The new morning started lazily. Lana was barely able to open her eyes and looked more like a zombie. Even usual Greg's jokes and harassment didn't give the desired effect. Therefore, today for breakfast they had two girls at once who had forgotten to leave the dreamland and were sitting over their plates swaying.
Nicky initially wanted to ask his mother about yesterday's event, but having caught Greg's warning glance, immediately shut his mouth and turned back to the stove. When the girls went upstairs to get ready, Greg seized the moment and went to Nicki's room, and outlined roughly what happened on the ball.
"And now what? Should we start jumping from the happiness of having another relative? How wonderful that they are all appearing now when everything is settled. Where have they been all these years ?!" - exploded Nicky. He did not scream, but his eyes began to blaze, and his fists clenched.
Greg exhaled. On the one hand, this sudden emotional outburst meant that the guy had relaxed enough with him and did not see the need to control himself. However, on the other hand, Greg had no idea how to behave in this situation. Well, except that he himself was once a hot-tempered and smug teenager, too. Therefore, he decided not to be shy and be frank.
"Listen, Nicki. You can actually ask me all the same questions. But I won't have any convincing excuses, except that I just didn't know anything. You can be angry with me, with Brian, or with your whole town. It will not change anything. The fact remains that this is not over yet. So if these people are ready to help now, you can at least use them. What will happen next, we will decide along the way. You do not need to kiss them in the gums this instant after all."
Nicky looked away, but his fists relaxed. His lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but he did not dare. Greg didn't want to irritate him any longer.
"Okay, get ready. In the evening we will talk about everything properly."
Greg had already taken hold of the door handle when Nicky's resolute voice stopped him.
"You know, when we returned, back then, I waited. Every day I stood by the window for several hours and imagined how you would now ride on your motorcycle in and take us from there. Then I was angry. I hated you! Ao much! Not for the fact that you did not come, but for the things that you showed me. How it should be, that it can be so warm at home, full of smiles and laughter. I was probably around 11 when I ran away for the first time. We were in the mountains with a class hiking. On the first day, I just left. Almost two days I ran in the skin of the beast. I searched and found. You."
Greg froze. The only thing he could say was:
"Why did you then ..." but Nicky interrupted him as if he knew what Greg was about to ask.
"I watched you all day. I saw you work your butt off as a construction worker, then you run around, trying to push your projects with your friends and only in the evening when your mom and sisters go to bed do you allow yourself to sit down and put ice on your swollen knee. And I felt ashamed, for the first time I felt self-loathing. For the fact that, like everyone else, I am just waiting for someone other to help. Since then, I have often asked myself the question, what would you do? This year with you has ceased to be an excuse for hatred and has become an example of what one should strive for. Therefore, I'm allowing you to lead now. You led me before after all, not even knowing about it. So when it's all over, I'll entrust mum to you completely. Vicki and I will not stand in your way."
Greg frowned.
"Nicki, I once told Franky that I need Lana completely. And even if the pack includes its fluffy half, then this is a good deal. I was not quite right then. Your two furry asses are also part of the deal. And I'm used to getting what ought to be mine and not an inch less. So stop overthinking and get ready. Otherwise, our girls will fall asleep standing like a horse." - said Greg solemnly and left the room, leaving Nicky in surprise to look at the closed door.
***
At work, Lana was greeted by complete silence. Even Anita did not instantly find the words.
"And how should I call you now Benne or Winterbourne?" - She asked sarcastically, fanning herself with a newspaper, where on the front page was a picture of Lana along with Brian at the ball. - "It was funny to fool us all, huh? I certainly understand that you had a good laugh at Miss Leib. But it's somehow disgusting that you acted all poor lamb before us, too."
Lana grimaced but did not retreat. People like Anita respected only straightforwardness.
"I didn't fool anyone. Yes, I was born into a wealthy family, but life turned not so rosy for me in the end. Sh*t happens. I will not make excuses for you for not vomiting my soul out in front of you. Moreover, if your attitude towards me depends only on my financial capabilities, then I hasten to upset you. I'm still looking forward to my next paycheck. Greg's money belongs to Greg, Winterborn's money is my father's, I have nothing to do with this." - she cut off, passing to her new workplace and carefully ignoring curious glances.
