Saturday morning
Page mansion
All the members of the Page family were all gathered in the garden. Mark was working while eating, the twins were playing, and Vivian was feeding Kali. The maids and butlers were off to the side tending to minimal tasks while enjoying the peacefulness of the household.
After Vivian finished feeding Kali, she carried her and sat next to Mark whose face was furrowed
"Kali, it seems like your dad needs a little love from you" Vivian said as she nozzled her nose with Kali's
Mark looked at her for a while before dropping the documents in front of him and taking Kali from Vivian's arms "Very funny" he said with a frown before kissing Vivian's cheek "But rather thoughtful" he added with a smile and Vivian giggled
"Kali's such a good baby. She's well behaved and doesn't cry unless she's upset" Vivian said "It's the first time I've had such a peaceful and easygoing baby before. The twins weren't like this when they were born"
Mark took a long glance at Kali and Maria popped up in his head 'She probably took after Maria while the twins are like Helen, Vivian and I, put together in their small bodies' he thought
"Maybe it's because of Maria's influence... even the twins are becoming well behaved" Vivian said as though reading his thoughts "She's really helped a lot"
"Mm" Mark hummed as Vivian picked up the documents in front of him and read them
"Yikes" Vivian let out "What is this?" she said while gesturing to the documents
"Some people just like to cause problems for me" Mark said "Even when their dead"
"Atkins?" she asked
"The seeds he planted in the company bloomed real quick and we're about to lose two departments because of it" Mark said "You can only imagine how Mr Headstrong Wayne is handling it. Because nobody wants to take over those departments...they've lost the trust of everyone in the company"
"Then, why don't you threaten them with their jobs? It's hard to get a job that pays as much as the ones they currently have, right?" someone said
"You're right" Mark said
"Then, wouldn't it be wiser to make a deal with both the departments in question and the other department directors?" the person continued "Amenities are not only distributed to other companies, but also to their own. Transportation for movement of goods, security to guard said goods, and so on. The two departments who have lost the trust of others could be challenged to gain back the trust they've lost with their own hands....by earning more money than they usually do, in their current situation. If they succeed after getting a new director, the department can have their salaries raised by twenty percent and they all get to keep their jobs. If they don't, they all lose their jobs and new people will take over their places at the department and help save the face of the company"
"That's a great idea. It just might work" Mark exclaimed but then, he paused and processed everything in his head before slowly looking up.
Standing behind Vivian, were Maria and Helen. Maria had her pure diamond hair in a waterfall crown braid and her pink bow-shaped lips, glossed. While Helen left her ruby fusion hair in a ponytail and her heart-shaped lips in maroon.
They were both dressed in casual clothes that brought out their beauty. Maria had worn an Alice blue colored wide neck T-shirt, high waist jeans and coffee coloured Chelsea boots. While Helen had worn a black long sleeve crop top, white stovepipe pants, black wedged shoes and a white backpack.
"Maria always comes up with the best solutions for problems" Helen said happily
"Maria? Helen? When?" Mark asked a bit confused
"Ten minutes ago" Maria said "Good morning"
"Aunty Maria" Dan and Cia let out but Maria only waved
"I guess she didn't come to play" Cia whispered
"Mm. Let's head inside" Dan whispered back as they took each others hand and ran inside.
"Ye-yeah..." Mark let out before looking at Helen "And, what are you doing here?"
"You don't sound so happy to see me. But, I don't care" Helen said with a shrug "I came to visit and also....I wanted to ask if you could give me a job"
"A job?" Mark repeated as he handed Kali over to a maid "Take her inside" he instructed before returning his attention back to her "There's no job offer I can give you and last I remember, corporate jobs aren't your style"
"I will do anything. I can't keep living off Maria and staying alone in that big house" Helen said as she sat and so did Maria
Maria was still flipping through Mark's documents when she stumbled upon something and took Helen's backpack from her.
"Maria?" Helen questioned as Maria pulled out a royal blue sketchbook and handed it over to Mark
"There is a job suitable for Helen" Maria said as Mark took the book "She just might help in what I just mentioned
Mark stared at the book for a long time and it looked like any other book with a paper pasted on the front and the fading word 'women' written on the paper. The instant he opened it, he paused and was left speechless. Vivian finding it odd, glaced at Maria before standing up and walking behind him, looked over his shoulder.
On each page of the book, there were different types of designs for women's wear. It even had its own textile design and writings on how each piece was to be created. But the eye catcher was definitely the design itself. As Mark flipped the pages, the designs changed and each one was better than the last.
'How many years did she spend practicing this?' Mark wondered 'It's good enough to work as a director of fashion or designer in any large industries'
"Stop staring at it like that" Helen said after realizing which book it was. She took the book from him "It's a hobby I developed after highschool but, it never got recognized...because I'm poor" she said casually "I would have burnt these books if I hadn't draw these stuff myself" she added
"Helen, did you know the two departments that Wayne Corp is about to lose, are actually the fashion department and the finance department?" Vivian asked and Helen's face went stolid
"What did you say?" Helen asked after she regained herself
"It's as you heard" Mark sighed "But the problem is, what happened before that"
"What did happen before that?" Maria asked "The sales weren't doing properly in the first place but it was still afloat. But now, from what I've read in those reports, the departments are pretty much ghost departments"
"The director of fashion, Regina Vasco, and the director of finance, Jerry Atkins, were involved in the scandalous embezzlement of funds from the corporation. A whopping seven billion dollars to be exact" Mark said
"Se-seven billion?" Helen repeated in surprise but Mark chose to ignore it. It was a normal reaction for those who hadn't seen that much money before.
