Hi Readers: And long-time no see, for me at least. I know that I haven't updated this story in a bit, and I am sorry for that. But I wanted to really get my other story going, before I give you another update. Now, that doesn't mean that this one will be long; as it won't. I may just spend a bit of time, and update here and there just to give you some more things to look forward too. But still, I hope to keep updating this story in the future whenever I can. But just be warned that this is going to be my last update for a while as I want to dedicate my time to the other story. But like I said, I will post from time to time when I get ideas; ideas like the one I have now.

Chapter Two Hundred and Sixty-Six
Stella

Setting her iPad aside after updating her blog, Gabby took a breath as she knew that was probably going to get a lot of traction; but at the same time, it felt good. It felt good to get how she was feeling off her chest, and just take a minute to relax and vent. And the truth was, she didn't know just how much she really needed to do that; how much she needed to just take a moment to vent on her blog, and let her words flow. Because now, things are so much clearer; and it gave her some time to think about what she needed to say, and maybe even what she's been holding back from Matt…which is something that she most certainly doesn't want to do. But right now, this is where she is; she's in a place where she feels like she needs to hold back so that she doesn't explode, but that she also knows that she should share with her husband. That she should tell him what's going on, and just how she feels at the moment. And she just hopes that post was something that could help her husband figure out what was going on in her head, and maybe they could even talk about it; but for now, she was just going to take it easy. At least, she was until she got a text message from someone.

And while she did think that she could ignore it, she also knew that a lot of their friends from back home read their blog; and that might be who was contacting her at the moment, someone from the firehouse who wants to get a picture of the girls. After all, that was something that she promised them that she would do if they texted her; she would send them a picture of the girls, but not yet. After all, they are still so young, and they aren't really ready to get a picture of. But the truth was, that was not what the text she just got was about; nor was it from somebody that she expected to get a text from. Rather, it was a text from the last person that she expected to get a text from; especially based on how their relationship currently stands, and what she just put her through. And god, she even asked her for something that she didn't want to send to anybody (let alone her, who caused her to give birth early). And if you haven't guessed yet, then I'll point out just who's currently texting Gabby. And that would be the person who caused this to go down in the first place: none other than, Ms. Stella Kidd. God, the nerve of her to even ask her for a picture right now.

Oh, and the way she just texted her. 'Hey, just read your post; hope you and the girls are feeling better, I'd love a picture." Just reading that, Gabby was absolutely shocked at what she just read. I mean, is she serious? Is she really just going to glance over the fact that she caused this to happen? That she was the one that caused her to go into premature labor, and for them to have the girls this early? I mean, does Stella really think she has the right to get pictures; I mean, she really has guts. Gabby would understand if KELLY texted her to ask, as he might think that she may have more updated pictures than her husband (he does actually); but for Stella to do it through her own phone, well that just takes a lot of guts. And she's going to make sure that she knows that, and she's going to do it now. And no, not just by texting her; rather, she's going to do it by calling her and letting her have a piece of her mind. Because that seems to be what Stella needs right now; a dose of reality to make her realize that this is now about her. This is about what she needs.

God, the woman really can't give her a break. But now, she's going to give her a break; because it's what she needs. Well, right after she gets a call from her; and a dose of reality, especially after how she just answered the phone. "Gabby, thank god. How are you…" Interrupting Stella, Gabby was shocked. "Seriously? You really think that you can talk to me like this right now?" Stella was a bit taken aback when she heard Gabby say that, and was actually a bit confused; I mean, they are best friends. Why wouldn't she be able to talk to her friend about this. "Gabby, it's me…" Gabby laughed. "It's Ms. Casey right now!" Stella was shocked. "Gabby…" Gabby just went to speak to Stella again. "I said that it's Ms. Casey!" Getting agitated, Gabby took a breath as this most certainly is not what she needs right now. But still, Stella was going to get it. "Okay, Ms. Casey. What's sup with you being all bitchy?" Gabby was shocked, and just shook her head. "Oh, I don't know. Just someone I thought was my friend sent me into premature labor!" Stella sighed.

"Gabby, we are both at fault for…" Gabby was shocked that Stella would even say that. "Oh my god, do you hear yourself right now? We're both at fault for me going into premature labor? What world do you live in Stella? Because last time I checked, you were the one that stressed me out; and you were the one who confronted me in the bathroom!" Stella agreed, but still wanted to fight. "Gabby, what's up with you? We're supposed to be partners in this…" Gabby was shocked that she had the audacity. "You still don't get it. Stella, what the hell don't you get by what I told you? Do you not remember why we're in this fight in the first place?" Stella agreed. "Yeah, because you started a fight with me." Gabby was shocked as she heard Stella say that, as that was not how she remembered it. "Excuse me? I started a fight with you? Last time I checked, you were the one who told my sister-in-law…WHO HAS A DEGREE IN ADVERTISING…that she can't have freedom to do her job! Stella, she's a shareholder in the company!" Stella was shocked.

