“Hello.”
“Devon hey how is everything?”
“Fine Scar I told you that, the last time you called which was what ten minutes ago.”
“I know I'm sorry…I just wanted you make sure you guys were fine.”
“We are…Angel is watching a little TV before bed Maggie is doing her hair for some reason and I am finishing up a paper. We are good. You don’t have to worry.”
“I know.”
“Don’t you have a paper you need to finish?”
“I'm just about done. The contract that Christian had me revise is complete. Well I have like one or two pages to go.”
“So how many pages is it?”
“32.”
“32 I would go crazy.”
“Well it’s the contract and then it’s the legalities and all that…but I am done with that…I just still have a lot of work to do…and it has to be done tonight. So I will be getting in kind of late.”
“Well like I told you don’t worry about us…now I have to finish my homework…stop calling…I love ya sis goodbye.”
She hung up and put the phone down. She walked into Christian’s office and went to grab a bottle of cherry Pepsi out of his mini fridge. As she walked, back into the room, she stepped back and tripped over the extension cord plug and it came out of the socket. She looked at the computer screen as it dimmed then went black.
“No…no. no!”
She plugged it back in and waited anxiously as it loaded. She then tried to find her work. She felt tears come to her eyes as she frantically looked for it. She hit the computer screen.
“Bring it back!”
She screamed in frustration.
“Bring it back now!”
She hit the computer as Chris walked into the room.
“Are you ok?”
“No this stupid ass computer shut off and now I can’t find that contract. I spent five hours on it and it’s gone. Stupid. Stupid.” With every stupid, she hit the computer.
Chris walked over to her and pulled her from the desk.
“Calm down…beating the computer won’t solve anything.”
“I can’t calm down I worked so hard and now I am going to be here even later. If you’re lazy assistant would do her work then maybe…” By then she realized that she was acting a fool in front of the president of the company.
“I am so sorry.”
“Don’t be…with this job everyone has one of those days…I’ve been there…so let me help you. What was the file saved under?”
“Contract. File.”
Chris sat at the desk and worked his magic.
“Ok…and here it is.”
Scarlett stood over his shoulder and looked at the screen.
“How did you find it I looked all over for it?”
“When these computers shut down or get turned off it automatically saves whatever anyone was working on…but it saves under whatever the opening line is. So your file is sir/madame1.”
Scarlett hugged his back.
“I owe you so much thank you.”
“No I should be thanking you…you have done a lot in your little time here…you haven’t just been Christian’s assistant you have been mine too…and those cookies you made were no joke you going to have to make some more…you’re a hard worker and you don’t give any lip unless it’s to the computer.”
She laughed.
“I like it here I do…it's just everything was piling up on me. Angel is still adjusting to her new school and my mom not being there all the time and she doesn’t like that…Maggie is still in her teenage I hate the world phase and while one minute she can be an angel that can leave rather quickly. And I am so worried about Devon not being able to get into school because we don’t have the money. Taking out loans sucks, you know. Well not that you know I was just going to shut my mouth now.”
“It is a lot of pressure, I get. I may not have your problems but I have them. My, over bearing mother who won’t let me and Christian run this place without her watching our every move. Trying to live up to, what they want me too. I'm not like Christian he caught on so early to all this. I was kind of forced into it. I am the oldest and it was up to me to take over.”
“But you’re doing a great job.”
“Because of Christian.”
Scarlett smiled to herself as Chris went on.
“He is the one keeping me on my toes. Or he was until I fully got the hang of it. I was just like you frustrated angry…between you and me I had to replace my computer 21 times. But I found an outlet.”
“Coaching?”
“Yes ma’am. And that is all you have to do.”
“I have one I just haven’t done it in a while. I write.”
Chris smiled. “Really what?”
“Poems, letters, cards, stories stuff like that.”
“Wow I thought you were creative.”
“Yeah Devon he used to help me sell them for some extra cash.”
“You guys had it really rough.”
Scarlett walked around the office grabbing a folder. “Yeah but it all turned out great. I have this wonderful job…and even though I call too much I know they are all safe because the neighborhood is great.”
“Devon has a real talent you know.”
“I know I was his dunking buddy.”
“Dunking buddy?”
“Yes I would have to stand under the net while he dunked on me.”
“Oh that’s crazy.”
“He loved the game and whenever he wanted to give up because he felt like he wasn’t good enough I would look at him and say Devon…many of life’s failure are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”
Chris leaned back in the chair. “Thomas Edison said that…it’s one of my favorites.”
Scarlett sat in her plush office chair. “Well my favorite quote is: Footprints in the sand are not made by sitting down.”
“I like that…or how about: Character is like a tree and Reputation is like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.”
“Abraham Lincoln.”
