Graveside Manners

Chapter Five: The prison cell that is my Fabulous Office

I arrived at the tall, imposing black slate glass building where I worked all too soon. I found myself glaring through the tinted windshields as I delved further into the underground car park. A few years back, we, by that I mean Grandmamma, decided that it was time for a geographical company change. She'd heard of this oh so amazing architect, that had built her friend, Posie Gallaway, a new state of the art summer house. Grandmamma had taken one glance at the plans for the modern and spacious summer 'home', and decided she was now in serious like with modern architecture. And in serious lust with a certain American architect, Steven 'Buck' Hurley. It was a whirlwind romance, that resulted in me seeing a grown, old lady giggle like her life depended on it. This wasn't the OC for god's sake.

So, two years later the Thornwoode Industries Corp. was built right near St. Stephens Green Park. The building was truly a marvellous site to behold. It was all sharp angles, and intimidating curves, as it stretched high towards the sky. The entrance done in sleek black ceramic tile and sultry, dark midnight marble stone, that where brought to life along with the gushing fountain, that was more a waterfall in the hustle of a busy capitol. The landscape artists went all out. Tall, strong trees curved to act as shelter and the gardens surrounding the paths to the front door, were a popular place among employees to spend their lunches.

I hurried out of Oiche, wincing guiltly when her door slammed loudly in the sullen and quite car park. My white veil wool coat was long, and was more dress like with its layered skirt at the hem. Black lace peaked out from the flowing hem, and I quickly buttoned up the six parallel black shiny buttons on the front. It was fitted, and showed the generous curves of my body, and it made me feel feminine. It was another Kyleigh inspired outfit choice, and it wasn't that I hated it, I secretly loved how pretty it made me feel, I just didn't think it was suitable for work, where I spent most of my time.

Right now however, it served its purpose. The leather skirt stopped an inch or two above the hem of the coat, and the snug white sweater revealed a little more skin than what my company employees, not to mention the old lads I was about to meet, were used to seeing. The coat covered up this rather well, I was relieved to see. The office was always really cold, due to it in fact being Ireland, so I hoped no one questioned my decision to keep it on all day.

As I waited in the stark and empty elevator to take me to the top floor, ignoring the weird as hell music Kyleigh and grandmamma chose for it, a mixture between screamo, punk rock and Justin Bieber, I bounced on my feet partly to stay warm and partly because of the jitters. I was trying desperately to push the recent events from my mind, but so far nothing was working. I even tried counting sheep, even though I know that's for sleep. I thought it would distract me, but it just annoyed me. I freaking hate sheep. Even the government approved kind.

I moved quickly out the minute the doors opened to reveal the spacious and comforting site of the foyer in front of my office. I smiled briefly at a surprised Tabby as she stopped half way from taking a drink of her coffee from her No.1 best Mom cup, papers thrown all over her usually immaculate desk. The phone started to ring, but she was still staring at me, open mouthed.

'Could you grab me some of that, after you finish that call?' I asked smiling gently at her, nudging my head toward the still ringing phone. She flushed and returned my smile with a hesitant one of her own, nodding her head quietly.

Tabby was a small, voluptuous woman, in her mid- thirties, with long auburn hair that she was constantly scowling about, because she said being ginger was probably a curse bestowed upon her by an evil ginger hating god. I told her I agreed about everything she just said, but that the god, probably didn't hate her, but just wanted an easy target to throw carrots and other such orange based items, at. She threw a stapler at me. I was her boss, so technically I could fire her for that, but I was too busy laughing. She'd just rolled her bright, hazel eyes at me, and went back to alphabetizing the files on her desk. She was crazy OCD. On occasion, Kyleigh and I have been known to mess up her stuff, just to freak her out. She would just sigh and give us her disapproving mother hen look, that I'm sure worked, on Nell, her daughter, but just made us giggle.