Generation 02, Chapter 16: Good-bye

I return to the city.  I've made up the excuse that I've got a doctor appointment.  Only Champ knows I'm here to "patch up my relationship" and even that's not the total truth.  I'm actually coming down to confront Rusty about what he did.

I manage to sneak into the building, convincing the security guards I'm there to cater to Rusty's going away party.

I run up the stairs to Rusty's office but it's empty.  As I walk out, I bump into Rusty.  Well, what a coincidence.

"Calla, is that you?" he asks innocently.

"You have me fired.  On purpose!" I start.

"What blasphemy are you talking about?"

"You know damn well what I'm talking about.  You used me!  You wrecked my career and watched me suffer because of it.  When???  When did you put that document on my desk???"

"If you really must know, I put it there on the 28th of May," he replies calmly.  His eyes are icy as he continues.  "Now, I'm going to have to have you ejected from the building if you do not leave now."

I take his warning seriously and walk out, hot and angry.  I think back to May 28th and thank the Lord for my eidetic memory.  And of course, he lied.  The 28th was the day that we were all attending a conference in Starlight Shores and Rusty had just come back from France.  He hadn't even been to the office.

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I go to my lonely apartment building and bump into Kar.  Fortunately, she is just the person I wanted to speak with.

"Kar?  Uh, may I speak to you?"

"Calla?  Is that you?"  She asks.

"I know this is unexpected and you probably don't want to see me but I have something serious to talk about.  Please just listen to what I have to say and I won't bother you again."

Kar contemplates for a second and finally says, "Go on."

For once I am happy that Kar lives in the same building as me.  It's very convenient and quick to get to my room and fall fast asleep in my messy apartment.  After our talk, I realize that she isn't as heartless as I had thought her to be.  She actually listened to what I had to say.  She promises to investigate and she will contact me tomorrow about any news.

The next morning, I wake up to the sight (and smell) of my apartment, which is in horrible condition.  It hasn't changed at all since I left but I never realize how dirty and plain it was before I left.  The clothes I have here are basically all suits and/or dark clothes.  I just throw on what I wore yesterday.

Of course, there's no food or cooking supplies in the kitchen so I quickly run out to the store and buy all the necessary kitchen staples as well as a good vacuum and some cleaning solution.  Then I get to work cleaning, dusting, and cooking some meals in my apartment.  Kar rings as I finish vacuuming.

"Hello?"

"Calla, I've spoken to a few people and I want you to too.  I need to know if you're available."

"Right, of course.  Yes, I'm available."

"Okay, meet in the Gainsboro office room at 8 tonight."

"Sure thing," I say and we hang up.  Hope rises in my chest.  They're could be offering me partnership.  I could get my job back!

After cleaning, I whip up some of the ingredients I bought and produce a beautiful plate of french toast.

Then I invite Ms. Rosado over to eat it with me.  She agrees confused and a bit wary.

"What brought this up, Calla?" She asks me as she sits down.

"I just wanted to thank you for watching out for me all those years and for taking my mail and packages"

She smiles and says it was no problem.  Then there's silence and finally she says, "You made this?"

"Yes, I've learned how to cook.  Please, take it.  It's a token of my thanks."
She just stares at it.

"Don't worry, it's not poisonous or anything," I chuckle.

She finally takes her fork and tastes a piece.

"You made this?  By hand?" She asks me again.

"Yes, I've learned a lot of new things while I was away."

"Where is it that you have been, my dear?"

"Just somewhere.  Somewhere different from here."

"Well, wherever it has been, it has transformed you.  You look so much healthier and.. and happy!"

"Thanks," I smile.  She thanks me again for the meal and after she leaves, I get ready to go to the office.

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I arrive at the office in my usual lawyer attire.  It feels weird wearing such bland colors.  I wait outside of the meeting room while Kar, Blake, and the other partners discuss me situation.  During one of the breaks, Blake comes out and talks to me.  Before doing so, however, he takes out his phone and stares at it while he talks.  I've noticed that everyone seems to be addicted to their technology all the time.  Was I really like that?

"Calla!  Wow you look amazing.  Oh my God, and the way you figured out the thing with Rusty, I was shocked.  I knew you could never make a mistake."
What?

"No you didn't.  You specifically said that I had made errors and that I was unreliable.  Remember?"

"No, I said that other people said you had made errors."

I groan, "Fine, whatever.  It really makes no difference."

"Hey, where are you working now?  Hopefully not with any of our rivals," Blake grins.

"Oh no, of course not.  Uh, it's no one you'd know," I drift off.  "Alright, looks like the meeting is starting up again," I notice and he heads back in.

