A Sibling's Dilemma

by Molly V. Lovell

  Edric read it wordlessly. Ellie resumed the myriad of other tasks that were assigned to her as Edric prepared for his meeting.

  “I’m leaving to attend and prepare for this meeting. I’ll be back by three-thirty and I expect that sales report done by then.”

  “Yes.” Ellie nodded her head. She didn’t even stop working to watch Edric Kensington stroll out of the room. Once he was out of the room, however, she felt this tension being lifted from her shoulders. She breathed an audible sigh of relief.

  Ellie managed to finish all the work allotted to her before Edric returned from his meeting. She double-checked her work, just to make sure that it was well-done and that she wouldn’t get chewed out by her new boss. She had a sinking feeling that if she did anything wrong in the slightest she would get screamed at and unceremoniously fired.

  I’ll give him information on the meetings he has tomorrow. Hopefully that will impress him a little bit.

  With that, Ellie typed as fast as her fingers, and brain, would allow.

  Before she knew it, Edric returned. He walked over her desk, looked down at the young woman and sighed loudly.

  “You’re still working on the task I gave you two-and-a-half hours ago? What have you been doing all this time, Eleonore?”

  Ellie’s mind suddenly froze. She opened her mouth and then shut it before choking out, “I...um…I’m sorry.”

  “Well?”

  “Um…”

  “Where is it, Eleonore?”

  “Um…um…i-it’s finished.” Ellie grabbed the sales spreadsheet and the biographies of the people she made for the four o’clock meeting and handed them up to Edric, avoiding all eye-contact with the man in the process.

  He grabbed the papers from Ellie and looked at them, not even glancing momentarily at his assistant.

  “I was working on your schedule for tomorrow. I mean, those meetings tomorrow. So far I have your ten o’clock written out and I’m working on your three o’clock conference.”

  Edric remained silent. Ellie brought her hands up to her face just so that she would have something to hide behind.

  “Very well. I won’t fire you.”

  “Thank you.” Ellie muttered, looking down at her desk once more.

  I won’t be letting Cassie down…

  “Now I want you to finish planning my schedule for tomorrow and I also want you to find a caterer to plan a luncheon for fifteen hundred people—tomorrow. Your budget is fifteen thousand dollars.”

  “What’s it for?” Ellie whispered.

  “Excuse me? Speak up.”

  “What’s the lunch for?”

  “For all the employees who work in this building. We have about five thousand employees who work here but I expect that no more than fifteen hundred people will attend. It’s a small, casual affair that will take place in the first-floor foyer, since that can fit the most people in one place. Try not to spend more than ten dollars per person.”

  “O-okay.”

  Once again, Ellie resumed her work.

  “I’m going home to visit my brother, while you chatter about on the phone planning this. Don’t arrive later than nine tomorrow morning.”

  “Goodnight, Mr. Kensington. And thank you for hiring me.”

  Edric scoffed and left the room.

  Chapter Five

  “So how was work today?” Owen asked as he undid his tie. “School was exhausting. All that hard work and playing the straight-and-narrow really kicked the crap outta me.” The boy let out an exaggerated yawn. “You understand that I’m on the strait-and-narrow, right, bro?” He said, as he slipped off his shoes.

  Once his tie was undone and shoes were off, Owen reclined in the soft leather chair in the Kensington living room. He always claimed the recliner chair. Edric always sprawled out on the couch, and Violet, who was still out shopping with Cassie at the time, always took the chaise lounge.

  Edric chuckled. “I see your emphasis here.”

  “So, I should no longer be grounded, right?”

  “Nope.”

  “Boo.”

  “Well, you took about five years off my life with that scare.” Edric said as he laid down on the couch. He tossed his stress ball up in the air and caught it right before it hit him in the face. Then he tossed it up again and caught it.

  “Don’t you always tell Violet not to worry and stuff?”

  “Different context, Owen.”

  “Yeah, yeah. How was work?”

