Beast lunches with Beauty (98)

Betty was busy all morning with clients. It was nice to have Sally take care of some of the list.

Sally picked up Bella's Dress and Zane's suit and brought them back to the office.

Then She called the Castle to double check all the details.

At noon a handsome guy walked into the office.

"May I help you?" Sally asked.

"Is Betty here?" He asked.

"No, she is out right now, can I help you?"

"No, I just wanted to have lunch today. I'm Oliver McLaughlin." Oliver said.

"Oh the lawyer, with the Paris night party." Sally said.

"Yah that's me. Tell Betty I stopped by."

"Ok, does she need to call you?" She asked.

"No just tell her I stopped by."

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Bella had only one class today. When she was done she stopped by Zane's office with lunch in hand.

"I don't care if you want to do business with us then you will meet our demand." Zane yelled.

Bella opened the door. Zane had his back to her looking out of the window. He had an ear piece in and Bella could only hear Zane's side of the conversation.

"No that was not what we agreed on. You have twenty four hours to comply if not we are done." Zane then pushed a button on his head set.

He felt someone in the office and turned, "Who said you could come in... get out of my office and pick up you last pay." Then he froze when he seen who it was.

Bella smiled, "Sorry dear Beast I don't work for you." She walked over and went into his embrace.

"Sorry my Beauty, I've had a ruff day. What brings you here?"

She pointed to the table, "Sushi!"

He laughted, "That's my girl."

While they were eating there was a knock on the door.

"Yes, come in." Zane bellowed.

Josh came in with a folder. "Here is today's reports. I think we will be able to wrap up everything sooner the we thought. He started all this right after you left and those are the projects that were effective. There is also only one account manger involved in this too. He has been missing since we started the audits. Do you want me to put a man on finding him."

"Yes, thanks for everything." Zane said.

Josh looked up from the file and just realized Bella as there too. "Sorry I did not know you were here. How are you?"

"Fine Josh, How are you doing today?" Bella asked.

"Better thank you." Josh said.

"Thank you again for the book. I started reading it last night. I have not heard some of these stories before."

"I'm glad. I need to get back. Ben and I are going to lunch."

"Tell my brother Hello from me." Bella said.

Josh left to go back to the conference room.

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[Call me ASAP]

The phone rang. "Hey Big bro." Mike said.

"So what is so urgent?" George asked.

"Dad is here, did you know he was coming?"

"No Mike I did not. Has he caused any problems with Josh?"

"Josh came over last night. I didn't know Dad was there. He treated him as if he wasn't even there. Josh's boyfriend Ben tried talk to him you can guess how that turned out." Mike said.

"Yah I can. What do you need from me?" George asked.

"Sally and I leave tomorrow night for a weekend with friends. Josh is going too. Can you come and talk to Dad and find out why he is really here?" Mike asked.

"Ok, I am off this next week. I'll be there be there Friday night with Junior. Send me your info." George said.

"Great. I owe you one."

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Bella arrived home and wanted to relax a little before working on her homework.

She opened her book.

◇◇◇♡♡♡◇◇◇ THE BOX OF ROBBERS cont.

She flew down the stairs, found the basket and returned with it to the attic. Then she sat down before the brass-studded box and began trying one key after another in the curious old lock.

Some were too large, but most were too small. One would go into the lock but would not turn; another stuck so fast that she feared for a time that she would never get it out again. But at last, when the basket was almost empty, an oddly-shaped, ancient brass key slipped easily into the lock.

With a cry of joy Martha turned the key with both hands; then she heard a sharp "click," and the next moment the heavy lid flew up of its own accord!

The little girl leaned over the edge of the chest an instant, and the sight that met her eyes caused her to start back in amazement.

Slowly and carefully a man unpacked himself from the chest, stepped out upon the floor, stretched his limbs and then took off his hat and bowed politely to the astonished child. He was tall and thin and his face seemed badly tanned or sunburnt.

Then another man emerged from the chest, yawning and rubbing his eyes like a sleepy schoolboy. He was of middle size and his skin seemed as badly tanned as that of the first.

While Martha stared open-mouthed at the remarkable sight a third man crawled from the chest. He had the same complexion as his fellows, but was short and fat.

All three were dressed in a curious manner. They wore short jackets of red velvet braided with gold, and knee breeches of sky-blue satin with silver buttons. Over their stockings were laced wide ribbons of red and yellow and blue, while their hats had broad brims with high, peaked crowns, from which fluttered yards of bright-colored ribbons.

They had big gold rings in their ears and rows of knives and pistols in their belts. Their eyes were black and glittering and they wore long, fierce mustaches, curling at the ends like a pig's tail.

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The door bell rang and Bella put down her book.