Chapte5(partial): Fading like a flower
Despite her breakdown during the drive to the Metro, Lauren leaves her car parked on her reserved spot at precisely 7:05 in the morning on a saturday.
She can never ever break free from the monotony of her empty existence it seems.
'Just what a great way to start to rebel!' She scoffs mentally.
Promptly, ten minutes after, she finds herself vacating the elevator and marches to the hallway where at the other end, occupying a third of the floor's space is the vast receiving area outside the CEO's office.
Nadiel, the weekend receptionist abruptly stands up to welcome Lauren. The staff beams at her, a knowing look on her face. The blonde fought hard not to roll her eyes for despite the storm brewing in her chest, she just does not have the heart to treat people badly.
"Dr. Lewis, good morning! It's nice to see you back!"
Lauren politely smiles as she kept walking to the door. Nadiel's smile falters and gets on her heels. Dr. Taft is not expecting the younger scientist until 8:30!
"D...Dr. Lewis, may I, perhaps, offer you a cup of coffee first?" The receptionist stutters through it, almost sqeaking at the end of her question.
The young assistant only works during the weekends as part of her apprenticeship. Sensing that the woman scientist intends to burst into the CEO's suite is giving her anxiety. She was told that there should be no distraction until the meeting is done. Failing would not impress the boss of all bosses.
But Dr. Lewis is the CEO of the company effective after today!
Lauren noticed the lady's distress and halts right in front of the huge door, gripping its steel bar handle. She waits for whatever excuse the girl will give to keep her from seeing Dr. Taft.
"Dr. Lewis, I'm so sorry but Dr. Taft is in an emergency video conference with the Elders."
Elders were the pioneer scientists who worked for the late Thomas Beatti, the founder of Beatti Pharmaceuticals, before it expanded nationwide and internationally becoming B&T Corp with the help of a brilliant man. The 'T' being Taft.
Dr. Isaac Taft is noted to be among the geniuses of modern science but his marriage to the Tycoon's only child, Carole Beatti got him to the business side of things too and propelling his status to prominence, making him later on, one of the most powerful men in the country.
His elusive and very low-profiled protege-often off the radar and more background-worker, Lauren was unanimously chosen by the Elders-who are mostly the company's Board Directors- to be the rightful successor effective the present CEO's retirement. Things aren't official until it's talked out during later's Board Meeting.
However, with this urgent secret meeting with the Elders, Lauren can only surmise that she will not be given a chance to refuse the position she is reluctant to take nor for Ryan and Vex to speak out their protests. Ryan and Vex are Dr. Taft's sons and techinically his heirs.
The man sure can twist people around his little finger.
Before Lauren could respond, she felt the door being pulled open from inside, she lets go.
"Dr. Lewis! It's nice to see you again!" Greets Lisa who is the Boss' executive assistant for more than thirty years now. She is like an aunt to Lauren.
"Miss Hill-"
"It's okay, Nadiel."
The younger woman hesitated for a second then quietly went back to her desk.
"You're way too early, Lauren. It's a good thing it was a rather brief meeting." Patting her lightly on the shoulder that she knew meant more.
It baffles her sometimes why she feels hollow all the time when she's actually loved by almost eveybody, even by Carole and she and Ryan and Vex all grew up together *like siblings.
Lauren merely sighs. All feelings come rushing back as she's reminded of her purpose of confronting the man.
" May I-"
"Of course, Lauren..." Lisa gives way to the younger woman, holding the door open for her. Lisa knows something is off but chose to keep her silence.
A partial payment transferred to their account would have normally gotten her bouncing and dancing on the poor couch and literally dragging Bo to drive them to KatieSmith's, their favorite MilkShake and Pancakes House. Instead, Kenzi has the TV on, listening to the local morning news while worried the hell out of her mind and ready to do the scariest thing ever in the entire solar system-going to the Police station! If a thumbing Pogo the Clown by the roadside at night doesnt beat that to be the most frightening. Or the entire human race turns all vegan because Earth has 11 Billion mouths to feed!
The Morse-codish music theme plays as the program comes back from a commercial break. Kenzi's eyes remain on her computer screen doing her 'work' however.
"And we're back." Says the female news anchor, Miss Aponte. "Chief Constable Hale Santiago of the Police Bureau released a statement this morning, proudly reporting that the crime rate has declined dramatically these past six months after consecutive deaths of notorious local thug leaders. It was reported previously too that a couple of politicians involved allegedly in drug trafficking were found lifeless the same manner as how the first mentioned have died-all in their sleep-with huge smiles on their faces. Ten out of these numerous victims have had sexual intercourse prior. Although body fluids have been recovered and the DNA appeared to be from one single person, she remains unknown up to this time. Santiago refused to comment when asked if the mysterious woman named by the department as the Goodnight Girl is a vigilante. Or if this is all his men's work trying to eliminate the bad guys of the state, if not of our country."
Kenzi has got her pretty but as big as soccer nets eyes glued on the tube now, semi standing, obliviously gripping the edge of her computer desk.
Oh please, NO! Screamed her mind.
"Meanwhile, B&T Corporation is now facing criticisms..."
Kenzi slumps against her chair in relief when the topic shifted to a totally different one, ignoring the TV now. But something might've happened to Bo still! She picks up her phone and dials her bestfriend's number-for the millionth time in barely two hours.
Bo, please be okay. Kenzi silently prays.