Morningstar Manor

Ang was in the garden with Gavin, a sensible sleeping baby, while she weeded her garden patch and tended her herbs and vegetables. Just occasionally she'd sip from a water bottle, and look round the garden to check her progress, or to see if there was anyone to talk to, even she didn't know which.

---

Icene was in the gym, working out some of her frustrations with a concerted effort to exhaust herself so she could sleep. She'd done her laundry yesterday, and cleaned her apartment from top to bottom, but that hadn't helped much. So now she was pounding the punchbag into some semblance of submission. She wasn't entirely unaware of her surroundings though, and often paused to wipe her face or sip from her water bottle, especially when anyone walked by the doorway.

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Emma was positively not skulking. She was up in the pool house swimming laps instead, and then when she needed to take a break she was enjoying the sunshine and whatever tunes her iPod shuffled up. Which didn't mean she was averse to company, but, while there were a few people she really didn't want to see, pretty much anyone else was guaranteed at least a smile as they came by.

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Spencer was in the Mocha, waiting patiently for his Mom to call him back, something about a wedding present? But while he was waiting, he was enjoying a large coffee, and a cinnamon danish or two. Well, he'd call it lunch if anyone asked.

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Jane was between apartments, and having trouble with her trolley as she moved about the Manor's hallways. One of the wheels was wonky, had been ever since that incident with Jazz knocking it over the other week, and today it was being extremely awkward and not steering at all well. It slowed her down too much, and she was considering asking someone to fix it for her, because she had no idea where to begin.

Spencer had his list mostly completed. He wanted it to be small and cosy, not enormous and stupid. After all, he knew Roxy was conscious of the lack of family on her side. So he had tried to keep his list down to immediate family, very close friends. He sighed, "Roxy, how's your wedding list going? I think mine's about as done as I can get it."

He sipped at the beer he'd been nursing through this job, then shrugged lightly and downed the rest of it. He had so not enjoyed this job.

Spencer came home late, Mrs Sullivan had been remarkably good, and let him worry at her for a while before making him a coffee and reminding him that he wasn't the only one arranging this wedding. Then the day had really started, work and more work, on top of which came Mrs Sullivan's to do lists updated every time she sorted something out. Including, to Spencer's horror, signing them up for a Michaels Bros Wedding Gift List.

Now though, he was home, having stopped on the way home for a take out meal to heat at home. He was so tired he didn't want to think about cooking. But he had to talk to Mr Abrams, about the wedding. He was seriously going off this idea... but, he stopped by the desk. "Hi, is Mr Abrams around right now? Or should I make an appointment to see him?"

He sat there, listening to the phone ringing, waiting for his mother to pick up, Mrs Sullivan appeared to have forgiven him wholeheartedly, the steaming black coffee on his desk had a strawberry and white chocolate muffin next to it. He smiled, and then snapped his attention back to the phone as his mother's voice came tiredly down the line, "Michaels Residence, hello?"

"Mom? Got your diary handy? I need to give you a date, and you are gonna have to move mountains. Well, no, as it goes I've done that part for you, you just need a hat or something and to get you and Dad on a plane?" He grinned, hearing his mother gasp and then chuckle.

"How long have I got dear? You make it sound like this is a rush job, is there any reason for that?" Maria Michaels knew her youngest son, but she also liked to tease, "Should your father be bringing a shotgun?"

( Read more... )

Today was Roxy's birthday. There was a party going on here, and she was fairly sure they'd be going to that. Over the past couple weeks she'd been plotting just what to wear. It might be better to just dress comfortably until she knew if Spencer had any elaborate plans. She pulled on a pair of khaki shorts and a light blue tank top before heading out to the living room.

He bought a large tray into the bedroom, fully stacked with coffee, juice, breakfast, and what a breakfast. Spencer had woken up with the urge to cook, so there was bacon, pancakes, maple syrup, scrambled eggs, and some hash browns, mushrooms, baked beans, and tomatoes. He set the tray down on the dresser, rather than disturb the bed. "Morning sweetness, want some breakfast?"

He settled on the bed next to Roxy, "I made you bacon," he said with a grin, "if you'd like to wake up and eat?"

Spencer had not told Jazz where they were going, but he'd made reservations at one of the most exclusive restaurants in the City. It had taken some planning, but, he had a table for two at La Fee Verte, and if Jazz didn't hurry up they were going to be late! He paced the lobby just a little irritably, but turned at every ping of the elevator to see if Jazz was ready to go.

