Just as Harry reminded last night, the new day broke.
The morning was temperate.
Black vans drove into the parking lot and the same men from the last Ledger meeting had assembled again.
The hall was arranged and soon everyone had taken their seats accordingly.
"Harry Lutman" They called, no words of greeting just down to business.
Harry was brought, Jeremy next, Meredith and Paul, The twins, then after Henry and Saul.
Time went so quick and yet so slow, the strain over each tensed shoulders grew by the minute and who knew what next was the problem.
As the soon as the men walked out, Logan and his team walked in and in the midst of the unsettlement, Jeremy looked up to see Logan now towering over where he sat.
"May I have a word with you?"
"Reason?"
"When you agree, I'll tell"
At the corner of Jeremy's eyes, William stood from the corner of the room, from the phasing of the passing bodies, he stared with pleading eyes.
Jeremy stood to his feet and followed along, behind Logan.
Outside. Into the garden path, Logan turned to Jeremy,
"How do or did you feel after hearing our conversation?"
Jeremy relaxed, fingers into his pockets "How should I feel?"
Logan scoffed, "You do know what I'm talking about right?"
Jeremy looked at him quietly. He wasn't in a hurry, yet he was somewhat anxious. Clearly, the silence was unwilling to be broken as Logan expected an answer.
"Why am I here?" Jeremy asked
Logan paused for a moment, "You're here because I want to warn you about what you heard yesterday"
Jeremy nodded, "Then let me make you an offer"
"Do you think you're in a position to do so?"
"You're anxious, and curious, I will make you an offer, and you will listen"
The confidence that oozed from those lips frightened Logan to a degree. He was indeed curious and he was indeed anxious and so he nodded.
"I will look aside of you and William's affairs, if my assistance is needed in some way, don't fail to ask, nevertheless I require your medical assistance over a confidential research"
Berry walked along the corridors over to the administrative office given to Ruby, knocked and headed in.
"Oh hello Berry, how are you?" Ruby glanced up from her files
He smiled and took a seat, "I'm alright thanks"
"Would you like some tea, coffee, biscuits, muffins, tell me?"
"It's alright, it's a quick one actually"
Ruby leaned forward, arms folded with her attention now directly on him.
"I and Belle would like to know the requirements in the roles of reporter and summary writer respectively"
Ruby watched for a long second before tilting her head with a smile.
"I believe you are aware of the responsibilities that come with such roles"
He nodded.
"Is Belle aware?"
He nodded. She nodded in response before taking out a sand brown envelope.
"I suspected that you both may have thought to get everyone to vote for you but I assure you that won't be necessary" she paused and watched him clear his throat.
"All it takes is diligence, there will be a trial period", "you have nothing to fear"
He nodded stood and saw himself out.
Sitting back, Harry came to her thoughts and soon after she rounded up her task, she headed for his room.
With a soft knock, she walked in with a small smile "Harry dear"
Harry sat upright, his back to the cushions of the bed and his assistant, Meera Gauri, efficient, gorgeous and exceptionally smart sat on the armchair at his side as they spoke figures together.
"Hello there, glad to see you but in a minute, yes?"
Ruby nodded and waited aside till they were done and Meera excused herself.
"I'm surprised you haven't gotten into her bed" Ruby took to seat at the armchair Meera had stood up from.
"Oh stop it, I have Lily, why would I do that?"
Ruby watched her brother for a minute. He didn't say that sarcastically, neither expectant of a comment or compliment. He genuinely thought so.
"You used to be promiscuous"
Harry groaned, "Come on, that was before Lily, things are different, we know that don't we?"
"Yeah, we do, we do" she paused, "Yet I can't believe how much she's changed you"
Harry smiled, sighed and chuckled before turning to Ruby, "I fell in love, I guess"
They both laughed softly before staring at each other quietly.
"Still want to know what I really think?" Ruby asked in mellow tunes.
"I've been dying" Harry smiled as he shook his head in overexaggerated exhaustion.
The room fell silent.
"You've reached the end"
Harry grew stiff, his attention building on her.
"Do you love her?"
"With everything in me?"
"Do you always want her at your side?"
"Till death"
Ruby looked at Harry as intently as he did her.
"Marry her" she paused, "You'll never meet anyone like her Harry", "Give her what she wants because in the end, you want it too"
Harry's gaze was thrown down, almost ashamed.
"Noone is ever ready for anything Harry, no one", "You and I know that we don't need to know a whole thing before we can succeed in it, that's why we do so well in our business fields and yet somehow we forget when it comes to our loved ones"
Harry swallowed back. He realized like a flash in the wind that he had always, always wanted to be looked at, loved and cherished by Lily. Only her.
Ruby knew in her words that she wasn't only speaking about her brother's situation. A corner in her heart, she knew that something was drifting between her and her beloved. Her Ryan.
"I wish I could see her" Harry spoke, "Bring her home to you all"
Ruby smiled, "Well get prepared, cause the next time you see her you better not fuck everything up"
Suddenly Ruby received a call.
"Gooday to you too", her brow lifted in question "Who?", like a flash, her expression softened "Alright, let her through and show her to the helpers" she paused "Alright thank you" Ruby cut the line before turning to Harry.
Harry shook his head, "What's the fuss, everything alright?"
Ruby dawdled her head, unsure, "Should I tell, should I not?" before glancing at Harry to see his lack of enthusiasm. She sighed,
"Fine", "Lily's here"
Harry froze. "Here?"
She nodded ecstatically before rising to her feet
"Speak to her alright", "You'll do fine, just like your first ever board meeting" she paused again, "You'll do fine"
Harry nodded.