  “I got a new assistant.”

  “Oh, what’s he like?”

  “She’s sharp. Graduating with a master’s degree from an Ivy league college in two weeks.”

  “Oh man, so she’s smart. How old is she?”

  “Twenty-one.”

  “That’s super young for graduating with a Master’s degree. What’s she do for fun?”

  Edric shrugged. “I don’t know. There’s a lot of community service on her résumé. Why would I bother asking about her hobbies?”

  “Because you share an office with her and she works for you? If you’re going to be in the same room with her, you should get to know her.”

  “My assistants usually don’t last too long.”

  “Which is your fault.”

  “Are you trying to stay grounded?”

  Owen laughed. “I’m just speaking the truth here. Is she cute?”

  “What does that have to do with anything?”

  “Well, is she?”

  He shrugged again. “She’s short, rail-thin, and looks sickly.”

  “Well, you didn’t say no. So that’s a yes.” Edric chucked the stress ball at his brother, who managed to catch it. Not his intended effect. “Although you usually go for the tall, busty, model types.” Owen lightly tossed the stress ball back to his older brother.

  “She won’t last long anyways. She’ll snap and quit before too long.”

  Owen sighed. “Are you trying to make your assistant crack?” He sighed again, this time louder. “You got some issues, man. Issues about control and bullying and shit.”

  “Language…” Edric tossed the stress ball back over to Owen.

  “See what I mean? Man, you’re even trying to control how I speak.”

  The CEO and rolled his eyes. “Well that’s—”

  “Different?”

  “Yes, that’s different. I’m trying to make sure that my kid brother grows up to have a modicum of class.”

  “So, it’s different than trying to steamroll over your assistant and make her quit?”

  Edric sighed.

  “Be nice.” Owen continued. “Like, if she does work for you, say thank you. Don’t just give her more work and walk away. I know you have some weird shit going on but don’t take it out on some lady fresh outta school. You should see a therapist. You’re probably a sadist.”

  “I am not a—wait, how do you know about that sort of stuff?”

  “My God, Rick. I’m twelve for Christ’s sake!”

  “Language.”

  Owen laughed. “All right, Jeez. I’m old enough to know that you should see a shrink. You’re basically a kid with an ant farm and a magnifying glass who enjoys burning up ants. I don’t know why you have a special hatred of your employees.”

  Edric laughed. His younger brother never ceased to amuse him. “You’re just full of sass today.”

  “I’m full of sass every day. But look, promise me you’ll be nicer to your assistant tomorrow?”

  “I’m going to have the attitude I need to have to make sure the job gets done.”

  “You can get the job done without being an asshole. What’s her name anyways?”

  “Eleonore.”

  “So, what’s this Eleonore’s personality like?”

  Edric shrugged. “Quiet. Painfully shy. Eager to please. Not much backbone.”

  “I feel bad for her. Let the record reflect that I’m on your assistant’s side. Man, you’re going to ruin that poor woman.”

  “Oh well.”

 
Owen chucked Edric’s stress ball right back at him. The ball bounced against Edric’s head and he glared at his younger brother, who laughed at him. “I wanna meet your assistant because I feel bad for her. Maybe you should introduce me to her.”

  “Well she’s still at the office right now.”

  “You made her work late? You’re an ass.”

  “You really do have a foul mouth.”

  “I got it from you.”

  “Don’t you have homework or something?”

  Owen sighed. “I’ll get on that, since I clearly can’t talk any reason into you.”

  “Goodnight, Owen.”

  “Goodnight, Rick.”

  ***

  Ellie was quite exhausted at work the next morning. She stayed in that glass skyscraper until ten o’clock at night, trying to find a caterer. She tried almost every catering organization in the city until she found one who would cater for fifteen hundred people for such a low price on short notice.

