BullsEye

Chapter Six

“Why did you put these files away?” Brenda asked Valerie holding up some files she found in the abandoned project compartment on the top closed shelf in her office.

“Oh that, it’s a letter of approval to participate in this year’s FIRM FAIR” Valerie explained setting down her cup of coffee.

“What’s FIRM FAIR all about?” Brenda inquired moving closer.

“It’s some sort of event in a competition kind of way organized for business firms, like the MontCorp, It is hosted and organized by the government and sovereign union every four years.The top firm with the most service to offer and best presentation, is offered an Honorary letter and handles all the projects of the government for the next four years till the next one is conducted” Valerie explained further in her usual official tone.

“So, it’s like the Olympics organized for business firms?” Brenda asked, her eyes glued on Valerie.

“I guess so. This invitation letter was retrieved from your parents car by the cops after the accident and it was brought to us. Apparently this letter was the main reason behind their business trip” Valerie responded taking the file from Brenda and flipping through the neatly stacked papers.

“This brings me back to my previous question, why did you put them away?” Brenda demanded.

“Well, we all agreed to keep it away since you barely just took over the company and probably might not be fully prepared to participate right now, so we all figured you could give it a shot in four years to come” Valerie replied stuttering as Brenda glared at her a little bit too serious than usual.

“Is this invitation still valid?” Brenda asked paying no attention to her explanations

“Yes it is, the event isn’t due until the next six months” Valerie replied curtly.

“Inform Ross and any other staff concerned, I intend to participate in this year’s FIRM FAIR in honor of my parents. I need every support and information I can get, I may not be experienced, but there’s no harm trying” Brenda replied, her gaze shifting to the mini framed old photo of her parents with her and baby Alexa that stood on her table beside the numerous files and documents that required her approval and signature.

“I’ll do that right away” Valerie replied stretching forward for her tablet to schedule a meeting with Ross and a few other senior employees and board member.”

“Do you want the meeting scheduled for today?” Valerie asked looking up at Brenda

“No, make it tomorrow, I’m taking the rest of the day off, I have some important stuff to do back home" Brenda replied rising up to her feet after briefly glancing at her wristwatch, before picking up her coat she had draped over her chair.

“But, you have a meeting with the board of directors by 4pm and a lot of paperwork to attend to” Valerie protested her eyes following Brenda as she headed towards the door.

“Reschedule” Brenda replied sharply waving her hands before gliding out through the door. Valerie sighed as she listened to the fading sound of her heels clicking on the tiled floor.

She picked up her almost empty cup of coffee and clutched her tablet in her other hand and walked towards the door. She looked back and glanced through the office before heading out when she confirmed everything was in place, dragging the door close with her leg fast enough to pull it out before the door banged shut on her tiny foot because both her hands were occupied.

“Still got it” she whispered to herself smirking with pride at the door before she turned on her heels and walked away humming and swaying her hips.

“Take me home.” Brenda ordered Tyler her new driver Jeff literally imposed on her a day after she became CEO.

“Yes ma’am” Tyler simply replied holding the door of the car open for her to climb in.

Brenda dug out her phone from her handbag immediately Tyler roared the engine to life and scrolled through for Alexa’s number as Tyler pulled out of the parking lot and hit the road.

“Hey sis” Alexa screamed into the phone after the fourth ring making Brenda momentarily pull the phone away from her ear.

“We’ll talk about your deafening voice later, I'm on my way home, get dressed before I get there, I'm only a few blocks away” Brenda said returning the phone back to her ear after glaring at it.

"On it" Alexa simply replied before she hung up.

Tyler skillfully pulled into the driveway and brought the car to an immediate halt while Brenda quickly alighted and briefly waved at some maids who greeted her as she breezed by them.

"I'm home" she announced as she stepped into the house.

"Welcome sweetie, we're all good to go" Aunt Audry sadly replied holding tightly unto Alexa.

"Where's Jake?" Brenda asked scanning the living room trying to swallow past the lump in her throat.

"Here" Jake responded appearing from behind her.

"The car's all set, we should get going." Jake added exchanging brief glances with his mom and cousins.

They all wordlessly got seated in Jake's car as he drove over to the Airport.

The day Brenda dreaded was finally here, Jake and Aunt Audry were returning back home as they had pressing issues to deal with back home.

She knew they would eventually go someday but she was really used to having them around. She sank into her chair and closed her eyes till she felt warm hands over hers and turned to see her Aunt Audry smiling softly at her. She managed to return the smile and squeezed her hands gently.

Alexa sat in front with Jake, her eyes not once leaving the road.

The journey was finally over as Jake got himself somewhere to pack in the crowded parking lot and they all got out.

The next few minutes had them sitting in the waiting area for their flight which wasn't due until the next 20 minutes.

"Hey Jake, What do you say I beat you to one last game before you leave?" Alexa asked Jake nudging him with her elbow.