The first one to back down was again Anita. Her expression changed to that of shame, and she tried to righten up her accusations.
"Listen, Lana, I'm sorry, did not want to offend you. Its just one thing after another. No one already knows how to behave with you."
"You can start bowing to me," - Lana snapped, kneading the dough.
"I think Lana is right, " - Jenny suddenly entered into a dialogue, - "What difference does it make, what is her last name, who are her parents and who is her boyfriend?! We work here, we feed people, and Lana does her job well. So we are acting just like kindergarteners now, finding faults where is none!"
Kitchen workers began to look at each other. Lana seems to have even noticed a spark of guilt in some of their's eyes.
"Okay," - Anita caught everyone's attention by clapping her hands, - "Let's end all this nonsense once and for all! We still have to prepare for breakfast. So after the end of the working day, we all go to the pizza place. My treat! And we're having a Welcome party for Lana! Our new wonderful baker!"
The people instantly happily cheered in anticipation of free treats and a party.
Lana caught the silhouette of a woman standing around the corner from the corner of her eye. Miss Bright thoughtfully looked at her subordinates, and for some reason, Lana thought she even smiled a little, though perhaps she was only hallucinating.
***
When the main wave of customers subsided at lunchtime, everyone relaxed a bit. Lana took the last batch of pastries out of the oven and, whistling something under her nose, began to set everything in its place in her workplace. A little more and she will be able to take a break. Of course, Lana was a bit worried about the upcoming party, but the general mood in the kitchen had changed significantly. Workers have become much more considerate to her, and even an arrogant waitress, apparently decided to bite her tongue, and now she was docile as a lamb.
When Lana was already taking off her apron to go take time off for fifteen minutes, a disheveled Jenny flew into the kitchen.
" There .. There!" - she cried, and Lana instantly had a feeling of deja vu.
"I already sent Frank his share," - Lana started to justify herself when all eyes were fixed on her. There was a clear question in them: "What the hell is it this time ?!"
"No, no! There is Mr. Winterbourne! Gosh, he is so handsome! I've almost swooned!" - Squealed Jenny, clutching her burning cheeks.
Lana sighed sadly. Why is it that all the men in her surroundings attracted so much unnecessary attention? She is an ordinary, modest girl ... well, almost. The jokes of the moon were sometimes too cruel.
Coming into the hall, Lana instantly received confirmation of her thoughts. The lunchtime was almost over, but the people here were not in hurry to leave. This time, everyone was not even ashamed of staring at the young blond in an expensive suit, who was looking so ridiculously next to a sandwich-case. Next to him stood a tall brunette in regular jeans and a vest, which by the way did not hide her gorgeous figures. Seeing Lana, both broke into smiles. Brian's smile was a little embarrassed. But Lana also felt oddly after yesterday.
"Hello," - she began, breaking the awkward silence first.
"Hey, girl!" - The brunette picked up - "We did not have time to meet yesterday. I'm Risa, Brian's girlfriend. Or as you guys call it - a Mate." - She added in a conspiratorial whisper. Making big eyes.
Risa was so charming, all smiles, with dimples on her cheeks, perky look and with a shock of amazing shiny black curls.
"Nice to meet you," - answered Ruslana, shaking her hand.
"We stopped on the way to Greg's office. You and Brian were a bit out of it yesterday, so Greg and I agreed to meet today to discuss everything." - Risa said in one breath. She was very energetic, especially comparing to Brian, who had not uttered a word during all this time, but at the same time did not take his eyes off the girl, as if admiring her as a picture.
Lana looked around the room in confusion. There were still many visitors, even though most of them remained only for the show. But she could not leave just like this. The conversation probably will take some time.
