Disclaimer: Twilight is the property of Stephenie Meyer
This chapter is dedicated to Noble, Fadewind, M-Bianca94, Alphabloodwolf, Patricia, Lsb123, Alexsandra, Cara Gracious and BellaNessieCullen
Ms Ryan proved to be a real problem, so much so that I found myself often venting my frustration over the damned woman with Alice. It was taking up valuable wedding planning time. Eventually Alice stated that I should devise a solution to be rid of Ms Ryan, if only to set my mind at ease.
"What do you suggest?" I asked.
"You could ask Gus to help you." Alice suggested, "I'm sure he'd be happy to talk to his father."
"I'm sure he would." I stated. "But that would prove detrimental to Felicity in the long run."
"Yeah." Alice said and I could tell she was looking into the future by the blankness that descended over her eyes. "It's not a good idea. The workers start resenting Felicity because they think she got to her position by sleeping with Gus, nothing to do with the fact that she so obviously deserves it. On top of that the Ryans see it as proof that Felicity is a gold digger. We can't ask Gus."
"Perhaps I could appoint a few days where Ms Ryan is in charge and ask the others to under perform?" I suggested. "After all none of them want Ms Ryan for their manager."
"But they might not comply because you're working towards making Felicity your successor. Besides, you're leaving and they'll be stuck with Ms Ryan, they won't be so keen on getting on the wrong side of her." Alice observed.
"That's true." I said glumly and I was certain that was the end of my ideas, but then something did occur to me and I was certain Alice would disapprove. "Of course there is always Mother."
Alice answered me with a frown, but then she grinned widely.
"That might actually work." She said. "And I have the perfect reason to get Essie here, not that she wouldn't show up if you requested it, but I have an official reason."
"What?" I asked.
"Well the mother of the bride needs to come for her dress fitting, and of course Billie needs to be fitted for her dress too." Alice observed.
"That is a good plan, although dress shopping is not something that is likely to entice Mother and Billie here." I stated.
"But the chance to see her oldest daughter try on her bridal gown for the first time is enough to entice any mother." Alice replied with a smile.
"I agree." I stated. "But I think we should tell Mother in advance. She will be less likely to help if we deceive her. I would hate to deceive her over something which really is quite minor."
"Ok. We'll tell her that you want her to help you with a work problem, but I do want her here as well. She really does need to be part of the dress fitting and I do need Billie to come try on her dress too." Alice replied.
"Then I will phone Mother and let her know." I stated, and reached for the landline.
I dialled the number of Tregarran.
"Hello." It was Father who answered.
"Hello Father, could I speak with Mother please." I replied.
"Of course, I will let her know you are on the phone." He said.
There was no sound of Father calling to Mother, but then he had little need of using his vocal chords. A moment later there was a minimal click and a slight change in tone that suggested that a phone in a different location was being used.
"Hey Lamb, what's up?" Mother asked, and then the tone changed once more for Father had hung up the phone he'd answered.
"I am in need of your assistance here in Seattle." I stated.
"With what?" She asked.
"As I told you I have met my successor and she is a rather unsavoury woman. No matter what I do I cannot seem to change her mind about being so strict. My next move was to suggest to her that she would perhaps like to take up a post in another department, but that too is falling on deaf ears. She is impossible."
"Sounds like it." Mother replied. "But you have a much better talent for getting people around to your way of thinking, what can I do that you can't?"
"You have certain talents I do not possess." I replied carefully.
"Right." Mother said in equally careful tones. "You want me to lay the alpha on her? Really? Is it worth the risk?"
"What risk is there Mother? You will not seriously harm her and believe me it would be as beneficial to her as it will be for my workers if she was to go to another department." I stated.
"I don't know." Mother said. "Seems like an abuse of power to me."
"How about you come and meet her and then decide if it's an abuse of power?" I suggested. "Besides, I require your presence, and Billie's too, for the dress fittings. Perhaps you could both come this weekend? We can have a girls day on Saturday, you, Billie, Aunt Alice and I?"
"That sounds great." Mother replied. "Yeah, sure. What time do you want us to arrive?"
"If you could come on Thursday then you could come to work with me Friday and witness what a true horror Ms Ryan is." I suggested.
"Ok. We'll come on Thursday. Will we need to book a hotel?"
"It's up to you, but I'm sure I could convince Alec to give up his room for a couple of nights, he needs no sleep after all." I stated.
"I have a better idea." Alice said, and took the phone from me. "Hey Ess, how about Tobias comes too. I know it's a girls' weekend, but he could do something with Mal and Jasper. But other than that you and Tobias could get a hotel room and Billie can stay with Jasper and me in our spare room."
Alice smiled and nodded her head.
"Yeah, it'll be good to have Billie for the weekend. I haven't really had much chance to do anything with her since she was a baby. It'll be nice to know if she's over her aversion to a bit of pampering, or is still resolutely a tomboy." Alice said, and then laughed at Mother's reply. "Ok, I won't pressurise her. Well I'll hand you back to Liza now."
I retrieved the phone from Alice.
"Do you require me to make the booking?" I asked.
"Nah. You know how much Tobias likes doing that kind of thing." Mother replied. "I'll have to talk this over with him of course, then I'll let you know what time we'll get there Thursday."
"Very well." I replied. "Then I will speak with you later."
"Yeah. And thanks for calling Lamb, we don't talk often enough these days." Mother said with a hint of regret.
"I know. Life is awfully busy at the moment, but I will endeavour to set aside some time to ensure I speak to you in future." I promised.
"And I'll make sure I got the time to talk when you do." Mother replied.
With that we said our goodbyes and hung up.
"So Essie will wait until she's met Ms Ryan before she agrees to alpha her." Alice observed.
"Yes." I replied. "But it is reasonable for her to ask such a thing than to promise now and change her mind on the grounds of ethics later on."