"We would like to offer you full equity partnership in the firm, starting immediately."

The words ring in my ears like heaven's song.

"Welcome back," Blake tells me.  I'm stunned.  I had been imagining this very moment but I have no idea how to react now that it has actually happened.
"Um, I actually haven't said it I'll accept the offer," I announce awkwardly.

"Excuse me?" Kar asks.

"Well, I'm flattered, really.  But... I've come to realize I didn't come here to get my job back.  I cam back to clear my name.  So I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to decline.  I've moved on to a job that I really enjoy."

They both stare at me as thought purple liquid is pouring out of my ears.

"Are you crazy?" Blake sputters.

"If it's a matter of salary we'll speak to the senior partner to wherever you've gone to.  Where are you now?"

"There isn't a senior partner.  Or a director."

"How can there not be?"  Kar asks horrified.

"I didn't say I was working as a lawyer," I say at last.

Now Kar and Blake have focused their attention on me.  "I'm working as... as a housekeeper."

"What do you mean?  Is this a new term I'm not familiar with?"

"No, I mean I'm a legit housekeeper.  I cook meals for my employers and wash their clothes," I explain slowly.

"You're... a housekeeper?" Kar repeats as though it's a foreign word.

"Yes, and I'm very happy with what I do.  I feel fulfilled and... alive.  So I'm sorry.  I'm going to have to decline your offer.  And uh, bye," I say and I walk out of the room, out the building, onto a train, and back to the world that I have grown love.

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I find Champ in the bar, cleaning up some glasses.  He sets them down and runs toward me.

"How was the trip?  Is it over?" He questions me eagerly, grasping my hands in his own.

"Yes, it's over," I smile and lean in towards him.  I feel content and happy.

It's over.

It's actually finally over.

Generation 02, Chapter 15: Busted

NOTE

As I have stated in the past, I really don't understand exactly what the character that Calla plays did to get fired.  So yeah, it that part of this post makes no sense... that's why.  I tried.  :P

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I'm dusting Blanche's room as she stares at a .pdf of a brochure for Gainsboro on her laptop.  I freeze when I see my own stiff portrait straining to smile for a photo.  So the weren't able to get rid of me completely, were they?

"So, is that the firm you want to work for?"  I casually ask Blanche.

"Yeah, it is.  It's the top firm in the country.  It's basically impossible to get in and even if you do get in, you have to work your ass off to stay in.  One mistake and you get fired on the spot."

"Wow, sounds rough," I say, sounding astonished even though on the inside, I'm smirking.

"Yeah, this guy," she points to a picture of Rusty, " is supposed to interview me but he's retiring."

"Wait, why?"

She shrugs.  "What does it matter to you anyway?"

"Oh never mind.  You're right.  Sorry."  I lie.

Right after I finish dusting, I scuttle over to my room and quickly open up the web browser.

I search for what seems like hours and I've finally found quite a lot of interesting information.  For one, Rusty is, in fact, retiring.  Secondly, he has family connections with, Zebra Co., another company that loaded 50 million to the material company I lost the 50 million for.  I'm 100% sure that nobody knows about this connection and Rusty certainly hasn't mentioned it.

He knows something.  

I whip out my phone and call Rusty's number.  Griselda the secretary for our floor picks up and she hands the phone to Rusty.

"Darling Calla, how are you?"

"I'm good.  Surprised to hear that you're retiring though.  What brought that on?"

"Ah yes, thirty years is a long time for a lawyer.  I felt like my time was up."

He sound so cheery. It's impossible to think he could be hiding something.

"Hey, I didn't realize your son-in-law was the director of Zebra Co.  What a coincidence!" I say as cheerily as possible.

"Oh darn, Calla, I have to go now.  You take care."  And before I can say another word he hangs up on me.

Okay, that was definitely weird.  It supports my suspicions and makes me wonder more about what exactly is going on here.

What if I didn't make that mistake?  What if the whole thing was a scam.  Perhaps Zebra Co. never paid the money in the first place and the money from the bank is just hanging nowhere.  Up for anyone to take....  I never noticed the document on my desk until it was too late.  What if it was planted there.

I immediately call Rusty again but Griselda tells me what he told her.  That I should not bother him with my calls anymore.  And that if I come to the building, they'll eject me.

"Eject me?!" I repeat.

"I know, Calla, it's horrible what he did to you."

"What he did to me?  What exactly do you mean, Griselda?"

"I was wondering if you knew.  After you left, Rusty talked to the other partners.  They wanted to give you a second chance but Rusty said that they shouldn't because you are unreliable and a bad asset to the company."

