen it's good to see you. You're looking more beautiful than before" smiled Mike as he embraced Jen. Then turning to me, Mike smirked "Elle, did you put on some weight? You seemed to have gotten a tad rounder then the last time I saw you, which was a couple of days ago. You know Elle, the only reason mom wanted you here tonight is because we're having a family photo shoot tomorrow to be in next year's Christmas magazine right?"
"What?!" I cried outraged before turning to my dear mother.
"Oh, that's not all Elle, guess who's inside the house?" chuckled Mike.
"Who? What?! No! Noooooooooooooooooooooo!" I wailed.
Dad and Jen joined Mike and started laughing. Mom glared at Mike before saying "Well I was going to tell you but… somebody (shoots a death glare at Mike) told you first. Besides it's a great opportunity and our guest is family, so don't be like that Mike. Brrrr…come on, lets go in, it's cold out here."
"Your mother's right. Let's go inside. Mike, take Jen's and Elle's suitcase" directed dad as Mike groaned.
"Ha ha ha, serves you right, you evil, sadistic brother of mine" I thought in my head as I trudged towards the welcoming warmth of my house. "I wonder who else is here for Christmas…" I murmured.
"Eleanor! Jennifer! I glad to see you have finally made it! You've had us all a more than a bit worried. You know we did expect you a bit earlier than this. Why punctuality is very important and lateness is really not professional behaviour" greeted a voice, once we got inside the house.
"Colin? What are you doing here?" I all but screamed as the vision of my, my cousin in his pyjama pants, wet hair and towel appeared in front of me. "Ugh! That should be a crime against humanity" I thought as I looked at where my nice, nice wooden stairway once was. Mike and dad shared an amused look as they saw my mortified face.
"You're kind hearted and most generous parents found out that my parents were away in Paris to celebrate the holidays and most benevolently offered me a place to spend and celebrate Christmas with your family, Eleanor so that I wouldn't have to spend the holidays alone. Your mother, Auntie Anna called me in fact. I would have told you but you seemed really busy in the office Eleanor dear, but now we all get to spend time with each other for a whole 4 no 5 days. Well… actually I won't be in the photo tomorrow, but I'll be standing there alongside the photographer, admiring the perfection of this family" replied Colin before smiling charmingly or rather what he thought was charming.
Trying my best not to shudder and gag in front of him, I turn to everyone and exclaim "The photos! Mom, Dad, it's getting late and Jen and I are extremely tired from our trip. Why don't we all go to sleep now, so that we can look all bright and fresh for the photo tomorrow?"
Mike starts to fake cough and I send him a glare. Dad and Jen watch us on amusedly. Mom on the other hand smiles "That's a great idea Elle! Everyone hit the hay now! Jen, Elle, I'll wake you two up early tomorrow, and we can choose your clothing for the photo shoot alright. Maybe we can get the photographer to take some individual shoots as well."
"NOOOOooooo!!!" I screamed in my head trying hard not to show my horror. Jen was the first one to reply though "That sounds great mom!"
"No, you did not say that, Jen you did not say that" I cried in my head. "Oh yes she did!" taunted the little voice in my head.
"Well, what are we waiting for then? Off to bed" ordered mom as she began to shoo us all upstairs. I certainly didn't need to be told twice. I hastily grabbed my luggage and began to run up the stairs and into my room as fast as I could.
"Well Elle seems excited about the photo shoot tomorrow!" smirked Mike as I left the living room.
"Oohh… I heard that" I called out over the banister, before I continued to run. "Mike you are so dead tomorrow" I growled to myself.
