These past three months have been hectic to say the least and the first intake has dropped down to forty people, who will receive their contracts, along with a key to their new accommodations. These student quarters are situated at the back of the hotel, still within walking distance to campus, placing them on school property and still within the guidelines of all the scholarship children. Over the course of this week all our employees that have made it this far, completing the trial period and have become familiar with all the roles and duties that will be required of every individual to be trained on every equipment as this will be able to operate more then one and become certified to operate all machines on the shop floor.
Once all the new employees have received their contract and will be required to return it all on Monday so that they take some time to read it thoroughly. Add anything they think will be beneficial and hopefully they sign it. I have missed the busy days I used to find myself in, just to learn every aspect of the business whether it's within the policies and guidelines, the meeting minutes that would show hostility between shareholders and board. The arrangement of all equipment, stock up on more products and ensuring that everything is going smoothly. All though I cater to Layton's every whim when it came to his dreams, his ambition, his drive, that my grandfather still made sure I did my own work even if I was "off galavanting around an idiot", he would always snap whenever I had forgotten something important and I have nearly missed a few deadlines and collaboration due to being to absorbed with Layton. So instead I completed everything before hand or on the spot so that I kept my own department floating and instead I kept it above everyone else's and I was proud.
Now I have forty new workers who have arranged themselves on who preferred what times and working around everyone's time table. It worked out perfectly as most people had the same classes and they were all situated into groups that will then have different start and finish times in-between classes and that each group will work accordingly to the schedules so that we always have staff during our busy times.
Shutting down my computer, I tidied up my desk and office as I got ready to leave for the day. Placing everything I needed in my handbag, I made my way to the door, switching off the lights as I turned to lock the office door behind me, stepping into the common lounge to make me a coffee. Just as I had finished making my coffee my brother Max stepped out of his office as well, locking his door too. "Cool, you are ready too, Sebastian already left and Jase is waiting down by the car," Maxx spoke as I had just placed the lid on my cup and took a nice big sip, "I am ready now," I said as I am practically hugging my travel mug at this point, "The new merger wants to come in tomorrow to meet with us, including you," Maxx spoke as he stared at me as we entered the elevator, "Why not Monday?," I asked as he had my full attention now, "We will have dinner tomorrow at our favourite as this is going to be our biggest merger." Maxx explained as we exited the elevator and made our way to the car where Jason was waiting on us.
"How are you feeling now?," Maxx asked as we settled in our seats. "I feel lighter. More time on my hands. More busier than usual. Just more prepared than I was when I left to Wellington," I spoke as I leaned back into my chair and next thing I knew I was fast asleep.
Arriving I felt a tap on my face as Maxx was staring at me concerned, "Finding it hard to sleep?," he questioned as I slowly dragged my gaze up to him, " Not so much now, I'm too tired to do anything else right now," I said as I unbuckled my seatbelt and got out, and headed straight to my room where I showered and lay back down. I was out as soon as my head hit the pillow.
Several hours later I could vaguely hear whispers as if my space was crowded. Slowly focusing on my surroundings I realized I was alone anymore, "We know your awake," maxx voice whispered around me as my eye twitched, "I'm tired," I yawned as I made myself even more comfy, "We know, we just sharing your space," Sebastian answered as I nodded and fell back to sleep. By morning I was squashed against a wall in the front and wall at my back. Opening my eyes I noticed my mother standing at the foot of my bed with her phone pointed in my direction. "I'm being suffocated and your taking photos," I snorted as I sat up and stared around me and saw all three eldest were asleep on my bed. No wonder I was warm, these idiots tried to suffocate me to death. "Only happens to you, when your home. The boys all miss you," my mother smirks as I roll my eyes at her.
I am up, so I took some clothes into the shower to do my morning routine. It made my days easier to deal with, since it revolved around Layton with a strong obsession and now I am desensitizing myself, one day at a time. At home is where I needed to be and spending time with my family is what helps me heal. It has been hard to not worry about Layton or his business knowing that he will most likely lose it soon due to his negligence. Stepping out of the bathroom, I placed. my clothes in the hamper, as I saw all three of my brothers all sprawled across my bed, sound asleep as I made my way out of my room and headed to the kitchen.
