While Josey and her sister were getting settled into their beds, they laughed talked about Emily’s weekend with her friend Clarissa and this made Josey feel better about her crappy weekend by knowing her sister was happy. “I bet the view was breath taking!” Josey said, staring at her ceiling and listening in earnest to her sister’s voice. “Well, you’d know for yourself Jo if you would come with us sometimes. The air is fresher up there and you can see for miles.” Emily responded pointedly. Josey knew Emily didn’t remember that when they were young, their mother and father would take them to the base of the mountain and ride a rail car up while sipping warm drinks in the fall. She felt it was better that Emily didn’t remember, but it was hard for Josey to ever go back. “I know, maybe one of these days I will join you and drag Cece along. I really could use the exercise anyway.” Trying to keep the mood happy, Josey let go of the memory. “You’ll get it hiking with us, that’s for
“Now this is just an observation, and I am just saying from an outside perspective, but could it be that girl, what’s her name? Josey? She seems to be getting you riled up?” Linux raised his arms to cover his face, expecting Tarrin to react with violence. Tarrin just looked up and gently smiled at Linux, but the moment Linux dropped his arms, he smacked his friend on the head with the clip holding the charts. “Ouch! Why’d you smack me!?” Linux yelped, rubbing his head. “Because, you asked for it, and no, this has nothing to do with her. You can just forget that idea.” Tarrin replied defensively, not wanting to admit it. After some incoherent grumbling from Linux as he unhooked Tarrin from the treatment IV, they headed back upstairs. Walking out to the living room from the office, they noticed Mara was standing, facing the tv. “Hey, you guys better come take a look at this.” Mara said as she grabbed the remote and turned the tv up. It was a late night news broadcast covering an
Holding on to her smile, she entered through the rotating glass doors. The text she received Friday said she could head straight to the 4th floor for HR, but she noticed the line of badge scanners she didn’t realize were there before, when she came for the interview the other day. The only way around them was to pass by the reception desk and she didn’t want to deal with explaining herself. Trying to act natural she walked up to one of the scanners. Pulling out the visitor badge she still had, she tried that first. It didn’t make a sound so she tried again and still nothing. Josey even tried scanning it upside down then waving it back and forth, still the machine wouldn’t acknowledge it. “What is wrong with this thing?” Whispering the question, she noticed the red button above the little dark glass covering the laser. Josey assumed if she wasn’t supposed to touch it, it would be labeled as such, so she went for it. Mashing the button, hard, she suddenly realized it was
Tarrin received a text from his uncle saying he was unfortunately running a few minutes late but would meet him at the company entrance. It was a power pull used to support Tarrin because his uncle Rex technically owned Terrace Pharmaceuticals, but as head of the board and CEO, Tarrin took over. “For being so strict, he sure doesn't mind bending the rules.” Tarrin complained from the back seat. Mara woke Tarrin up earlier than normal because of the meeting this afternoon, so he wasn’t in the best of moods. “I take it uncle Rex is running late per usual?” Mara asked, sliding in the driver's seat. “Yea. Hey, what was the point of me getting here early then?” He looked up from his phone with a death threat look on his face at Mara. “Hold your horses, and save your grumpy pants for Rex, he texted me and said you had a briefing this morning with HR, regarding your new assistant. He didn’t want you pushing this one off to some far-off office to read safety manuals.” She replied, givin
“Ah, glad to see Mara did her job.” His uncle said to Tarrin as walked over to greet him. “Yes, well, I hadn’t planned on such an early arrival, but I will say it had its benefits.” He responded putting on a fake smile. Tarrin was nervous, with what just happened with the scanners and Josey being locked in the security room, he played along to keep things going smoothly. “Good, the meeting will be on the 12th floor, they have better coffee. I will have one of my assistants brief you prior, say around 10?” His uncle asked, knowing full well Tarrin was already aware when and where the meeting was. “10? That should work. I have some paper work to wrap up before the meeting and I will need to stop by HR, so, till then.” Tarrin quickly nodded at his uncle and headed back towards the room where he was hiding Josey. Instead of going to the door she was locked behind, he entered the one right next to it. It was a small room that was made for interrogation observation. He had stuck
The door opened, and in stepped Mara, to Josey’s surprise. “Oh, hello. Can I please go now?” “Uh, I’m not sure. Why are you in here to begin with?” Mara responded, eyeing Josey curiously. “Beats me! Mr. Stormway didn’t believe I was here for my first day of work. He was supposed to check and let me go. Once he finds out I wasn’t lying, he better apologize!” Mara laughed as she shut the door and sat at the table across from Josey. “Tarrin? Apologize? Good luck.” Josey gave her a small smile and shrug. She didn’t want to take what happened out on Mara, if she was nice. They sat there in silence for a few minutes looking around the room uncomfortably before Josey spoke up. “Is he always that pushy?” Mara looked at Josey and grinned, “Yes, always. I mean, don’t get me wrong, he has good intentions, but the manner in which he approaches them, are usually not to someone’s liking. That’s what makes him a good boss.” “Ah, I see.” Silence returned a moment before Mara spoke this t
Mrs. Averret opened the supply closet and stepped in. “Now, everything you should need is in here. Computer paper, pens, envelopes, you name it, it’s in here, somewhere. Oh, and if you have any issues with the computer or the phone, you will have to put a work order in. The easiest way to do that is with a work form and I will show you those.” Josey stepped in and looked at the shelves of paper and supplies in disarray, the place was a mess but she just nodded and continued writing. They stepped out HR lady closed the door behind her before walking over to the copy machine by the office door. “This is the only copier on this floor, so you will need to knock before you enter during business hours when you need to use it. It is actually a multi-function machine, scans, faxes, even staples if need be. He rarely uses it, so it’s good that someone will finally be able to appreciate it.” Josey watched as she explained all the buttons and displays, and wrote the information down.
