~Brie~

“I miss you more my sweetheart” I sighed.

“Shoo! Shoo!” Glenn hissed at the pigeons perched on the railings.

Some coworkers exchanged glances as they passed by her.

“And she's supposed to be a photographer?” they murmured as they passed by.

I shook my head and moved my hair away from my face.

“Honey, my goodness why are you so thin?!” my mother exclaimed.

I turned my attention back to the phone.

“What are you eating over there?”

“I'm fine mom. I've just been busy.”

“Too busy to eat? Look at your neck!” she frowned.

“Mom I'm fine, relax” I chuckled.

“She's not Mrs. Nolan” Megan chipped in, leaning over my shoulder. “Hi, Manny.”

He waved at her.

“Oh, I have to ask... is your new school secretly some kind of Hogwarts deal? Are you a wizard? If you're a wizard you have to tell me, Manny” she grinned.

Manny giggled.

“Why are you working so hard, Breanna?” mom said, sighing.

“Because I have it. It's the only way the days will go faster.”

“It's the weekend Breanna.”

“I know. And today I'm not working that hard. I'm just going out into the city to take pictures. That's all.”

“Then tonight there's this fancy party the host of the conference is throwing and we all get to attend” Megan smiled, nudging me.

I chuckled. My mom gave me a worried look.

“Mom, I promise. I'm fine. Don't worry” I assured her.

“Psst! Brie!” Julio whisper-yelled at me.

Megan and I looked up and Aiden, Miles, and Ronbie were coming down the hallway.

“Mom, I gotta go,” I said.

“Will you call after your party, mommy?” Roman asked as he jumped off my mother's lap.

“Before and after the party” I smiled.

“Okay. I love you.”

“I love you more, Manny. Bye Mom.”

She waved and blew me a kiss which I caught and pressed to my heart.

“Bye, Mrs. Nolan. Bye, Manny! Watch out for dementors!” she winked.

His laugh rang in my ear before my mother hung up. I exhaled.

“Morning everyone” Mr. Martin greeted.

They responded. I just pretended to be busy with the buttons on my way shirt.

“I hope you all learned a lesson from Ms. Nolan yesterday” Miles spoke up.

I looked up at him.

“She did well to own up to her mistake and reproduce the presentation.”

“An even better one” Mr. Martin smiled. “I was impressed with the PowerPoint you included. Well done.”

I smiled politely.

“Well then” Miles exhaled, “I believe you all know what's on the itinerary for today. So don't dally. Get to work” he ordered.

It disgusted me how quiet Aiden was. He was willing to let this man-baby give orders? Was he really not CEO? I scoffed and rolled my eyes.

“Ms. Nolan. May I know why you're still seated?” Miles asked. “Get to work.”

I looked at him.

“I'm not doing any work today,” I said.

He frowned and took a threatening step toward me. But Mr. Martin was quick to stop him.

“Let me,” he said.

Miles reluctantly backed down. Mr. Martin turned to me.

“Why not, Breanna?” he asked.

I stood up.

“Well, Glenn and I...” I glanced at her and she quickly stepped beside me with a smile.

God!

“Glenn and I are going into the city to take pictures” I finished.

Then I looked at Aiden.

“You know... do our job as photographers.”

Then at Miles.

“For the media” I smiled.

Mr. Martin nodded.

“Okay then. You ladies have fun.”

I smiled and nodded at him.

“Shall we?” Glenn asked me.

“Yeah, let's—”

“And how will you two be gone?” Aiden suddenly asked.

I looked at him.

He remembers how to talk?

“Oh well, we have a list of places to go. And since we don't have a tour guide it's going to be a bit tricky so I suppose...” Glenn trailed off and clicked her tongue, “... probably four to six hou—”

“We'll be gone all day, Mr. Corleone” I cut her off, looking directly at Aiden.

He annoyed me beyond anything else right now.

“Really?” Glenn asked, pulling out the list containing the destinations from her purse. “Because I don't think—”

“All day Glenn” I stopped her.

Then I looked back at Aiden.

“All day.”

He hesitated for God knows what and why before he simply nodded. Then I shoved Glenn gently forward and walked away.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

“Mommy, mommy look! I found a four-leaf clover!” the little girl chirped excitedly, running as fast as her little legs could carry her to her mother who sat on a bench with her face in a book.

I smiled and angled the camera to capture the perfect moment.

“That's so exciting sweetheart” her mother chirped. “Go show grandpa.”

She took her daughter by the shoulder and turned her in the direction of an old man in a wheelchair with a portable oxygen tank beside him. The little girl grinned at the old man and I smiled.