"Morning Baby," my dad spoke up behind the newspaper he was holding. "Morning Daddy," I spoke as walked towards his coffee pot, "They are all too big for my room," I complained to my father, when his head snapped up, "Were you feeling unwell last night?," my father asked leaning over to check my forehead. "I have been really tired lately and I need more rest but I have just gotten my work all up to date," I said as I filled my plate up with scrambled eggs, spaghetti and bacon. "Explains why they had congregated in your room last night," he spoke as I stared at him silently "Explains what?," I questioned all confused. "They needed you at a meeting last night but you came home and went straight to sleep," my father answered as I nodded "I was too exhausted," I said as I saw my eldest brother walk into the kitchen, who also just showered as he sat down to eat his breakfast.
"You feeling rested?," Sebastian asked as I nodded, " We know it's been hard and we arranged lunch today at the office," he spoke as I nodded my head again "Okay sounds good," I answered as I got up to go fetch my bag and wait in the lounge when the other two eldest brothers came down, showered and ready for breakfast. "So is there a reason you all bombard your sisters room last night?," my father admonished as all three looked at him with frowns on their faces "She sleeps better with us there," Jason states as Maxx just grunts and Sebastian just smirks at our father who then starts scolding them, " All three of you squashed her and she nearly died with you three, next time you are to bring your own beds in there," my father scolds as all three boys stay silent.
Heading to the company all three were frowning at me, as I stared straight out the window. I dreamt about the scumbag last night and now being back in the city is making me worried. "What's the matter?," Maxx asked as I turned to look at him, "Had a dream of Layton last night," I said when I knew I had everyone's attention. "Don't know much of it but it's been on loop all morning," I said as I turned to look at my brothers as they all sat back and just pondered for a second, "I'm okay, I'm getting strong everyday it just kind of put my morning off, then you all tried to suffocate me that made it even worse. So daddy snapped at you all," I explained as I continued staring out the window. "Does it feel like he died?," Maxx questioned as I turned to him, "Like he disappeared," I said as my brothers all nodded, "You bawled your eyes out last night, for hours and kept mumbling Layton's name," Maxx spoke as I looked shocked at his face, "What?," I asked a little speechless, "It took all three of us to calm you down enough to sleep," Maxx spoke as I vaguely remember them talking to each other.
"I don't know why I would care enough to dream of him, he's now an after thought that keeps popping up." I said as we pulled up in our car park before we all alighted from the car and headed to our elevator. Arriving on our floor, I headed straight to my office, closing the door and locking it behind me. I made my way to my computer by switching everything on in the room before unlocking the door to our shared common room. Stepping in, I turned everything on as well as I love the first brew every morning that accentuates my day. After the nightmare I had that keeps appearing in vague parts, is starting to drive me crazy. I had a new project that I had just completed and needed it presented today and my mind was elsewhere it was making me grumpy.
My brothers all notice the shift in my demeanor when we all sat in the car, they could feel my energy and couldn't understand why I would be agitated. Making my coffee in my new mug, I then went back to my office and placed a call through to my grandfather who I knew would be up, he answered on the third ring, "What do you want?," his gruff voice floated over the speaker phone, " Morning," I chirped as I could feel his annoyance over the phone, " How's the office, up to your standard?," he questioned as I thought about it, "The office is up to my standard, as is the workers they are a talented bunch and the newbies forty survived the month and became permanents," I relayed knowing he would understand what I was talking about, "Forty huh, that's a lot," he mused since usually we would have less the twenty people per intake, "First intake that is, the second lot start in October, giving these ones time to fill the roles required and then the next lot will start then, giving the first lot enough time for annual leave." I spoke explaining the new intakes and their take on the roles. The enthusiasm they all portrayed throughout the trial and receiving their meals for free, at allocated times so that there was enough space for all the new employees. "Sounds like these ones are gonna be a great fit," my grandfather commented, "Looking hopeful at the moment but at least the first two levels have been completed by these intakes so that gives us a better understanding of all the employees," I spoke animatedly as it has been so many years since I have felt the rush of adrenalin, "Seems like someone's spark is back," he teased as I rolled my eyes, "It definitely feels good to be back in my seat, can't believe I left it for so long," I mused out loud, "You were struck by the love bug, but I am glad your back on board, I can finally rest knowing it's safe now," he spoke with a yawn, "It was always safe, silly old man, you raised ruffians for grandkids," I laughed out loud as I teased him back and heard him chuckle on the other end, "it's late and I've been keeping you from resting," I teased through the phone when I heard a snort come through the phone, " I will see you on Friday night," I spoke as I heard home sigh "Friday night it's a date," he teased as I bid him a good rest and will chat with him another day.
Walking back into the common lounge I made me one more hot coffee before sletting off to the boardroom to where all three of my siblings were already in there setting up the slide, the sound system is hooked up correctly and that the spread was also laid out. When I received a phone call from an unknown number, that I let go to voicemail and put my phone down, when a minute passed and it rang again, so I answered it," Hello," I spoke as I stepped out of the room when a voice came over, "Is this Mrs Kara Ross," a professional voice asked over the kitchen phone, "No, I am Kara Rayne, what can I do for you, miss??," I questioned asking for her name, "I am Selene Geoff and i am one of the top surgeons from Northern Hospital institute is now a good time?," Selene asked, " I have a just few questions to ask regarding Mr Maxx Sebastian Rayne," she questioned and I automatically perked up, "Yes what are your questions?," I asked as stood facing the clear window over looking the left side of our building, "Will you be accompanying him to his appointment on Monday coming?," she rattled off, "Yes with both up to date covid shots and test due the day before," I answered as I pulled up the appointment sheet on my screen, "Will there be any issues if he is required to stay in the hospital overnight?," she asked " No, he will be accompanied by me and his night time nurse will be given leave for the length in which he remains in the hospital," I stated as that was all the questions she needed and disconnected the call.
Walking back into the room, I refilled my coffee mug up as I sat back down in my chair and waited for Sebastian to bring in the new merger that we would be collaborating with. As I was absorbed in the reading the details that I had not noticed that my brother had entered with the a group of people. I had not looked up as I was scan reading the details so I knew what I was suppose to be doing here when I felt a nudge to my arm, when my head snapped to my left with a raised eyebrow, and realized Jason wasn't looking at me but straight ahead and when I took noticed Sebastian was staring at me pointedly that I snap back into focus and paying attention raising an eyebrow back at him cause I sure as hell didn't hear him and he knew it.
"This is a merger that has picked our company out of hundreds of other companies to merge products with and we were the ones chosen and we have drafted a design that we would like to show you.," Sebastian spoke as I looked to the projector to take in what the merger would actually look like and how it would operate. My brothers had pulled all their ideas into this and I was following along like the merger was, as if I was still grasping it. Taking a sip from my coffee mug as my eyes followed the concept of what the boys had wanted and how amazing there ideas were. I knew that it was a rough draft but I got the concept and I could already see the design in my head of what it would look like.
Drawing the concept and the mergers concept than merging them together was such a unique thing to try. As I listened to the boys illiterate what would go where, I followed what they wanted and incorporated it into the a concept design module. My hand flew around the page that I got lost in what I was doing that I felt a presence standing above me as I drew what was in my mind's eye. "This is what I would like to do, with both design and only the ones your willing to part with before new ones will be added to strengthen the products that will resemble these designs," Sebastian spoke as I shaded parts in and handed them to Jason to display them.
Lifting my head my green eyes clashed with Grey eyes. The same grey eyes that challenged me throughout school and made it a point to try one up me throughout college that I became volatile when it came to Grayson Logan. I was stunned that I continued too frown at him without saying a word, " Kara, This is Grayson Logan, CEO of Gray Slogans," Sebastian introduced but I continued frowning at Grayson, when I felt a poke from my right hand side and then felt another poke which made me lose eye contact with Grayson and turn my frown towards Maxx who was staring at me wide eyed. "This is the merger that requested you," Maxx spoke as my frown deepened as I returned my gaze back to the man at hand.