Jazz wasn't late. She was never late. She pushed it, sure, but never crossed that line. She was too good for that, no matter what her reservations might be.

She hoped he'd thought to clear this with his fiance first. All she needed was that girl mad at her again.

Sighing, she checked herself one last time in the mirrored wall of the elevator and stepped out into the lobby when they chimed open, pulling the hem of her silver dress up so she didn't inadvertently step on it.
( Read more... )

He wasn't loitering as such, but Spencer was definitely pleased to have stuck two letters, very important letters, into two mailboxes. He was kind of hoping the ladies who owned said mailboxes would be coming to collect their mail soon, otherwise, he would have to have a word with security and go stick them under doors!

While he waited he was sorting his own mail, and wondering if any of the stuff about dresses and make up and er, bridal flowers was for him, or if he could just give it all to Roxy. The mailbox was full of the stuff!

( Letter for Mrs Malhotra )

==================

( Letter to Miss Gonzalez )

Jazz was early. That was probably a bad idea. It gave her to much time to think.

She was dressed perfectly. A clean, put together outfit that was professional, but managed to play up her looks at the same time. Her hair had been tamed into a half-down, half-pulled back do that kept it out of the way. Her makeup was natural. She'd found and put all the tools she'd thought she'd need in a small, leather bag at her side. It was all as good as it was going to get...put she still thought to much.

Maybe she should have gone for all classic black instead of the loose, purple summer dress and the black dress jacket? Maybe she should have put her hair all the way up? Maybe she should use their tools.

All of it spun around in her brain, pulling her nerves tighter. But she sat quietly, blinking solemnly as she waited to be called.
( Read more... )

She had little charms in her pocket, from Bethan and Rahul, to touch should she get nervous, and her favourite tiny statuette of Durga; she had on a nice Western business suit and blouse, and a light, colourful Indian scarf, to show her pride in her heritage. Her hair and makeup had turned out exactly the way she wanted them to, and she was wearing her favourite mid-high heels. She knew she looked good, and was well-prepared.

But when Chandika walked into the office area at Michaels Brothers at exactly the time she was asked to turn up, her heart was still beating up her throat with exitement. You would not have known, though, from looking at her.-

Carrying her laptop under her arm, Emily wandered through the Mocha grabbing a big cup of coffee on the way out to the gardens. She was wearing only cute ballerina shoes, a short denim skirt and a white tunic-like shirt, and was in the hopes of getting some color to her legs in the sunshine after the winter.

She lowered the sunglasses from her forehead to her eyes as she stepped outside and stopped there for a while to look around for a good sunny place where to settle with the laptop.

There was a baby in the Mocha, with her grandmother, and that drew people -- especially those of a female persuasion.

Charlotte usually preferred the company of her cats to lots of noisy kids, but the occasional adorable little lady didn't come amiss.

Cindy was a bit shy, but the baby was interested in Axminster (and he in the baby), so she had come over to prevent trouble, and just hung around when the dog sprawled in his eponymous way on the floor.

Chandika was chatting eagerly -- she was called in for an interview, for the job she'd applied for! And she really wanted that job, so totally down her alley. And the day care facility was the best idea ever, and a godsent at this point in time, really encouraging her to go out and get that job. And Maude was really in on it? Cooooooool!

Maude sat, holding Morgan on her lap, and was surprisingly happy.

Spencer had been rummaging around for things to do this afternoon, anything to take his mind off the quarterly reports really, and had wound up in the Human Resources office, where he was curious about the letters they were sending out. Curious enough to ask if any were going to the Manor, and hardly surprised to receive one, but, very surprised to receive a second. He'd taken a glance at the envelopes, grinning to see one for Miss Estrella Gonzalez, but, who was Mrs Chandika Malhotra? He would have to find out. But first, he had mail to deliver! So here he was, heading into the mailroom to personally hand deliver two letters. Well, it saved on the postage!

( Letter to Chandika )

============

( Letter to Jazz )

Roxy had made breakfast this morning. Spencer had cleaned up afterward. She tried to remind herself that they had done things this way before, but somehow now it was still a novelty thing. Which was why she'd hung out in the kitchen and watched.

"Do we have an agenda for today or is it a lazy Sunday?" She asked once he'd finished loading the dishwasher. She had motivation behind it, but wasn't going to floor him with Lexi's request for engagement photos first thing this morning.