  By the time Ellie got home, Cassie was fast asleep. She wasn’t even able to inform her that she got her new job. When Ellie laid in bed that night, she hoped that it would all be worth it—that her passing up the job at the homeless shelter to work for Edric Kensington would make her sister happy. Those were the last thoughts that she had until the weight of her eyelids were too much for her and she drifted off into sleep.

  Ellie still managed to wake up and get ready in time to get to the office by eight thirty in the morning.

  Edric was there early, of course. “Good morning.” Ellie muttered.

  “There’s a pot of coffee over there.” He pointed at the corner of the room, not taking his eyes off the piece of paper in front of him. “Help yourself.”

  “Oh. Um…I’m not a coffee drinker but thank you.” Ellie bowed slightly. “I’ll be sure to make coffee for you on Monday morning, though.”

  Edric nodded curtly. “Good.”

  Ellie walked over to her desk and sat down. She felt a little more confident. She was wearing the same oversized grey suit from the day before—she promised herself that she would go shopping that weekend to buy more suits so she would be properly dressed. Dark circles rested underneath her violet eyes and she was beginning to feel something of a cold coming on. But still, Ellie felt a bit less nervous, she had something to show for herself, at least.

  “The luncheon?”

  “Yes. The food will arrive at one. It cost fourteen thousand dollars and it will feed fifteen hundred people.”

  “I see.” Edric sounded a little disappointed.

  “I tried my best.”

  “All right.”

  Edric returned to his work.

  Between the lack of sleep and the stress she was feeling, Ellie felt like she was going to cry.

  “I-I’m sorry I couldn’t get it cheaper or…”

  Edric rose his hand and cut her off. “No, Eleonore, you did well.”

  Ellie smiled inwardly.

  “What would you like me to do now?”

  “Prepare a draft for a memorandum for me to send out to the members of the marketing department to remind them to market our games tastefully—their social media post yesterday was tacky, to say the least. Since you planned the luncheon and briefed me on my meetings for today, you have done most of the work already. For now. That will probably change in an hour or two.”

  “Yes.” Ellie nodded her head and booted up her computer.

  The rest of the morning was uneventful. Edric worked at his desk. Ellie worked at hers. Hardly a word was exchanged between the two.

  Ellie couldn’t shake the anxiety and dread about luncheon. She felt she was going to screw up, somehow.

  The environment felt so oppressive. The silence between the two made Ellie feel even worse about her situation. A part of her wanted to speak to Edric, to strike up a conversation of sorts to ease the tension. That’s what Cassie would do but she lacked her sister’s bravery. Besides, she had no idea what to say to Edric and she was afraid that if she did say anything he would just become angry with her, and scold and fire her.

  Eventually, it was time for the dreaded luncheon. Much to Ellie’s surprise, her boss didn’t move from his desk. He just continued to work.

  Should I remind him that the lunch is now? What if he’s missing a meal? He looks so focused and I don’t think that he’d like being disturbed.

  Ellie pursed her lips together and continued to do her work.

  A half an hour later, Edric stood up from his desk and wandered over to the door. He turned around to face his assistant.

  “If you’re going to get a lunch, now is the time to do it. The moochers have probably already picked everything clean. Are you coming?”

  “Yes.” Ellie got up from her desk, grabbed her bag, and slinked over near Edric. The two walked over to the elevator. Once inside, she made herself as small as possible, in the corner furthest from her boss.

  Ellie couldn’t help but notice how tall he was. She was barely five-feet tall and he was over a foot taller than her, standing at six-one. The height difference added more to her jitters. So many woman would kill to be in an elevator alone with Edric Kensington but I can’t wait to leave.

  As soon as the elevator doors opened to the first floor, Ellie skirted on ahead over to the foyer, and purposely walked in the opposite direction of Edric. Once she was away from him, she took a moment to look at the room. It was fairly packed but she could tell that the crowds have died down a little bit. Very little food remained, as Edric had predicted. But, there were enough for everyone presently in the foyer, just not enough for seconds.