"Go! Miss Bright allowed you to take a break for two hours. Or those onlookers will never leave. Soon we will have to sell tickets for your shows." - Anita's voice came from behind her. - "But have to come to the party! Precisely at six and not a second later." - added the woman and not letting Lana reply disappeared behind the doors to the kitchen.
On the way up, Risa started the conversation first.
"Brian has already described your situation roughly, but I have such a bunch of questions! I don't even know where to start. We did not even suspect that you already have children." - At these words, Brian faltered and threw an uncertain look at Lana. Both of them, of course, already knew everything that is possible about each other, but it's one thing to find out and entirely another to digest it. It was difficult to Lana too to accept, and most importantly, to comprehend everything that she received for that yesterday's connection with her brother.
"They're already so big," - Brian suddenly said with undisguised sadness in his voice. - "Have you told them yet?"
Lana hesitated.
" I ... do not even know how to explain everything to them yet. You see, it is complicated. Everything is changing too fast lately. So I'm not even sure how they will react to you, and all this."
"They hate me, right?" - He asked directly. Then added quietly, looking somewhere off to the side. - "They should."
Brian was definitely nervous, and without noticing it, he began, again and again, to wipe his hands with a handkerchief, so that very soon the skin turned red.
"Brian, stop it!" - Risa shouted. Jumping toward him, she tore the napkin from her hands and squeezed them with her palms. - "It makes no sense to look back already. I am sure they are wonderful, the same as both of you. However, we will not regret that we did not know them sooner, because from now on we have plenty of time to catch up. Ok? "
Brian obediently nodded, and they continued on their way up the stairs. Lana watched this couple with curiosity out of the corner of her eye. Risa really knew how to handle her brother. Next, to her, he looked more like a huge golden retriever. It was hard to believe that once when he was younger, this guy scared to death even the members of their pack, he was even called the crazy dog. Behind his back, of course, nobody wanted to die early.
In the meantime, they had already reached the right floor. The secretary at the sight of their company just opened her mouth like a fish, flapping her large perfectly painted eyes.
They didn't pay much attention to her and went directly to the CEO's office.
Where they were greeted by Greg, Frank and... Tony???
The new morning started lazily. Lana was barely able to open her eyes and looked more like a zombie. Even usual Greg's jokes and harassment didn't give the desired effect. Therefore, today for breakfast they had two girls at once who had forgotten to leave the dreamland and were sitting over their plates swaying.
Nicky initially wanted to ask his mother about yesterday's event, but having caught Greg's warning glance, immediately shut his mouth and turned back to the stove. When the girls went upstairs to get ready, Greg seized the moment and went to Nicki's room, and outlined roughly what happened on the ball.
"And now what? Should we start jumping from the happiness of having another relative? How wonderful that they are all appearing now when everything is settled. Where have they been all these years ?!" - exploded Nicky. He did not scream, but his eyes began to blaze, and his fists clenched.
Greg exhaled. On the one hand, this sudden emotional outburst meant that the guy had relaxed enough with him and did not see the need to control himself. However, on the other hand, Greg had no idea how to behave in this situation. Well, except that he himself was once a hot-tempered and smug teenager, too. Therefore, he decided not to be shy and be frank.
"Listen, Nicki. You can actually ask me all the same questions. But I won't have any convincing excuses, except that I just didn't know anything. You can be angry with me, with Brian, or with your whole town. It will not change anything. The fact remains that this is not over yet. So if these people are ready to help now, you can at least use them. What will happen next, we will decide along the way. You do not need to kiss them in the gums this instant after all."
Nicky looked away, but his fists relaxed. His lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but he did not dare. Greg didn't want to irritate him any longer.
"Okay, get ready. In the evening we will talk about everything properly."
Greg had already taken hold of the door handle when Nicky's resolute voice stopped him.
"You know, when we returned, back then, I waited. Every day I stood by the window for several hours and imagined how you would now ride on your motorcycle in and take us from there. Then I was angry. I hated you! Ao much! Not for the fact that you did not come, but for the things that you showed me. How it should be, that it can be so warm at home, full of smiles and laughter. I was probably around 11 when I ran away for the first time. We were in the mountains with a class hiking. On the first day, I just left. Almost two days I ran in the skin of the beast. I searched and found. You."