"I guess you won't get your hopes up that way." Alice conceded.
"Exactly." I replied. "Mother knows well how to deal with me."
"You're not that difficult Liza, so stop telling yourself you are. That's just you being difficult." Alice said with a wink.
I laughed before finishing off my coffee and then I glanced at the clock.
"What time is Mal supposed to be home?" Alice asked, not missing a thing.
"Eight o'clock." I replied. "His sponsor requested a meeting with him this evening."
"Do you know what for?" Alice asked, sounding conspiratorial.
"It's a consultation on his dissertation." I stated. "He will find out if it is ready to be entered or whether he is required to work on it some more to be certain."
"So it's an important night then." Alice surmised.
"Yes. And I have no idea which way it will go only that Mal was extremely nervous this morning. That's why I've decided to make his favourite for dinner. That way it can be congratulatory or consolatory, either way I'm sure he will welcome it." I explained.
"Of course he'll welcome it." Alice assured me. "Liza, he'd eat a mud pie if you served it to him, just because you served it."
"That is true." I replied. "But I am unsure of the enjoyment he would find in it. That is why I will serve him up some chicken and steamed vegetables with ice cream for dessert. I made some especially for him. He likes my ice cream."
"It must be fun being able to have a favourite beyond the animal you want to hunt." Alice mused. "And we could never have a romantic dinner, just hunt together somewhere completely secluded."
"That's most enjoyable too." I said with a smile.
"Yeah. But you have a choice." Alice said with a small frown. "You haven't got just that one option. What I wouldn't give to have had one sit down meal with Major Jasper Whitlock. But I guess there's no use dwelling on it."
"No." I replied while I began to form an idea of how Aunt Alice and Uncle Jasper could have a sit down meal. There were such things as liquid food such as soup, now that would be easy to pretend.
I mentioned nothing to Alice for the time being, but I filed it away as a potential surprise in the future. Perhaps I could arrange it as a thank you to her for helping me plan the wedding. Although it would take a little more thought.
"I'll go now so you can start on with cooking." Alice said, rising to her feet. "Besides Jasper and I are going to take a trip out to the mountains tonight. Get in a little hunting just to be on the safe side. Jasper is no longer a threat, but he does worry, and this is the first time we've lived in an apartment building. He feels like he's enclosed, so being well fed will take the edge off."
"Then you are having a dinner date too tonight." I observed.
"I guess we are." Alice mused as she stood up. "I'll call on you tomorrow, we can come up with a precision plan of how we'll get Essie to look around your office."
"Of course." I replied, rising also to see her to the door. "What time shall we meet?"
"Why don't I come meet you at your office building? I want to get a look at this Ms Ryan myself if I'm honest." Alice stated.
"Very well." I replied. "Why don't you meet me in the foyer at five and we can go to the Dragon Bar to talk."
"Then I'll meet you at five." Alice said, and then she smiled. "Why don't you invite Ms Ryan for a drink with your sister?"
"Are you younger or older?" I asked in order to get our facts straight.
"A year older." Alice stated. "I'm visiting you because I couldn't get the time during the holidays."
"That sounds plausible." I replied. "Where do you reside normally?"
"New York." Alice stated. "That puts us on the other side of the States which makes it more likely that I couldn't get here until now."
"What is your occupation?"
"I work in a hospital and was required to work over the holidays but I have my free time now while those who had their holidays at the right time are back."
"Then that is what I will tell Ms Ryan if she asks." I stated. "It is better to have our story straight, she will try to catch us out."
"She won't catch us out." Alice assured me and tapped my arm. "Well, I'd best be going now." She added and kissed my cheek. "Let me know how Mal gets on, if I could I'd look and let you know in advance."
"If you could I would still refuse." I stated. "I would rather wait for Mal to tell me himself."
"You got more patience than me." Alice replied with a smile.
With that we said our goodbyes and then I set about preparing dinner for Mal. I had everything ready and on the table for eight when Mal opened the door. He came in slowly as if in a daze, placing his shoes and coat in the closet out of habit and not paying much notice. He seemed so downcast there was only one conclusion I could come to.
"I'm so sorry." I said, going to him and hugging him about the waist.
Mal seemed to wake up at that point, rousing from wherever his mind had been wandering.
"What for?" He asked.
"You are so sad." I stated. "Do you have to do a rewrite?"
"What? No. It's been submitted." Mal replied and I pulled away so I could look up at him.
"Then why do you look so sad?" I asked.
"I'm not sad." He said. "Just feeling worried. I mean, it's completely beyond my control now. What if I fail?"
"Oh Mal." I said with a sigh and hugged him tighter. "If it was not up to scratch your sponsor would not hand it in."
"I know, but still…" He worried.
"What can I do to alleviate your worry?" I asked.
"Just be you." Mal said, hugging me. "I'm feeling better already just holding you."
I laughed and pulled away again, taking his hand and leading him to the table.
"I made your favourite, honey lemon chicken." I stated.
"Thanks Liza bach." Mal said as he sat down. "You see, you help me by just being you." He added, smiling at me across the table.
"Although it does help to talk out your problems." I stated because he sometimes kept his feelings hidden.
"I know." He said, taking my hand, and massaging it with his thumb. "But it's not really that big a deal, and I'm allowed to worry a little."
"Of course." I replied. "I merely don't want you to suffer in silence."
"And I won't." He said firmly, and then picked up his fork. "So do I get to eat this wonderful meal you've prepared?"
"Of course." I replied, picking up my own fork. "And if you eat it all up there's a surprise for dessert."
"Really?" Mal asked, giving me a flirtatious smile and I felt his toes touch mine.
"Well that's for after desert." I said with a smile as I cut off some chicken using the side of my fork so that I could keep hold of his hand while I ate.
He laughed as he began to eat too.
