* * *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
* * *One, two, three, four, five!The elevator stops on the fifth floor and its doors begin to open in slow motion, as though doing so intentionally, to give Joe a perfectly grand entrance. His dark-brown glossy shoes peep out first and then the slim fitting trousers of his navy-blue suit follow. As he walks down, the dim lighting inside the hallway gives a slight lustre to the royal-blue solid necktie pinned to his pristine white shirt by a silver tie clip. An
* * *The lighting is quite dim at El Calor Caliente, a bar somewhere in Brooklyn.The night is still young and many customers have not arrived yet, but the piano is playing in the background while a beautiful lady sings on stage. Her entire body is being bathed by the beaming spotlight while she sings,
* * *Back stage, inside a small dressing room, Alice starts to bite her fingers in front of the dressing mirror, because she thinks she recognized Joe in the audience. 'What the hell!!!.. Joe?? Here???.. My goodness! Did he watch my entire performance? Did he come in half-way? Shit!'She is so nervous right now, but at the same time excited. She wonders what Joe would think of her now. She believes that he has only ever seen her as an employee, not as an equal. And she wanted the first time Joe saw her outside work as
* * *Alice's blue sweatpants are visibly soggy as she runs up the stairs of her apartment building. It is Sunday. She just returned from her afternoon jog around the park. The truth is, she really needed to clear her head after last night's episode. Goodness! How on earth will she face Joe at work tomorrow? When she reaches the door to her apartment, she adjusts the almost falling arm of her blue sweat jacket. It is half unzipped and is exposing a black inner crop top. Her hair right now looks like an utter mess, but she doesn't care. She just places her hand on the door knob and sniffs in hard before opening it. She seems to have been weeping for quite a while. She hasn't exactly ascertained the full extent of the complicated set of emotions she is feeling right now. But she is certain that she does not want Miguel to see her with 'something in her eye'. He has had a lot to deal with personally due to their dad's shitty behaviour and the disdainful way he treats him. Miguel seeing A