Part 4
Abbie walks through the doors of L & B records, excited and a bit nervous. She is tired of running, of always looking over her shoulder. Maybe she would finally get the chance to live a normal life.
"Hi Mr. Ashton." "How are you today?" she asks cheerfully.
"What is your connection to Sonny Corinthos?" demands Ned, ignoring her greeting.
"I don't have a connection with Sonny Corinthos." "Why?"
"That's a load of bull, I saw you getting into his limo when you left here last night."
"Oh, was that Mr. Corinthos' vehicle?" she questions. "I thought it was Jason's."
"Wait, are you telling me Jason Morgan is back in town?"
"I'm not saying anything at all." "I don't know what you are talking about."
"It's ok Abbie," says Jason from his vantage point by the entrance of the office. "Yes Ned, I'm back in town." "How is Grandmother?"
"She misses you and she misses Emily, you should go and see her."
"I will, now listen." "Abbie doesn't know anything about me, or have any connection to me." "She was broken down on the side of the road last night and I gave her a ride to my place to let her clean up before she came here." "Then I picked her up after her interview." "Don't let your hate for me and for Sonny spill over on to her."
"Look, I have some business to attend to, call me if you need anything Abbie," says Jason as he turns and walks out the door.
"Abbie, sit down," says Ned. "Look, you want to stay far away from people like Jason, and Sonny." "They are very dangerous, and too many people around them have died because of them." Ned gets a sad faraway look in his eyes as he thinks about Brenda.
Shaking his head and pulling himself to the matter at hand he asks Abbie why she just didn't tell him the truth about getting a ride from Jason.
"It's simple Mr. Ashton." "It's none of your business." "I don't talk about other people's business, and I expect the same from them."
"Well, I can respect that, I guess," says Ned doubtfully. "Ok, back to business, I went over your resume last night." "Why didn't you tell me you worked closely with Lois Cerullo?"
"It's on my resume, why would I need to tell you?" questions Abbie.
"Did you know she's my ex-wife?"
"What does that have to do with anything?" asks Abbie hotly. "Look, yes, I worked with Ms. Cerullo, and in fact, she suggested I apply for this job." "Is there a problem with that?"
"You really don't talk about people, do you?" says Ned.
"NO, I really don't." "Now, do I have a job or not?"
"Yes, you have a job, if you worked with Lois, then I know you know this business." "Basically, you are going to be doing a little of everything." "Running the office, keeping track of well of everything, and just being my general right hand person."
"Now, as to salary," says Ned as he scribbles a figure on a piece of paper and shows it to her.
"I can live on this, but I want a review and a raise in 90 days," counters Abbie.
"Done." "Now, do you have a place to stay, because I can recommend," begins Ned.
"Personal, Mr. Ashton," was all Abbie said to him. "Here is a post office box where any an all work related correspondence can be addressed."
"Fine, and will you please call me Ned," snaps Ned a little angry that he can't seem to win against the woman seated next to him. "Now, I'm trying to sign a country band to L & B records." "The genre is becoming very popular, and this band is really hot." "There is a folder with bio's on the members on the desk over there." "Study it, get to know them better than you know yourself." "At the same time, I want you looking for venues in the area where we can promote them." "Cover the phones, and shout if you have a problem." "I'll be in the booth with Donovan working on some remixes."
"Sure thing, Mr. Ashton, I mean Ned," Abbie says to his rapidly retreating back.
Pausing for a second to hug herself for joy Abbie takes a good look at her surroundings.
"Well, it's not perfect, but it will do," she says out loud as she goes to her desk to grab the folder. Settling down on one of the sofas in the room she opens the folder and begins her first day at L & B records.