"What's the news on the Mitsy front?" Mal asked, since learning her first name he never called her Ms Ryan.
"I have decided to call in the cavalry." I stated. "Mother is visiting on the weekend and she will evaluate Ms Ryan. If she thinks she's as much of a monster as I've stated then Mother will use her alpha voice."
"So you're gonna use the big guns then." Mal remarked.
"If it's necessary." I observed.
Mal nodded, but he looked somewhat troubled.
"You have a problem with that?" I couldn't help but demand.
"No." He replied. "Mitsy needs to be diverted, and if calling in Essie is the only way then so be it."
"But?" I prompted.
"But do you really want to go down the path of employing supernatural means to meddle in the human world?" He asked carefully.
"Do we not do that by merely existing and taking a place in the human world?" I asked.
"Taking a place in the world is a little different than screwing with people's minds." Mal replied.
"Then you completely disapprove." I observed.
"Not in Mitsy's case, she's a bitch and shouldn't be inflicted on anyone, but promise me, unless it's a matter of life and death, this is the only time you'll ask Essie to alpha a human for you?"
"I do not plan on making a habit of it." I said firmly, and then sighed. "Sorry for snapping, but I feel hurt by the fact that you even assume I would do such a thing."
"Sorry." Mal said, dropping his head. "I should know you wouldn't do that, but I just want to make absolutely sure, because you know how it is once you cross a line. It's so much easier to repeat the action."
"I doubt I will encounter anyone like Ms Ryan again." I replied. "And it's only for this once because I have caused this problem and I must redress it."
"But you're not responsible for who your bosses appoint to replace you." Mal stated firmly. "And don't give me the timing argument again, it could be two or three years from now and they still might have made her your success. It's not you who's screwed up Eliza, it's the board."
"I still feel I must rectify it." I said with a sigh.
"I know." Mal said, tapping my hand and giving me a sympathetic look but it was clear he was still doubtful of this course of action.
We ate in silence for the rest of the main course. I could think of no topic of conversation for the time being, and I certainly didn't want to dwell on the moral implications of altering Ms Ryan's mind. It would do everyone good, including her, to transfer to another department, but did that give me the right to play god? Was it really playing god when one used ones natural abilities? It would be the same as if I gave a persuasive argument, my argument merely happened to be my mother.
"Are you ready for dessert?" I asked once I had finished the main course.
Mal nodded as he looked on me with worry.
"What?" I asked.
"You've gone quiet." He replied. "I've upset you."
"Perhaps." I sighed. "But let us not dwell. I have a great dessert made up for you and who knows what might follow."
"Liza, please don't let this fester." He said. "I'd rather have it out right now than in a couple of days when you've been brooding."
"I have no problem with you." I stated. "You are entitled to your opinion, it is merely that I knew this was a morally grey area and now I am wondering if it is for the best. It must be something I want for I am finding excuses to support my case. Sometimes they fall under closer scrutiny, but it must be done."
"As long as you're sure." Mal said.
"I am."
Suddenly Mal was beside me and he was hugging me, crouched on the floor before me as I still sat in my chair.
"I'm sorry if I made you second guess yourself." He said.
"Mal, we are partners, we must keep each other on the straight and narrow." I replied as I patted the back of his shoulder. "As you said, it is better to have this out then to let it fester between us. It is good that you question my motives at times for I have enough people willing to let me have my own way."
"I'm not exactly stopping you." He stated.
"I know." I replied and kissed him. "How about dessert?"
"Is that dessert or dessert?" He asked with a grin before he pretended to nibble at my throat.
I giggled and batted him away playfully.
"Now, now Malachite, I have worked hard on this dessert, the least you can do is to sample it." I chastised.
"Well if you insist." Mal said with a playful smile as he stood and picked up the plates to carry them to the kitchen.
"I am on dinner duty tonight." I stated, taking the plates from him. "Now sit my love and I will bring your dessert."
Mal stole a kiss before he sat in his chair and I carried our empty plates and put them in the sink to soak before I pulled my home made ice cream from the freezer. I made sure he was unable to see what I was serving to prolong the surprise.
I carried our bowls to the table and Mal brightened considerably when he saw what I had served.
"Ice cream." He said.
"Chocolate ice cream and warm caramel sauce." I corrected, and kissed him as I handed his spoon to him.
"Lovely." He replied, and he stopped me from returning to my seat by placing his hand to the small of my back. "Of course we could always combine dessert with dessert." He added with a low growl.
"As tantalising as that suggestion is." I replied, my lips a hair's breadth from his. "I have to say no. It was so messy the last time and I am too busy at present to accommodate such a clean up."
Mal looked disappointed.
"Of course, during the honeymoon we can be as messy as we want for we will have all the time in the world." I continued as I took up a spoonful of ice cream and placed it in my mouth whilst holding Mal's gaze.
"You look so hot doing that." Mal said as he reached out for his own spoonful that he then placed in my mouth.
To tell you the truth I had expected it, this was a game we often played when ice cream is involved, and so I took up another spoonful, but this time I fed it to Mal. Then I kissed him and sat up on his lap as we continued to feed each other in this way. It was amazing how much fun a simple thing like ice cream could bring us.
Once the ice cream was finished we cleaned the dishes together. I washed and Mal wiped. He seemed over his initial shock and was now telling me what his sponsor had told him about his paper, and from what he said it was all positive. He truly had nothing to worry about, but then I suppose it is human nature to worry about something once it's out of your control. Now that initial worry was over it was clear that he had some confidence in his work, if not complete confidence.
Once the apartment was clean we retired to bed, indulging in a little extra dessert before we settled to sleep.
The next morning we arose at the same time for I had to get ready for work and Mal had to attend a course to prepare him for applying for his practicing licence. He wouldn't be able to gain the licence until he was confirmed as a doctor, but the preparation beforehand would allow him to apply for it immediately.