“Perfect” I muttered and took the pictures.

“Hey Emma, walk!” a man I assumed was her father scolded.

I captured the moment with a chuckle.

“Kids.”

I brought the camera down from my face and went through the pictures I'd been taking for hours now.

“Aw this will look great in a magazine,” I said to myself.

“Breanna! Thank God I've found you!”

I looked up and Glenn was running towards me, her breath heavy when she reached my side. I looked behind her.

“I think...” she panted, “... I think there's something wrong with my camera.”

I arched a brow as she held it in my face.

“Is that why you look like you just got chased by a bunch of angry squirrels?” I asked, putting my camera away to take a look at hers.

“You gotta help me, Breanna,” she said, dropping on the bench.

I examined the camera.

“What's wrong again?” I asked.

“I don't know. It won't work.”

I looked at the camera. Glenn's phone rang and she smiled widely at it.

“How long have you had this?” I asked.

“Oh I just got it when I was coming here,” she said and answered the phone. “Hey, you!”

I turned my attention back to the camera and turned it on. Once it powered, I decided to go through the pictures she'd taken and I was surprised to find nothing on there. I frowned in confusion.

“Okay. I'll call you later. Bye,” she said to the person on the phone. “Did you fix it, Breanna?”

I looked up at her.

“Where are all the pictures you took?” I asked. “We parted ways five hours ago but there's nothing on here.”

She pursed her lips and gave me a guilty look.

“Err... I um...”

“Whatever you say” I stopped her and pushed the camera into her chest. “You might wanna charge it before it goes off” I cautioned and picked up my camera again.

“Can I borrow yours, Breanna?” she asked. “The charger I mean... not your camera. I have one” she smiled.

“It's in my backpack,” I told her and turned away.

For a few minutes, I didn't hear a peep from her. Then I was starting to get suspicious so I lowered my camera and turned around. And there she was standing with a small picture frame in her hand.

“What are you doing?!” I scolded.

She jumped and nearly dropped Roman's photo.

“Sorry, sorry” she apologized and frantically put it back.

She grabbed the charger and smiled apologetically at me.

“I just got distracted. He's very handsome” she smiled.

I watched her, struggling to connect the charger to the camera's charging port. She was like a turtle on its back... so helpless. But in her case, she was purely pathetic. I groaned and slung my camera's handle around my arm before yanking hers and the charger from her.

“It goes in this hole,” I told her. “See? Like this” I showed her.

She tilted her head and blinked rapidly.

“Could you show me again? This is all new to me.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“I thought you're a professional?” I asked. “Six years of experience... clearly stated in your very flashy CV.”

She chuckled nervously.

“I am. I meant this type of camera is different from the one I'm used to...” she eyed the camera, “... buttons and all.”

“Mm,” I hummed and handed the camera back to her.

“Where can I...”

“There are several free charging ports inside that building” I pointed out.

She nodded.

“Thanks.”

I heard the little girl from before laugh and I raised my camera to take a picture of her when Glenn stepped in between my shot. I composed myself and let out a breath before lowering my camera once again.

“Could you please go with me? I might get lost like I did in the subway earlier... twice.”

I let out a sigh, placed the lens cap over my camera, and pressed a pained smile on my face.

“This way,” I said and grabbed my backpack.

She hurried after me, her heels clicking loudly beneath her. I looked down at my sneakers and shook my head.

“There” I pointed. “Plug it in, take a seat, read a magazine.”

“Thank you.”

I turned away.

“Wait Breanna!” she stopped me.

I frowned.

“Would you please stay with me for a while? I don't do well alone in new places.”

But you can find the best restaurants and have personal relations with their chefs.

I sighed again and reluctantly agreed. Glenn smiled and tugged me onto a seat nearby. She plugged the charger in and drummed her fingers on her thigh happily. I looked at her and she smiled. It made me chuckle and shake my head.

My phone dinged with a text and I retrieved it from my side bag. It was a video message from my dad. I tapped it and it was a video of Roman jumping up and down and waving a bee toy figure in the camera.

“They're holding a cereal contest and he found the bee figure in the Cheerios box” my father's voice came in the background.

“He doesn't even like Cheerios” I chuckled to myself, shaking my head.

“And now he's making us go back to Target to get all the other cereals... which he does not eat” my dad sighed.

“We're going to get Cookie Crisps and Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Lucky Charms and Coco Puffs and Trix! I'm going to win whatever the prize is!” he exclaimed, hopping on the couch and jumping up and down.

I shook my head. They fed him too much sugar.