  Five separate lines had formed. The only lunches that Ellie could get at the last minute were boxed sandwiches. Each contained half of a sub with a bag of chips, a piece of fruit, and a cookie.

  I think I’m going to have the turkey sandwich, Ellie thought.

  She walked to one of the lines and waited patiently. Two people behind her started talking loudly. The young woman usually tried to avoid eavesdropping but even she was curious at this point. Plus, they were right behind her.

  “What’s with the lunch today?” One woman asked.

  Ellie thought that she could see from the other lady shrug from the corner of her eye, although it was hard for her to tell since her peripheral vision was terrible. “I’m not complaining, it’s free food.”

  “Yeah, but Kensington’s never given us a free lunch before ever, unless it’s a special occasion. So, what is it?”

  “Maybe he’s in a good mood?”

  Ellie chuckled to herself. In the day and a half that she’s been working with Edric Kensington she hardly saw him crack a smile.

  “Or maybe he’s going to kill us all Jonestown-style.”

  The other woman quickly shushed her. “Not so loud. That’s Kensington’s new assistant behind you.”

  The woman who made the Jonestown remark covered her face with her left hand. “Oh shit, I didn’t know he got a new assistant.”

  Ellie blushed and waived at them sheepishly.

  “Please don’t say anything.”

  “I won’t; I promise.”

  She looked up at the older man handing out the sandwich boxes. He looked like he had a hard life. “Hello,” Ellie muttered. “Thank you for the sandwich and for spending your afternoon here.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Have a good day.”

  I wonder if I’m allowed to eat this at my desk…

  Ellie skirted around the edge of the glass building, avoiding the crowds and making her way to the elevator. Outside of the glass building she saw an older man sitting on the curb, begging for change. She could immediately tell that he was homeless by his mismatched attire and how he was surrounded by bags.

  Ellie looked down at her lunch and then looked over at the homeless man. She knew what she had to do.

  The light spring breeze blew her long, pin-straight hair backwards and messed up her bangs. She immediately pushed them back into place, so th
ey covered up her eyebrows once more. Once she reached the homeless man, she handed him her lunch.

  “Here.” Ellie averted her eyes to the ground when she handed over the parcel.

  “What’s this?”

  “Lunch.”

  “Wait, you’re the lady from the soup kitchen. The albino. Ellie, right?”

  She hated that term but nodded meekly nonetheless.

  The man smiled widely. She smiled back. “Thanks for the food.”

  Ellie sat down on the curb next to him. “How has your day been?” Her blush deepened. Even though she hated talking to strangers, she always made an exception for the homeless because she felt like they needed to be treated like a decent human being more than she needed to feel comfortable.

  “Well honestly…”

  Once the two began to chat, Ellie felt her whole body relax. She appreciated his warmth; he was a much better conversationalist than her boss. It was a nice reminder that there were kind people out there, people who weren’t irritated by her very presence.

  ***

  Edric lazily leaned against the sturdy concrete pillar in the middle of the lobby. He paid no attention to the hundreds of people scurrying about, holding their boxed lunches and scampering to their offices or to places outside to take their lunches. A few people approached him and thanked him for the lunch and attempted to strike up a conversation with the young CEO. Edric brushed them off.

  Sycophants.

  He watched his newest employee, Ellie, wander outside and hand over her lunch to some homeless man.

  Why the hell would she give her food to a stranger? Doesn’t she know that there won’t be enough for her since she was towards the back of the line already? He scoffed. Stupid girl.

  “What are you doing, Rick?”

  He broke free from his trance and turned to face his sister. She was wearing denim overalls, covered in grease and oil stains. Edric assumed that the stains were from her latest and greatest toy, Cassie’s old car. Or the stains were from someone else’s car, that she tinkered with in the morning at her mechanic shop that she started up the other day. At any rate, she stuck out like a sore thumb in the lobby filled with people in suits.

  “Violet? I thought that you hated crowds and these things.”