“You’ve heard that one?”
“Yes. It’s true though.”
“So can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.” Scarlett stood looking over at Chris.
“Well…I know that Angel is your daughter and if I heard right she is 9.”
“She is.”
“And you’re 27?”
“Yes.”
“So you had her pretty young?”
“Not by choice but stuff happens.”
“So you want to talk about it?”
Scarlett sat back down in her chair. “Not really. But I guess it couldn’t hurt.”
“Only if you want to.”
“If I tell you can it just be between us…I don’t want anyone feeling sorry for me.”
“I won’t say a word.”
“When I was 11 my dad was in deep with this drug dealer.”
Scarlett’s leg began to bounce up and down and Chris could see it pained her to talk about her past.
“You don’t have to tell me what happened.”
Scarlett looked up to Chris and what his words didn’t say his eyes did.
“Devon told you didn’t he?”
“Don’t be mad at him…it wasn’t his fault we were talking and it slipped out and I figured if I got you to talk about it you wouldn’t be upset with him, but I'm a bad liar.”
“Yes, yes you are. So he told you everything.”
“Yes…and you know what it makes me admire you so much more. You are such a remarkable woman.”
“Thank you…if we could keep this between you and me.”
“Why Christian knows you’re a mother.”
“Yeah but he doesn’t know all the other stuff.”
“You got it I will let you tell him.”
“Thanks…you know talking to you is so nice…it’s kind of like talking to a
big brother.”
“Wow I never got that comment before.”
“I'm sorry.”
“No don’t be I like that…big brother…Christian and I talk about everything I guess I'm always in big brother mode.”
“I wish my older brother was like that but he’s not he’s a jerk.”
“Sometimes brothers are.”
“Well your brother is most certainly not a jerk.”
“I know that…and while we are talking like brother and sister…I have noticed how you look at him.”
“Huh.”
Chris grinned as she blushed.
“Don’t huh me. I see the way you look at him and I know you have feelings for him.”
“I'm sorry…I can’t help it.”
“What are you sorry for it's not a bad thing?”
“Yes it is, it’s a really bad thing he is my boss…and he is Vice president of this company and.”
“And what? Just because he has a title doesn’t mean anything.” Scarlett walked over to the printer.
“Chris I just got here and it’s hard enough being the new girl let alone people thinking I got this job just because I am easy.”
“I can understand that. But you really think people would think that?”
“I just don't want to take any chances.”
“I think and don’t get mad but that you don’t feel like you deserve a man like my brother.” Scarlett placed the files in blue folder and looked at Chris.
“Wow where did that come from?”
“I see it in your eyes. And if that is it I don’t want you to think like that. You would be good for him.”
“Well no matter what I feel or think right now my focus is my family and this job and that is all I can afford to focus on right now.”
“You know you remind me of my girlfriend.”
“Your girlfriend?”
“Yeah I think you would like her. She is 27 and she is an artist…well she teaches art.” Scarlett sat back down in her chair and began to sort the files on her desk.
“You’re dating a teacher? Christian didn’t tell me that. No wonder he thinks your mom doesn’t approve.”
“Wait when did you guys talk about me and Jay?”
“Oh when we were stuck in the elevator.”
“Oh ok I forgot about that.”
“So you’re dating a teacher.”
“Yeah…we met when I started coaching about five years ago. She had just got out of school and started teaching. One of her students was failing and he was on my team so we got together and helped him. We became friends and now we are together.”
“Wow…I thought you would be with like super models or something…but a teacher? That is great I am sure she’s great.”
“She is. I’ve never been happier.”
Scarlett looked at Chris. “What does your mom say?”
“Well you’ve met my mom…no one is good enough…but I really care about Jay.”
“That’s good though…everyone deserves to be happy.”
“I agree with you that’s why I think you should rethink this whole not being with Christian thing.”
Scarlett leaned back in her chair with a dreamy smirk. “Between you and me it’s kind of hard not to want to be with him…he's smart and funny. He's so cute and caring and from the moment I laid eyes on him, I felt an instant attraction to him. But that’s where the problem is…I feel I like him only because he helped me. If it wasn’t for him I don’t know where our family would be.”
“He was very adamant about helping you…wanted to give you a fresh start.”
“And he did…you all did.”
“Well you deserve it.”
“That’s what he told me before he kissed me and when it happened I felt like I was on cloud nine you know.”
“Wait you guys kissed? When?”
Scarlett jerked up in her seat. “Oh! I didn’t know he didn’t tell you.”
“No he didn’t but you can finish telling me.”
“Well the day we met we were in his office and it just happened. Then that night it just happened again but nothing more than that. He has been the perfect boss since then.”
“Wow he really must like you.”
“How you figure?”
