Night Dancer

Twenty Eight

"If I could even vaguely trust the boy with anything I'd feel more at ease." The unfamiliar voice coming from Ross' office caused Alyssa to pause. "He's just useless, more interested in women than he is about the actual work. How the hell do I leave this business to him? He'll run it down before I'm cold in the ground."

"He might surprise you yet, Linus," came Ross' voice and Alyssa blanched as she realised he was talking to their boss, Linus Lionel himself. Up to now Alyssa hadn't laid eyes on Linus since her mother's funeral and she wasn't sure she wanted him to know she had heard what he said about his son. Her mind went back to the striking young man who had been with his parents for the funeral and she couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him. It had been hard having her dad lose faith in for a brief time, she couldn't imagine how it would feel to have a dad who always thought the very worst of you.

"He's had twenty seven years to surprise me and he hasn't done yet. He's been a disappointment since day one."

"I'm sorry Linus, I don't know what to say," said Ross sympathetically. "Alyssa should be here soon with that report you asked for."

"Ah yes, the new girl. And how is she faring?"

"Great; she's very positive and does everything I ask and more. She was a good appointment. If we can help her get back in school I think she could have a long career with us." Alyssa flushed a little at Ross' praise and thought now might be a good time to make her presence known. Knocking on the door she entered the room and handed Linus the file he had been waiting for.

"Ah, Alyssa," he said, his voice professional, but a little cold. "Audrey Rose's daughter. Your mother was an asset to the team. I hope you will be too. Of course I am aware that not all children live up to the expectations of their parents."

"I do my best, sir," she said quietly, giving him a warm smile which Ross was surprised to see the older man return.

"Well thank you for this. Good to have you on board," he said before seeing himself put. Ross stared after him and then at Alyssa.

"Wow I've never seen him pay any attention to an assistant before." Alyssa shrugged

"He liked my mama. Probably why he's made an exception for me." She paused and glanced at him. "Does he really dislike his own son so much?"

"To be honest Henry is a prick. Most people despise him but Marissa dotes on him, probably the reason he's such an asshole. Mommy always digs him put of the holes he buries himself in. She won't hear a word said against him."

"It's a shame his daddy don't see no good in him though. That can't be easy," Alyssa commented and Ross shrugged. He didn't care much either way; his own experience of Henry Lionel was a spoilt brat who was more interested in fast cars and women than in his father's company. Linus had built the company more or less from scratch, inheriting a hotel from his grandfather on the East coast and building from there, creating a chain of expensive, luxury hotels initiallly to build his fortune on and then creating a budget line which were renowned for a good quality stay for less money. These had a definite family vibe with play areas both inside and out as a staple which appealed to parents and though they weren't quite holiday camps they could have fitted that mould as well as a hotel. Ross had been employed by Linus for over twenty years and had a good relationship with both him and Marissa, but he found he was often caught between them in their discussions about Henry. Marissa felt the boy should be given more chances and Linus felt he should be kept as far away from the business as humanly possible. Ross couldn't help but lean slightly towards Linus' opinion especially when he considered some of the more outlandish stories he'd heard about Henry. But then maybe he was being unfair. He'd heard that Henry had settled with a sweet girl called Iris who had recently taken a position in the company much like Alyssa, though working in reception. He'd come across her a few times and she was a very pretty brunette with a lovely nature. If she was Henry's latest flame perhaps she could calm him down a little, help him to find a way to be more responsible.