In Which, There is Change
"Father please, look right here it says it right here! Look!"
Ishan Arya sighed audibly while pinching the bridge of his nose before looking up from the papers on his desk to address his only daughter.
Amelia was nearing her 40th birthday, her hair was growing out to be tight curls on her head with premature white strung throughout them, her brown eyes were tired, and skin that didn't hold its normal warm olive tones but instead looked slightly yellowed and her face gaunt.
Despite this there was a shine to her eye that he couldn't ignore as she presented a newspaper article, so he pushed the papers aside in favor of giving her his attention.
It was rare she had such energy these days.
"Okay," he moved his gaze from her face to the article she pressed into his," I am very much aware of Vaughan McClellan. He is, after all, my best-selling author. Even if he's on hiatus."
The last part was said a bit bitterly and he pushed back in his chair while also pushing away the article that had a snapshot of Vaughan dressed in a tan tuxedo with blue undershirt smiling to Ellis Ashbridge, both of their boys near them hugging.
He liked Ashbridge well enough, if only in respect to his wonderful men's business clothesline that he frequently purchased. They ran in some of the same circles, Ellis supporting his jewely line and even did a commercial a number of years prior, before he became more focused on being a single father. Though Ishan was not as invested into the environmental conservation as the two pictured were, he respected aspects of it. If only due to one woman's influence early on in his life.
"But look!"
Undoubtedly the picture would have been from some fundraiser to save a tree in some jungle somewhere or to bring light to a pretty flower of some sort, he thought idly. Vaughan kept the memory of his parents alive in the continued support of their prior interests.
Ishan did not understand any of it, what he enjoyed was having good literature published under the company he had built from the ground up and supporting his father and grandfathers mining industry, the latter resulting in the family fortune.
At his daughter's insistence he glanced over the article header and found his brow raising.
She smiled at the reaction.
"It's perfect!"
"Perfect?" he echoed tearing his gaze from the ridiculous words on the page back to his beaming daughter.
She rolled his eyes," Yes! If he is on hiatus, and is considering moving from writing to tutoring, he can tutor Elliot and Keaton! We were just discussing this! It's like- it's like fate!"
Fate was a bit of a stretch, he thought considering they were always discussing the boys' education, and just happened to bring up the possibility of an English tutor not long ago.
And taking the articles word for any good measure, was even more of a stretch. Especially what he understood of his most talented writer, who shocked reporters over a year prior when adopting his nephew.
Ishan recalled a few months after the boys adoption was simmering in papers, Ascension had been published, making headlines and putting the spot light again to the talent of the young man many had considered still on hiatus from he loss of his parents and Xaviers parents in one fell swoop.
It had been a dark time, and Ishan still thought of his last call to Everly, and the words she had for him in return.
"Just-protect them Ishan. Please. For all we have done- for all we have been. Please. Do this for me."
And he had been doing his best, ever since that dark day in the cemetery, the procession of mourners filing in groups from the newly laid earth, four graves dug far too early.
His eyes had been to Vaughan and Xavier that day. Xavier in Morrowes arms, his tears brought on by that of many that attended, still not fully understanding why his parents where gone and grandparents with them, never to return.
Vaughan ha cried that day, too, his understanding painted in the distant gaze as he was ushered, finally, from the graves his eyes blank, hands by his sides numbly as tears streamed down unchecked, the puffiness in his face reflecting that this was hardly the first time he had cried.
Ishan pulled from his revery as his daughter gave another plea.
"Please, father, please. It would be a win-win for it all, and I am certain we could find a way to convince Mr. McClellan to agree!"
Seeing her glow he did not have the heart to say dispute this, especially when he knew his daughter was one of Vaughans most devoted and earliest fans.
He sat back in the chair, setting the article down and staring at it in consideration while a thought stewed in his mind. The article may be very far-fetched from the actual truth, he knew, but the admitted tutoring history was undeniably useful. And with Vaughan currently at a standstill with both his sequel and upcoming release of an unrelated title, it gave him a moment to pause.
The issue with Vaughan not writing had not been the only problem as of late involving the man, and Ishan rubbed his bearded chin, humming thoughtfully. In all honesty, he had ensured Marrowe closer to the young man in recent months, but if he where to convince him to live with them for a period of time while he straightened matters out, then he had Marrowe at his dispense again.
