Chapter 4: Lanie's First Day (Part Two)
Lanie went into the restroom. It was large, ornate and luxurious. There were lockers and showers. She gazed at herself in the mirror as she washed her hands. Wealthy people were so different. Even with the modicum of success she had, it was never to this level.
In the back of her mind, there were glimpses of her own mother who was once wealthy until her father had gotten so ill. Mother was from an old money family, grew up in the lap of luxury, and was beautiful. Daddy worked too hard for her. Her mother was good-natured, but a pampered princess.
Lanie dried her hands on the Egyptian cotton towels hanging,smoothed her hair down, and straightened her shoulders. She then walked out of the Lounge to the tarmac where Gavin Park' s private jet awaited.
She climbed up the talk steps into the interior which was decorated in the light grays Mr. Park had preferences for, the leather passenger seats and down to the wall to wall carpeting. There was a bar in the back, the restroom, and what appeared to be two sleeping cabins in the back. Mr. Park came out of one. He had taken off his sunglasses and with those deep brown eyes regarded her expression.
"Yummy is situated and secured in the right cabin, you can check on her and get some rest once we taxi off the runway and get airborne. Please have a seat and buckle up. We're taking off in a couple minutes," Park said as he took a seat and strapped himself in.
"Yes, Mr. Park, " Lanie responded as she took an adjacent seat.
"Call me, Gavin," he said and Lanie nodded.
There was an intercom Mr. Park spoke into and the pilot answered that they were ready. James had boarded and got ready as the co-pilot. They taxied onto the runway and started their ascent into the sky.
****
Once they got into the sky at reasonable height and it was not too turbulent, Lanie went to visit Yummy in her carrier in the right cabin. It was unzipped and Yummy was napping. Lanie smiled indulgently and gently skritched her cat under the chin. Yummy trilled in her sleep.
"Yummy, you seem so comfortable. Despite the situation." Lanie sighed, sitting on the luxurious full-sized bed.
The cabin looked like a hotel suite. It was so modern and streamlined, like everything Lanie had seen so far. Future forward. Lanie felt tired, her eyelids heavy. All that tossing and turning finally hit. She kicked off her shoes and curled up next to Yummy's carrier. Sleep came quickly.
Lanie opened her eyes and saw her beautiful mother at the door of the house with suitcase in hand.
"Mama, don't go, please. I'll do better, don't go." Lanie cried, reaching out her hand.
Her mother bent down to kiss her forehead. "I'm sorry, Baby. Janey, take care of your sister."
Then, she was gone.
****
Lanie sat up with a start. She touched her tear-dampened face. It was that memory, the one memory that stuck in her mind. The memory that made Lanie strive to be independent, rely on herself, and to expect nothing from others.
As a awkward teenager, the stress of being top of the class was nothing. At university, even with being beautiful, Lanie was too aloof and unreachable. When she progressed to her other degrees, Lanie focused on being the best. When she started her company, Lanie's cold and direct personality lost her allies and gained many enemies. When her company died, she lost confidence and had to humble herself in menial lab work.
Yummy meowed and rubbed her head on Lanie's elbow, snapping Lanie out of her stupor. Picking up her kitty, she cuddled her close. Yummy licked the tip of Lanie's nose and purred.
There was a knock on the cabin door. Lanie deposited Yummy on the floor, wiped her face with back of her hands and smoothed the wrinkles out her clothes.
"Yes?" She called out.
"It's Gavin, may I come in?" That smooth voice came through the door.
'Right, my boss is Gavin Park. I'm an employee, a secretary.' Lanie thought as she remembered where she was.
"Of course," Lanie replied as she put on her discarded shoes. She sat back down and her kitty jumped up on her lap.
The door opened slowly and Mr. Park came in. He looked so put together, not a wrinkle or hair out of place. His dark gaze scanned her face in concern as he noted her reddened eyes.
"Did you sleep well? I tried to check on you earlier but you didn't answer."
"I'm sorry I wasn't being truthful earlier. I was just very tired."
"Understood." Gavin just nodded. "We are having a late lunch. Come and join me."
Yummy meowed, leaped off her mama's lap, and ran over to Lanie's employer.
Gavin laughed as he asked the cat,"You hungry too?"
Yummy meowed and walked around Gavin's legs. Lanie wanted to roll her eyes. Her cat was actually flirting somehow. When the door opened, Yummy strolled out as if being on a plane was no big deal for her and she had done it a million times.
Gavin held the door opened and said, "After you."
Lanie looked up feeling apprehensive, but her stomach rolled. The bagel and tea she had was long gone. She nodded and got up. As she walked through, the toe of her shoe got caught on the area rug. Her whole body catapulted forward and she closed her eyes to brace for the impact. Then, she felt an arm snake around her waist. The world spun around and Lanie opened her eyes.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone