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.

Chapter 06: Bad News

NOTE

So, I know I've been really indecisive, but I've decided to continue this legacy.  I'm going to try to finish Generation 2 before I have to leave for college in August because when that time comes, I won't be able to play Sims (I can't bring my desktop to college).   :(

Also, ignore the fact that the Dhavals are wearing the same clothing as they did the night before.  I forgot to change their clothing and was too lazy to retake all of the pictures.

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I wake up with a sore neck and am confused as to wear I am.  The entire room is a soft green color and the sheets are white and poofy.  Definitely not my bland sheets from home.  I look down and see I'm wearing a top that is unfamiliar to me.

The realization of my job hits me.  Oh God, it wasn't a dream.  I look over to my right and see a dark green shirt and pants hanging on the closet door.  I'm a housekeeper?  Is this legit?

Mrs. Dhaval knocks on my door and asks how I'm doing.  After I tell her I'm good, she asks me if I could please get breakfast ready and that she'd like some coffee and toast.

Crap.  I hardly know how to cook toast, let alone a fancy meal.  I slip on the outfit and head toward my phone.  I'll call Rusty.

"Hello?"

"Rusty, it's Calla."

"By golly you're alive.  You put yourself in quite the position."

"Yes…," I grimace.  "I don't understand how I could have made that mistake.  I really don't.  Am I fired?  Have you heard anything?"

"I… I don't know.  But trust me, I'll do everything I can to help.  Let me know where  you are and we can start by getting you home."

"Sorry, but I don't really know where I am."

"That's okay.  I suppose it wouldn't do any good for you to come here anyway.  I'll sort everything out, you just stay put."

"Oh thank you, Rusty.  You're the best.  Just, uh, keep my updated."

"Sure, no problem."

I slip out of my room and into the kitchen.  Where’s the fricken' toaster?

I finally find it hidden in a small cupboard and pull it out.  It takes me even longer to find the bread. 

Mrs. Dhaval hollers from the other room, "Actually, we’re just like a light coffee please, Calla." It takes me almost 20 minutes to get the coffee machine working.  Then I bring it out two mugs to the Dhavals.

"Thank you, that’ll be all for now."

I nod and automatically bob a curtsy.  Mrs. Dhaval stares at me strangely.  Damn, what did I do that for?

"I'm sorry, it won’t happen aga-"

"No, I like it.  You are allowed to curtsy."

Damn.  Damn.  Damn.  Why did I do that?  Oh well, I just have to survive, at most, today.  I shuffle my way back to my room.  After thirty minutes, I hear Myrtle’s voice calling my name.  I walk hurriedly toward her.

"Yes, Mrs. Dhaval."

"Please don't disappear like that."

"Yes ma'am."

"Would you follow me?  I'd like to show you how I'd like the dining room dusted."

We spend about ten minutes in the dining room as Myrtle explains all of the things she wants dusted.  I feel helpless but after today, I can return to Bridgeport, and leave this place forever.

By lunchtime I've done almost nothing.  I've wiped down the instruments with a tissue and finally figured out how to start the dishwasher.  I'm now attempting to cut some cheese for macaroni and cheese but it's not a success.  

I want to scream in frustration but I manage to hold my feelings in.  To solve the issue, I call the caterers and order macaroni and cheese for two.  Then I lean against the counter and pour myself a glass for the Dhaval's fancy wine. 

I hear the front door open and I feel as though I’m being watched….

I turn around a standing at the door frame is a tall man with bright pink hair and the largest muscles I've ever seen.

"Hi, are you the new housekeeper?  I’m Champagne Beryle, but you can call me Champ," he introduces himself, holding out his hand.  

I take it and shake it slowly.  His hands are very rough and his hand practically engulfs mine.  

"I don't know if the Dhavals told you but I work outside, in the garden.  I just came to ask you what plants you’d like me to plant for you cooking.  Anything work as long as it's in season."

