Author Anon

“What are you working on?” asks Marie.

“I’m writing a new story,” says Dan. “Lucas has been with us for three weeks now, and he hasn’t opened up. I’m trying to come up with some way for him to interact with others. Before we can even send him to school, we need him to talk.”

“Do you think we should have him see a child psychologist?” asks Marie.

“We might eventually. But for now, we should try to do what we can. I’m afraid all this changing of hands will cause him to be a little insecure as well.”

“But we agreed to give him a trial period with each of us.”

“Yes. But what is the appropriate time period. What if we get him to talk to us and then he has to be taken away to Lisa and Rick? They’ll have to start all over.”

“Maybe we need another conference,” suggests Marie. “What is your story about?”

“It’s about a small boy trying to relate to his world,” says Dan. “I had hoped it could reflect Lucas’s experiences and help him to come out of his shell.”

“If it works, you should get it published. On second thought, you should get it published regardless. I know Silverman Publications are looking for new authors.”

“I’m not new. But I could be if I use a different pseudonym. I’ll have to look into that.”

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“Welcome to Golde, Inc., Blanche,” says William. “I think you’re familiar with the family.”

Blanche nods.

“The lawyers have explained all the stipulations?” asks William.

“Yes. I completely understand and am willing to start learning about the business.”

“Good,” says William, looking less than enthusiastic. “Maybe Robert can show you around and get you acquainted with everything and everybody.”

He dismisses the group while Robert leads Blanche out.

“Don’t mind him,” says Robert. “He was the most resistant to the idea of you coming aboard, but he has accepted it. I guess he feels the company is mostly his because he is the eldest and his wife expanded it.”

“I’ll try not to mind, but I hope he realizes that I have put my own money into this as well. I would not want to see my money thrown away to a useless enterprise.”

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“He shot at you?!” cries Belle.

“Actually, he shot at the door,” says Nicholas. “Luckily, neither of us was hit.”

“Oh, my gosh–”

The doorbell buzzes. “Excuse me,” says Belle, getting up.

“If you don’t mind,” says Nicholas. “I’d like to use your bathroom.”

“Go right ahead.” She goes to answer the door. “Who is it?”

“It’s me. Ashley.”

“Come in.” She buzzes her in.

“What’s up?” asks Belle.

“I came to ask about yesterday,” says Ashley. She hears water running in the bathroom. “I guess I came just in time.”

“What do you mean?” asks Belle, confused.

“I mean that for all your talk on morality, you have the nerve to move in on–” she stops as Nicholas walks out, topless and with a towel around his mid-section. His hair is wet as if he just stepped out of a shower. In his hand is another towel bunched up.

Belle gasps and blushes, staring at him, mortified.

“Excuse me,” he says, heading towards the bedroom.

“Well!” says Ashley. “You’ve certainly surprised me. How many others have there been?”

Belle recovers herself. “That is absolutely none of your business. If that is all you came to gossip about, I’d appreciate it if you’d leave. I’ve got more important things to do today.”

“I’ll bet you have,” says Ashley, leaving.

Belle turns to Nicholas, who reappears, completely dressed this time. “What the heck was that all about?”

“Gavin said she’s been following him around and was afraid she’d start suspecting that you two had a thing together, so he put me up to it.”

“What? Now she thinks you and I–”

“Yes. But she doesn’t care a fig about me.”

“I doubt she cares a fig for Gavin.”

“Probably not. But she was showing a jealous streak recently and he didn’t want to take any chances.”

“All right. I guess we’ll have to carry on with this charade. I hope Rachel won’t mind.”

“Rachel and I are just friends. And for your information, Rachel has the utmost admiration for you. She probably thinks I’m not good enough for you.”

“Oh. I’ll have to meet her.”

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Filed under: All That Glitters