Chapter 40: Unsought break in the elevator

By the time they arrived, a mover and house help were already standing at the gate.

As Jenna and Morticia came down from the car, the driver and hired mover was already helping the pair to unload their luggages. Morticia and Jenna offered to help, but Bruce declined.

Bruce, Mac and the mover helped the ladies in making some adjustments, according to their preferences. The only property they didn't touch was their luggage which they kept their clothes, since it was a super personal thing, given that they're ladies too.

By the time all the formalities was concluded, the house help was almost done preparing lunch. Out of concern, Jenna asked Bruce, Mac and the mover to stay behind for a little longer, so they could all eat together.

But of course, she didn't forget to call her mom and dad, individually since she suspected the both of them to be at work.

Before evening, the girls had freshened up after taking a nap.

The apartment wasn't a mansion but it wasn't small either. The Smith couples had bought it from a wealthy farmer in the city, barely two years back. Jenna didn't know anything about the property until a few days back.

The house help, Valeta, gave a tour of the house.

The Five bedroom apartment had four bathrooms, a spacious backyard and a wrap-around verandah. The Smith's had a thing for coziness, as it reflected in the interior of the building. The house had about 2 All-White decorated rooms. Originally, it was valued at $3M but was eventually sold for $1.7M.

It was really beautiful and the girls could swear they would live in it for years, without wanting to move out.

After touring the house, Valeta prepared dinner before sundown. She wasn't supposed to live with the pair since it wasn't like Jenna's permanent resident, besides Jenna's resettlement in Hentritch was impromptu. But Jenna asked her to stay back for dinner. After dinner which all three of them had, Valeta left.

That night both girls occasionally exhaled deeply while staring at the ceiling, even as they were in separate rooms. They both had enough reasons to leave Planora and at this point, they were super thankful that it happened now.

Morticia never ran into Morgan or Jinjin again, nor was there a chance for that to happen, hopefully. Jenna was also able to dodge a few eyes before finally leaving.

But the person who had the greater reason to leave Planora was Morticia. Literally almost everyone she knew, including her family members couldn't bare to spare her a glance. The one who wanted to see her badly, was so he would make sure it was the last time he ever would.

Well,

All Morticia could do at this point, was to speak to the land to favor her. At least she did that in an imperceptible manner, ditching the right foot superstition when they first arrived.

All she could do was hope for the best in everything she was going to get involved in.

Morticia couldn't wait to finally get productive!

The last thing she was going to be to Jenna was a liability...

>>> Two Weeks Later >>>

A lot had went by in the space of two weeks. For Kendrell, things unexpectedly moved in a fast pace, which almost became a lot for him to handle. Thankfully, Malcolm was by him, as a friend, till he couldn't.

Kendrell had no choice but to open up a little. He was forced to speak more than he wanted to, all of that to convince a group of pot bellied men to buy into an idea or the other.

But the days weren't fast only because of that, no it wasn't.

His meeting at VGQ unexpectedly landed him in a position he could not have imagined.

~ Flashback ~

After the all - shareholders meeting, Kendrell had an 'elevator miracle' with a major stock holder at VGQ.

_

Absentmindedly, Kendrell stepped into the elevator with his gaze occasionally thrown at his shoes and watch all the while. Mario was supposed to be behind him but Kendrell didn't care to wait for Mario to join him. He took giant strides to the elevator, because he didn't feel like explaining himself to Mario who he was sure was going to throw questions at him.

" Mr Graham." A familiar voice called out, forcing Kendrell to raise his head for the first time since he stepped in the elevator.

Kendrell's sight was greeted with none other than Ambrose Bauer, from Ramsey and Sons who stood next to Rollins Rivers, a business tycoon.

They were at VGQ because of reasons best known to them. Men like them would not show up because of an impromptu general meeting, not like they had no employee to send as a Rep. But that was the least of Kendrell's concern as he straightened up and looked at both men without saying a word.

" Didn't think I'd see you here." said Ambrose.

" I'm a minor shareholder." Kendrell said, before he looked ahead.

'' Oh I see. So..."

" I attended the all shareholders meeting." Kendrell said to stop Ambrose from creasing his brows further.

" That's right. It almost escaped my mind that there was a general meeting." Ambrose said before looking ahead.

' I thought as much.' Kendrell mused inwardly without saying a word.

After a while, Ambrose spoke up again,

" Are you okay Mr Graham?" he asked.

" Yes Mr. Bauer."

" It's a good thing you still remember my name. You know, I..." leaning towards Ken, Ambrose continued;

'' I want to personally apologize for_"

" Don't you think you're talking too much Mr Bauer?" asked Rollins, who was intelligent enough to see through the masked frown on Ken's face and dullness in his eyes.

" Well you can't really blame me, Mr. Rollins. You see, he got an interview slot at the company (Ramsey and Sons) but threw it out the window all thanks to Gloria." Ambrose said causing Rollins to quirk his brows.

" It seemed she had an issue with his family, correct Mr Graham?" Ambrose asked bending slightly with his hand behind his back, to look at Kendrell's eyes which were shut at the moment.

Clenching his jaw, Kendrell exhaled through his nose, before mouthing

'' Correct Mr Bauer."

" He seemed very intelligent but, you know Gloria and how she can get when she dislikes someone." Bauer said with a sad sigh. He seemed to be fond of Kendrell, but he couldn't help him.

" Hmm." Rollins said. But before he could say anything else, they heard a loud noice and in no time, their elevator stopped moving.

' Typical. Just what I need.' Kendrell murmured under his breath.

Sighing, Rollins glanced at his watch before pinching his brows in frustration.

Ambrose seemingly murmured a couple of words to himself. He seemed to be a talkative and Kendrell hoped for a quiet time while the unsought break in the elevator lasted.

The three figures relaxed on the wall, with their hands either folded or tucked in their pockets.

Minutes later, with his arms folded, Rollins spoke up surprisingly,

" Mr Graham." he called out.

" Mr Rollins" replied Kendrell.

'' What's your branch in the field?" Rollins asked.

" Civil, sir. Structural precisely." replied Kendrell.

If Kendrell was in the right frame of mind at that point, he would have answered enthusiastically.

" Hmm. I see." Rollins said while he nodded before standing straight.

Then,

an ear deafening silence ensued in the elevator. Ambrose didn't know what else to say so he kept mute. Neither Kendrell nor Rollins said anything till they eventually left the elevator.

That day went by and another, and then the next.

But on the fourth day, Kendrell received a call, the one that marked the beginning of a new bloom.