"Grayson Logan," I mumbled as I was stunned in my place, "Rayne," his smooth voice spoke as he eye me closely "Do you all remember the boy that I was academically equal with throughout highschool and college," I spoke as they all nodded "What are the odds," I spoke when Jason moved me back into my chair as all three brothers now looked at Grayson skeptically. "You seem shocked to see me," his voice floated around me, "Yes would be an understatement,I am quite surprised.
"I thought you were still abroad being amazing," I questioned when all three siblings stared at me funny, so I ignored their looks, when my phone rang and Layton name popped up and the atmosphere changed, I turned the ringer off and left it ringing when all three stared at it.
"Is that important?," Grayson asked as I looked at him and took a deep breath, " Sebastian will answer any question, I'm just gonna step out," I said as I walked out with my phone in hand when Jason and Maxx stood to step out with me, when I paused staring at them " wait here," I said as I stepped out and answered his call without speaking when his voice came down the line " I need you to sign some papers," he spoke as I walked to the window facing out and just nodded "What's the papers?," I asked as I stared out the window, "To remove the infidelity off the divorce proceedings," he stated that made my eyebrows raise this fucker. "No, that stays, cause you cheated throughout our marriage," I spat and held the phone away from my ears as his normal spiel came out, "I didn't cheat, Kara, I DIDN'T CHEAT," He stated when I felt my anger rose "You fucken moved into her house, started fuxking her and you caught mother fuxken feelings, so I will state it again, you made your bed now you have to lie in it. Have fun with your bitch," I spat angrily as I diconnected the call and just closed my eyes and banged the phone on my face a few times when I felt a hand move it away and strong arms enveloped me and new it was my eldest brother from his cologne.
"Wipe your tears and let's do this," my brother spoke as I wiped my tears and nodded "You singlehandedly can bury his company if you wish," my brother spoke as I laughed and wiped my face with shirt before facing him with a blinding smile, " Hell yes, can't believe he still spilling his bullshit," I said as I straightened up and followed my brother back into the conference room and sat back down as I could feel my other two brothers staring at me worriedly. "I'm paying him a visit," Maxx whispered when Jason agreed, "Leave it, we don't need his germy self in our lives," I said as both my brothers wore matching angry expression when I noticed Grayson watching our exchange.
"I'm sorry for the interuption, just a family disruption," I explained when Maxx spoke up, "We just been dealing with some family matters that's why we are all a little distracted," Maxx spoke when I could see the confusion on his face. "Gray I don't think you know this but these are my elder brothers and this is a family business that I have just rejoined," I explained when he eyes showed shock "This is your family business the one you were too take over that's why kept on par with me?," he questioned as I laughed "Yes the same one. But these three had to take it on as I was off being stupid," I answered when his grey orbs stared at me with his challenging smirk, I knew I just up the anty now, "Well this is going to be one hell of a collaboration," he said as I laughed at his confidence, "Unfortunately you will be dealing with these three as I am away for the next coming weeks," I smirked at him when he frowned, "Excuse me," he asked as I smiled at him and gave him an innocent look, "Exactly what I said Gray, you become deaf overseas?," I teased when he gave me a sexy smile, "Rayne," he growled at me as I burst out laughing at him and he started laughing too when my brother Tori stepped inside, "Layton is in the building and demanding to see you," Tori spoke as I turned to look at him and spun to stare at Maxx "Go with Jase, bastian and I will stay here," I said when I saw my eldest brother stood, "No, Tori will stay with you, I have some words for him," he said as stared at the silent Convo around me with my four siblings, "Go with them, make sure they don't get in a fight or arrested," I stated as I saw all three brothers head out and I saw Tori looking at me and back at my brothers, "Go, we will leave an hour after it does," I spoke when he nodded and left. I watched as all four of my siblings walked towards the elevators and looked down at my phone that was blowing up with messages.
"Kara, your still my wife,"
"Kara you better stop the divorce, or else,"
"Kara I still love you please baby,"
"Kara please baby I am sorry,"
It read the same thing over and over that I made a quick call to ace who picked up on the first ring, " Hey heard dickhead is there," he answered when I picked up. "Yeah can you get me a knew phone and number," I asked when he laughed already a head of you. it's in the conference room with you in the side draw," he spoke "Amazing you are Ace, I see you later," I spoke when I realized that Grayson was watching something below so I went over to stand beside him to see Layton angry expression and when he looked up, I was staring down at him.