Perhaps fate wasn't so much a stretch after all, though his daughter may not know the details as to why he would personally think such.
"You agree with me, don't you?" She grinned plopping down in a chair across from him.
He shrugged," It could work out. After all. His most recent move has been a big hit to our stocks. If he cannot write, perhaps being around you and the boys more will help him remember his fanbase and bring him out of his rut. Tutoring could bring him back to his old college days and be a good motivator."
He was thinking aloud now but Amelia hung to every word.
"I'll make some calls."
He could not hold back the smile as she squealed and gave him an invigorated hug.
Vaughan McClellan would have to do this.
Ishan would be sure of it.
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It was early in the morning.
Too early, in fact, for such noise to be outside his bedroom door.
Before Vaughan could turn on his lamp or even fully pull from the dreamless sleep, he had been heavily vested in keeping, his door burst open, the light from the hall far too bright for his tired eyes and he was soon enveloped by a far too hyperactive 6-year-old boy.
"Don't you have lessons," he croaked grumpy at his beloved sleep being interrupted.
"Morrowe is here!" Xavier was far too excited to respond to the question in point," he says we're going on an adventure!"
For a long moment Vaughans brain tried processing what he just heard. Unable to fully comprehend the situation as of yet, he ended up responding with an ineloquent "What?"
"A much-needed adventure."
From the doorway Morrowe appeared to be only a tall silhouette featureless in the darkness of the room," that it is time you get up for."
Groaning he reached hazily over for his glasses, and after shoving them on his face looked to the time on his alarm.
Flopping his head back he growled," It is far too early for adventures, adventures do not begin at god awful hours of 7am. What is that even?" As a well-off author, Vaughan generally was able to keep to his mostly nocturnal schedule and normally woke at a far more agreeable hour of 10am. Slowly. Quietly. With a cup of coffee or tea.
"Nonsense," Vaughan covered his eyes quickly when Morrowe was kind enough to flip the lights on without warning," Their awaiting our arrival!"
"They?"
Morrowe helpfully ignored his feeble question as Xavier opened his closet to walk back to where his best suits were.
"You have a meeting at 9 with the terms of your new contract and you cannot keep them waiting!"
"Waiting?"
"I THINK THE YELLOW SUIT WOULD LOOK GOOD UNCLE!"
Morrow was striding over to his closet now with an," oh dear, that is a bit too bright for this occasion, don't you think? You want your uncle to make a good impression on his new charges."
"Charges?!?" Vaughan found himself sitting up glasses askew and curls in a disarray as he fought to pull his robe off the bed post.
"HOW ABOUT THE BLUE ONE?!?"
Xavier was cruelly inconsiderate for how much his uncle adored sleeping in.
"Perfect my boy. Your uncle will look dashing for Mr. Arya."
Vaughan fell off the bed half entangled in the blanket, only one arm in his nightgown," m-Mr... wait seriously Morrowe tell me what is going on!"
The man in question popped his head out the door, raised a bushy brow to the writer's current situation, tipped his wide brimmed fedora, and grinned past an unlit pipe clutched between his teeth," Yes! This is excellent my boy!"
And he dove back into the closet discussing with his nephew what would be best to pack for their trip. Vaughan was reeling.
"Why are we meeting with the primary founder and owner of Biblio!?!?"
Vaughan excluded, as always, his mothers partnership in Biblios rise, and how he himself, thanks to her careful execution, was a shareholder, and still had a potential spot open on the board of directors that he adamantly refused. He thought of his mother, all those years sharing in the comings and goings of Biblio in Vaughan's early years until she had stepped back, giving the majority of ownership and decisions to Mr. Ishan Arya.
Again, that obnoxious head popped out," Why, for you to discuss your new contract terms. You have caught Mr. Arya's attention as of late, and he has a proposition that I strongly advise you do not turn down."
It took another 30 minutes for Vaughan to even fully dress, followed by prodding as he was grouchy at taking his tea on the way out the door and not on his terrace with the fresh blooms of the summer morning. He barely had any of his tea in fact, before he was whisked away to one of his cars, blessedly it was not Morrowe's cramped Volkswagen but instead his beloved DBX707, with Gregory in the front seat and Morrowe coaxing him in the back rather forcefully and he had to remind himself that this was not only his mothers much old friend and agent, but now his own.
