Hiding from Mr. Billionaire

33 Reflecting

Vivian met with a bunch of nice men and had actual conversations with them. They talked a good deal about life, worries, and bashed on other merging companies in the running. For once she enjoyed the informality of conversation. Until they started to mention women.

One man called Mr. John took a snuff out of his cigar. "I tried to make a move on my wife last night and she was really into it. But in the blink of an eye she got all moody and domestically superior on me in one night- That I don't understand about lousy women.  The only reason we're have such a good living is because of me! the least she could do is compensate for it."

"I agree," said one young man with black hair and short mustache. "Just beat some sense into her, it normally does the trick."

The men nodded in agreement, while the other lot seemed hesitant. Mr. Crawford grimaced at the joke and quietly walked away, checking his pocket watch on his way out.

"How about you Mr. Smith," the men turned to look at the smallest looking man in the room. "Do you have any one in your life?"

"I uh- well-I um," she stuttered, strangely stuck in a loop of the same word. "I, no, I-I don't really have anyone."

"Come on," Jasper patted Vivian roughly on the door, sending tremors of shock down her body. "We are leaving."

"Bye lad," Mr. Winston clapped her on the back before excusing himself out.

Vivian raised her eyebrows in confusion as Reuben leaned over and apologized before following Jasper out the door.

What the hell happened in there?

The ride home was silent, with Reuben's eyes never leaving Vivian and Jasper fluttering his eyelids. When they got back Agatha ran out the back door and greeted them all with open arms. "Hey!" She squealed, running past her brother and greeting Vivian first.

"She has a thing for the young man," Jasper muttered to Reuben, who brows raised in surprise.  "You've been gone far too long, now she fancies random strangers across the street."

Agatha pulled back with a sneer.

"Don't listen to them," Vivian chuckled as they walked up the stairs and into the house. "He's your brother, it's normal to tease."

"He never teased me before Rose  has died."

Vivian looked at her in confusion. "Who?" 

"Oh," Agatha sighed. "I forgot, you don't know."

"Don't know what?"

"It doesn't matter," Agatha hesitated. "Like I said we're very closed off about our family, some things are better left unsaid to some people... no offense to you."

Vivian sighed. "None taken"

"How was the first day on the job?" Agatha asked excitedly, her ginger curls jumped up and down with her. She chirped like a proud mother. "I've never been involved with business affairs before, my brother thinks me incapable to comprehend stock exchange. According to his words, 'it wastes time trying to teach knowledge somewhere where it does not belong'. However I think it to be an horrendous idea on his part. So I'll shut up now and you tell me all about it!"

They were on the couch now, while Jasper and Reuben were off somewhere and out of sight. Vivian sat up with her hands in her lap like a lady. "I don't know where to begin, I've never had a more hectic day in my whole entire life. The men there are brutal, and they don't hold back. The whole building reeks of sweaty body odor, it's disgusting. The men say dirty things about women behind their backs, people put unrealistic expectation all the time."

Agatha grimaced. "Well, maybe Jasper was right after all. At least being at home is better."

"Maybe."

There was a pause.

"I also realize it's little more about brains than looks in there," Vivian said quietly. "In spite of the amount of men that called me short and stupid, I guess."

Agatha stared at her with pity in her eyes. "So not much of a difference I assume?"

"I don't know what's worse, competing for men or their respect." She laughed ironically. "I'm questioning if I can really do this."

"It's up to you, Vivian," Agatha whispered. "I can only help you along so much, if you really want to help out your family the rest is up to you."

The wood creaked behind them. Vivian turned to see Reuben with an eager look on his face.

"Mind if I have a talk with Mr. Smith, alone?"