Oh my God.  He got me fired.  And to think, I trusted the son of a bitch.

"Thank you so much, Griselda, for telling me that."

"No problem, Calla.  I hope you get everything... sorted out."

We hang up and I receive a text from Champ.

Come downstairs.  I have a surprise to show you.  :)

I feel bad but I'm not very interested in this surprise at the moment.  My mind is only on Rusty and my job.  I walk down the stairs thinking about horrible things I want to happen to him.

"Calla, hi!" Champ beams.  He's acting extremely cheerful today but I'm not really in the mood.

"Follow me," Champ leads as we head toward his car.  He opens the door for me and then gets in on the driver's side.  I have a enough sense to ask him where we're going.

"You'll see," is all he says.

We stop in front of a large property.  There's a rundown building to the right and a small sign that says, "for sale."  The yard is beautiful.  There's not that much there but it could definitely become something beautiful.

We walk into the house and I get a good look around.  First of all, there's not much "house" to really see.  There's barely a roof and the three rooms that are in the house are grungy and broken.  To add to that, it smells dusty and moldy.  It'll be a challenge to fix up but there's definitely potential.

I glance at Champ who is pulling out some papers.  Wait a second.  "Are you buying this?"  I ask him.

"I'm thinking about it.  It's pretty good compared to others but I want your opinion first.  You were right.  I should have pursued my dreams as a gardener, instead of working at the bar.  I talked it over with my mom and she's all for the idea.  She even said that Antares could take over the bar.  We need to ask him first, but I'm sure he'll take to the idea.  We could always sell it if need be."

"I love it!  The actual property is massive and perfect for your gardening!  And we could always fix up the house, that's not big deal." I enthuse.  My mood has brightened and I'm trying to focus on Champ and not Rusty.  Unfortunately, it's not working too well.

Finally, we complete our tour on the roof of the house, which could be converted into a nice little patio and roof garden.

"It's beautiful," I comment, gazing out at the sea.  My mind starts to drift back to Rusty and his evil deed.  I still need proof, but I'm 99% certain I'm spot on.

"...so do you feel the same way?" Champ asks, looking at me intently with soft eyes.

Holy shit.  I realize that he must have been speaking for quite some time.  He looks awkward so whatever he just said to me must have been difficult for him to confess.  And I missed it?!  What is wrong with me?

Cooly, I remind myself that I'd probably agree with anything he said so I reply with a yes.

"Really?  Everything?  Even the part about shark tank?"

"Shark tanks?" I crinkle my eyebrow.

"I knew it!  You weren't listening to me at all, were you?  It took some nerve to say what I said," Champ mutters.

"Please say it again.  I'll pay attention this time," I beg.

"Nope, not this time.  Perhaps later," he says grudgingly.

"I'm sorry, I've just been preoccupied lately."

"It is your relationship popping up again?"

I nod and he puts his arms around me.  "Wanna talk about it?"

"Not really."

"I could help," he adds weakly.

"I just don't want to mix my horrible past to this wonderful one. This one is too perfect to ruin."

I can tell Champ wants to assuage me to tell him but he respects my boundaries and just holds me in his arms.  I lean up to kiss him as we stand in the warm sunlight, watching the sunset.

Generation 02, Chapter 14: But It's Not My Birthday

NOTE

Finally!  These are new photos that I took in December over my winter break so they are much more recent than the ones in the previous posts (which I took back in March and April).  O_O

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Oh my God, what was I so worried for?  She's a baby.  Still in law school for Pete's sake.  I quickly rip off the glasses and set them back into my room.

Then I head downstairs towards the kitchen to start my daily tasks.  I find Champ behind the stairs and his face lights up when he sees me.

After we kiss, Champ asks, "Has Myrtle been giving you stupid instructions?  She's been bombarding with rules about what I can and can't do.  I can't mow the lawn between the hours of nine and 6 and I have to tip-toe on the gravel because her work is so 'important.'  My work is important!"

"Hopefully she'll be leaving soon," I say unconvincingly.  We kiss again but are interrupted.

"Calla?!  Where are you?!  I need you to come up here and unpack my suitcase immediately!"  Blanche's irritating voice screeches her first of many demands.

"There you are!  I don't want to have to call you all the time.  I'll be working 24/7 and I have no time to be wasting on your.  Do you have a cell?  I'll text you.  Oh, and I'll need all my clothes washed, ironed, and folded.  And be careful with some of my outfits.  Some are very delicate and I do not want them ruined.  Also, bring me a snack.  I'm allergic to nuts and I'm lactose intolerant so don't bring anything like that.  I'll be in my room, you can find me there.  But please, don't try to bother me.  I know you probably don't understand, but my work is very hard.  Just do those things for me, pronto."