Greg froze. The only thing he could say was:
"Why did you then ..." but Nicky interrupted him as if he knew what Greg was about to ask.
"I watched you all day. I saw you work your butt off as a construction worker, then you run around, trying to push your projects with your friends and only in the evening when your mom and sisters go to bed do you allow yourself to sit down and put ice on your swollen knee. And I felt ashamed, for the first time I felt self-loathing. For the fact that, like everyone else, I am just waiting for someone other to help. Since then, I have often asked myself the question, what would you do? This year with you has ceased to be an excuse for hatred and has become an example of what one should strive for. Therefore, I'm allowing you to lead now. You led me before after all, not even knowing about it. So when it's all over, I'll entrust mum to you completely. Vicki and I will not stand in your way."
Greg frowned.
"Nicki, I once told Franky that I need Lana completely. And even if the pack includes its fluffy half, then this is a good deal. I was not quite right then. Your two furry asses are also part of the deal. And I'm used to getting what ought to be mine and not an inch less. So stop overthinking and get ready. Otherwise, our girls will fall asleep standing like a horse." - said Greg solemnly and left the room, leaving Nicky in surprise to look at the closed door.
***
At work, Lana was greeted by complete silence. Even Anita did not instantly find the words.
"And how should I call you now Benne or Winterbourne?" - She asked sarcastically, fanning herself with a newspaper, where on the front page was a picture of Lana along with Brian at the ball. - "It was funny to fool us all, huh? I certainly understand that you had a good laugh at Miss Leib. But it's somehow disgusting that you acted all poor lamb before us, too."
Lana grimaced but did not retreat. People like Anita respected only straightforwardness.
"I didn't fool anyone. Yes, I was born into a wealthy family, but life turned not so rosy for me in the end. Sh*t happens. I will not make excuses for you for not vomiting my soul out in front of you. Moreover, if your attitude towards me depends only on my financial capabilities, then I hasten to upset you. I'm still looking forward to my next paycheck. Greg's money belongs to Greg, Winterborn's money is my father's, I have nothing to do with this." - she cut off, passing to her new workplace and carefully ignoring curious glances.
The first one to back down was again Anita. Her expression changed to that of shame, and she tried to righten up her accusations.
"Listen, Lana, I'm sorry, did not want to offend you. Its just one thing after another. No one already knows how to behave with you."
"You can start bowing to me," - Lana snapped, kneading the dough.
"I think Lana is right, " - Jenny suddenly entered into a dialogue, - "What difference does it make, what is her last name, who are her parents and who is her boyfriend?! We work here, we feed people, and Lana does her job well. So we are acting just like kindergarteners now, finding faults where is none!"
Kitchen workers began to look at each other. Lana seems to have even noticed a spark of guilt in some of their's eyes.
"Okay," - Anita caught everyone's attention by clapping her hands, - "Let's end all this nonsense once and for all! We still have to prepare for breakfast. So after the end of the working day, we all go to the pizza place. My treat! And we're having a Welcome party for Lana! Our new wonderful baker!"
The people instantly happily cheered in anticipation of free treats and a party.
Lana caught the silhouette of a woman standing around the corner from the corner of her eye. Miss Bright thoughtfully looked at her subordinates, and for some reason, Lana thought she even smiled a little, though perhaps she was only hallucinating.
***
When the main wave of customers subsided at lunchtime, everyone relaxed a bit. Lana took the last batch of pastries out of the oven and, whistling something under her nose, began to set everything in its place in her workplace. A little more and she will be able to take a break. Of course, Lana was a bit worried about the upcoming party, but the general mood in the kitchen had changed significantly. Workers have become much more considerate to her, and even an arrogant waitress, apparently decided to bite her tongue, and now she was docile as a lamb.
When Lana was already taking off her apron to go take time off for fifteen minutes, a disheveled Jenny flew into the kitchen.
" There .. There!" - she cried, and Lana instantly had a feeling of deja vu.
