"You really should get your head out of that cloud Carrie. Moisture may be good for your skin, but I don't think it's that good for your eyes." Lisa said to Carrie. It had been a week since "the incident". No one really talked about it much anymore, since all investigations had brought them as close to the truth as America is to Australia. It was rather frustrating and if Lisa was being honest with herself, terrifying.
Lisa was however becoming good at ignoring the imminent, though presently unidentified threat to her person. The entire household staff seemed to have made it their mission to help her keep her sanity, by providing all sorts of distractions. They'd organize late evening games, make sure to draw her into their conversation, and the bosses themselves decided to let her take care of the garden, employing a gardener whose job description excludes the garden.
Some things however have not changed. Carrie was still very much enchanted or more like infatuated with Micheal and Lisa with Lucas.
Carrie was once again daydreaming as she has been doing everyday for the past week. All the staff even used Carrie as a reference of description of anyone who appeared to be unaware of their surroundings.
"Miss Lisa, I can't help it. Haven't you noticed how handsome Sir. Micheal is. He's the perfect specimen of manhood with those very piercing eyes, and that strong jaw, not to talk of those rippling muscles. How many men do you know, whose muscles are so very prominent and magnetic in a suit? I'd say he's the image of raw yet somehow refined masculinity, and I can't help but have the world's biggest crush on him."
Lisa exhaled. "Wow." She said. "Carrie, you become very eloquent when talking about him, if you could only find a third of that courage and eloquence when talking to him, I'm sure his ego would be the size Russia. Carrie, you shouldn't talk about the bosses, and if you do,you should be discreet. Having a crush on your boss may cause unwanted complications in your work environment" Lisa was having trouble deciding whether or not she was making that emphasis for Carrie or for herself. She felt quiet the hypocrite for admonishing Carrie. For she was in thesame situation, the only difference is she is more adept at keeping her emotions well hidden and at bay.
Lisa had infact noticed how devastatingly handsome the older of the twins is, but unlike Carrie, looks counted for very little in Lisa's book. She is still very far gone on Lucas whose manner and looks put together made him her own "perfect specimen of manhood".
"For the past few years we've made sure to establish our shipping across the Atlantic, so I'll like for us to pay more attention to our transactions business in Asia and across the mediterranean. That is ofcourse without compromising our business across the Atlantic."
So I'll like each and everyone of you to come up with strategies on bringing about this improvement. That'll be all for now, and another meeting will be held a week hence, to discuss your ideas." Micheal left the meeting room to his office after excusing himself.
"Mickey, you look striking as always." Trudy said. He hadn't noticed he was being followed. "How does she manage to move so stealthily in those heels?" He thought.
No matter how many times she used that God awful "pet name", if it could even be called that, Micheal just couldn't get used to hearing it. It just had that tendency to grate on his nerves.
Micheal had a great amount of restraint, but Trudy was definitely pushing the limits. "What can I do for you Gertrude?" He asked
"Now that we're on the topic, you could do a few things for me Michey. First, you could call me Trudy for a change. Everyone else calls me that. And second, are you free tonight?" She asked.
Micheal gave her one of his renown chilling looks.
"Not free tonight. Some other time then, I guess." She said. Trudy left his office then, leaving Micheal to his own devices.
He took a deep breath to calm himself. He just couldn't wait to go home, to his apartment. Where he could be by himself and have sometime to sleep and think in glorious quiet. If only these documents didn't need proofreading and signing.
Lucas saw her then. And as it was everytime he saw her, he felt his heart race, his palms become sweaty, and his breath hitch. You just don't get used to it, those peculiar, yet thrilling rushes of emotion.
Rose had invited him to dinner. He didn't know whether to dread this dinner or to anticipate it. Lucas wasn't one to keep his feelings closeted. He had at one time decided to tell Rose about his feelings for her, since at the time he believed he had a chance with her. But when she told him of her feelings for another, he had decided to keep his feelings to himself, although he wasn't giving up on her completely. He decided he was going to be watchful and hopeful for the future.
Rose took her seat opposite Lucas at the restaurant, smiled and said "Always early Lucas. I can't seem to keep up with you."
"Good evening to you too Rose." Lucas said. "Come on Lucas" she said. "I thought wwe did away with all that formality years ago. We've know each other what? A decade? We've been buddies since college. Loosen up a little" Rose said.
"Ok ok." Lucas said aqueising.
The waiter came to take their orders. Lucas took a steak medium rare with red wine. While Rose ordered a cerviche. Obviously deciding to share Lucas' bottle of wine.
"Lucas, I'll tell you why I invited you out today. While waiting on our orders." Rose said.
"Why do I feel dread right now?" Lucas thought. "Go on." He said.
"Do you remember Ryan, the guy that I've had feelings for, for the longest time?" Rose asked.
"Who wouldn't remember that blind peacock." Micheal whispered beneath his breath.
"Don't be mean Lucas. I heard what you said. You and I both know he's no peacock. A little blind, but most definitely not a peacock." She said, with that dreamy look Lucas wished she'd adopt because of him.
"Anyway, we met last month when I went on that trip to Geneva. What are the odds right? He asked me to be his girlfriend yesterday and I agreed. Lucas, Ryan is my boyfriend now. I wanted to be the first person to tell you. And I wanted to tell you in person. Because you're the only person that could possibly appreciate this moment as much as I."
"Uhmmm uhh". Was all Lucas could say to that. He was speechless, as he felt his heart twisting and contorting in pain.