by Ebony Olson
This room was set up in a classroom manner for corporate conferences, easily seating fifty people. The gold and cream decor flowed in waves through the room. Darius moved into the room and sat at one of the back tables.
“Mora, could you go to the podium and test out the system please?” Darius requested.
I moved to the front of the room, hit the button to power up the controls on the podium, and started playing. I turned on the microphone. “These controls are fairly user friendly,” I stated clearly. I dimmed the lights, lowered the overhead projector screen and switched on the projector. Everything about the space screamed luxury and success.
Darius was saying something to Warren who typed notes quickly into his iPad. After a moment Darius stood. I took the cue and turned everything off at the podium. Darius was already out the door and opening the next door when I walked out of the room, Warren holding the door for me. The next room was similar, but set up with round tables. It allowed room for an adequate dance space. I would call it a multi-functional function room. Again, I was asked to test the digital equipment while Warren took notes.
The third space was the largest. It was very obviously the place for large fairy-tale weddings or big charity balls. Glass doors all along the side looked out over a courtyard garden that was stunningly landscaped. The place screamed opulence and I had no doubt it already had a twelve-month waiting list for availability. Baldy came back and the large fireplace along one wall ignited.
At the dance floor end hung long gold silks as a decoration on either end of the stage. I walked up and gave them a tug.
“What are you doing?” Baldy looked ready to have a heart attack.
“What any child between two and sixteen is going to do,” I responded without looking at him. “Was a risk assessment done on these?”
Baldy threw his chin up, hands on his hips and his voice went up an octave. “Yes, of course, not that this is the sort of place you’d bring children.”
I raised a brow. “This is exactly the sort of place you are going to get children who are left to run unsupervised while their parents have a good time. What is the weight bearing?” I asked giving the silk another tug.
Darius and Warren joined us and were listening with interest.
“Two hundred kilos,” baldy answered flabbergasted. He turned to address Darius.
I dropped my bag to the ground, kicked off my shoes and removed my jacket. Baldy saw me and went pale. “What do you think...”
I wrapped my wrists in one of each of the silks above head height and pulled myself off the ground testing the hold. It held me. I pulled my body up past my hands and into a handstand. Yes, I was wearing a skirt. Yes, gravity took effect. I didn’t care, I was flying.
Wrapping my legs in the silk, I released my wrists and, using my abs, pulled myself up to grab the silk above my feet. Releasing my legs, I held the silk across the belt of my back and swung.
“Stop that!” Baldy yelled at me.
Happy that it held my weight and I was able to swing on it safely, I slid back to the ground, righted my clothing and slipped back into my shoes.
“What do you think you were doing?” Baldy got in my face.
“Ensuring Mr. Rafal doesn’t end up with a lawsuit on his hands because someone gets drunk and decides to play Tarzan across the dance floor,” I answered evenly. I stepped into baldy and looked him up and down. “Of course, that’s all going to depend on how big Tarzan is, isn’t it?”
I turned and opened the door to the garden, walking out and following the path to reach the other side. I was not bothered by the slightly heavier rain. I could see glass doors on the other side and figured there was another room still to be checked.
I entered the other building with its modest oriental decor and instantly recognized it for what it was. Slipping again out of my shoes, I left them and my bag by the door and moved into the meditation space. These were becoming all the rage with big companies. Studies showed that people in high stress jobs who meditated, were better able to handle their jobs, and less likely to keel over from a heart attack.
It made sense that Darius would have one built into his conference center. You could bring your staff in for a work conference and include a session on learning to meditate at the same time. I moved to the table at the front of the room, removed an incense stick and lit it before placing it in the holder. I took a few steps back to the first cushion and sat myself down, taking up a full lotus pose and starting the deep breathing practice of meditation.
“Is it comfortable?” Darius asked standing next to me.
“Try it and tell me what you think?” I answered keeping my eyes closed.
I felt Darius lower his body to the cushion beside me and take several deep breaths. “That incense stinks,” he huffed.
“It’s wrong for meditation,” I responded slowly opening my eyes. “While the cushions for the most part are fine, they aren’t going to cut if for the more over indulgent employees coming through here.”
“You think something a little cushier?” Darius was already standing again. He offered his hand and I let him help me up.
“And add a water feature out in the garden. The sound of running water is quite relaxing,” I suggested, taking my hand back. As I did, the gentle rain became a torrential downpour.
Darius looked out the doors. “And a cover so that people can walk between the buildings without getting wet,” he sighed.
I smiled walking back to the door, watching the rain come down. “We could stay out here till it slows. Practice some meditation ourselves.”
Darius graced me with a smile. “As nice as that sounds, I have another meeting in an hour.”
I slipped on my shoes and collected my bag. “Guess we’re getting wet then.”
Darius’s pupils dilated. I winked before moving out into the rain to walk around to the main building. I didn’t run, it was well known that running in rain only resulted in you being drenched, not that there was anything not drenched on me as I walked into the timber foyer from the courtyard door.