Tarrin was looking through the paperwork his uncle sent him regarding the capital investment meeting towards the afternoon. However, his focus was interrupted by Josey every few minutes as his mind started to wonder about her. He kept peeking out the glass to see her working on the computer. He didn’t want an assistant, he felt he didn’t even need one because he could just do all the work needed from home. Unless something occurred in the lab there really was no need for him to be there. His cell phone buzzed drawing his attention and it was Mara calling him. “Yes?” “How’s the newbie doing as your assistant?” Tarrin rolled his eyes at her question. “So, were you able to find anything out?” Mara cleared her throat before answering, “Yea, but you're not going to believe it.” Tarrin felt success before even hearing Mara answer, he figured it had to be something bad and maybe it would give him a good reason to push the old lady in HR to reassign or even terminate the contract. “I
Unfortunately, I got very sick in early 2023, and in October of 2023, I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma type cancer. I have finished chemo, and it is officially in remission (yay! thank the Lord). I will be updating soon, hopefully, as my energy returns. I want to finish my stories and continue others soooo badly, it is driving me crazy! I am soo sorry for the lack of updating, and keeping in touch. I hope everyone is well and I look forward to writing for you again soon. Please be patient and thank you for waiting on me, I promise to hurry!
Linux dropped Josey off, and she felt a bit of relief being home. Tarrin was his usual arrogant self in the end, and she felt stupid for feeling maybe he had warmed up to her. Turning her phone off, she decided it was officially the weekend and wouldn’t answer it for anything unless it was Emily or Cece. “See how you like that. Answer your own emails!” Yelling it out as she set her phone down, Josey plopped on the couch and stared at the TV. The apartment was quiet, and the sudden lack of noise made her uncomfortable, so she decided to head over to Cibus street and check out the food markets near the water. “Three for a dollar or two pounds for three dollars!” The vendors called out, enticing passersby with their catches of the day or homemade goods. The smell of cooked fish and bread filled the air as Josey casually strolled by each colorful stall. She even ran into Mr. Huen, who gave her a tough front but treated her to free fish bites in the end. Seeing one of her favorite
Josey shrugged, “I think I already mentioned it once. He used to show up in the warehouse when my parents were working. His Father’s office was nearby at the time, so Jared would hang out with me as I waited for dad to finish for the day,” she replied finally and then said softly, “He was there the day it happened.” Tarrin knew what she was talking about but asked, “The day the fire happened?” Josey nodded and responded, “Yes, he showed up right as I was about to run in there. Damn, he hasn’t changed one bit now that I think about it.” “There is something oddly familiar about that guy, I’m telling you. It isn’t safe for him to be around her, Tarrin.” Tarrin nodded silently at both Josey's comment and the wolf’s warning. Once Mara returns, he will know more about this Mr. Hunter from Rapture investments. When they finally reached the house, Linux spoke up, “Hey, I, uh, think I’m gonna crash at home today.” Tarrin faked a cough again and said, “I’d rather you be at the house
“Hey, that’s not funny! I get your point. Let’s focus now, please... geesh,” the wolf whined. Tarrin smiled with satisfaction that it worked. Josey was waiting anxiously for Emily to come up on stage, and Tarrin’s mind went to something else. Before the interlude ended, Tarrin leaned over and peeked through a small opening in the heavy red curtain. He could see directly where Jared and Olana sat in the reserved booth. Olana was smiling and then leaned over and whispered something to Jared, and he nodded and whispered back. Did they really know each other? Were they responsible for Josey getting stuck on the roof if that’s the case? Both of them had been at the building that day, and Jared’s coat looked identical to the one in the CCTV footage. He made a note to mention it to Mara when the recital was over. If those two were friends, then they may be working together. But for what purpose? Was Jared one of the hunters or related to the ones that killed his father? “You’re ful