It just was difficult to recall such things so early in the day.
As they drove Vaughan found himself unwilling to rest his eyes, much less be lulled to sleep as the car smoothly made its way into the city. He finally had a moment to ponder his situation, and was frowning, the crease between his brows deepening as he looked to Morrowe
"Why is Xavier coming to one of my meetings? He should be in his lessons right now," He slipped his gaze to the boy who was happily humming in his booster seat, reading one of his many comic books that Vaughan himself couldn't find any interest in," in fact," he slid his eyes back to the back of Morrowe's head, who sat in the front with Gregory who was grinning wide," I would like to know why we are meeting with Mr. Arya and seemed to be packed for travel."
Morrowe turned slightly in acknowledgment," Why for you will be accepting this offer. Your career as a writer depends on it. And it is no small task, one that will take some time away from home. I feel Xavier will benefit from the change of scenery, much less he would miss you if you left."
Vaughn stammered," Time away from home?!?"
There was no way he would agree to this deal, he mentally declared, whatever the contract may offer- he would never dream of leaving his beloved home.
Morrowe seemed to sense this for he turned around more a frown on his face," You have grown far too complacent and comfortable stowing away in the big old house of yours,"
Vaughan sputtered an indigent," House?!?" being ignored as Morrowe plowed on," and you have most certainly lost a bit of yourself in doing so! No longer do you explore as you once had, or dream of traveling the world. You hardly would travel out of your study, be it not for Xavier and close group parties. You used to speak of dreams, Vaughan, and visions of the future and stories poured out wherever you where. Now all I hear is about the now, and very little about tomorrow."
"There is nothing wrong with living a comfortable life," Vaughan argued, glaring to the gray suited man after noting that Xaviers gaze had nervously left his comic as he watched the 2 adults bicker," and there is no need for me to travel."
"I fear it has been what has killed your writing," Morrowe said simply solemnly, though Vaughan felt there was more he didn't press with Xaviers wide eyes on him," And, anyway, there is no point in arguing. The meeting is already planned, rather you like it or not, and you can tell your decision directly to Mr. Arya. Though I think any form of refusal will be taken rather poorly, might I add."
At seeing Vaughans readied argument, Morrowe softened his voice," And think of Xavier. Cooped up with no friends and little contact with others his age aside for perhaps that young gardener boy Sean or whatnot. "
"Callie!" Xavier supplied with a glow," And she's a girl! She just likes having short hair!"
"I can always enroll him in a school," Vaughan retorted, guilt entering his heart," He is only 6. He is only now beginning to be old enough for such things."
"The world is more than just your books and your flowers Vaughan. Life is more than the comfort behind the walls of your family home. It is time you remember that," Morrowe turned as if that were to end the conversation.
"Can we please try Uncle?" Vaughan looked down to the large eyes and pouty lip," I really am excited! This could be fun! An adventure and all!"
Vaughan held back a growl at Morrowe for having phrased it so poetically, knowing that the young boy would cling to it," Xavier my boy, if you would like to attend school I can arrange for that. We are only half way through the summer, the term hasn't begun yet for your first year primary school. That would be like an adventure in its own right."
Xavier noticeably deflated sliding down to stare mutinously at his comic pages muttering," A boring adventure."
Vaughan laughed despite himself and patted the boys curls knowing how the other would rather spend most his time reading, dreaming or exploring the woods in contrast to sitting in a classroom most the day.
"It isn't so bad. After all, there would be other children your age. And much fun. Or if you would like you could have another year of lessons at home before we consider you for a privet school."
Xavier didn't say anything, just slid down his seat a little more and propped his comic onto his knees.
Vaughan sighed and turned his gaze out the window, silently cursing Morrow, heart worrying over Xavier being upset with him, and stomach churning at the prospect of not only meeting his employer and mothers old friend, but also as to what this would do for his career.
He was a writer, he only wished to write.
He had done so since childhood and had never stopped or struggled with coming up with new tales until recently.
All that was necessary he decided, was to run out his hiatus until his muse returned, and he would be able to write with ease. He just did not wish to break any relations to that of his employer or his friends.
So thinking, he decided to hear out the new contracts terms, and hope that it would only be a short time away from his home so that he could quickly get back to his gardens and his books that he cherished.
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