"All the workers suffered due to this. But members of the departments they once worked for, were discriminated against and stigmatized due to what happened. They were accused for knowing what their heads were doing and keeping quiet about it" Mark said "Even the other directors didn't trust them anymore and started to limit the resources they usually distribute to those two departments. The assistant director of fashion couldn't even take over as director because nobody will respect her-"
"Why wouldn't people respect her?" Helen asked after recovering from the seven billion dollar shock
"You see, nobody even knows she works in the corporation. She's a hermit and her dressing style is to make sure nobody notices her at all. She has no self confidence when compared to the other directors and none of the fashion department members have ever met her apart from the head of the design team. To top it all off, when Regina was in charge, they lost more than fifty clients and ruined the company's name" Mark explained "As for the assistant director of finance, he told me the wouldn't do it because there was a more qualified person for the job who's waiting for the new director of fashion before stepping up. He said injured dogs should learn to start licking each others wounds"
"Ah. It sounds like I'll be busy" Helen said calmly
"Were you even listening to what I was saying?" Mark said
"You see, Mark, I was listening, but....those people have nothing on me" Helen said "And also, they don't have a Maria" she gestured to Maria "She's good at anything business. Even the scheming against the other side's part"
'Do these two really only have a highschool diploma?' Mark wondered as Vivian rubbed his shoulders a bit and he felt calmer. "Well, if you say so. I'll make a call to my secretary" Mark gave up as he picked up his business phone and Helen rejoiced
As soon as Mark made the call, it connected in a matter of seconds and soon, the look on his face started to change to exhaustion
"Wait, wait, wait. Slow down" Mark pleaded "Can you say that again?"
"Sir, I'm sick and won't be able to go to work" the person on the other line said in a hurry
"Oh. You're sick?" Mark said
"Don't just say 'oh', Sir. I'm afraid Mr Wayne will fire me" the person continued
"Gabriel won't fire you for not coming to work, you're my assistant he wouldn't dare" Mark said "Can you explain why you fear that?"
"I was admitted on Friday and will have to spend a week. Will he send someone to finish me off for this? After all, Miss Janet has never fallen ill before"
"He won't send someone to do that....calm down, please...."
Maria stood up slightly and took the phone from Mark before sitting back down and continuing the talk with Mark's assistant
"Hello, this is Maria.....I'm the nanny....He didn't give me the phone, I took it from him....Please, calm down...I can fill in for you on Monday, if you want...I want you to take care of your health...I'm not really.....I'll remember. Also, he said I should tell you to put someone in the position of the director of fashion...Her name is Helen Ashley...Thank you. Take care of your health. Bye" Maria said as she ended the call and gave the phone back to Mark
"Are you seriously going to take her place on Monday? My workplace destroys the mind and soul" Mark said "And the CEO is ruthless. His office is right next to mine. Are you sure?"
'I can't believe you're saying this about your best friend' Vivian thought as she folded her arms 'And your voice....are you trying to set up Gabriel and Maria?' she raised a brow while staring at him
"I've already made up my mind" Maria said "Plus, Vivian did say she'd be at home until the afternoon that day"
"You did?" Mark asked and Vivian smiled
"I made a complaint. I've been leaving the mansion earlier than you" Vivian said "It gets tiring some times so, I'll be taking the afternoon shifts throughout next week"
"I see" Mark said "Helen, prepare for work on Wednesday. And I don't just mean physically...all the directors will be after you. Nobody wants another Regina"
"I'm a hard worker. I don't mind" Helen said
"That aside, I'd also like to know if i have work on Saturdays and Sundays" Maria said
"Even I'm not crazy enough to tell you to work on a day when others are resting" Mark said "I can't keep troubling you to come everyday. Enjoy your Saturdays and Sundays. I'll see you on Monday"
"Okay. Goodbye" Maria said while Helen picked up her backpack
"Well, bye bye" Helen said as she left with Maria "Say goodbye to the kids for us"
"We'll do that. Bye" Vivian replied with a smile but as soon as they left, her smile turned to a frown and she glared at Mark "What exactly are you planning?"
"I'm not planning anything" Mark said while taking a seat and continuing his work
Vivian turned to the servants and said "Leave"
"Yes, Madam" they all said before leaving the garden
Vivian sat next to Mark and observed his actions
"You know, children are very sensitive to things" Vivian started "The twins said, you, Helen and Maria, the three of you look alike...immediately after they left" as soon as she said that, Mark who was writing something down, made a mistake and paused
"W-what do you mean?" Mark asked nervously "They've mistaken us. I don't think Helen, Maria and I, look alike. We have different hair, skin and eye color"
"You suddenly went all defensive" Vivian pointed out "It doesn't matter though, because I trust you" She kissed his cheek "I'll just go along with whatever you're planning...for now but, remember to fill me in about it later. I love you" she stood up from the seat and headed inside
'I love you too, Vivian' Mark thought as he shut his eyes and sighed 'When should I tell her what's really going on?'
....
I think I'm in love😍.
I worked so hard on this chapter that it took days before I could think of a title for it. Please vote and comment so I know where to improve.
You can follow me on discord at Nicky Fresh. Thanks