We left together, but had to go our separate ways once outside. We parted with a kiss and I reminded Mal that I would be late home for I was going to meet with Alice for a drink so that she could see Ms Ryan for herself.
I was wondering how to invite Ms Ryan and if she would accept, but she accepted immediately, despite the fact that she was her usual monstrous self for the rest of the day. She more than likely wished to see what my family was like. If they were as well off as I claimed.
At the end of the day Ms Ryan rode the elevator with me in a somewhat frosty silence considering we were to socialise. I could think of nothing to say to her to alleviate the silence so it was with great relief that I spotted Alice looking at one of the tourist displays in the foyer.
I made my way to her.
"Alice." I said pleasantly. "Sister you made it."
"Liza, it's so good to see you." Alice replied, turning to me to hug me then she stood back and looked up at Ms Ryan. "And you must be Ms Ryan, my sister's successor in this company."
"Yes." Ms Ryan replied.
"I am pleased to meet you." Alice said with a smile holding out her hand.
"This is my older sister Alice." I stated.
Ms Ryan looked between the both of us, over-emphasising the fact that she had to look down to see us.
"I see the resemblance." She said as she shook Alice's hand, leaning over slightly as if she was shaking hands to humour a child.
"I'm sure you do." Alice said, not missing the snide side of Ms Ryan's observation. "Where are we going?"
"The Dragon Bar." I stated as I looped my arm through Alice's, "It's this darling little bar just down the street, you will adore it I assure you."
"It's not that great." Ms Ryan observed.
"Each to their own." Alice replied. "But I trust my sister's judgement, so if she states that I'll adore it then I'm in no doubt that I will."
"I think you will be proved wrong." Ms Ryan said beneath her breath, no human would have heard, but if I heard it then Alice most certainly did.
"I dropped Jasper off with Mal." Alice said as we stepped out onto the street with Ms Ryan following behind. "I thought it would be nice for us to have a good girly catch up."
"It is a wonderful idea." I observed. "We will go on to somewhere else once I conclude my business with Ms Ryan."
"Of course." Alice replied. "What is the business?"
"It is very boring." I replied before we reached the Dragon Bar. "Behold, our destination."
"You were right sister, it looks a darling little place." Alice said cheerfully.
"Aren't we going inside?" Ms Ryan said somewhat irritably as she pushed the door open and pushed ahead of us.
"You were right about her." Alice whispered quick and low before we stepped into the bar ourselves.
Ms Ryan was at the bar.
"How much do you want to bet that she isn't getting in a round for all?" Alice asked.
"You seriously wish me to bet against you?" I teased.
Alice laughed and we went to find a table.
"Shall we wait to se if she brings us a drink each?" Alice asked.
"Yes." I replied. "We can give her a good lesson in bar etiquette."
"This should be good." Alice mused as she settled into her seat. "I hate rude people, especially when they act as if they're better than everyone else. There's no need to be snooty, we all have to share this world."
"Too true." I agreed.
At this point Ms Ryan came to the table carrying a single glass of what was possibly martini. She sat down and it was clear she was waiting for us to chastise her; perhaps she enjoyed the anger directed at her. Alice came to this same conclusion I was sure for she said, "Shall we split a bottle of champagne? Celebrate your impending nuptials in style since I won't make it for the hen night."
"How come?" Ms Ryan asked.
"I have to arrange my time off carefully. The hen night is a full week before the wedding and I am unable to secure the full amount of time. I think it more important that I attend my sister's wedding than to join her in her last hooray." Alice said flatly.
"I would much rather share an intimate drink with you my sister." I said and hugged her. "You know how much I abhor that whole bar crawl scene."
"But you will do it because it is expected of one on one's hen night." Alice remarked.
"Of course." I replied. "And you know Aunt Rose will be most adamant."
"Yes she will." Alice replied.
"I will go buy the champagne, you are my guest after all." I stated.
"I insist, it was my idea." Alice countered.
"No sister, I was amiss not to offer it sooner. I will be but a moment." I assured her and went to the bar to order the bottle of champagne with the credit card Alice had slipped into my hand.
I placed the order and the bar attendant stated that he would bring the bottle to our table and so I went to sit back down. Alice was in the middle of a conversation with Ms Ryan, although I was uncertain of the full extent for I had missed the start. It was clear however that in that brief conversation Alice had formed the same opinion of Ms Ryan as anyone else who had met her.
"I look to your future with great interest." Alice said in an ambiguous way that made it hard to determine what she meant.
Had I not known of her gift I would have thought Alice was giving Ms Ryan a compliment. It was not a compliment judging by her tone, I was certain that Alice would look to Ms Ryan's future once she had the opportunity. I was certain she wished to know how all this would end. I was curious myself and decided that I would ask her at some point in the near future, and then decided against it when Alice gave an almost unperceivable frown. My moment's decision to involve myself in that future had muddy the waters for Alice so I would have to wait for time to run its course.
"What business do we have to finish?" Ms Ryan asked.
"How did you get along with the clients when contacting them today?" I asked.
"I followed the protocol. No excuses, they pay up or we sue." Ms Ryan replied flatly.
"That is a rather simplistic way of putting it and likely to raise their hackles." I chastised. "I hope you worded it in a more diplomatic fashion."
"I'm not a complete idiot. I have impeccable communication skills." Ms Ryan said haughtily.
"As you've clearly demonstrated." Alice said with a wide smile and Ms Ryan gave her a cautious look, she knew that Alice was using a whole helping of sarcasm in that statement.
"Did you flag any who may prove to be a problem? After all it is one thing for them to promise to pay, quite another to have them do it promptly." I stated. "You have to make them think we are doing them a favour in providing an adequate payment arrangement. If they think we are pressurizing them they tend to get defensive and we have to chase them further. It is highly exhausting and expensive. If we are not careful we end up expending more money in trying to reclaim the debt owed us than the price of the debt itself."