“Because I had no idea you guys kissed.”
“It’s just.”
“Just what?”
“It doesn’t matter anyways…I better finish this up.”
She began gathering the files again but Chris stopped her.
“Don’t do that I want to know what this just is.”
“I was married before. Twice.”
“What?”
“The first didn’t last longer than a few months, but my second one lasted about two years. I was young and really wanted to erase my past. But he cheated on me and I left him. Then my mom got sick all over again and it was just easier to walk away.”
“Is that the reason you won’t make a move on him?”
She leaned into the desk. “Chris my family has been through so much and I just want to settle down and breathe.”
“I can understand that. It’s going to be ok.”
“I know.”
“Well we both should be getting home.”
“I have to finish all this stuff before tomorrow.”
“Says who? The only thing that needs to be done is the contract and you seem to have that finished.”
“Yeah but I need to double check his notes for the conference…select which families are approved for new housing and then have to make out the vouchers…there is a list of 80 families that have to leave their homes because of the remodeling and we can only fit 65 in the new buildings…that means 15 families will go without homes…no place to live but your shelter and because they don't have the money they just accept it.”
“I know and we have tried to figure out a way for that not to happen but.”
Scarlett sighed. “How can I just say you don’t deserve a house you know?”
“Yeah but what can we do?”
“I had a suggestion but it’s a long shot and maybe I am over stepping my boundaries.”
“I like new ideas so hit me with it.”
“Well I was looking at where I am living. It’s really nice and I have noticed there are a bunch of abandoned houses.”
“Yeah it’s for new employees and out of town guests…we try to keep a space or two open.”
“I have noticed that there are twenty three houses that are not in use as of yesterday. They are all in working condition and I was thinking if we could work it so that the families can move into those homes we can make sure we still have eight houses for new workers and guests. This is another reason why I am still here…I was looking into some things.”
She grabbed a piece of paper.
“See this is the ranking scale of each family. I ranked from high pay to low pay. The beauty of your apartments is that it’s perfect for those who are having it rough. You guys didn’t make them for profit because you are already making profits from the investments and Construction Company. But because you help your tenants as much as you can you have been turning a huge profit.”
“I get what you are saying but unfortunately those houses are specifically for our families those who work for us.”
“I kind of figured that…and that is why I have a plan B.”
“Plan B? How many plans are there?”
She smiled. “That depends on how many ideas get turned down.”
“Ok so plan B?”
“I have looked into the jobs you guys have here and I was shocked to see that of 25 floors you have people working on everyone. You own this building.”
“Yeah we do…we rent it out to businesses…but what does that have to do with anything.”
“By renting it out to people they are working for you right?”
“Yes.”
“Well at least ten of the families on this list are from one of the floors under us…so technic
ally they may be working for the Doctors’ offices or insurance or even cleaning but since you own the building that means that they work for you.”
“Wow…you are brilliant.”
“Well no I'm not but I know how it is to struggle.”
“Ok but that still leaves five families.”
“See the other five are tough because out of 80 people only ten are connected to this company…aside from hiring the five people I don’t know what we can do.”
“Look the calls go out tomorrow and once that happens it will be too late to do anything about it…let's call Christian up here and see if we can’t come up with something.”
“He’s at dinner with one of his girlfriends.”
“Well work comes first he knows that.” Chris pulled out his phone.
“I feel three heads are better than one with this situation.”
“I think we can handle this.”
“You just don't want his girl to come up here with him.”
Scarlett folded her arms. “Why would I care?”
“You and I both know why. Hey Christian I know your busy but we need you at the office.”
“Oh thank you so much.”
“For what?”
“This was a horrible idea. So I will be there soon as I drop her off.”
“Good.”
Within fifteen minutes, Christian walked through the doors to the office. Scarlett’s heart leap for joy as it did every time she saw him. She tried to maintain her joy as he pulled off his Navy suit jacket and placed it on the coat rack.
“Ok so what's the big rush?”
“Your astonishing assistant came up with a brilliant idea…a way so that we can provide houses to everyone on our list.”
“Really; how?”
“Go ahead Scarlett it’s your idea so you should tell him.”
Scarlett cleared her throat and stood handing Christian a piece of paper.
“Well…there are 65 houses available in the Waters Empire Lot. And I noticed that in Empire Grove there are 23 houses available.”
“Yeah but those are specifically for workers…we aren’t able to put random families in there.” Chris nudged him.
“Will you just listen to her?”
“Ok sorry.”
“If you look at the paper I just gave you it shows how I went through the files and found out you own this building…and ten of those 80 people work inside here…so technically they work for you…so if you move them into Empire Grove it won’t be against your rules because they are your employees.”
A Passion Rekindled Page 6