"Yes, ma'am," I mutter.

"Good," she nods, and walks out of the room.

"Bitch," I glower as I go to grab her suitcase and heave it down the stairs.  What does she have in here?  A body?  If this keeps up, I'm definitely going to have a word with Myrtle.

By the next day I've just about had it.  I can't do any of my normal duties because I'm constantly running up and down the stairs obeying Blanche's every command.  Finally, Blanche is taking a "beauty rest" and I take the time to first rest my own self a bit and then have a get with Myrtle about her insane niece.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Dhaval, but Blanche is constantly asking me for things and it's keeping me from my regular household tasks."

"Well, she is a very talented young woman.  It's not easy getting into her law school.  She had to beat millions of other applicants just to get a spot."

"Um, that's great.  So could you just tell her to let down her demands a bit?  Just so I can get other chores done?"

"I suppose," she drifts off.  "Hey, for dinner later tonight, we're having a small gathering.  Perhaps you could serve some drinks there?"

"Sure, no problem."

"And could you change your outfit to something more formal?  That uniform isn't the most appealing...."

"Sure," I say flatly.  She chose the damn thing.  Who in their right mind would ever choose to wear this as an actual outfit.

Champ?  Where are you?  I haven't seen you all day?  I text, but he doesn't reply.  That's really odd.

It's nearly dinner time and I slip on a nicer outfit and some high-heels and start to walk down the stairs towards the kitchen to get some beverages started.

"There you are," Champ grins as he wraps his strong arms around me and kiss me.  He rubs his face against my hair and breathes in deeply.  Meanwhile, I'm squirming and trying to escape.

"Champ, seriously, I need to go get drinks ready.  Please let me go."  I stop trying to get out of his grip because it's obvious he has a complete physical advantage over me.

"No no no, come outside with me first.  I have something to show you."

"Really?  Now?" I whine.

"Yes, now close your eyes...."

He leads me to the backyard and when he releases his hands I gasp.

In front of my are Mr. and Mrs. Dhaval, Antares, Rina, and Blanche.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" They all shout in unison.

I'm utterly shocked.

"Thank you, but it's not actually-"

"Aw, she's trying to deny it.  Don't worry, we didn't put your actual age on the balloons," Myrtle informs me.

I pretty much give up trying after that.  As I continue to gaze around, I realize that it doesn't matter that my birthday was over a month ago.  They threw a birthday party for me and it's one of the best I've had since I was little.

"How... how did you find out?"

"Your friend Ms. Flavius told us a few days ago," Myrtle explains.

Chartreuse?  How did she get this number?  Oh right, I called her last week from the Dhaval's phone instead of my cell.  She must have saved the number.  She always knew that my birthdays had never been half-decent since I started working for Gainsboro.  

"Thank you guys so much.  This is one of the best birthday parties I've ever had."

Rina steps up towards me and hands me a gift.  It consists of a few pans and an apron.

"Why does she need those?  Doesn't she already have all the equipment she needs?" Myrtle asks suspiciously.

I smile knowingly at Rina and Rina says, "I took a chance," which leaves Myrtle as puzzled as ever.

Mr. Dhaval gives me a present from he and Myrtle.

"Now this isn't a raise, but it's just a small bonus," he explains, handing me an envelope with what I assume to be a check.  I thank him and then Blanche hands me a mini basket of lotions, which I know has been sitting in the Dhaval's cupboard since before she came.

Antares hands me a card.  "Champ and I were wondering if you'd like to help work at the bar sometime.  We'd love the help."

"I'd love to, Antares.  That'd be an honor."

He smiles shyly as Champ comes over to give me a gift.  It's small enough to fit in the palm of my hand.

I open it to discover a beautiful hand-carved heart pendant necklace.  Champ gestures for me to turn around and he puts the necklace around my neck.

"It's gorgeous," I gasp.

We embrace and kiss.  Realizing that we're still in front of people, we pull away but he keeps his arms wrapped around me.

"Would you like to go grab a drink?" Champ asks.

"I'm not sure..." I drift my attention towards Myrtle.

"Oh don't worry about it.  We'll put the dishes away," she assures me.  And then you can deal with them tomorrow," she hastens to say.

I manage not to frown as I thank her for being "so kind," and then Champ, Antares, and I walk down to the bar and have ourselves a few nice drinks.