“Roman! Get off the couch right now, young man!” my mom scolded.

He jumped down and I opened my mouth to scold him, forgetting it was just a video. But he landed safely and I exhaled. Then he made a ran for it.

“Roman! Walk! Why don't you just walk?!” my mother huffed.

I chuckled.

“Is that Breanna on the phone?” she asked, looking into the camera.

“No, it's a video” my dad replied.

She filled her cheeks with air and looked directly into the camera.

“Please hurry home.”

And the video ended.

“Have fun you guys”  I texted my dad and chuckled.

“He's adorable,” Glenn said, withdrawing from beside me.

She was watching this whole time? Had she not heard about personal space?

I smiled.

“Yes, he is” I agreed.

She smiled.

“How old is he?”

Oh, it's turning into a conversation.

“Nine” I replied. “He turns ten in a couple of months.”

She tilted her head and looked upwards.

“November?”

“December” I corrected.

She smiled and opened her mouth to ask again.

“Yes. He's my only” I cut her off.

She laughed.

“That predictable huh?”

“I get that follow-up question a lot” I smiled.

The silence that followed lasted for a couple of minutes before I spoke up.

“Do you have any children?” I asked.

She scoffed.

“Children? I can barely hold down a boy toy.”

I made a face and she laughed.

“No I don't,” she said.

I nodded and looked away from her.

“It's not a race,” I told her.

She looked at me.

“It's not?”

“It's not” I assured.

She exhaled deeply.

“Have you always wanted to be a photographer?” she asked.

I smiled at my camera.

“Yeah. I found an old camera in the attic of my grandfather's house one summer when I was little. He taught me how to use it, and since then, I just fell in love with taking photos” I smiled at the memory. “There's something so fulfilling about being about to capture a moment... hold it still while life goes on..." I looked at her, “... it's almost supernatural.”

“Yeah...” she dragged, a bit dryly.

Okay?

“What about you? Have you always wanted to be a photographer?”

It wouldn't surprise me if she said no and that circumstance forced her into taking this career path. She couldn't even charge a camera.

Glenn gave me a half smile and shrugged.

“I guess” was her reply.

She fiddled absent-mindedly with her fingers as I checked my phone for the reply from my dad.

A smiley face.

I smiled.

“Breanna?”

I shifted my weight and turned to her.

“Yes, Glenn?”

“I-I need to t-tell you s-something” she stammered, nervously glancing around.

I glanced around too.

“Okay. What is it?” I asked.

She moved my backpack and shifted closer to me.

“I'm not really a photographer” she whispered. “I've never held a camera until last week.”

Surprise surprise.

“So why are you here then?” I whispered along.

She moved closer.

“Herve brought me here.”

I arched a brow.

That maniac.

“What do you mean he brought you here?” I asked.

She inhaled deeply.

“Herve and I...”

Oh God please no.

“... are related” she finished.

Relief washed over me and I smiled.

“Thank God” I exhaled and leaned away from her with a chuckle.

“No” she frowned. “Do you have any idea what it's like to be related to that man?”

“In this short time of knowing him, I've been called to his office more times than I've had sex in my entire marriage. And I was married for almost seventeen years.”

Glenn laughed.

“I don't know why he has it out for you so much” she shook her head.

I shrugged.

“I don't know either... I can't even think of a reason.”

Glenn sighed.

“My uncle can be something else sometimes. He told me he'd help me get a job but it'd require me to move from New York to Virginia. Plus he said I'd get to come on this trip with him so I said yes” she said. “I didn't know he was going to pass me off as your replacement or something.”

“Mm,” I hummed. “But what exactly is his plan?”

She shrugged.

“He's a psychopath so I can't point out one specific plan.”

I chortled. Glenn looked at me.

“Are you going to tell your boyfriend?”

I looked at her with my brows furrowed.

“What?” I asked. “What boyfriend?”

“Mr. Corleone.”

I frowned.

“Why would you call my boss my boyfriend, Glenn?”

“Well he looks at you differently, Breanna. I'm sure you've noticed because I've just been here for a week and I have seen it countless times.”

I looked around.

“No,” I said. “He's my boss. Why would you even think of such a dreadful thing?”

“Dreadful? Really? Because if I wasn't in this situation, and we met somewhere else, I might just hit that.”

What?!

I frowned.

“He's not my boyfriend and no, I'm not going to tell him or anyone else. It's not my secret” I said angrily.

“Thank you, Breanna. You're an amazing friend.”

Friend?

I bobbed my head

“And he's too old for you” I stated.

Glenn chuckled.

“Let me buy a cup of coffee to say thank you.”

