* * *
"Holy shit!", Alice exclaims with a frightening gasp, as she begins to wonder how on earth she and Joe will get out of this."Calm down.. It's a Saturday morning. No one is supposed to be here." Joe replies, taking in a deep but controlled breath. He continues while staring coldly at the door and clenching his jaw, "
* * *After Bale leaves, Joe quickly heads toward the outer door of the office to lock it. Then he comes back into the main office and clicks it shut as well. He sights Alice coming out of the bathroom almost fully dressed, with her shoes on and her hands straightening out her hair. Joe takes in a breath and then says with a smile, "Well.. It seems the worst is over."
* * * (September 2016...) As the orange sunset spreads across the chalky sky, Elizabeth Wrestler takes a seat on the bench beside one of the trees at the Wrestler residence. Alice has been sitting here for quite a while brooding about the fact that her father forbade her from choosing a college major in Music and instead wants her to study Public Administration. The sun's rays are peeping through the sparse array of leaves rustling in the wind. After sitting, Liz smiles faintly and says while staring deep into space, "Remember our first trip to Europe.. when we met the Duchess of Aisland?" "Yeah.." Alice responds weakly while sniffing in sorrow. She looks up at the sky with watery eyes and then stares back down again, trying to dissipate her tears. Afterwards, Liz turns to look at her and continues with a nostalgic smile, ".. You were about fourteen years old and as vibrant as ever. Miguel was five." At these words, Alice's thoughts suddenly drift back down memory lane to her young
* * * About a few minutes to mid-day, Alejandro walks into the waiting room of the hospital emergency ward. He finds Martha and Joe, along with some other staff of the law firm by the seats close to the counter. "The surgery is over." he proclaims. "That's Alice's father." Martha quickly whispers to Joe, as they all look up in anticipation. "The doctors will be here shortly." he adds. And then looking at Joe, he continues, "You must be Joseph King.. the newest partner at the firm." 'How is this even possible?' Joe wonders, becoming shocked that Alejandro actually knows who he is. To be honest, he is a bit afraid, especially after what transpired between Alice and him last night. Nevertheless, he concludes that there is no way Alejandro would be aware of it, at least for now. So he plays it cool. "Yes sir. I am." he replies, extending a hand. Alejandro shakes him, "Wrestler wants to know if the other members of the board have been notified of the current situation." "Yes, they ha
* * *Two days have passed and Ronald now seems to be recovering from surgery, although very slowly. His bedside cabinet is filled with a number of flowers, sentimental and professional greeting cards, a couple of balloons and some colourful gift items. While the ward nurse brings in another pot of flowers to place just a few metres away from his bedside, Alejandro walks in. He first knocks at the door frame ceremonially and says upon noticing the item fanfare “And here I was, about to bring you flowers.” “Huh..” Ronald scoffs with a smile, “.. I would have been more than offended if you did.” The nurse leaves.Ronald eyes meet the door as he adds, “One would think that she gotten the signal by now and would stop bringing them all in.” Alejandro smiles, “She knows you need all the love you can get. Especially right now.” Ronald lets out a heavy breath.“I can tell her to stop, if you want.” Alejandro offers, noticing his pain.“No, it's fine. I just..” he takes a tearful breath, “
* * *It is roughly two days to Liz Wrestler’s funeral. The mood across the vintage upstate mansion and its now frosty surrounding vineyard is pervasively somber. Ronald has been discharged home and a number of people thus far have come to share their condolences and support ahead of the wake. Most of the visitors have been either from the firm, from some legal or government organization or some other business associates.Joe who is carrying along with him a bag of custom made greeting cards in one hand and a small box of wine in the other, walks into the house and meets Alice interacting with a few members of the house staff. One of them is trying to fix a wreath onto the threshold of the grand staircase. A lot of flowers and wreaths are currently hanging around the house at certain locations, with widespread decorations reflecting a period of mourning yet also a keen ambience of warm appeal that engenders hope.“Wow. You've really outdone yourself, Alice. This is an amazing job. The
* * *(The Hanton Law Firm, New York City) "Hands off my doughnuts, King!", yells Park as Joe takes a doughnut from the box of sugary pastries sitting on one of the two desks in their small office. The door is ajar as always and Park is walking toward the office from the elevator. "If they're yours, then what are they doing on my desk?", Joe inquires, smiling coyly and then taking a bite."Former desk, you mean!" Park rebuffs, attempting to slap it out of his hand, after which they both start laughing. He continues, "..I hear you're getting your own secretary now. As if the humongous new office weren't enough.." Chuckling a bit, Joe replies while consuming the rest of the doughnut, with his cheeks puffing out as he chews, "Well, you know what they say. The bigger the office..""..the FATTER the paycheck, you jerk!", Park interrupts abruptly but with a looming smile. "Well, that's not what I was gonna say but.. it's good too!"Then they both burst into bouts of profuse laughter. "S
* * *When the elevator reaches the third floor of the building, everyone else exits except Alice. The door begins to close slowly when she hears an assertive female voice yell, "Hold the door, please!"She quickly holds the door. Then a slightly tall well-dressed young lady walks in. She is putting on a knee-length off-shoulder wine dress that perfectly complements her caramel skin. Its smooth crêpe-like fabric is cleaving to her curves in such a flattering way that even Alice can't help but turn her head. Never has she seen anyone look this chic in a corporate dress. While this lady walks in, the scent of her deadly-harsh yet sweet perfume slaps Alice in the nostrils, although she tries not to wince. She is quite good looking as well, though her lipstick seems surprisingly faint for a woman of her stature, completely shielded by a thin screen of lip gloss. 'This must be her work look.', Alice gathers. Her mascara as well is quite mild, forming a thin outline just above her lashes an
* * *As Joe moves from behind his desk toward Alice, she begins to get even more nervous. It is as though a mixture of excitement and frightening chills are running down her spine at the same time. He is brimming with so much confidence and gusto; positive gusto. He looks almost intimidating, yet at the same time, like he couldn't hurt a fly. Alice finds it attractive but frightening, in an odd but good way. And boy does he look smart! Alice has always had a thing for smart men, cunning men; although, not too cunning.His build also is magnificent, and the way he walks so charismatic. He is