"I already sent Frank his share," - Lana started to justify herself when all eyes were fixed on her. There was a clear question in them: "What the hell is it this time ?!"
"No, no! There is Mr. Winterbourne! Gosh, he is so handsome! I've almost swooned!" - Squealed Jenny, clutching her burning cheeks.
Lana sighed sadly. Why is it that all the men in her surroundings attracted so much unnecessary attention? She is an ordinary, modest girl ... well, almost. The jokes of the moon were sometimes too cruel.
Coming into the hall, Lana instantly received confirmation of her thoughts. The lunchtime was almost over, but the people here were not in hurry to leave. This time, everyone was not even ashamed of staring at the young blond in an expensive suit, who was looking so ridiculously next to a sandwich-case. Next to him stood a tall brunette in regular jeans and a vest, which by the way did not hide her gorgeous figures. Seeing Lana, both broke into smiles. Brian's smile was a little embarrassed. But Lana also felt oddly after yesterday.
"Hello," - she began, breaking the awkward silence first.
"Hey, girl!" - The brunette picked up - "We did not have time to meet yesterday. I'm Risa, Brian's girlfriend. Or as you guys call it - a Mate." - She added in a conspiratorial whisper. Making big eyes.
Risa was so charming, all smiles, with dimples on her cheeks, perky look and with a shock of amazing shiny black curls.
"Nice to meet you," - answered Ruslana, shaking her hand.
"We stopped on the way to Greg's office. You and Brian were a bit out of it yesterday, so Greg and I agreed to meet today to discuss everything." - Risa said in one breath. She was very energetic, especially comparing to Brian, who had not uttered a word during all this time, but at the same time did not take his eyes off the girl, as if admiring her as a picture.
Lana looked around the room in confusion. There were still many visitors, even though most of them remained only for the show. But she could not leave just like this. The conversation probably will take some time.
"Go! Miss Bright allowed you to take a break for two hours. Or those onlookers will never leave. Soon we will have to sell tickets for your shows." - Anita's voice came from behind her. - "But have to come to the party! Precisely at six and not a second later." - added the woman and not letting Lana reply disappeared behind the doors to the kitchen.
On the way up, Risa started the conversation first.
"Brian has already described your situation roughly, but I have such a bunch of questions! I don't even know where to start. We did not even suspect that you already have children." - At these words, Brian faltered and threw an uncertain look at Lana. Both of them, of course, already knew everything that is possible about each other, but it's one thing to find out and entirely another to digest it. It was difficult to Lana too to accept, and most importantly, to comprehend everything that she received for that yesterday's connection with her brother.
"They're already so big," - Brian suddenly said with undisguised sadness in his voice. - "Have you told them yet?"
Lana hesitated.
" I ... do not even know how to explain everything to them yet. You see, it is complicated. Everything is changing too fast lately. So I'm not even sure how they will react to you, and all this."
"They hate me, right?" - He asked directly. Then added quietly, looking somewhere off to the side. - "They should."
Brian was definitely nervous, and without noticing it, he began, again and again, to wipe his hands with a handkerchief, so that very soon the skin turned red.
"Brian, stop it!" - Risa shouted. Jumping toward him, she tore the napkin from her hands and squeezed them with her palms. - "It makes no sense to look back already. I am sure they are wonderful, the same as both of you. However, we will not regret that we did not know them sooner, because from now on we have plenty of time to catch up. Ok? "
Brian obediently nodded, and they continued on their way up the stairs. Lana watched this couple with curiosity out of the corner of her eye. Risa really knew how to handle her brother. Next, to her, he looked more like a huge golden retriever. It was hard to believe that once when he was younger, this guy scared to death even the members of their pack, he was even called the crazy dog. Behind his back, of course, nobody wanted to die early.
In the meantime, they had already reached the right floor. The secretary at the sight of their company just opened her mouth like a fish, flapping her large perfectly painted eyes.
They didn't pay much attention to her and went directly to the CEO's office.
Where they were greeted by Greg, Frank and... Tony???
