Monday and Tuesday passes in a more or less painful blur. Miguel was not at receptionist table so she no longer had to receive lewd and angry looks from him. To think she ever considered that nutcase of a bastard as something close to a friend. Maybe she was not as good at this as she thought.
She had not heard from her boss in those two days. Other than looking over his plans and attending minor meetings, she just received faxs that she could leave early or stay late. The flowers had been coming non-stop since Friday. Lilies, sunflowers, roses, you name it. Her house was starting to look like an indoor flower garden. Each one now came with quotes and soft poems. It was sweet but it also kinda creeped her out.
Today's delivery was a single blue chrysalis attached to another poem and a box of chocolate. She gave the delivery boy her own message to deliver to her mystery admirer. The poem and box of chocolate were still untouched. Rita continued staring at them while she came on for the family video meeting.
Her mother was going to formally announce their relationship to the whole family. Which was great and all but the only wildcard right now was Piper.
Her mother, Dex, Walik, Saviour and Gordon were already on. Her mother sat in a chair behind a desk, while the others flanked her. This was the happiest she had seen her mother in a long while. She looked younger. Regal. They all did Some other people and a purple dragon eye popped up on the screen. Rita drew back and almost dropped her phone.
“Slyvester,” Gordon started. His voice was as smooth as always. The eye blinked. “Go get your aunt and change back, you're spooking some of our guests.” The eye blinked again and was gone in a rush of scales.
“Sorry everyone.”
When all seventy one members were present, the announcement began. “This relationship started two years and four months ago and in that time our lives have never been better.” Walik started. Rita found it hard to be watching the announcement and gauging her sister's reaction. She did not hear some of what Gordon was saying, she only caught on to the last bit. “–but now it's time we move on to the next phase.”
Saviour took over. “We invited you all over VROOM chat today to announce that we all went on one knee and then some. And Amari said yes.”
Her mother took her hands from behind the desk and showed off her rings. She had been wrong with the size but still, gosh those things were huge. And gorgeous. There was a silver one splashed with sapphires, from Walik definitely. Two gold ones with a diamond and three rubies either one was from Saviour and Gordon, and the last looked like platinum with purple crystals, definitely Dex. Rita felt a little faint when the possible cost of each came into her mind. If these were engagement rings, she was afraid of what the weddings rings would be.
There was a roar of applause, woots, congratulations and actually roaring. Rita hoped it was the happy kind as she clapped as well. There was not all happiness though. Some just had disappointed looks and others just logged off.
“When's the big day?” Rita asked. Watching her sister and her expression from the corner of her eye. “Seven months from now.” her mother answered beaming like Rita had never seen before. But it took all of three minutes for all that to change. They all must have sensed it. Walik gave some excuse and took out all the participants, leaving just her and Piper.
******
Just as she thought or rather hoped not, Piper did not take kindly to the news of their mother's engagement. She went full on mad. She grew up always getting what she wanted whenever she wanted it. Whinny brat.
It was a mess. Piper was screaming, her son was screaming, Her husband left, their mother was in tears, Walik and the rest with eyes blazing looked like they would strangle or burn Piper in that moment if they could. And they probably could. Walik cut Piper off mid-rant, leaving Rita to apologize and all of them trying to calm her mother down. It was not good for the baby. Yes, ladies and gentlemen you heard that right. Her Fifty seven year old mother was pregnant. Something to do with dragon sperm or something. They were planning on telling Piper but that was obviously not happening. She was going to be in the dark about this one.
“Mum please stop crying. Who the hell needs Piper, It's going to be okay.” She could not see her mother's face with it buried in Gordon's chest. Her mother just nodded. “Rita's right Edulra. There's no need to cry.”
“Come on, let's go upstairs. Hmmm?” Walik offered. Her mother just gave another nod before Gordon and Walik took her away. Saviour followed.
“I'm really so sorry about Piper, Dex.” His eyes were still blazing amethyst from everything Piper had said. “We already knew she didn't approve of our relationship but today we know she absolutely detests it.” The last words came out as a low growl.
“I didn't think it ran down that deep. I was wrong.” To say Rita was disappointed was a gross understatement. She was ashamed. In disbelief. Pissed.
“We all were.”
“I'll let you go now. Take care of her.”
“We will.”
“I know.
“Bye.”
“Bye.”
Rita left the chat and ran a hand through her hair. ‘Fuck Piper! What the hell is fucking wrong with you?!’
*******
Wednesday came and Rita once again found herself back at Deleze Inc. Except she had a different role this time. She hoped for a peaceful and uneventful entrance especially with her mind going off in all directions after what Piper did yesterday. But it was all wishful thinking. Her boss made sure of that. He walked in like he owned the entire damn city and everyone in it. The tension in the air shot up and everything seemed to give both of them full attention. Attention she did not want or need. This place had way too many memories she wanted to get away from.
Rita continued to walk ahead like nothing bothered her. If her years of working in this company taught her one thing, it was that news and gossip travelled fast and usually melded into one. Before the day was up there would be a ton of rumors especially if anyone recognized her. Or got to know what happened.
Her boss took a private elevator while she and the company President, Raylene Ortis, took an elevator together. Raylene Ortis, was about as tall as she was short. Her reddish brown hair matched the colour of her clothes. Her eyes were anything if not focused and they rode the elevator in silence.
When the doors opened on the top floor, Raylene took the first step out. Everything from the things on the walls to the walls themselves and even the chairs seemed somewhat familiar. And she could not shake the small chill that ran up her spine. “This will be your office.” Were Raylene's first words to her. Indicating to the desk by the corner.
“You know what is expected of you?”
“Yes, Miss Ortis.”
“Make sure you do it right.” She turned to face Rita. In that moment, she looked like a drill sergeant. “Your position is not a jackpot as many would think.”
That also meant do not be horny desperate bitch around him. You would think she was his wife or something. It was not like she wanted to be this close to him. Besides, doing anything more than professional would get the contract voided too early. She could have him if she wanted. “I understand, Miss Ortis.” Rita replied.
The company President just turned away from her and walked into her boss' office. Rita walked to her desk, chills and alarm bells going off. She looked around the desk, under it and even the chairs, she did not find anything suspicious. She took her seat, turned on the computer and took a deep breath, she was just being paranoid again.