First things first: I'd like to thank LissaSue for again editing What's in a Name, it's thanks to her that you're not reading the most horrible English imaginable ;-)
Secondly I'd like to thank my readers for their patience. It's been a long time but fortunately, here's the sixth chapter of What's in a name. Enjoy!
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Alexander drove his car across the city towards the River's Building. Ravenna shifted nervously beside him, her fingers fiddling with a loose thread on her clothing. She wore a stylish skirt with an asymmetrical red blouse, her long blond hair braided intricately with various kinds of hairpins. She looked stunning, Alexander mused, as she always did. He could not really blame Dominic for wanting to make a move on her, he wouldn't mind so himself, he thought, smiling.
Ravenna grew more and more quiet as they neared their destination, her hands almost successful in tearing the thread from her blouse. "If you keep that up, you'll ruin your new clothes," he warned her. She looked up startled and shot an annoyed look at him, her ire eliciting a smile from him.
"Don't worry, Ravenna, you'll do just fine. Dominic and I will be with you, and you'll only meet our secretary. She's very kind, really." He smiled reassuringly. "Just a quick introduction, and then your off to your new office."
She nodded and drew in a long breath to calm herself. They had spoken of this repeatedly; she knew there was nothing to worry about. Still, she felt anxious enough to try and hide under her bed. It wouldn't be very useful, she thought, grumbling, they'd probably just drag her from under it. This was the first time she'd left the grounds since Alexander and Dominic had brought her with them. What would she find out there?
As they turned the last corner, the Rivers Building appeared in front of them, and Alexander took them to his private garage. He smiled an encouraging smile to the pale looking woman beside him and got out of the car. Opening her door, he offered his hand to the girl inside. She really looked like she was going to pass out, drawing in shallow breaths.
"Ravenna," he said sternly, "breathe. It's going to be fine. Now, come on." He pitied the girl next to him, but she could not hide inside forever. Together they entered the elevator.
The bell indicated they had reached the top floor, the floor of her new office, of her
work
. Why had she agreed to this, again?
The doors slid open and suddenly, everything happened in a blur. A grey, older woman flitted to her side, shaking her hand while a stream of words poured from her mouth. "It's so nice to finally meet you! Mr. De L'Ile and Mr. Orion already told me so much about you! I just could not wait to make your acquaintance!"
Ravenna did not even have time to look surprised, or confused. The lady was still holding her hand firmly, and she stumbled behind her as she was towed through the hallway.
"Oh my, you must be thirsty. This is the kitchen. You can find all kinds of food and drinks here. You'll have to tell me your favorites, and then I'll make sure they are on stock." She fluttered to the cupboards and started collecting cups. "What would you like to drink dear? Tea, coffee, juice, soda? You look like a juice person to me. I have just the thing!"
Stunned, Ravenna looked down at the glass of grape juice that was pushed into her hands, one of her favorites actually. She looked at Alexander uncertainly, who eyed the spectacle with an amused look on his face. He nodded at her encouragingly; sipping the coffee his secretary had donned him moments after she had tended to Ravenna. She smiled shyly at the short woman in front of her who started beaming, and relaxed, this wasn't so bad at all.
The woman moved like a whirlwind, already towing the group to their next destination. They started with the office at the end of the blind ending hallway, perpendicular to the other offices. "This is Mr. De L'Ile's office."
Ravenna shot a look inside, surprised by its splendor and size. It was bigger than the room she lived in, in Alexander's mansion and held more furniture, too. Before she managed to have a good look, the lady already walked them back towards the elevators. She stopped where two doors faced each other on each side of the hallway, one open, one closed.
"Here, we have Mr. Orion's office." This room was quite the reverse from Alexander's. Both offices held a grand bureau with computer, a couch, TV, stereo set, lots of art, and a door that looked like it led to a bathroom, but this room was decorated in masculine brown and black, red leather furniture covering the floor. Alexander's office was the opposite, painted in light tones and classic furniture. But both offices held a magnificent view, covering almost the entire city. They were great working spaces.
"You've seen the kitchen around the corner; my office is at the other side. Now, it's time to see your new office!"
Alexander walked them to the closed door across from Dominic's. "My lady, your new working space," he said, as he opened the door with a grand gesture.
It was a breathtaking space, just as the other two offices were. It was spacious with a curved glass wall that separated the room from the sky. It was decorated with a wooden floor, the two side walls painted in light tones.
The wall that faced the windows was a bright red, it gave the room a playful look, but, thanks to the light toned side walls, it did not dominate the room. Ravenna loved it. She had a spectacular view and even a bathroom in the far right corner. She entered it, stunned. All this was for her?
"We did not order any furniture yet because we wanted you to decorate it to your own taste," Alexander explained. "Karen has got the catalogue for you. Just make a list of whatever you like, and then she'll make sure everything is delivered around noon." The secretary handed Ravenna the catalogue, who accepted it with a grateful smile.
At that moment, Dominic entered carrying several large boxes, a huge grin on his face. "Hey, Rav, a lot of room for a tiny girl like you. You sure you won't get lost once it's furnished?" She stuck her tongue out at the annoying vampire, eliciting a grin from the people around her.
Dominic nodded to the pile of boxes in his hands. "I've got you your own computer with all kinds of cables, plugs, boxes, cards, chips, and whatever you'd like. You just start ordering the furniture and install your new equipment. It's about time you start earning your stay."
Enthusiastically, she pulled the electronics from his arms, ignoring his quip. She immediately began unwrapping them, looking like a child in a toy store. She rummaged through the packets, collecting everything she needed, a huge smile on her face.
Alexander and Dominic laughed at her eager movements in the growing pile of electronics. "Don't drown in all these wires, Rav," Alexander teased her, "and don't forget to order your new furniture." Ravenna nodded distractedly; too busy with her new computer. The two men left her to it, smiling, this would turn out just fine.
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