Heart of Stone

Irritation

Towards the end of the business day, Eloise sat outside with Juliana. They had a small table near the back door, and they drank two glasses of cold tea with ice in the fading heat. Given that it was summer, even around 6 o'clock it was still light out, but the sun had made its way well across the sky and the shadows were lengthening. In this part of town cars frequently drove by, creating a humming background noise.

Juliana took a long drink, allowing the cold beverage to soothe her.

"After the whole ordeal with your mother and missing the meeting with Alexander, which really wasn't your fault... how are you doing?" Juliana asked.

Eloise let out a low sigh, leaning back in the white metal chair.

"Well... honestly, I'm not doing as bad as I thought I would. A lot of negative things may have happened, but meeting Isabella just reinforced my resolve to be honest with Alexander about who I am." Eloise answered.

Juliana's dark eyes warmed in the sunlight.

"Yeah, you seem to like her. She's younger, right? How old is she?" Juliana asked.

Eloise took a sip of her drink, thinking for a moment.

"She's definitely younger. I'm not sure exactly what age, but she seems either 18 or 19. We definitely clicked. It almost seemed like not many people have supported her love for gardening, but that's not surprising considering the family she comes from." She said.

"Yeah. The women from high standing families seem like they want their children to be just as ambitious as they are. They don't really think about their happiness as much." Juliana agreed.

"That's true." Eloise nodded. "I was just happy to be able to show her there are other people out there just as passionate about flowers as she is. I guess, technically, in her own family. Although I don't really consider myself her family since Alexander never acknowledged me like that."

Juliana took another sip of her drink, the ice rattling in the glass.

"That's good that you were able to do that for her. So, are her and Alexander close?" She asked.

Eloise thought about that for a moment, remembering their conversation.

"It seems like it. She said he's always looked out for her, and she talked about how he used to cook dinner all the time. I could tell that she definitely looks up to him. He's never mentioned much about her to me, though." She answered.

Juliana nodded thoughtfully.

"A man that likes to cook for his family is a man that likes to nurture. His sister would probably agree. Did you get to meet any other members of his family? Or find out anything else?" She asked.

Eloise shrugged.

"Not really. There was no one else home except the butler. Isabella did share a little about how stressed-out Alexander gets being CEO. But that isn't anything I didn't already know; it was just interesting to have some familial insight." She said.

Juliana stretched tiredly, yawning.

"I don't know how anyone handles that type of position. I certainly couldn't do it." She said.

"Honestly, me either. I know you and I run our own business, which is similar, but it's on a much, much smaller scale. There have definitely been times where we've been together and although he wants to spend time with me, work calls him away and he has no choice but to go." Eloise described.

Juliana shook her head, looking thoughtful.

"As a mom, it's hard enough having two people who rely on you for everything. Times that by hundreds, and that's probably what it's like for him. But I bet you make it a lot better." She pointed out.