"Mom, hi!" Spencer had picked up the phone to call and see how his dad was doing. He was due out of hospital soon, if not today and Spencer wanted him to have good news to come home to. "How's Dad? Doing good still?"

"Spencer! It is so good of you to call, I was just thinking about you dear, how are you? Your dad is fine, I have to go pick him up in about an hour or so, but I can chat for a few minutes." Maria Michaels beamed at the phone, her youngest son was a lovely surprise to hear from. Not that he didn't call, he did, regularly, but sometimes, he would just catch you out of the blue.

"Oh I'm fine, well, more than fine as it goes, er, Mom? Did you want some good news?" Spencer grinned, this should perk his dad up no end.

( Sharing good News )

It was very early Monday morning when Spencer walked into the store, the mid-grey with silver pin-stripe suit a perfect fit, and teamed with a crisp white shirt and a grey and silver tie. Black shoes, of course, and a briefcase, as well as the days city news, he had taken a cab this m0orning so that he could concentrate. It hadn't happened. Instead he'd gone over the details, clearing them in his head, sorting and prioritising.

He'd been surprised, Mrs Sullivan was already at his desk with a coffee when he walked in, and there was a plate with some sandwiches too. "Just in case," She said quietly, leaving a fresh notepad and pens next to them, "The staff will be gathered in about ten minutes, we're using the restaurant since it holds the most people, are you expecting anyone to attend from outside?"

"No, and the restaurant is fine, I'll be right up." Spencer smiled, "Mrs Sullivan? Thanks for everything the last few weeks, you've been invaluable, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate everything you've done here while I've been away from the office."

Mrs Sullivan blushed and then headed for the door, "I'm just glad everything's OK Mr Michaels, I'll be upstairs, when you're ready?"
( Major Announcements, Changes to Come )

He was tired. That was about all that made sense as Spencer droppped his suitcase in front of the doorman and somehow rustled up a tired half smile. "I'm home, if I can just make it up eight floors? How are the lifts behaving today?"

The doorman recognised Spencer of course, and picked up the case to carry it inside, "They're fine Mr Michaels, I'll call one for you."

Spencer followed him over to the lift and tried not to yawn his way across the lobby. The meetings had gone on and on and on, and in between spending time at the hospital, or lobbying members of the family to support John while just being there for his Mom had taken a large toll on his energy reserves. But it was done. The decisions were made, the changes to be announced on Monday in a press release and nationwide staff bulletins. The staff would hear first of course, John had agreed that they needed to know and soon.

Meanwhile, Spencer made his way to the eighth floor, where he managed to let himself into his apartment without any trouble only to leave the suitcase right by the door blocking it opening again. He didn't care though, he could practically feel how comfy his bed was from right there, and shedding clothes as he went he was asleep almost before he got the comforter over him and his head down on the pillow. He didn't even notice when Indigo jumped onto the bed and curled up alongside his head.

He'd called Roxy, and then packed a suitcase. His mother had been upset, something was definitely wrong, and Spencer was expected to attend the board meeting, all the close relatives were. Uncle Richard was already en route, and he very rarely went anywhere near the board, so Spencer knew it was important. He nodded to security, and smiled briefly at the doorman who opened the door for him, the taxi was already waiting, the plane tickets at the airport for him to collect. Uncle Richard should be on the same flight, along with Erika who'd been working with him this month.

Spencer kind of wished he'd had time to explain things to several key staff, but not knowing what was going on himself, all he could do was give them the same information he'd been given, that this was a major board meeting, and all members of the board were expected to attend, not invited, expected. There were definitely issues with the current financial climate, but no, the company was not in trouble, just being cautious, and of course, he would bring back a full report once the meeting was over. He just hoped the store would do alright without him.

Settling into the taxi he pulled out his cell phone, and called Mrs Sullivan. There were still things he had to do before he could leave the City, he just couldn't do them from his office.

Roxy had gotten out of work today at four. She'd come home, tidied up in the apartment a little, and now was sitting on the sofa, watching Walk The Line, waiting for Spencer to get home from work.

It had been a long day by the time the four men arrived in Spencer's office. He'd left them until last, having set aside time to deal with the systems, the management team, the supervisors, and even the Security team had a briefing. Now, with everything in place, he gave Mrs Sullivan the ok, and had the four shown in. No coffee, no smiles, no perks.

( Then there was a Meeting. )