Something Stupid

26

Two days later, conference day

As promised, Jackson Kenner approached Lucien Castle and Elijah Mikaelson on the evening of the conference day in order to let his decision be known. Elijah, ever the formality expert, silently thought that Jachson's suit was a little out of place - he was wearing a tuxedo. However, considering the raven-haired man was very new to everything in business and was actually doing a good job on most things, Elijah chose not to say anything. He was sure Jackson would get the hang of it eventually.

"Gentlemen, thank you for joining me. After thourough consideration and consultings with my partners, I have decided to offer the new contract with Kenner Meds to Mikaelson Corps." Jackson said.

"What?!?" Lucien was furious. He could hardly believe what he heard. "How could you possibly pick his pathetic excuse of a company over my great institution??"

Jackson Kenner raised an eyebrow. "Now, now, there's no need for insults. You both applied for a contract, I can only give one and my decision is based on thourough research. I believe that'll be all, Mr Castle."

"This isn't over! You'll be hearing from me!" Lucien hissed at Elijah before storming out, leaving the dark-haired Mikaelson with his new business partner.

Elijah smiled at Jackson. "Thank you very much, Mr Kenner. I do hope our professional connection will be fruitful and prosperous."

"So do I. But there is something I'd like to tell you first. The main reason why I decided for you and against Castle." Jackson replied in a serious manner which made Elijah furrow his eyebrows.

The drug store heir inhaled deeply before he continued: "It appeared to me as really strange that Mr Castle was making appointments with me only on times when you didn't have the opportunity to join the meeting as well. So I asked my secretary to ask yours a couple of questions concerning your schedule. The result made me even more suspicious. Some of the appointments were at times when you would have had enough chance to join at literally any other time of the week! Mr Castle could not possibly have scheduled those meetings so definitely unreachable for you, unless..."

"... unless he knew my work schedule." Elijah finished for him, realization dawning on his face.

Jackson nodded. "Yeah, that's what I thought too. Look, I know I'm new in business. But one thing I do know a lot about is ethics. And I am not signing a deal with a saboteur."

Elijah let out a weak chuckle. "How ironic! Lucien sabotages my plans in order to get the deal, and then he doesn't get it because of his sabotage. I admit, I underestimated you, Mr Kenner. Finding out about Lucien's doings is never easy, and for a beginner nonetheless. You know what? I think you're going to make a great successor. Your father would be proud of you."

"Thanks!" Jackson replied, a small smile curling up on his face.

***

Baton Rouge

Elena entered the house and greeted her father with a hug.

"Hey Dad. Is Nadia still here?" she asked.

John nodded. "Yes, she is. We're painting with water colours in the dining room."

Elena nodded and started walking past her father, but he grabbed her arm, effectively stopping her and turning her attention back to him.

"Look, sweetheart, I know people don't always get to decide who they fall for, but in your case, your new man has cost you your sister. I can let you see Nadia when she's here, but I can't give you your sister back! That is something you will have to do by yourself. And if you can't, you'll have to live with it." John exclaimed, giving his daughter a poignant glance. "I hope you know what you're doing."

Elena nodded sadly and, after a last glance at her father, walked to the dining room.

Nadia looked up at the noise of someone entering the room. "Auntie Elena! Hey!" Happily, the little girl jumped up and ran into her aunt's arms, beaming. Elena cuddled the girl affectionately and kissed her forehead.

They spent the next hour painting rainbows and unicorns and people. Elena was painfully reminded of why she had stopped seeing Elijah for some time. She had eventually decided to go back to him, because she was missing him and had grown frustrated with the idea of her sister meddling with her love life, but the result of her decision was as expected: Katherine had decided to exclude Elena from Nadia's life as much as she could. Elena had already heard from John over the phone that Nadia was going back to Bulgaria the very next day. This was her last chance to see her niece and god knows when she would get another chance.

"What is it?" Nadia asked.

Elena shook her head in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Why do you look so sad, Auntie Elena?!"

She sighed and took her niece's hand. "I'm sad because you're leaving tomorrow. I would have liked for you to stay here for longer."

Nadia nodded and gave her aunt a thoughtful look. "Yeah, I get it. I would have liked that too. But on the other hand, I kinda miss my Dad too. I wish we were all living here. Or at my Dad's, I don't care, just not so far away, you know."

"Yes, honey, I know." Elena felt bad for the little girl. In her opinion, Nadia definitely would have deserved better than she was getting. Katherine conceiving her had been nothing but a means to an end, a tool to get a naive, rich guy to marry her. She had succeeded and was now a very rich woman. And poor Nadia an innocent child torn between two parents living thousands of miles away from each other.

"Hey, you two! I'm about to start making dinner. Wanna help me?" John Gilbert called from the kitchen. The brunette doctor slightly smirked to herself. Her father had made a habit out of letting his granddaughter taste everything she wanted to test when they were cooking together. And in addition, he normally left the cookie jar open. An opportunity the little girl never let pass. So, Nadia started beaming and headed for the kitchen. "Coming, Granpa!"

Elena stood up and was just about to follow her niece when her cell phone rang with a message. Being a doctor, she always checked her messages immediately. Luckily, this one was from her best friend about some time together and not from a collegue about a potentially dying patient.

Bonnie's message said: Let's meet on saturday for a girls' night, 6pm. You could use it.

The brunette sighed with gratitude. Her friend was right, of course. After having to say goodbye to Nadia so early, she definitely needed a girls night. Feeling the sadness in her slightly lessen, Elena finally made her way to the kitchen. She would enjoy this last evening with her niece and her father.