Warren was there when I stepped inside, his eyes instantly tracking to my blouse. “We might need to get you a new blouse before we go to the next meeting.”
I cleared my throat and buttoned my jacket up covering the sheer, now transparent, pale gray cotton. “I think I need an entire new outfit. I’m drenched.”
“Which is why I was on my way over with this.” Warren held up the umbrella. “I’ll go get the boss.”
He stepped past me with a sneaky smile. I cursed under my breath, of course Darius waited. He knew Warren would bring the umbrella. Oh well. Too late now. I squelched my way to the front door, collected Clark’s umbrella and squelched out to the car.
I knocked on his window and he let it down an inch. “Do you have a towel? I got drenched and don’t want to sit on the seat wet.”
“I have my gym bag in the boot. There is a towel in that.”
He moved to get out. I held up my hand. “Don’t. I’m already wet.”
I walked to the boot and lifted the tail gate. I found the towel and closed the boot, walking back to the car and spreading it on the back seat before hopping in. Taking out my compact, I wiped under my eyes with a tissue to remove the small amount of mascara that had run. I used a brush to quickly redo my hair in a high ponytail, and by the time I’d finished that, Darius was sliding into the backseat with me, still dry as a bone.
He looked me over and spoke to Clark. “Take us to Burberry, it is closest.”
“Yes, Mr. Rafal.”
I looked at him aghast. “I can’t afford that place.”
Darius pulled out his phone. “I know you can’t.” He took a breath. “Hi, Melisse, it’s Darius Rafal. I need you to pick out a black, work appropriate dress, size ten, matching shoes, size nine, and a black trench coat. Charge it to my account. Mora will be there in ten minutes to pick it up. She will need to change into it in the store so re
move the tags please,” Darius smiled. “Yes, thank you, Melisse.”
He hung up the phone and started discussing what still needed to be done at the new function center.
Twenty minutes later, I slid back into the back seat of the Rolls Royce in a black silk tunic dress, black leather ankle boots, and a black trench coat that easily cost half of my pay check by itself. Darius looked me over and smiled. “Thank you for being quick.”
“I’m wearing two weeks’ worth of pay here. I’m terrified I’ll get it dirty.”
Darius relaxed as Clark pulled us back into traffic. “Well, it suits you. I’m surprised, though. With who your mother is, I would have thought you grew up wearing this stuff.”
“You missed the part about me being a rebellious brat of a child didn’t you?”
Darius smirked. I returned it.
Chapter Six
“Miss Ellis,” Steffen greeted me in the foyer when I got home that night. “You have a guest waiting in the reception room.”
I frowned. I was home on time for once this week and was keen for a long hot bath after my time in the rain today. “Thanks, Steffen. Who is it?”
“A Mr. Hark. He has a package for you.” Steffen turned toward the kitchen. “Will your guest be staying for dinner?”
“As much as I’d like that, I don’t think the master would be happy with that,” I said. I missed spending time with Alex. When we worked together we’d see each other daily, get dinner several times a week. Now, it was basically Friday nights at JJ’s, and even that seemed limited.
Steffen raised a brow. “The restriction is on you having lovers over, Miss Ellis. He did not say you could not have friends visit. Is Mr. Hark a lover?”
My eyes widened. “Ah, no. Definitely not.”
Steffen gave me a smile which suggested he was already aware that was the case. “Then I will set an extra place for dinner. We will eat at the dining table tonight I think.” Steffen gave a polite bow of his head and toddled off to the kitchen.
With a smile, I stepped through the arch into the reception room. Alex was sitting on the black leather lounge by the fire. He lifted his head from his phone and smiled when he saw me. “Surprise!” He stood up.
I went to him and he pulled me into a big hug. “What brought this on?” I asked, happy for the affection.
Alex pulled back. “Well, firstly, that package arrived at work for you today and I thought I’d drop it off. Secondly, what kind of brother would I be not to inspect my baby sister’s new abode?” Alex looked around the reception room and whistled. “Nice digs. Makes your old place look like a shack.”
“It was cozy and I was happy there.” I sat on the lounge.
Alex sat beside me, studying my face. “Are you happy here?”
“Most of the time,” I replied honestly before turning my attention to the package. Sitting forward I looked at the packing slip and frowned.
“Not what you were expecting?” Alex sat forward to join me.
“I wasn’t expecting anything, especially from home.” I pulled at the tape but it was well sealed.
“Here.” Alex took his Swiss army knife out of his pocket and handed it to me.
I smiled and flicked it open to cut the tape. Inside were some neatly packed items. I pulled out a soft koala toy, well-cuddled and loved and set it aside. Next was a photo album. I didn’t open it; I knew it was all my childhood photos. There were a few well wrapped crystal ornaments, and some vintage jewelery, all of which belonged to my grandmother. They were items of hers I’d spent hours admiring as a child. My dread was growing with each item.
As I reached the bottom of the box there was an envelope with my name on it and a beautifully presented booklet. I set the envelope aside and stared at the beautiful cursive script on the booklet.
In loving memory of Freida Mora Ellis.
