Chapter Five

“Wait, are you wearing make up?” Alice asked with her eyes wide open.

“Yeah, I decided to give it a shot,” she said with a shy smile and blushed cheeks “you know? To see what all the fuss is about.”

Alice just stared back, unable to process what was going on.

“So? What do you think?” Jane asked, as her assistants expressionless face was not encouraging.

“I, for one, think you look great.” said a wise female voice smiling from the corner of the door.

She stood there, a woman in her late forty’s, leaning on the door frame, her short greying hair parted to the side in an elegant manner, with her pearl necklace complimenting a stylish suit dress.

Jane’s eyes sparkled at the sight of her, with a mature though childish smile taking over her face. Alice turned and put-up a respecting face.

“Aunt Sharon! When did you get back?”

“Just before your little incident yesterday.” She replied, walking into the office.

“Welcome back Miss Wallace. How was your trip?” Alice said as she approached.

“It was delightful Alice, thank you for asking.” She patted Alice on the shoulder as she passed by her. “But can I have a word with Jane in private?”

Alice gave a little curtsey before heading out the door. Sharon pulled a chair by Janes’s desk, sat down, then gestured for Jane to have a seat which she did.

“How are you holding up dear? You went through quite an ordeal yesterday.” She asks, looking straight into Janes sparkling eyes.

“Surprisingly, I’ve never felt better. I feel like anything is possible”

“You don’t say?” Sharon asks sarcastically, scanning Jane thoroughly with interest.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Jane asked, trying to avoid her intense stare.

Sharon continued to stare, squinting her eyes as she looked Jane from top to bottom.

“Who is he?” she finally asked, a smirk on her face.

“What? …Who?” Jane questioned back, with flushed red cheeks and wide eyes.

“I’m not going to ask again.” She said sternly.

“But what makes you think there’s a He.”

“Firstly, no one who experienced what you did yesterday would be this chippy in the morning.” She replied firmly. “And then there’s the fact you’re wearing make-up for the first time and you’ve been blushing all morning.”

Jane’s head fell from embarrassment.

“Is it that obvious?”

“Yes dear, it is.” Sharon’s smirk continued. “Now, back to my question. You know you can tell me anything.”

Jane let out a deep breath before as she summoned the courage to raise herself upright.

“His…His name is… Michael.” She finally said. “He’s apparently, the new head of security.”

Sharon’s smirk fell for a second, but she quickly regained her composure. She wasn’t expecting that.

“You don’t say?”

“I mean it,” Jane continued. “I don’t know if it’s because he saved me, but there’s something about him that just makes me a type of way.”

“I see.”

“And also, how is there a new head of security and I don’t know anything about it?”

“Apologies, the blame for that, dear, lies with me. He’s a man whose skillset is very sought after, so I had to make him an offer on the spot.”

“Oh, no need to apologize Aunty, I know you always do right by this company” Jane said. “And besides, if not for you god knows what would have happened yesterday.”

“I’m glad you know I love this company.” Sharon replied. “But you should also know that this company means nothing without you here, so don’t go overstressing yourself like you did yesterday. Alright?”

“Okay, but it’s hard sometimes. There are things that just don’t add up at times, and this company is Mothers’ legacy and I want to take care of it like she would.” Jane said, her voice crumbling.

“Jane, don’t be stupid, this company is not your mother’s legacy, you are. Without you this company is worthless” Saron replied in an authoritatively comforting tone, as she held Janes hand and looked her straight in the eyes.

“And as I’ve told you many times since your mother passed away, I’ll always be here for you” Sharon continued.

Meanwhile, Alice stood outside Jane’s office, blending-in with the background and trying to listen-in on the conversation. She leaned in close to the door while no one was looking.

“Hello there.” a familiar voice called behind her.

Alice jumped on the spot, the voice taking her completely off guard. The outline of a man reflected off the edge of her glasses, he was raising his hand, revealing a service weapon.

She turned with dread to see who it was. It was Michael, giving her a short wave with a nice smile.

“Michael! What are you doing here?”

“Glad to see you remember my name” he answered with a smile. “I just came to see formally introduce myself to the boss. Is everything alright?” he continued.

Still shocked and confused, Alice knew, depending on her answer this could mean trouble. He caught her eavesdropping on two company execs. She had to think fast, he was waiting for a response.

“Err…umm…I don’t really know how to say this.” Alice in a shy undertone, crossing her knees while putting her arms behind her. Playing as the shy character.

She suspected Michael had a thing for her and tried to see how far it would go.

“Is something wrong?” He quicky responded with care, moving closer towards her.

She was surprised by how quickly he responded.

“It’s…just…” she looked to the floor. “It’s just…” She turned back towards the Janes door. “I think Miss Pearson is might get rid of me,” she turned back slowly.

“Because of what happened yesterday?” Michael asked.

“Especially.” She replied.

“From what I’ve heard, the boss is a very mean lady.”

Alice smiled a little at these words.

“But even though I just started here, I’ll try to put in a good word for you.”

“Thanks.” She replied, moving aside for him to go in.