Siblings and Lovers Ch. 04

"But," Leah said, still reeling from shock. "That post has been vacant for..."

"Well it's filled now. Anyone who has a problem with that is welcome to take it up with me!" said Stella, knowing perfectly well that no one in the firm would risk a confrontation with her. "And why don't you take the rest of the day off. You look overworked."

Leah almost fainted on hearing that last sentence. In a daze, she went back to her desk.

"Look," Kyle started. "You have no obligation to give me the job because I saved your life."

"And you had no obligation to jump in front of a train for a complete stranger, but you did, didn't you?"

Speechless Kyle stood there as she picked up the photo frame.

"I took that picture from the phone and had it printed and framed. As a reminder of the stranger, who showed me the kindness and bravery I didn't believe anyone to be capable of."

Saying this she handed it to him. He examined it carefully. For a picture taken off a phone, it was good. It was just of his face, his neck turned looking away from the camera. He looked positively heroic in it. He smiled as he remembered that his supposed act of 'heroism' was actually a suicide attempt. That seemed ages ago. So much had happened since. He was a completely different person now.

"Okay then, thank you for the job. When do I start?"

"Anytime you want. Come over at your convenience and get into that adjacent office. Your work ... sorry, our work, will be already there. We will be making impossible designs in here. If you have any queries whatsoever, contact me on this number. Anytime 24/7."

She gave him her private number as she spoke. Any other employee would be fired just for knowing the number, let alone using it. She took his number as well and put it on her speed dial. He was slightly embarrassed to see that she had saved it under the name 'GuardianAngelKyle'.

"So I'll see you on Monday, Ms. Rousseau."

"How dare you? It's Stella for you. If you call me that again, I will fire you on the spot." she said with mock anger.

Kyle left the office still feeling giddy and light-headed leaving Stella to her own devices. Once he was gone, her heart stopped racing and her pulse returned to normal. She smiled inwardly. There were things she wanted to tell Kyle but couldn't just yet; deep, personal things.

"There will be time for that later."