"Can't we just claim it from the debtors?" Ms Ryan asked, and she was actually unsure of that fact.
"And expend more money and man hours? And if a company declares bankruptcy then there is every chance we will not see a single penny of it. That is why you must be careful of how you chase them up." I explained.
"They owe us money they should pay." Ms Ryan stated.
Alice turned her laugh into a cough and at that point the champagne arrived, along with three glasses. I waited for the server to leave, then poured out some champagne.
"Have you ever heard the tale of the sun and the wind?" Alice asked, looking at Ms Ryan. "Or the adage you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar?"
"What's your point?" Ms Ryan asked.
"That you are more likely to succeed in regaining the company money through being nice." I stated, distracting Ms Ryan enough for Alice to deposit half her glass into the ice bucket.
"I am never nice." Ms Ryan replied. "It's bad for business."
"I have ten years of working experience that would beg to differ." I countered. "I agree that there is no need to be a pushover, but one must work with at least a semblance of compassion. When you head the company you can be a bitch to your heart's content, but not when you're middle management. We have shaky ground to straddle, we are not one of the workers, but we are not among the executives either. We have to be amiable to both or we will suffer dissent from below and consternation from above."
"I'll fire anyone who shows dissent, and those above me? Well my daddy owns the company." She said with a smirk.
"He merely holds shares and is not noted as the owner. That honour belongs to Mr Mangan and I am sure he would not take too kindly to that view of yours." I returned.
"Oh please, Uncle Lionel would let me on the board if I asked him." Ms Ryan said with a snort.
"Then why not go there? You would be happier." I stated.
"I wanted to know what it was like to do a normal day's work."
"Then you should do it properly and take advice from us working stiffs." Alice stated. "Otherwise you are merely a child playing dress up."
"You children can talk." Ms Ryan replied. "I'm surprised they let you in here never mind serve you without ID."
"Maturity is more than height." Alice said in a serene voice. "It is often about the air one gives off. Liza and I exude maturity while you seem to have all the sophistication of a freshman prom queen. I'm surprised they didn't card you."
Ms Ryan merely glared at Alice.
"Liza, let us leave and take this bottle to share with the boys, because I for one do not plan on sitting around here being insulted all night." Alice stated.
"I thought you were having your own mini-hen night."
"It's just been upgraded to a couples dinner party." I said brightly. "There is little else for is to discuss this evening Ms Ryan, I shall see you tomorrow." I added as I pushed the cork back in the bottle as best I could and together Alice and I left, leaving Ms Ryan sitting there alone, sipping her drink.
Once outside we hailed a cab and requested the apartment building.
"I have never met anyone so unpleasant." Alice remarked. "She just doesn't seem to care if people hate her."
"Yes." I replied. "Which makes it harder to reason with her. She also has no understanding of how to run a happy, conducive workplace. At least at the level she has decided to enter. If only she would go straight to the top and leave the rest of us alone."
"Well we know now that it's her choice she's replacing you. It'll make Essie's job easier." Alice observed.
"I suppose there is that." I conceded. "Although judging by her stubbornness it would not surprise me if Ms Ryan has an immunity to all of Mother's persuading."
"Please don't say that." Alice begged. "I can't check for that possibility."
"I'll refrain from mentioning it in future." I promised.
We paused in our conversation when the cab stopped in front of the apartment building and we made our payment and got out. We entered the building and chatted as we made our way up to the seventh floor in the elevator. Then something occurred to me.
"You are speaking more as yourself now and not like me." I observed.
"Yeah. I thought it would help with our sister ruse if we sounded similar."
"That makes sense." I replied. "I am merely glad I didn't think to question your speech in front of Ms Ryan."
"I'm sure that on some level you knew what I was doing." Alice replied. "You're intuitive like that."
The elevator arrived at my floor and we stepped out. We walked in silence until we entered my apartment. Mal was sat at the table with papers spread in front of him and Alec was sat on one of the sofas watching television. Mal looked up and smiled.
"Hey Bach, I wasn't expecting you back so soon, I would have cooked." He said.
"I will order us food." I stated, placing the bottle of champagne on the top that divided the kitchen area from the rest of the main room. "Shall we have pizza?"
"Lovely." Mal said with a smile and he started to put his papers away. "So ladies, did you come up with a plan of how to get Essie into your office?"
"No." I replied as Alice and I sat down.
"But now I know that we definitely need to divert Ms Ryan." Alice added.
"So you met Mitsy." Mal said with a grin.
"Mitsy?" Alice asked. "Her name is Mitsy?"
"Yes." I replied.
"Oh, why didn't you tell me that sooner?" Alice said in mock sadness.
"You would not have teased her with it." I stated with a smile and Alice nodded in concession. "Let us put Mitsy Ryan's forename aside and discus Mother instead. Have you any ideas of how I can bring her near to Ms Ryan?"
"I have been thinking about that." Alice replied. "Do you have an intern programme at your office?"
"Yes." I replied.
"Then that's how we'll do it. We'll say Essie is an intern. I'm certain Mitsy will be her charming self to the work experience girl and then Essie will know exactly how unpleasant she is and that something has to be done."
"Sounds like a good plan." Mal observed.
I agreed and then we began working over the finer points of the plan so that by Thursday evening when Mother arrived with Billie and Farther, I was able to brief her on what we were to do the next day.
Friday morning I sat in my office waiting anxiously for a call from the security station, it came at nine o'clock, right on time. As I made my way toward the elevator Ms Ryan came up beside me.
"Where are you going?" She demanded.
"Not that I am subject to you." I stated. "But I am going to meet up with a senior high school student who will join us today to see how an office is run."
"I'm coming with you." Ms Ryan said firmly.