"You wish" Jake replied smirking standing up to his feet undoubtedly taking up her offer.

"Be back here in 10 minutes" Aunt Audry informed them

"Yes Mom" Jake replied as he helped Alexa up and they were out of sight in no time.

"You guys are gonna be fine right?" Aunt Audry finally asked when it was just herself and Brenda left with concern evident in her motherly voice.

"Yeah" Brenda simply replied.

"If you ever need anything, just call me okay? I'll be on the next flight to Greeze land" Aunt Audry informed her taking her hand and rubbing it gently

"Sure. We'll be fine Auntie, there's no need to worry" Brenda replied holding back her tears.

"Thank you so much" she added pulling her aunt into an embrace.

"I've got something for you Honey" Aunt Audry whispered into her ears with a bright gleam in her blue-green eyes.

Brenda raised up her head in anticipation as Aunt Audry dug into her purse and brought out a beautiful silver chain with a Single heart shaped diamond pendant and wore it around her neck.

"It's pretty!! " Brenda confessed admiring her new necklace that sat proudly on her neck.

"We still have few minutes more, how about we check out that new pastry store and grab some cupcakes?" Aunt Audry suggested glancing at her wristwatch.

Brenda's stomach growled at the mention of cupcake because she was so busy at the office she didn't have time to nibble on anything so she vigorously nodded in response to her Aunt's pleasing suggestion.

They grabbed some cakes and a few snacks with some bottles of chilled drinks and headed back to the waiting area to find Alexa and Jake already seated waiting for them.

They sat together and chatted away time as they nibbled on their snacks before the announcement for their flight was finally made.

"I'm gonna miss you Soo much auntie" Brenda purred hugging Aunt Audry as they all rose to their feet.

"Ama miss you too honey" Aunt Audry replied gently rubbing her back before releasing her and snatching Alexa from Jake's embrace into hers.

"I know you miss me already kiddo" Jake said smirking as Brenda approached him

"Oh shut up and give me a hug will ya" Brenda replied spreading out her arms to him.

"Be safe okay?" Jake finally said in a serious tone.

"I'll miss you guys" he finally admitted before ruffling her hair after releasing her from his hug.

She refrained herself from swatting his hands away from her precious hair as she didn't want them causing a scene at the airport.

"Bye Auntie" both girls waved at their Aunt as she and Jake walked over to the line.

The girls both stood there watching and waving at every little interval their Aunt was able to glance in their direction till she gave one last wave and boarded the plane with Jake doing the same behind her.

"I just called Tyler, he's on his way to get us home, let's sit here and wait" Brenda informed Alexa taking hold of her hand and leading her towards two empty seats in the waiting area as tons of people scurried around.

"Where did you get that?" Alexa asked wide eyed taking the little pendant of Brenda's necklace in her hand as they sat down on the chair.

"Oh... Aunt Audry gave it to me when you were off gaming with Jake" Brenda proudly replied

"Hey! Where's mine?!" Alexa demanded grumbling

"Well, she only had one, for her........ favorite niece" Brenda replied flicking her hair in absolute show off.

"Tsk...... Well, Jake got something too, for his....... favorite cousin" Alexa bit back over dramatically flicking her own hair.

"Really?? Show it to me" Brenda asked looking round Alexa's body in an attempt to find a strange object.

"No!" Alexa said crossing her hands over her chest and firmly turning her face away.

"Oh come on........ Please" Brenda pleaded with wide puppy dog eyes.

"No!" Alexa repeated still standing her ground.

"Okay let's make a........." Brenda began but was abruptly interrupted by her phone's loud ringing.

She dug into her pocket for her phone and held up the phone to her ears as she raised up a finger at Alexa.

"Hello?.........

Alright, we'll be there shortly.............

Thank you" Brenda answered briefly before hanging up and returning the phone back to her pocket.

"Let's go, Tyler's by the parking lot"Brenda announced as she stood up and without warning, pulled Alexa up and held her hand firmly as she intelligently manoeuvered their way through the large crowd of people till they got to the parking lot.

Alexa swinged by to purchase some cotton candy before she Joined Brenda in the backseat of the car.

"Uhm Tyler?" Alexa called out to Tyler as he roared the engine to life and hit the main road

"Yes ma'am?" Tyler replied curtly casting her a glance through his driver's mirror.

"Could you drive us to Mchuggans before we head home please?" Alexa politely requested.

"Yes ma'am." Tyler simply replied.

"Heading to Mchuggans for what now???" Brenda inquired from her sister with a totally confused expression.

"We haven't quite celebrated your position as C.E.O now have we?" Alexa replied smiling softly at her sister.

"Awwww" was all Brenda managed to say before pulling her in for a hug.

Tyler arrived at Mchuggans in no time and the girls spent quality time together.

"We're gonna be alright, I'll always be here for you" Brenda said looking into her sister's eyes assuring her of everything as they hopped into the car again all set for home.

We're gonna live on, no matter how lonely it gets.