23 Early morning Visitor

One fine morning - at Lillian's apartment:

Time - 8:00 A.M.

Lillian is still sleeping soundly.

Suddenly, there came a loud crash on the front door. The banging sound grew for every single hit. Lillian hasn't moved or been affected by the front door slamming noise.

A few moments later, Lillian's mobile started buzzing. She squirms in her sleep; the noise was disturbing her peaceful slumber. Bothered from the nonstop bustle, she got up from her hibernation. Her mobile soon stopped ringing, but she could hear the banging on the front door resume vigorously. Slowly opening her eyes and hopping out of bed, Lillian moved like a sloth towards the front door.

'Who is it? It's so early in the morning,' Lillian thought herself as she open and saw a familiar face, Jenna.

..

"Beautiful Morning, Ms. Grey."

Jenna greeted like the sunshine appearing in front of the darkness.

Lillian shut the door hastily and started pacing towards the bedroom. Jenna got startled from the abrasive reaction without any acknowledgment.

'How dare Ms. Grey can ignore me?'

Jenna incensed.

Instantly, she kept slamming the door with her bare hand while kicking it as well simultaneously. Lillian's repose slowly disappeared, overhearing the commotion. Her appearance took the malicious form with veins popping on her forehead.

Furiously marching back, Lillian swiftly answered the door. The evil eyes warned the sensitive editor to back off, or she might face the wrath of the devil herself, who had just woken up from its slumber.

Jenna felt terror taking over her body. She needed a plan to calm down Lillian Grey. Without hesitating, Jenna pulled out the ultimate bribe and presented it to the demon facing her.

It was a sandwich wrapped in the aluminum foil sheet. Not just any sandwich but 'Grilled Cheese sandwich' from the "Cravings food truck." It was still hot and fresh. The butter smell filled the air around them, and Lillian's possessed gaze reverted to a tender one, where she looked at the sandwich with all the love.

"It is your favorite, Ms. Grey. I thought you might be hungry and got you one," Jenna synched to the mood.

The bribe worked as Lillian greeted Jenna with a sweet smile, finally letting her inside the house.

"What's up with you, Jenna? Coming to my apartment all early in the morning," Lillian spoke casually. Her demeanor was completely different just a few seconds ago, almost planning to murder the poor soul, Jenna. However, the editor's smart plan worked.

With a Grilled Cheese sandwich, Lillian chose to forgive her editor as usual.

Letting Jenna in, Lillian went to prepare tea for both.

"I'm surprised to see your apartment this tidy, Ms. Grey." Jenna scanned the place.

"Yeah, you should have seen its state when I returned from the trip. The whole apartment got covered in dust, along with spiders and stuff. Well, I did not clean it in the first place, so it was nice timing," Lillian explained the details. Jenna almost got goosebumps just from imagining the state of the apartment. Spiders are Jenna's worst nightmare, and hearing the story, Jenna thanked the heavens for making Lillian Grey finally clean the place. If not, she wouldn't have entered inside at all.

Lillian brought two cups of Lemon tea, giving one to Jenna and having the other to herself. They both drank tea and discussed the things to do today. Jenna carried a laptop with her for work. After having tea, Lillian informed Jenna to wait until she gets ready for the day.

"Let me brush and take a shower first. I can't focus otherwise. You can watch TV if you're bored. I'll be back soon." Lillian informed and went back to her room.

Jenna took out her laptop and started working ahead of Lillian. She had the final copy of Lillian's new book, which is about to get released this weekend.

Several minutes later, Lillian joined Jenna in the living room. She had another cup of tea before sitting down for work. Jenna advised her to have the sandwich before it gets cold. Agreeing to her, Lillian ate the food first, munching into the gooey cheesy layered toasted bread.

It was a sight to see Lillian enjoy her favorite food. Jenna shook her head in thinking how childish Lillian Grey can get.

..

In the next few hours, Lillian and Jenna worked on their book diligently, verifying the alignment, font size, the chapter arrangement, and the design, without skipping a minor detail.

"Then, Ms. grey, I shall submit the changes and final copy to the printers this afternoon."

"Hmm... good work, Jenna," Lillian thanked her editor.

Time flew so fast that it is already afternoon now. Lillian thought Jenna might be hungry since she came over so early in the morning.

"I'm going to order some food. What you do want to eat?" Lillian asked.

"Ms. Grey, I'm alright. I'll be visiting the printer's office this afternoon. So, I'll lunch outside."

Jenna wasn't conscious of the time and assumed it to be still early for lunch.

"It is already afternoon, Jenna. Go to the printer's office after you eat your lunch here, got it? Now, tell me, what do you want to eat?" Lillian made it clear that Jenna eats lunch with her.

Jenna kept blinking before giving her reply, "Your choice, Ms. Grey." Nonetheless, the person in charge of buying food is a little dangerous, so Jenna made a special request.

"Except for any live octopus or grasshopper tacos. I would like to have normal food, Ms. Grey. Please don't buy any bizarre food for me. However, you're free to have it if you like," Jenna added.

Lillian gave her the look of 'I see that you've gotten used to my tricks.' She seized her wallet and was about to leave when Jenna stopped Lillian.

"Ms. Grey, are you going out to buy the food yourself?" she asked.

"Yes, I need some location change. I'll be back soon. You stay here and take rest. You've worked hard, Jenna."

Lillian patted on her shoulder and went out to buy their lunch.

Jenna stood near the front door, all alone. After a few seconds, she came back to the living room. She sat down, smiling warmly.

"Ms. Grey is still the same as I met her for the first time." Jenna chuckled and then did some stretching while Lillian was away. She made herself coffee.

Lillian permitted to use her kitchen since Jenna can cook pretty well. She had cooked meals before whenever Lillian was sick. As she prepared a coffee, she went around looking at the house, which was all new and clean this time.

Memories of meeting Lillian Grey for the first time revisited. She looked back to the time when she got this job offer and how did she get so close with Lillian Grey.