Just Alice

Chapter 3

            It’s early in the morning, nearly a week has passed since the presentation and now I’m meeting with my father at his office in base.  As I’m walking towards the two large black-double doors, I’m greeted by my father’s secretary, who is sitting behind her blue desk typing on her computer rapidly. I open the doors and enter the largest room in the building. I don’t particularly like this office room. The walls are white and the carpet is a dark grey. Apart from a grey leather sofa that sits in the middle of the room with a crystal coffee table in front of it, the room has no other furniture or decorations, making it look empty and lonely. Unless you count my father’s black desk and office chair, which I don’t. If you look up, the ceiling is the crystal windows from the roof of the building, and although is beautiful as you can see the sky, I have to wonder if it’s safe. I worry about my father a lot. He spends most of his time stuck in this depressing office, coming home late, when he does come. What’s so special about this room that keeps him away from his daughter so often? I loathe this room…

               “Hello father!” “We’re in the office, Alice, and this is a business meeting. You will address me as Mr. Cross.” Father chides me in a rigid tone. “Yes father, I mean Mr. Cross.” I correct myself immediately. “I heard from Mr. Darwin That the presentation concluded well.” “Did you hear how it happened?” “Yes, Mr. Darwin gave me a full report.” “And you don’t feel angry about it?” “Why would I? The business went well, we’re opening many franchises, and I may have gained a powerful ally in Mr. White. He seems to be fond of you; perhaps we could use that to our advantage.” “Father!” I exploded in a pleading cry. Father glowers at me disapprovingly. I clear my throat and start over in a more poised tone. “Mr. Cross, if it’s all the same to you, I would rather keep away from Mr. White, and your business for that matter. I just want my little cupcake shop.” “Oh but I mind Alice. You can’t keep away from the company, you’re my sole heir. As for Mr. White I advise you to reconsider. Remember Alice; keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. Well, on with our business. Today I called you here to sign the contracts for that shop you want so badly.” I can’t help but hurried to his desk merrily. I grab a pen he had ready for me, but before I could get the papers, my father stops me with his hand. “Now Alice have I not told you many times to never sign a contract before reading it first.” “Must I? I do trust you.” “Read it!” he commands. I sigh in resignation and get to the task at hand, reading a really long boring contract for the shop’s ownership or blah, blah, blah… Once I finish reading it, I sign it hastily.

               Father gets up from his chair and extends his hand to shake mine. But instead of shaking his hand, I get up and run around the desk and embrace him in a tight hug. “Thank you father!” My voice came out almost in a shrill. “Alice, manners!” My father said although he hugged me back. “Oh father, business is done.” I replied in my usual carefree demeanor. My father pulls back from the hug but keeps grasp of both my arms. As he looks down at my face with an amused expression, he says, “I suppose you lasted long enough behaving properly. You really wanted that shop.” “Now father, I always behave properly!” “Sure you do.” The voice came from the sofa. I look in the direction from which the voice came from to find Daniels sitting comfortably and staring back at me with a playful grin.

               I let go of my father and turn my whole body towards Daniels. I put my hands on my hips and tap my foot on the floor in annoyance “Daniels, how impolite of you to enter unannounced.” “I’ve been here for quite some time. I came in, announced and all, while you were engrossed with the contract.” Daniels retorts with humor in his voice. I walk towards him and give him a quick hug as a greeting. “I believe there’s something you forgotten Mr. Cross.” Although Daniels is addressing my father, his eyes never leave my face, which are now looking back at mine acutely, all signs of humor gone.