He pointed at me and back to my brothers when I saw how much he has changed. He looks tired, haggard and unkept. I felt sorry for him until I stepped right up to the glass and saw Natasha, who was staring go smacked at my brothers with her tongue wagging outside her mouth when I felt someone's shoulder bumped me, turning I saw Grayson was staring at me, "I'm sorry about what is happening to you, your brothers are very protective of you," Grayson spoke when I looked back down at the scene on the ground, "It's apart of life, going through some unpleasant things," I said when I saw that Natasha had looked up and saw me staring at her even from point way up, she knows that I can still get to her and it made me smirk at her and waved as I saw her face pale and she held the door, I motioned her to get in the car and get lost, that Grayson stepped up beside me and stared too.
"So that's the reason for your change," he spoke as I stared back at him, "I'm bruised not broken," I said as I stepped away from the window when I saw Layton on his knees looking up at me pleading that I stepped away and went to the draw with my new phone. "Looks like he's not gonna give up," he spoke as he had his back to the window and his eyes on me, "I am divorced so I gave up two months ago," I spoke as stared back at him and saw his face light up, "That's an achievement, sexy smart and now single," Grayson teased as I laughed at him "Still as dangerous now more then every," I teased when he started laughing "Wouldn't expect you any other way," he teased as I laughed "Sorry the meeting didn't go as planned," I said when he stared at me, "I came to see if your collaborate with me?," he said when my eyes stared at him shocked, "What me?," I asked stunned, "Well your the only person I know who can match me in business and academically, so I came to sought you out and met Sebastian in your stead," he said when I laughed and realized why my brother wanted me back "Well your in luck, I will be around virtually but I won't be back in the city for a few weeks," I said when I saw him move closer to me and it was his way of closing our circle for just the two of us, something he has done for years that I just realized now, "Where are you going, will you be back?,".He questioned sounding a bit panicked that I stared at him properly.
I had always been able to.stare at his face so closely that I forgot how it felt being around him, that it had always been comfortable with Grayson " I am in Wellington for the time being, I am still healing and my family demanded my presence there," I spoke softly when I looked at him again, "Should pop down when you find time," I said as I stepped away from him and continued loading my new phone "Whose in Wellington?,".he asked as I looked up at him, "My grandfather is down there," I said as the screen loaded. "I can't believe your standing in front of me," he spoke a bit shyly "I am surprised to see you, it's been what eight years?," I spoke as I stared at him "You look the same, but a little different," he frowned "What about you, married, any kids?," I asked when he laughed and then shook his head. "Broke up with my partner and decided it was time to return home," he spoke as he stared at me patiently. The irony of us both, meeting like this, unexpectantly felt good. "I came home and rebuilt my father's company and realized he still had contracts with this company and had wondered if it was you by chance," he spoke when I smiled, "I boasted alot back then," I laughed when I remembered our banter over the same thing. "The only girl who took me on, win or lose," he teased as I laughed, "I'm the only girl of brothers. I have a male dominant family so I could hold myself," I stated proudly as he bursted out laughing and nodded "It makes sense now, back then I thought you were just being a sore loser," he teased as he leant away from me dodging my arm. It felt like Deja Vu and it was something that we had always done, teased each other, banter and bickering like an old married couple.
Staring at Grayson I felt better, I was enjoying our banter, it had been so many years and I finally felt like myself. I was busy with all the second intakes that I was rushed off my feet everyday. Today I was coated in sadness that I woke up feeling that way but I can't for the life of me remember why I cared so much. This moment had completely extinguished that cloud I was feeling as I soaked up his presence and teased him in-between his story , that by the time my siblings had come back I was smiling and the light was back and they were all stunned that I rolled my eyes at their stunned expressions. They couldn't be more obvious with their mouths hanging open almost touching the ground that I stared at them four like what in the world are you all staring at so hard that they all snapped their mouths closed and ended the meeting with a reservation down the road.