Tarrin and Josey were ushered to the VIP seating, where they could see the concert hall’s stage. It was a perk of Tarrin’s company funding the upgrades of the hall and supporting the students. “I’m impressed. Who knew I would end up inside someone with such pull,” the wolf commented in Tarrin’s head. Grinning in a cocky manner, Tarrin sat next to Josey, secretly glancing at her. “Wow, I can’t believe the number of people here for the recitals. I bet Emily’s nervous,” Josey said, looking over the seated crowd below. Tarrin nodded, “The recital is a good start for many students planning their musical future. Scouts and certain company exec’s come looking for a promising start to represent.” “Speaking of company executives, do you smell that? I think it’s, damn, we have company,” the wolf whispered in Tarrin’s mind. Tarrin rolled his eyes and looked around. He didn’t know what he was smelling, but then the familiar cologne of Jared Hunter hit his nose before he spotted the CEO
Tarrin watched as Josey hesitated, looking at the many dishes in front of her. “Look, if you want to apologize for yesterday, apology accepted. You don’t have to go through all this for me. I’m just your employee,” she said, looking at him confused and glancing at the tulip bouquet on the table’s edge. Tarrin cleared his throat, “I... I know. This isn’t an apology. I’m in the public eye, so having you dressed properly is strictly for my benefit. Eating is just a necessity, and I was craving the food here, which you also benefit from. I didn’t want you, I mean us, going and sitting through the recital with our stomachs growling.” Tarrin glanced at her, trying to read her response, but she simply nodded and gently grabbed a bite of food. In the background, the sound of the violin played in tune with the waterfall while they ate in peace. Now and then, Tarrin caught himself stealing glances at Josey. He was still enamored by how beautiful she looked. “Say something. You’re blowing
They stood outside in the cold midmorning air after Mara dropped them off in front of HighFlowers. “I’m not sure what you’re up to, but I don’t want to go in there,” Josey said finally, turning to leave. Tarrin turned her back around and gently pushed her forward, “You will go in there, like it or not.” Finally walking through the silver and etched glass door, Josey stopped fighting against his insisting and looked around. The brand store was huge, and being high-end, Tarrin and Josey were immediately greeted. “Hello! Welcome to HighFlowers, right this way, Mr. Stormway,” a female attendant said, ignoring Josey and gesturing Tarrin to a lavish seating area. “I won’t be staying. Ms. Parks here is to be cared for in every aspect. We will attend a recital tonight, so please see that she is well-dressed. I will need a driver to bring her to Hydelos in an hour.” The woman nodded and looked at Josey a minute before saying, “An hour? No problem!” She then clapped her hands as sever
“Yes, reservation for two, private. Thank you,’ hanging up the call with the restaurant he booked for after the recital. Tarrin felt a bit sure of himself now. “Yeah, throwing money around is great, but that’s not how you’re going to win her heart. She isn’t like the rest of them, Tarrin Stormway. I hope you come to realize her worth,” the wolf said, getting nervous Tarrin was making a mistake, that he may make Josey distance herself further. “Hush, what do you know? You lived before there was indoor plumbing!” The wolf scoffed, “That is a lie, and you know it!” Tarrin shook his head, “Doesn’t matter. I am not doing this to impress her.” “Lie.” “I mean, she should be impressed naturally, but I’m doing this as an apology for getting her involved in my problems,” Tarrin said out loud in response. “Lie again.” “Uhg, just shut up and leave me alone.” He yelled, turning to stomp down the rest of the stairs. Linux was standing there at the bottom, staring at him. “Lab, now!” Tarri
“Okay, hold on, so you’re saying my father must have taken your blood and used it in a serum on me, and that’s why you are here, in my head?” The wolf turned and nodded, “Yes, to put it simply.” Tarrin stood and started pacing. “I mean, if this was some fairytale, sure, I could believe it. But the science says you are a disease, a mutation constantly fighting to take over.” If wolves could shrug, this one would have. “Maybe that is what I am, a mutation, but it’s straightforward. Who do you think would win if you and I were stuck in a box, fighting to get out?” Tarrin eyed him before stomping and heading back the way they came. “We are done here. You won’t be getting out of anything or taking it over. That’s a fact,” he snapped and then stopped, looking back at the wolf, “and another thing, don’t you ever, EVER, lay my hands on Josey again. She’s scared of me now because of you!” The wolf suddenly fell back, rolling with laughter. “Ha, you think you can stop me? Good luck. The