"I suppose you should know the protocol when dealing with an intern, even one who is only with us for one day." I stated.
Ms Ryan nodded her head stiffly and we made our way to the elevator and down to the ground floor. Mother was standing by the security booth in polite patience, but she was displaying the right amount of anxiety for a high school senior being shown around one of the great palaces of business.
Of course I had to pretend that Mother was a stranger to me and had to make it seem as if I merely guessed when I stepped up to her and asked, "Esther Hannigan?"
"That's me." She said with a nervous smile. "But please call me Essie."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Essie." I said, shaking her right hand as was customary as opposed to her left hand, which would have been more comfortable for the both of us, but I was maintaining the charade that I had no idea who Mother was and most people are right handed. "You may call me Liza, and this is Mitsy."
"Ms Ryan." Ms Ryan said firmly, and Mother's eyes travelled to her.
"It's Miss Hannigan actually, but I prefer for people to call me Essie." Mother replied in a convincing display of having misunderstood Ms Ryan.
"No, I am Ms Ryan. You will not refer to me by my first name, it's much too informal for positive productivity." Ms Ryan replied.
"Very well Ms Brian." Mother replied.
"Take no notice of Ms Ryan." I stated. "She is merely observing today."
"Are you an intern too?" Mother asked Ms Ryan with a wide smile.
Ms Ryan bristled and was sure to say something, but the security guard asked me to sign Essie Hannigan in for the day and she was given a visitor's pass. Once she had clipped it to the belt loop on her trousers I indicated for her to follow me.
Mother walked beside me to the elevator while Ms Ryan followed behind.
What do you think so far? I thought toward Mother.
She's definitely a piece of work. Mother replied. I was gonna be on my best behaviour until I got a full dose of her writhing mind. She shouldn't be working with people. She should be in a position where she never has to come into contact with people. Any positions like that in this company?
None that I can think of. I stated while I pressed the button for our floor. "I hope you will learn all you need to know about the world of financial retrieval today Essie."
"I hope I do too." Mother replied.
"If you're wise you won't listen to a thing Ms Black has to tell you." Ms Ryan stated.
"But she is the manager." Mother said with a frown.
"For now." Ms Ryan said with a smirk.
"It is merely because I am moving on." I stated. "They would love me to stay, but I will no longer be based in Seattle which will make for one long commute."
"I guess you got to think about that location thing." Mother observed. "My brother does a two hour commute in the morning and then again in the afternoon, I don't know how he handles it. It would drive me crazy travelling that long every day."
"They are sacrifices one must make for the sake of work." Ms Ryan said blandly.
"That's easy enough to say when you only live across the street." I stated. "I have to travel from the other side of the city and that rush hour traffic is atrocious."
"Stop scaring the girl, we're supposed to be showing her the positives of working in finance." Ms Ryan said, but that was merely to score points against me, and nothing to do with making Mother feel better.
"I already know about lousy traffic." Mother said with a shrug. "Like I said, my brother travels two hours to get to where he works."
"Where is that exactly?"
"I don't know. He doesn't say. It's classified." Mother replied. "I just know he works for the government, or something."
"You don't know much do you." Ms Ryan said scathingly and stepped off the elevator before us after it had come to a halt.
Mother and I exchanged a look before we stepped off the elevator too.
"This is financial recovery." I stated.
"What do you do here exactly?"
"We chase up any clients who owe money to the company." I stated.
"Oh. So you're the company's personal debt collectors?"
"Yes." I replied. "Although we prefer to call ourselves financial recovery to avoid embarrassing the clients."
"Right." Mother replied with a laugh. "So I guess even big businesses get into debt?"
"Yes." I stated. "Although if I am honest it is smaller businesses that borrow from bigger companies who tend to end up in difficulty. That is why we must give them a little leeway if they are willing to pay."
"What will I do when I'm here?" She asked keenly.
"We cannot allow you to speak to any of the clients, I'm sure you understand that it is paramount that few mistakes as possible are made, but you can get a good feel for this office if you shadow someone." I stated before I turned to Ms Ryan. "Ms Ryan, will you take Essie under your wing for the morning?"
Ms Ryan gave me a dark look, but then she smiled in a disconcerting way.
"Of course. Come with me Miss Hannigan." She said in a honeyed voice as she beckoned Mother to follow her.
This should be interesting. Mother thought as she followed Ms Ryan to her station for the day and pulled up a chair on the latter's request.
I left Mother to it for I felt my presence would be something of a hindrance. I returned to my office and started pouring over the figures for the week. We were up once more; we were always up or on a par to the previous week. I wondered how the figures would look once Ms Ryan took over. In two weeks it would no longer be my business.
At eleven I went out onto the floor and called Mother into my office for 'an end of day briefing'. She entered my office and I shut the door before we sat down.
"What do you think?" I asked.
That you weren't exaggerating when you described her. Mother replied with her mind and I realised this was probably for the best. You're right Lamb, she really does need diverting, I mean I agreed with you earlier, but even more now. So how do you want to do this?
Whichever way you think is best Mother? You are the one to perform the task.
Yeah. Mother agreed then fell silent for a moment while she thought. I guess the best thing to do is just get her in here. It won't be too hard to push her mind in a more upward direction. To tell you the truth the only reason she's sticking around here is because it's annoying you, she really doesn't like you. She doesn't like Felicity either. That's another reason she's sticking around here, like she's keeping an eye on her because of Gus. She doesn't want her as a sister-in-law. She's such a snob.
She is. I agreed. Very well. I will call her in. Are you ready?
Mother nodded.
I went to the door and called Ms Ryan inside. She looked annoyed that I had the tenacity to summon her, but she entered regardless. I closed the door and locked it without Ms Ryan noticing or she would most certainly have been suspicious.
I returned to my seat while Ms Ryan sat next to Mother.
"How has Essie done this morning?" I asked pleasantly.