My jaw wants to drop open.  I don’t know any plants.

"So, how about some herbs.  I have the usual, thyme, rosemary, dill…." He starts naming off many plants that I'm very unfamiliar with. 

"Um, sure.  Could I just have one of each?"

He gives me a weird look but, to my relief, he shrugs his shoulders and says sure.

"Oh good," Myrtle exclaims, "You've met Champagne."  Champ blushes.  "Now, we'd like our macaroni and cheese in twenty minutes, please." 

"Yes, Mrs. Dhaval," I say and then bob a curtsy.

"You curtsy?"  Champ asks astounded.

"Your name's Champagne."

"Touché."

"Well, I’d better get to work."

"I should go to the garden.  Uh, good luck with the… lunch."

"And good luck with your garden," I reciprocate as he leaves for the door.  

I hear a rap at the front door.  "Hi, did you order mac and cheese for twenty?"

Thank God.  Wait, what?  Twenty?  Bowls and bowls pile onto the Dhaval's counters.

"I'm sorry about the order, it's just that we don't usually get orders for only two people," the delivery girl tells me.

"It's okay, just add it to my bill," I assure her and then push her out the door before the Dhavals and Champ can see.

"Wow, Calla.  I'm very impressed," Myrtle says as she looks at the bowls covering her countertops. 

"Champagne, you must try some of this macaroni and cheese," Myrtle urges after she takes a bite.

Champ comes in and takes a bowl.  "You made this?"  He asks sarcastically.  "That didn't take you very long."

I can tell by the tone of his voice that he knows something's up.

Later that afternoon, Blake calls. 

"Calla!  You need to come back.  For Christ’s sake do you know what it’s like over here?  There are rumors that you've left the country.  Do you have any idea how this looks for Gainsboro?"

"I’m sorry.  Look, just tell them I’ll be coming."

"Actually, it might be too late.”

I'm startled.  "What?" I ask.

"Well," Blake starts to say stretching the word out uncomfortable, "People are starting to say you’re unreliable now that you've made errors."

"Errors?  I've never made any errors.  I’m a good lawyer.  A really good lawyer!  I’m reliable, you know that, Blake.  You even said I never made mistakes."

"Calla, please calm down."

"Calm down?!  How can I calm down.  Gainsboro is my life.  Being a lawyer is my life.  In fact, I'm going to leave right now."  I hang up on him and start to write a note to the Dhavals.  

Dear Mr. And Mrs. Dhaval, I'm sorry but I must resign as housekeeper.  I've enjoyed my time here but I feel like I would like a new challenge.  Thank you for your kindness, Calla Cohen.

I walk downstairs to deposit the message when my phone rings again.  And this time, it’s not Blake.  It's Kar.

"Calla!  It's Krystal Kar," She barks.  "I’m just calling to tell you that, although you've been a fabulous lawyer at Gainsboro…."

NO NO NO.  This cannot be happening.

"… I'm afraid your contract with us has been terminated."

"No, it can’t be.  Please, I'll do anything I can to fix-."

"I'm sorry.  Lawyers don't make or run from their mistakes.  I'm sorry, good-bye Ms. Cohen."

The line is dead and I’m standing and on the verge of tears.  I can't go home now. 

Myrtle comes rushing in through the front door.  When she sees me in the kitchen a look of worry comes over here.  "Calla, dear, what's wrong?  You look sick.  Here, let me get you some aspirin and a glass of water.  And please, seat yourself."

"Thank you, you’re very kind."

Myrtle leaves and comes back a moment later.  "Alright, now I've purchased the ingredients for dinner tonight.  Stuffed turkey and that delicious Potato and Truffle Torte you mentioned.  We'll eat at eight."

Gobsmacked, I nod silently and she smiles and leaves me in the kitchen with the ingredients that I somehow need to make into an edible meal.

Scratch that, multiple edible meals.

How am I going to work my way out of this one?