Larry did everything to find a solution to our report problem when an unknown number called me a little late in the morning.
"Hello?", I said while picking the call
A male voice replied :
"Yes, hello . Sorry to bother you but you left your card at Le Bosquet for me and I think I have what you were looking for".
I was astonished at this moment. Could it be the man that we're looking for ?
"Really ? You must be Mr Carter then ?", I asked quickly.
"Yeah, it's me . Would you like to return the file to you today or tomorrow ?", the male voice said.
It was a little weird , it's like I already heard that voice somewhere but I didnt where exactly.
"Actually Mr. Carter, can you get the file back to us right now, please. It's quite urgent so, of course if you don't have anything planned right now", I replied quickly.
"Uh... Yes ! Yeah, no problem", he replied.
"Perfect !", the voice exclaimed, "Come to Jefferson Building and give my card to the receptionist", I said enthusiastically.
"Sure ! See you later then", the male voice finally said before the call ended.
I immediately called Larry to come into my office and announced the good news.
"What the hell ?", Larry said loudly before adding "IMPOSSIBLE ! I tried to call him all morning and now he just called you like that".
"Yeah ! Apparently he has the card that I left in Le Bosquet", I replied.
"But isn't he fired from Le Bosquet ?", Larry asked.
"I don't know, I didn't ask for it at the moment but the most important thing is that he is on his way to return the report to us right now", I said with a big smile on my face. I was so happy, our situation is getting better and soon this report issues will be ancient history.
After about a quarter of an hour later, Jennifer, the receptionist said that a certain Nathaniel Carter was looking for me in the hall and I said to her to send him to my office immediately. I was so excited , the report was only a few floors from me. This report really means the world to me. I worked like a freak on it for six months. This drug could be the greatest achievement of my entire career. This drug is a work of a lifetime, I can't lose it or give up.
My grandfather discovered a medicinal plant on a rather isolated island in the Indian Ocean, this plant is known as Corydalis Aubroisie, able to relieve any pain in the stomach or the belly or some digestive disorders. In fact, it can be extremely toxic if its use is not well dosed but unfortunately my grandfather had already noted in a small notebook about its use.
To use it you had to dry its leaves then grind them and swallow a spoon of it with a little sugar and the pain subsided almost immediately. I ate it several times when I was little and so did Helene. My mother had never done any research on this plant because my grandfather only wanted to entrust his notebook to me.
When I was little my grandfather had a whole laboratory full of potions and plants and medicines of all kinds, and that fascinated me completely. He taught me a lot of stuff about medicinal plants at that time. I miss him so much and that time of my life too, everything was so simple and easy. Well, yeah, he died more than ten years ago.
He bequeathed me his notebooks, his personal laboratories and also all the other research materials. My grandfather introduced me to the world of pharmacology but then I followed my mother's example. I admire her so much in a way : she was independant and so strong.
"Ms. Jefferson ? Mr Carter is here", Larry said on the phone.
"Sure, please send him to my office now", I replied confidently.
Then I heard a knock on my office door
"Yes, come in", I said.
After that a tall dark black hair guy entered my office, he was wearing a white t-shirt with faded jeans and baskets. Honestly, this is not what I expected, everyone who walks into the Jefferson building was all so well-dressed and him, he was just so simple and weirdly I liked it and I even find him cute I must say. 'Oh ! Stop it Ellie, stay focused on the report', that's what I said in my head.
"Mr. Nathaniel Carter I suppose ?", I said to him.
"Yeah, uh , I mean yes Ms Jefferson but you can call me Nate or Nathaniel if you want", he replied shyly.
"Please, have a seat Nate and you can call me Ellie if you want", I replied.
"Thanks Ellie", he replied.
"Do you want something : a cup of tea or coffee for instance ?", I asked him.
"No, thank you . I'm fine. So here is the report that you asked for", he said.
"Thank you so much Mr Carter, I mean Nate. I am very grateful and if there is anything I can do to help you in turn too, don't hesitate to ask me", I replied smiling.
"Thank you very much Ellie but actually I don't think you can do anything about what is happening to me", he replied a bit sadly.
"And what is happening to you if it's not too personal ?", I asked curiously. I wanted to know what is happening to him even if in general I don't care what happens to everyone.
"No, I assure you it's nothing at all", he replied, trying to convince me that it's not something important but I can see it in his eyes.
"Come on, go ahead. There are only a few things that I can't do", I replied to reassure him.
"Yes, I guess. You're just so impressive by the way", Nate said.
"Oh ! Thanks Nate", I replied a bit surprised by what he just said.
"Sorry, it was inappropriate", He said while looking down.
"Nate, it's ok. I won't bite you. So tell me now what is this problem of yours ?", I replied.
"Ok I need to find a job and a place to live in a day. I know it's impossible", he said.
"Maybe not... Actually I can help you", I replied confidently.
"Seriously ?", he said, very surprised.
"Of course. I just have a few questions", I replied.
"Sure, I would be happy to respond to them if it can help me to find a job and a place to live", Nate replied.
"Ok ! So, do you like gardening and do you have some knowledge about gardening ?", I asked.
"Uh... I know a few things about gardening as my mother was a florist before. I can't say that I like gardening or I hate it, it's between the two I must say", he replied a little hesitantly.
"Good. Next question : are you a psychopath or a sociopath or something like that ?"
"Excuse me ?", he replied while looking at me awkwardly.
« I didn't want to offend you, just answer the question please. »
"I'm not a psychopath or a sociopath as far as I know", he replied.
"Very good then. Maybe I have a job and a place to live for you, if you are interested."
"Of course I'm interested", he replied enthusiastically.
" So what is it ?"
"Be my gardener and live with me ?", I replied confidently while looking him in the eyes.