"She wasn't here long enough to make a true evaluation." Ms Ryan said, and Mother frowned for a moment and then her dangerous expression settled on her face.
"Look at me." Mother said firmly, and there was the resonance of the alpha about her voice.
Ms Ryan looked up at Mother while I steadied my breathing and began to boost Mother's power. I was still unsure how it worked for it wasn't that I gave my own power to the person I was supporting, I expended energy, but only in the way that the others did when using their gifts. It was something of my will too; I knew Mother could alpha Ms Ryan to turn her attention to more lofty ambitions. It was the best we could do, Mother could redirect people's ambitions, but the alpha voice couldn't change a person's fundamental nature. Mores the pity in the case of Ms Ryan.
"You've decided that being the manager of this department is not for you. It's much too boring. You're going to accept that position on the board that your father offered you. It's the place you know you belong and you've outgrown this little phase of being one of the little people. You'll take your place on the board and make the recommendation that Felicity is the best successor to Liza. After all, this was just a little exercise on your part to find out what Felicity was like and also to find out who would be the best person to take over this department. You now know Felicity is not a gold digger and that Felicity is the best one to be Liza's successor."
Mother leaned back and Ms Ryan finally blinked.
"Err…where was I?" She asked with a frown.
"You said you had not had enough time to evaluate Essie fully." I stated.
"That's right. I haven't, but she's not important here." Ms Ryan said dismissively. "The future of this department is. I wasn't really planning on taking over from you; I was just assessing everything here for Uncle Lionel to make sure your recommendation of Felicity as your replacement was founded. It pains me to admit it, but you're right, she will manage this department well. Please don't inform her yet, Uncle Lionel wants to do that himself."
"Very well." I stated. "Will you be returning on Monday?"
"No." She replied without pause. "I never have to mingle with you mere mortals again."
"Then allow me to say my goodbyes." I said, making it to the door in order to unlock it as Ms Ryan rose from her chair. "It has been…an experience."
"Yes." Ms Ryan said. "Goodbye."
"Goodbye." I replied.
With that Ms Ryan left the room and I turned to Mother.
Was she sincere?
Yeah. As far as she's concerned she's gone. And it's all her idea. Mother stated.
Good. I replied, then stepped aside as Felicity entered the room.
"What got up Ms Ryan's butt?" She asked.
"Nothing." I stated.
"Well she was tearing out of here like a bat out of hell and there's still an hour to go." Felicity replied.
"I'm sure Ms Ryan has her own reasons for leaving early, do you wish to question her?" I observed/
"No. I just thought that maybe…"
"Maybe what?" I prompted.
"That maybe she was leaving us."
"Your guess is as good as mine." I stated. "Why don't you call everyone for the end of week meeting and then perhaps we can finish early."
"Ok." Felicity said with a slight frown, but she did not argue as she went to gather the others for the meeting.
Mother stayed for the meeting as part of her 'work experience' and the meeting went well. I was able to avoid any pressing questions about Ms Ryan's absence by asking them to each give a full report. As hoped, their reports filled the duration of the time and I was able to make my escape by claiming I had urgent plans that afternoon that could not be rescheduled.
Mother left a little before me, and thus we rode in separate elevators. By the time I had reached the ground floor Mother was already two blocks away, sitting in a coffee house waiting for me. I should have thought to arrange a meeting point before hand; it is merely a blessing that Mother is so powerful that she can touch my mind over such a distance if she so chooses.
Mother had already ordered me a latte and a hot chocolate for herself by the time I arrived and sat opposite her at a corner table away from the windows. We had clandestine things to discuss, and besides, should anyone from my department see me here talking to the work experience girl they may become suspicious, especially after Monday when they would learn that Ms Ryan had elected not to take over from me.
"That was an interesting morning." Mother observed, taking a cautious sip of her hot chocolate before stirring some of the whipped cream into it.
"Definitely. Ms Ryan is quite the monster." I observed.
"Oh there's my whole undercover thing, but that's not the interesting bit." Mother said, brushing the whole alpharing business aside with a sweep of her hand. "I meant watching you work, watching you be a leader. You're really not my little girl anymore." She said with a smile as she squeezed my hand.
"Oh Mother." I said, feeling my cheeks grow warm.
"I mean it. When we worked together before there was still something about you that screamed 'I'm a kid pretending to be an adult' but now you're a capable young woman, head of a department after only a year, and I can see why. You know how to steer them whichever way you want, and you don't even have the alpha voice to fall back on."
"But there are some cases where it would have been advantageous for me to have your gift." I replied.
"I guess." Mother said. "But you were helping me."
"Please Mother, you would have succeeded without me there. I merely wished to feel as if I was contributing something at the very least." I stated.
"I know." Mother said with a smile, and then she leaned closer, her voice more intense as she said, "You're getting stronger you know, and I could definitely sense more of your will behind it than before."
"I've been practicing with Mal." I stated. "Thanks to the visible aspect of his gift it is a good indicator of what we are achieving together."
"Have you managed to float anything yet?" She asked excitedly for that was a theory we were still working on the last time Mother and I had discussed my powers.
"No." I replied. "I merely gain a representation of Mal's molecular-vision, I suppose it is the only aspect of his power that is truly in his mind. I think the mind plays a big part in what I gain as an aspect of another's gift. It is due to all that time I spent connected to you and Tony in the Time Before, then with Tony throughout my childhood. It primed my mind for telepathy, but Mal's telekinesis is different to that."
"I guess it's cause it affects the physical world rather than the mental world." Mother mused before she drained her mug. "Shall we move out? I know Billie's dying to show you around our super awesome suite."
"Of course." I said and finished my latte before rising to my feet. "You have a suite?" I asked once we were outside and making our way to the hotel.
"Come on Lamb, you know me and Tobias like to kick back in style." She said with a wink.
