chapter 7

"Good morning miss Ashbourne" the long row of staff greeted as grace ashborne walked into the office

"good morning" she said as she walked by the envious eyes of woman followed her while some guys who had the guts admire her beauty.

"What's stopping me from firing you right now elvis"

"You can miss Ashbourne but definitely not over this" her gay assistant elvis said .

"I specifically told you i didn't want anything to do with that city but still you did this" everyone cleared the way as she walked by

"Miss Ashbourne, You're a talent that should be displayed, your cooking skills are amazing"

"Flattery seriously Elvis, and i'm not a doll that needs to be displayed"

"M....m....mi...miss a...ash....bourne" her secretary linda stammered.

She paused and turned to stare at her "linda quit stammering or get out" her voice harsh and cold making linda flinch but she didn't care

"Yes.....yes ma" she said try to make her voice steady

"Where's frank" she asked walking into her office

"Playing poker ma'am"

Linda placed a cup of coffee infront of her

"seriously poker" elvis nodded, she sighed "he's 80 not 18" she sipped the coffee but scrunched her nose spiiting it out.

"Linda how do i like my coffee"

"B..black ma'am" her hands trembled slightly

"You've been walking here for how many months now"

"6...Months ma'am"

"And you still cant get my coffee right"

"I'm sorry..." she raised her hands cutting her off

"Elvis find me a new secretary "Linda broke down in tears

"Linda darling" she said staring at a document "you lasted longer than other, so i will send you to work in the new branch— if by the time i get there. You're still..... Not ready then...."she looked up.

"I will...be.. ma'am" linda said and walked out

"You're scaring them off" elvis said

"Sadly it didn't work for you" she signed the documents and closed it

"Ive got a meeting if i remember correctly" she stood up and walked out.

************

" Really frank liquor in coffee shop" Grace sat down the waiter quickly rushed to her side"

"Black coffee no sugar right ma'am" the waiter asked but she simply ignored him.

You're mean" frank an old man in his eighties who still lived like a teenager

"I learnt from the best" the waiter dropped her coffee, and frank laughed

"How's life going" he asked after the laughter died down

"Good i closed five deal yesterday, and ive finally secure all dealings with U&C"

"Not buisness grace—How are you doing"

"I'm good" she said avoiding eye contact

"Grace" he called his voice stern

She sighs " What do you want me to say frank" she takes a deep breath "i dont know who the fuck i am where I'm from or who the father of my kids are" "We all put an effort into it" she said and frank just shook his head

"It is not your fault grace" he placed his hands on her but she pulled away "i dont na...." He cuts her off

"You're name is grace, my daughter grace, and who cares about the kids dad they've got me and xander" he said his voice growing soft and comforting"You're strong grace, stronger than me even" she laughed

"True, when i saw you hanging by that cliff seven years ago, i knew it, you're different Grace and you past should stop holding you back you are talented relentless in all your life pursuit, you saved my company grace"

"I have an old friend, who wants to build a house for his grandson... Think you can handle that"

"Sure thing frank anything for you