"Wait, you mean that…" Gabby agreed. "I just didn't want to make you feel any worse than you did. But here's the reality Stella. Not only did you yell at the Chief Marketing Officer-at-Large; but you also yelled at my sister-in-law, and a minority shareholder in the company. That means that she helps pay your salary and living expenses. Stella, what you did isn't cool; and just be lucky that we calmed her down, because she wanted to try and get you fired…which is something that we would have to listen to her too, since she invested some of her money in the company; and that's effective as of a few days ago, but still. I don't care if she just did it after what happened. She's still a member of the namesake family for our company, and that means that she ranks higher than you. Stella, you really think that this is good? Please, just hear me out." Stella agreed with her boss as she said that, but only after Gabby took a breath so that she could calm down; after all, she's still recovering from giving birth to the girls…and she needs to take it easy.

After taking a moment to just take it easy and breathe, Gabby sighed as she knew that she had to explain a lot to Stella; and she also had to make it clear to her that this can't happen again, because of Christie's new status at the company. Recently, Christie has been just wondering where she wants to put some of the wealth she has because of how much it is. And after a bunch of conversations over a couple of months, the three of them finally agreed that she could purchase a 5% stake in the company for $250,000. (That means that the current value of the company, based on that formula is $5 million). And Gabby has to says, she likes that valuation because it's somewhere they can start. And that means that they can really get to work now. But that isn't what she's here to talk about; rather, she's here to talk to her friend about the new relationship that Stella now has with her sister-in-law…regardless of the fact that she doesn't work above her, or in her department. And that's because of what she is now in the company, and her status.

"Okay, listen. I know this is a lot to take it. And we were going to tell people, but we just don't have all the forms in yet; we are still working on things, and we are just making it official. However, that doesn't mean that we don't treat it as official within the family." Stella agreed with her best friend as she said that, clearly able to see that was the case. "Okay, well uhm…I guess I…" Stella took another breath, nervous. "I'm sorry Gabby, I wish I knew." Gabby agreed with her friend. "Stella, it didn't matter whether or not she had an ownership stake. Stella, she is a member of the family; she's Matt's sister, and someone who can easily ruin everything." Stella was a bit confused when she heard Gabby say that, not understanding. "What are you talking about?" Gabby sighed. "Stella, what if the press learned that you got into a fight with her. I can see it now. ELLA Executive gets into fight with Casey's Chief Marketing Officer Christie CASEY, sister of the CEO and minority shareholder." Stella got worried as Gabby said that, able to see it as well.

"Stella, that would be horrible press; and it would put me in a horrible position. I could either stand by you, and cause stress in my relationship with my husband and in-law; or, I can stand by my husband, and create tension with you and Kelly. And that's what I choose to do, and look where it led to me being." Stella agreed with her best friend as she said that, well aware that was the case. "God, I can…" Gabby then went to finish. "Let alone what it did to my reputation with the other staff. Stella, I am the Vice-Chairwoman of the Board of the entire company; and I am also the President and Deputy CEO of ELLA Creations. Stella, you are just the Chief Creative Officer of ELLA Creations; or at least you were until what Matt did, and that really is a shame as you are part of it from the start. Stella, it hurt me to have to do that to you; but I had to do it, because it was the right thing to do. It's about hierarchy. I mean, think about when we were still at the firehouse. Would you have gone against one of Matt's orders when you rode together?"

Stella sighed, because she knew that Gabby was right. "Of course not, because he's my captain." Gabby agreed. "And what's what I am to you Stella. Matt's our Chief, I'm your Captain, and you're my Lieutenant. Chief, Captain, Lieutenant. That's our order at the company, and it's an order that you need to follow. And when it comes to my sister-in-law, she has the rank of Captain for advertising. Heck, you shouldn't even be dealing with her. You should be dealing with Celeste Lux, our Deputy Chief Marketing Officer for ELLA Creations. And in fact, I want you to work with her; and she can work with Christie, so that you don't cause troubles with my family again. Because I refuse to be put in this position once more. Now listen, I am going to be given hell by Matt for even speaking to you; but I am going to take it because you're my sister. But listen, I need to let you go so that I can get back to resting." Stella agreed with Gabby as she said that. "Gabby, I hope you know that I love you." Gabby agreed with Stella as she said that, well aware that's the case.

"I know you do Stella, but you need to show me that you love me now. You need to show me that with your actions, and not just your words. You need to learn your place, before you can be advising me again. Stella, remember what I told you. Our relationship at work has to be separate from our friendship, because we are the ones who have much more to loose than you; as this is our money that's at stake, and you can only loose a job. We can loose a lot of money, and we can affect many more lives. Stella, we have over 125 employees that I can think of at the top of my head, and that's a lot of people who can benefit from what we're doing at the company; but that's also over 125 people, and their families that are also risking it all. Stella, you need to be patient with us; and you need to remember that you are not playing with your own money. Until you are, then you have to follow our orders; and you need to stay in your lane, because you do not have a degree in marketing. Christie has a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing. Stella, she has a degree."

Stella agreed with Gabby as she said that, understanding that now. "Oh." Gabby agreed. "She has a degree, you don't. Until you have a BA in Marketing, then you can shut your mouth when it comes to marketing, and you can be grateful that you have a high-level position without a degree. Now listen, I love you; but I need to rest and take it easy, and I need to make sure that Matt doesn't walk in on me talking to you within him here, as that's something he doesn't want. So, take it easy and talk to Christie; clear things up with her." Stella agreed with her boss as she said that. "Of course, and feel better." Gabby agreed. "Thanks. You're not getting pictures though." Gabby then proceeded to hang up before taking a breath, which was when she heard Matt.

"So, how hard was it to make that call to Stella?"