Post by Danielle Basch on Apr 7, 2018 15:26:15 GMT -5
Basch Industries Worldwide Headquarters
Los Angeles, CA
Thursday, April 5, 2018
The massive glass doors that mark the entrance to Basch Tower slide open, ushering the arrival of Danielle and Donovan Basch. In the main lobby, everyone falls silent as the heir apparent and his wife make their way toward the receptionist’s desk on the far side.
Female Employee: Sir...
Male Employee: Ma’am...
Danielle still isn’t accustomed to the formality of it all; to walk into a room where she is regarded as if she is royalty. In her own mind, she’s still the same small town girl who just happened to marry into a prominent family. Donovan sees his bride’s reaction and chuckles softly as he brushes a few strands of hair from her cheek.
Danielle: I don’t think I’ll ever get used to them staring at me like that.
Donovan: By the time you do, we’ll probably be running this place ourselves, and they’ll be bowing at your feet and shouting “We’re not worthy!”
She frowns a little, but the look in her eyes acknowledges her husband’s blatant attempt at flattery.
Danielle: That’s not funny, Donny. So, any idea why the Old Man is calling us into his office?
Donovan shakes his head, a confused look on his face as he shrugs his shoulders.
Donovan: He didn’t say a word to me. But the tone in his voice was decidedly upbeat, so I can only assume it’s good news.
Danielle: Well, if you say so.
Husband and wife reach the counter just as the receptionist, a woman in her mid-30’s with a thin streak of grey running through her otherwise brown hair. She looks up at the heirs to the Basch Empire and gives them a welcoming nod of her head.
Receptionist: Well, this is a pleasant surprise! If it isn’t the Crown Prince and Princess themselves.
A coy smile dances across Lenore’s face as she switches her gaze back and forth between Donovan and Danielle.
Danielle: Cute....
She tilts her head to the side and smirks at the receptionist as Donovan chuckles and shakes his head.
Donovan: That will do, Lenore. We’re here to meet with my father.
Lenore: I heard he was planning something big. Must be REALLY big news if he’s calling the both of you in.
Donovan: He hasn’t said anything to you?
Lenore shrugs her shoulders and shakes her head.
Lenore: He won’t say anything to anyone. Even the staff with top-level clearance don’t know.
Donovan sighs.
Donovan: Well, then I guess we’ll have to find out on our own, won’t we, dearest?
Danielle: I guess we will.
Danielle offers a final smile to Lenore before the couple head toward the elevator. Halfway between Lenore’s desk and the elevator, Donovan notices a shadow out of the corner of his eye. There is a look of dread on his face as he leans toward his wife to whisper.
Donovan: Don’t look now, but Dad’s goons are a few yards behind us.
Danielle doesn’t have to look. The reflective doors of the elevator show the black-clad wall of humanity that is Nathaniel Basch’s personal security guards. Husband and wife can see that the guards are quickening their pace in an effort to catch up with them, so Danielle rushes to push the button to call the elevator to the ground floor.
Donovan: You know that won’t make the elevator get here faster, right?
Danielle: Yes, I know that. I’m doing it in the hopes that they’ll take the hint and stop following us!
As the guards come up behind them, Donovan warns Danielle through gritted teeth.
Donovan: Ix-nay on the int-hay…
The elevator doors slide open, allowing Danielle and Donovan to step inside. As the guards try to follow them, Danielle holds up her hand to block their path, an authoritative look on her face.
Danielle: Hold it right there!
The guards look at each other, then back at Danielle, both with incredulous expressions on their faces. Was the wife of the heir to the Basch legacy seriously getting tough with them?
Guard 1: But Ma’am, we’re under strict orders…
Danielle: I don’t care if you were given strict orders to wipe your asses with sandpaper. WE were given strict instructions to come ALONE for this meeting, and that means that the only ones getting in this elevator are the ones Mr. Basch requested PERSONALLY. You two will just have to wait until our business here is done.
Guard 2: Ma’am, we…
As Danielle stands her ground with the Brute Squad, Donovan looks on, impressed with his wife’s assertion of authority.
Donovan: You heard the lady. Shouldn’t you be taking lunch soon, anyway?
The guards open their mouths to respond, but think better of it and step back. As the doors slide shut, Donovan looks at Danielle and smiles.
Donovan: Very impressive, Nixy! I couldn’t have handled that better myself. You stood your ground and held your position, not showing even the slightest hint of reservation. See? I told you you were a natural….
Danielle scoffs, then slowly starts to smile.
Danielle: Well, I did have an excellent teacher.
Donovan: You know where flattery will get you, Mrs. Basch….
Danielle: Indeed I do….
Donovan: Save it for later, Nixy.
Danielle pouts for a moment, then her eyes light up, as if an idea has just popped into her head.
Danielle: Hey… wanna see if we can lose ‘em after we’re done here?
Donovan: What did you have in mind?
Danielle: Well…
She pulls him down to whisper into his ear, covering her mouth to keep anyone viewing the surveillance from the security camera from reading her lips. As she pulls back, she looks into his eyes and flashes a mischievous smile.
Danielle: Sound good?
Donovan: Sounds like a plan to me…
*DING*
The elevator doors slide open as they reach their floor. Donovan holds out his arm in a “ladies first” gesture, smiling as Danielle walks out into the hallway. He then follows her out, and the pair make their way toward Nathaniel’s office, vanishing as they turn a corner.