Chapter 4: Modern Woman

April 2011

"It's going to be a sunny afternoon, a little breezy and cool but it's still the perfect spring day for all you young love birds to go for a stroll."

"That won't be me anytime soon since I'm not as young as I use to be anymore and the only stroll I take these days is to the donut shop."

"Getting a little hefty there, you won't be able to fit into those tiny summer shorts."

"I defiantly won't be wearing my MS pants anytime soon. Well.."

"Baby time to get up," Fred turned off the alarm clock and gently rubbed Manuella on her shoulder.

"Ummm," Manuella moaned.

"C'mon baby, you don't want to be late for your first day as the big boss."

Manuella smirked while getting up from her bed and putting on her silk robe. "I'm not the big boss yet unless I can take your job."

"Maybe you will although worlds greatest lover is a tough job to follow." Fred kissed Manuella on her forehead. "But I know you can handle it."

"Thanks," Manuella chuckled before getting into the shower.

"I cooked you breakfast," Fred shouted outside the bathroom door.

"Thanks," Manuella shouted back while applying her makeup. She put her long full head of hair in a prestigious fashionable French twist and made sure her suit didn't have any wrinkles in it. "Perfect" She said to herself. "I'm going to knock them senseless today. "Manuella double checked in the mirror to see if a strand of hair wasn't out of place. "Manuella Santos you're now ready for your first day as Executive Editor of Latest Fashion at La Femme Magazine.

"Manuella your breakfast is going to get cold." Fred exclaimed.

"Coming," Manuella replied.

Manuella glanced at herself in the mirror once more just to check. She turned on the television in the bedroom. "I wonder what the weather is going to be like tonight?" Manuella said to herself out loud. She held the remote in her hand and just as she was going to change to the weather channel to check she stared at the screen it was a rerun of Entertainer Access Today. "I don't need to see this." Manuella exclaimed until she saw a picture of Craig in the upper right hand corner in a small screen right by the female reporter. Manuella turned up the volume.

"Looks like Craig Manning of the fame triple platinum 2007 Time Will Tell and his 2010 double platinum second release album Gotta Try is working on another engagement real soon. Nope, it's not another album but something just as exciting Craig Manning is getting married. The screen showed a video of Craig and LoLa at his second album release party last summer in L.A. just before their infamous third breakup. "He won't say to whom but I assure you it's not on again off again supermodel ex-girlfriend LoLa. Mr. Manning wedding is scheduled for sometime this summer." The screen flashed back to the reporter. "What a lucky girl she must be to snatch him up and in other news Mr. Manning has just landed a full time job.." Manuella noticed that the TV screen went blank.

"Why are you still in here," Fred exclaimed. "You barely have time to eat less then sitting here watching television."

"I was just checking out the weather," Manuella replied.

"I didn't know the weather was on EAT" Freddy joked.

"Ha Ha it isn't," Manuella feigned laughter.

"Your looking for another mention of your new line?"

"No I just saw something interesting but," Manuella kissed Fred on the cheek. "It's not as interesting as you. I'm going to go grab a bite to eat." Manuella walked into the kitchen and nibbled on a low fat homemade muffin, grapefruit, whole wheat toast and drunk her coffee with no cream or sugar."

"Like it," Fred asked while Manuella nodded. "It's low fat that way." Fred rubbed on Manuella's flat stomach. "You won't get fat you haven't been to the gym lately."

"I've been really busy working overtime with the line and making sure my department is in order for the Latest Fashion articles showcased in La Femme."

"No excuses, if I can put in a couple of minuets to work out you can do the same."

"I promise," Manuella smiled. "I'll go tonight."

"You can't, you have that celebration." Fred looked at his watch. "I have to go and I'm sorry I can't make your celebration party tonight but you know, duty calls." Fred grabbed his coat, briefcase and first class ticket on the Concord to Milan. "I'll see you sometime this week hopefully those fat cats in Milan will buy more of the MS and Femme Line." Manuella got up from her chair at the kitchen table. She ran to give Fred a goodbye kiss but he only stopped and gave her a peck on both of her cheeks. "Ciao." Freddy waved and closed the door to their deluxe condo in the heart of Manhattan.

"Ciao," Manuella mumbled.

"Hey Ms Santos, welcome back and let me be the first to congratulate you on your first day as Executive Editor. Brian the doorman shook her hand. Brian was the doorman for the Tower Corp. Building which had offices for hundreds of posh magazines such as Cozmo Inc., Famous People, Rolling Rock and of course Fashion giant magazine and line La Femme."

"Brian," Manuella patted his hand. "You don't have to address me as Ms. Santos, just call me Manuella like you did before we're still friends not associates."

"Oh no," Brian shook his head. "I couldn't do that it's strictly company policy to address higher people in office by there surname."

"Well just call me Ms. Manuella and," She whispered. "When no one is looking around you can call me Manny, only good friends like you can call me that." Manuella smiled before walking to the elevator.

"Manny" A guy exclaimed.

Manuella stopped walking . "Look, I don't know how you heard but all other employees have to address me as Ms San." Manuella turned around and paused as she saw a familiar face staring at her. "Craig."

Note: Sorry it took me so long to those who were expecting the release on Friday night or Saturday but I had to tweak it up and get everything right.Starting this week two chapters will be released every Friday or Saturday instead of four (Unless otherwise stated in a note). Thanks