I looked at her.

“You want to bribe me with a cup of coffee, Glenn? Please” I scoffed.

“Well... what'd you like?” she asked.

I turned to her with a smile.

“Lunch... at your little chef friend's restaurant.”

She smiled.

“We are going to have a blast!”

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

I sip my drink and clap.

“Go!”

“Okay, so this button on top turns on the camera. This is where the memory card slot is. The mode button switches between video and picture mode. The triangular-shaped button allows me to playback pictures I've just taken, and I can scroll through the pictures using the scroll wheel.”

“Yes!” I cheered.

She shrieked.

“Good job” I smiled.

“Thank you Breanna” she dipped her head a little. “It wasn't that hard. Anyone can do it.”

I arched a brow.

“Anyone who gets taught the basics by you” she quickly said instead. “Cause you're such an awesome teacher.”

I chuckled.

“Here,” I said and picked up her camera. “Lemme take a picture of you.”

“Wait now? Here? As there's food in front of me?”

“Yes. It's the perfect setting.”

“B-But... everyone's going to think I'm a foodie.”

I chuckled.

“They won't. Now smile” I instructed.

“Teeth or no teeth?” she asked, smoothening down her short hair.

I gave her a look. Then she gasped.

“Oh my goodness, do I have something in my teeth?!”

I rolled my eyes.

“Just shut up and smile, Glenn” I sighed. “You might just get picked up” I wiggled my brows.

“Really?” she asked, smiling beautifully as she leaned to the side to feel her hair.

I captured the moment and brought the camera down.

“Really? When I was talking? Breanna.”

I smiled and looked up from the picture at her.

“Supernatural,” I said and passed her the camera.

She gasped dramatically and touched a hand gently to her chest.

“You got my good side.”

I rolled my eyes, my smile growing wider. Glenn bit her lip thoughtfully.

“You think they won't notice you took my part of the pictures for me?”

I shrugged.

“I'm not telling anyone. So it's your choice if they know or don't.”

She smiled.

“Thank you so much Breanna. I mean it.”

I smiled back.

“You're very welcome, Glenn.”

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

“We're baaacccck!” Glenn sang as she strutted through the office.

Julio popped his head from behind his desk and eyed her.

“Does she think this is ANTM?” he asked.

I chuckled.

“She's like a brunette Barbie” he shook his head.

“An Eve doll if you will” a coworker chipped in.

I smiled and shook my head.

“Oh, Breanna” Julio waved me over to his desk. “This came in for you.”

He gestured to a black Chanel shopping bag and I arched a brow.

“For me?” I questioned as I reached down for it.

“Mm hm” he hummed.

I reached into it and held out the card.

“Thank you. From Steven and Ju...” I chuckled and shook my head “... Julio you shouldn't have.”

“Oh, I didn't. It was my idea but all Steven's money” he smiled. “The guy's loaded.”

I chuckled and began to take out the paper wrappings.

“If I needed a new purse I would have gotten... oh my no way!” I exclaimed when my eyes caught sight of the bodice of the dress.

My eyes widened at Julio.

“Yes wayyyyyy” he clapped excitedly.

“You got me a...” I glanced around, “... Lia Stublla Chanel gown?”

He nodded rapidly.

“We did!” he grinned. “If it weren't for you and your quick thinking, Steven and I wouldn't be together.”

“I just helped by fast-forwarding past your awkward stage. You did have to buy me such an expensive dress.”

“We did. And you're going to wear it tonight for the party” he beamed.

I exhaled, rubbing my thumb across the glittery surface of the dress.

“I love it” I sniffed.

He chuckled and stepped away from his desk to hug me.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” I chirped.

“Don't mention it, Brie” he smiled and let me go. “Now hurry and go change. Megan and Cynthia are on their way. Steven's coming and we're going to have a blast!”

I chuckled and hugged home again.

“Oh hey, Breanna?” Glenn called out to me.

I pulled away from Julio, my hands lingering around his neck.

“I'm going to print out the pictures. We have to get it ready for tomorrow. The media guy will be here for it.”

“Oh right, right,” I said and let go of Julio to get my camera.

I flipped open the memory card slot and took out the memory card.

“Here you go” I smiled.

“Aren't you going to back it up?” she asked.

I chuckled.

“Look at you learning stuff and trying to outsmart the master” I teased.

She laughed.

“Okay then. I'll get these printed and give them to you.”

I nodded. She glanced at Julio before walking off.

“Are you two like... friends?” Julio whispered.

I smiled.

“Yeah... we are.”

Thank you for reading! ✨