The tears started falling as I read the funeral date of three months ago. Anger flooded me. “That bitch!” I hissed standing up, and retrieved my phone from my bag. Alex watched with worry, collecting the booklet and looking through it. I pressed in my mother’s number and hit call.
“Liza Ellis’s phone,” Gerry answered immediately.
“Put her on,” I growled.
“Mora?” Gerry queried, her voice worried. “She’s at the gym. What’s wrong?”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Tell you what, honey?” Gerry’s voice was gentle. She knew, but was playing dumb. I knew her too well.
“About Nan?” I sobbed. “Why wasn’t I told?”
Gerry took a deep breath. “Your mother told me not to call you. Said she would tell you herself.”
“You knew that was bullshit, Gerry! You should have called me and told me so I could come home for the funeral.”
“Mora, I’m really sorry. You know how it is. She’s my boss.”
“And that was my nan, the woman who raised me. You didn’t even mention the package on the phone this morning.”
“Mora, really, I’m so very sorry. Your mother was upset and...”
“Save it,” I spat. “You’ve spent over a decade apologizing to me on her behalf. Just do me the courtesy of not bothering to tell me when that bitch dies either.”
I hung up the phone and threw it at the lounge. Alex stood, pulling me into his arms and held me tight.
“Do you know, for the first six years of my life, I thought Nan was my mother. I thought Liza was an aunt who lived with me. I didn’t realize that wasn’t the case till I went to school and grandparents and parents were explained.
“I went home from my first day at school and asked my nan if I was an orphan and what happened to my parents. I spent the rest of my childhood pretending I was an orphan and that my two very loving parents had been taken from me by an act of God. It was easier than acknowledging I just wasn’t wanted.”
Alex massaged the back of my head with his strong fingers. “Your mother didn’t want you. That’s not the case for dad. When he found out about you, and that you were being raised by your grandmother, he tried to get custody. He took your mum to court. You were born in Australia and had never even met him. He lost. He was only allowed to see you from a distance, never allowed to talk to you. It was part of the agreement.”
I lifted my head from his shoulder and met Alex’s eyes confused at hearing this for the first time. “Why didn’t he tell me that when I first came here?”
Alex shrugged. “It was water under the bridge. He hoped you could get to know each other as adults, but you threw that wall of yours up and never gave him a chance. He probably would have written you off as a lost cause, except, you welcomed me into your life with an open heart. He saw how much it meant to you to have a brother and to be a part of my life.” Alex smiled kindly and wiped the tears from my cheek. “We both knew then; you were just protecting yourself from another absent parent.”
Alex took my hand and walked me back to the couch to sit. “Marshall has an entire photo album of you. He went to every dance recital, every sporting event, your high school graduation,” Alex frowned. “He’d just stepped off the plane at Heathrow from your graduation when your mother called. She told him you’d been accepted to Cambridge and you were on the next plane to London. I believe her exact words were that he wanted you, he could have you.
“He took me to see you a couple of times,” Alex smiled. “The court papers said Marshall couldn’t talk to you, they didn’t include me.”
I frowned at Alex, not remembering him at all.
Alex chuckled. “You were ten the first time. Dad took me to Australia for a holiday. After a day of sightseeing, he took me to the library. I thought that was kind of boring after the day we’d had, I was seventeen after all. He pointed to this little girl with long black pigtails, quietly reading by herself in the corner.” Alex gave my ponytail a gentle tug, causing me to smile.
“He told me you were my sister and then explained that he wasn’t allowed
to talk to you, but I could. I sat down beside you and asked about your book. You told me to get my own. I was smitten immediately. You had this real feisty attitude.”
I smiled, that sounded just like me.
“Your nan was there. Marshall said she’d got in contact with him when you were six for some emergency. After that, she told him whenever you had a big event on. He called her when he was coming to town and they would arrange a place where he could come and see you.”
“That sounds just like Nan.” I thought about it. “There was an incident when I was six. I got badly hurt. She must have called to tell him.”
Alex nodded. “He didn’t even know you existed until that happened.”
I blew out a breath. “I never really gave him a chance. I’ve been such a bitch to him.”
Alex laughed. “That’s nonsense. About the bitch part anyway.” Alex turned to face me a little more. “Look, he gets it. He should have broken the rules and spoken to you. Your nan wanted him too, but he didn’t know how to approach you after a while. What if you wanted to leave with him? He couldn’t take you out of the country without your mother’s approval, so he left it how it was. No one can blame you for being angry at him, but you’ve never been rude or reckless. You were a good kid, and a fairly responsible adult. He’s very proud of the woman you’ve become, even if he can’t take any of the credit for it.”
Alex’s eyes flicked over my head and I turned to see Steffen standing in the door way. He waited till we both knew he was there then came in with two wine glasses and a bottle of red.
“Why don’t you and your guest go up to the rooftop and have a drink and relax? The others will be back from the gym shortly, and the brothers will want to socialize.”
I smiled taking the glasses and bottle from him. “Thanks, Steffen.” He was moving us out of Darius’s way.