I laughed at Mother's joke, I no longer felt discomforture at the thought of my parents' love life, they were after all adults and entitled to their own fun. Provided I didn't have to witness it, but then I was not fond of witnessing anybody in a tryst.
We arrived at the lavish hotel and the concierge opened the door, he was already familiar with Mother and she gave him a smile and a tip and said a cheerful 'hey Jones' as we passed through the door.
We rode the elevator to the top floor of the hotel and the suite Mother and Father had booked was definitely opulent. When we entered Billie was sprawled out on a chaise-lounge twirling a strand of bronze hair between her fingers as she watched an old black and white film with an air of mild boredom. Father was sat upon a wingback chair as he gave Billie a commentary on the old film they were watching.
"Mom! Liza!" Billie called in a voice barely containing her relief as she leapt up to her feet and came to hug us. "How did it go? Did you re-programme the old crow?"
"Turned out she didn't need that much re-programming." Mother replied. "Just a tiny tweak here and there and she did the rest of the work herself."
"She wanted to go?" Billie realised.
"Not at first, but after a little perspective change…" Mother trailed off and moved her hand as if to indicate the achievement attained.
"Then Vela can set her mind at ease?" Father asked, as we sat down on the couch opposite him.
"Yeah, she doesn't have to feel guilty about leaving her department in the lurch." Mother replied. "Not that you had anything to feel guilty about Lamb, you didn't choose Mitsy to be your replacement. That Mangan guy should have listened to you."
"Why would the owner of a successful company listen to the advice of a middle management type who's jumping ship?" I asked.
"Rich people are stupid." Billie observed, and then the splendour and obvious expense of the room seemed to hit her. "Rich humans are stupid." She amended. "Just because you're leaving his company doesn't mean you want to leave it to flounder."
"If only he was as wise as you my sister." I stated as I hugged her and kissed the top of her head.
Billie giggled as she scrambled away from me.
"I'm getting too big for you to do that to me now." She said.
"But not quite yet." I teased.
"Do you know I'm staying with Jazz and Alice tonight?" She observed.
"Yes I do." I replied.
"What's their apartment like?"
"You will like it." I assured her.
"Yeah." She said. "I couldn't get used to city life though. Sitting inside all day is boring, and if I do go out it's all streets and cars and people. There's nowhere to just be myself. I'm not me in the city so I've decided that while we're here I am Mina. That is why you called me Wilhelmina right? So that I have choices?" She directed at Mother.
"Yeah." Mother replied. "So you really want us to call you Mina?"
"While we're in Seattle. Billie likes to run free and be reckless, Mina is the sophisticate of the city." She declared, adopting my tones as she sat up straighter and gestured like a stage actress playing a highborn lady.
"If that is your desire Miss Mina." Father said. "Are your bags prepared for your trip?"
"I had Daisy prepare them earlier. She is efficient, if on the talkative side for my liking. I must discipline her greatly for such loose ways; it is for the sake of her soul after all. Us employers have a responsibility to our staffs' moral well being as well as their physical one."
"I knew it was a mistake to let you watch that documentary." Mother said with a grin. "So tell me, is Mina too sophisticated to be called Baby?"
"I'll always be your baby, Mommy." Billie said, hugging Mother tightly. "Can we go to Alice and Jazz' now?"
"You got everything ready?" Mother prompted as she still held Billie close.
"Yeah."
"Then let's go."
Billie nodded and leapt to her feet. She pulled on her raincoat and then pulled a backpack onto her back.
"At least I think I got everything." She said, her fingers playing with the friendship bracelet about her wrist, and then her eyes widened in horror. "Oen!" She yelled and ran into one of the bedrooms before coming back with what had once been my stuffed lamb and now belonged to Billie. "We're ready." She announced.
"Then let's go." Mother stated and we all left the suite together and rode the elevator down to the ground floor.
We did not exit via the main entrance, but instead I followed Mother, Father and Billie to the left of the elevators and through a side, though no less grand, entrance that was adorned with a porte-cochere and the valet station. Father gave them a card that they scanned through a machine, and then one of the valets took down a set of keys I recognised and moments later Father's Bentley pulled up to the curb.
Farther took the driver's seat and Mother sat beside him while Billie and I climbed into the back. Once our seatbelts were secured Father pulled away and navigated the route that led out of the valet area and onto the street. Father was apt at navigating the traffic and we were soon at my apartment building. I had to show my residents ID and Father was issued with a visitor's permit which allowed him an hours free stay, but anything there after would be charged.
I led them to Alice's apartment first so that Billie could deposit her belongings. Alice and Jasper were more than accommodating, but we relocated to my apartment so that I could prepare dinner for those of us who required food in time for when Mal returned from his lesson.
It turned into a jovial evening, although Father did return the car to the hotel within the hour since he and Mother would happily stroll back later. Dinner was ready when Mal returned and he ate it with Mother, Billie and I at the table while Father, Jasper and Alice conversed in the sitting area, Alec joining them when he returned from work.
Once dinner was out of the way we planned what we would do the next day when we went to fit the dresses. Although this talk quickly dissolved into reminiscing about old times, most of it encouraged by Billie who wanted to know everything that took place before she was born.
This we repeated the Saturday night and I must admit it was somewhat of a wrench to bid farewell to my parents and sister for the time being, it had been immense fun having them here in Seattle. It made me yearn to return to Olympic Pines once I had finished with work.
After some discussion with Mal it was agreed that as soon as he had finished with his studies we would return to Tregarran and remain there until the wedding. I had my countdown at the ready. There was little time before I would be wed and I couldn't wait.
I'm going to put DH on hold for the next few weeks so I can finish off V&A. I haven't got enough time to do two chapters a week at the moment, or even one and a half, so I'll finish off the short story, then continue with DH
Sorry for the delay
Gemma x
