eliza-vanderbuilt-blog

[eliza-vanderbuilt-blog]

”I do.” She laughed slightly, sipping her coffee. “Well, you never know when a compliment can make someone’s day. Even a small one. It’s a good practice to get into, I think.” Eliza smiled as she spoke of the kids–she could tell that Prim really enjoyed her job. “I mean, besides being slightly less blonde than you? Yeah, not at all. Aw, that sounds like it must be great– and a handful. How long have you been with them for?”

“Outgoing doesn’t even begin to describe me, trust me.” Prim winked before adjusting her glasses. “Nah, I’m the kind of person who likes complimenting people. Never say anything I don’t mean though, there’s always that.” Her face lit up at the question about the kids she watched. She was attached them. “The movies are okay but Primrose Everdeen looks nothing like me. The kids? Eight, seven, five, three and one. Just got the second to last one out of diapers, thank god.”

[eliza-vanderbuilt-blog]

“I’m Eliza, by the way.” She wrinkled her nose at the mention of it being back, shaking her head. “I doubt it, and if it is, well, someone should read it? I hear it takes a lot of work to make something completely unreadable and maybe you’ll become infamous for that instead. Either way it’s a win.”

He laughed a little. “That’s true, afterall you’re a stranger near enough.” He chuckleed, looking down. “Yeah..if you want I could give you a proof copy.. It’s really bad but..well, if you like fantasy you might like it.”

[eliza-vanderbuilt-blog]

“Oh. I’m so sorry to hear that. How’s your daughter? I...yeah...I’ve missed you too, Connor. I really do hope everything has been alright, though.”

“I’m pretty good..Can’t complain..Anastasia and I broke up, so I’m a single father, but that’s alright..Yeah, I’m sorry about that..I’ve missed you though.”

[eliza-vanderbuilt-blog]

She resisted the urge to roll her eyes as well as he continued but the more he spoke, the more she just wanted to leave. He was making this a bigger deal than it had to be simply because he wanted her to work for him. Eliza still didn’t know why. He could have spoken to anyone at that gallery and yet he’d spoken to her and there they were now. She sighed, and leaned back in her seat looking at him pointedly. Her mother would tell her to just give the job a chance instead of being so stubborn. Her mother would also say that she was saying no just because she didn’t want to be forced to say yes. And she would be right. 

Eliza spoke in an even, measured tone. “If I agree to this, I have terms. And I want my lawyer to look over any contract before signing anything.” She would do this on her terms, or try to at least. She was willing to compromise some, but Eliza knew what she wanted and usually worked hard to get it.

Business Arrangements || Eliza & Lyle

[eliza-vanderbuilt-blog]

She laughed and shrugged, “You never know.” As he explained, Eliza smiled, shaking her head. “That sounds interesting though– I’ve always enjoyed fantasy.”

He chuckled, looking down at the book. “Yeah, I doubt you’d do that anyway!” He smiled. “My book’s about a fantasy land..it’s not really that good. I might scrap it.”

[eliza-vanderbuilt-blog]

She smiled, nodding slightly. “I’m well...and yourself? Haven’t seen you in a while...”

“Yeah, thank you.” he smiled, biting his bottom lip. “So-uh how are you doing?” 

[eliza-vanderbuilt-blog]

“Well, it’s a pretty shitty way to romance someone. And that’s what restraining orders are for, contact in any way shape or form.” She rolled her eyes, “Of course you do.” It didn’t surprise her now that he said it but it only succeeded in making her more annoyed with him. “Denied you? I said no to a job offer I wasn’t interested in. Any mature businessman, or adult for that matter, would have let it go. There are thousands of other people who would kill to work for you. Why don’t you find someone who actually wants to do it?” 

At his explanation, Eliza laughed, sipping her water before shaking her head at him. “So you’re tired of people kissing your ass but refuse to leave me alone until I do the same? Because that’s what this would be doing, my taking a job I don’t want to make you happy– ass kissing.” She shook her head. “I don’t want the job. I’m perfectly happy where I am, with what I’m doing. I don’t need a job to be handed to me to make happy or increased pay or whatever. I’m happy where I am right now.”

Business Arrangements || Eliza & Lyle

[eliza-vanderbuilt-blog]

“It’s alright, really Mr. Slyverton.” She smiled kindly at him, acknowledging his kindness but not wanting to be a burden or be seen as someone who couldn’t take care of themselves either. As a woman out west, she had to show what she was made of and that living a city life hadn’t put her at a disadvantage here. 

“We’re discussing poetry first, then mathematics and after lunch, history.” Eliza smiled up at him, laughing slightly at the mention of city etiquette. “Trust me, Mr. Slyverton, when I say, if you’ve lived in a city as long as I did, it becomes apparent that etiquette is rare no matter where you go.” 

As they walked, she smiled at some of the other townspeople before looking back at him. “What was your favorite thing to learn about as a child, Mr. Slyverton?”

A Helpful Hand

“Alright, then we will walk,” he replied with a chuckle. He waited until his mother wrapped the cookies with a warm cloth. His mouth was watering for a cookie, but he knew better than to take one. These were for the children. “I can carry your books for you too, if you like,” Alek offered as he held open the door for her. 

Alek hadn’t been to the school house before. In fact he had never been to a school house at all.  He had never had a formal education. Everything he had learned had come from what his mother had taught him while they were living in the mountains. He might not be able to do arithmetic, but at least he could read and write. The rest he had learned on his own, having watched his mother work hard for everything they had. 

“So what are the youngin’ learning today?” the male asked, genuinely curious as he looked over at Eliza. “Are you teaching them all that proper city etiquette and their numbers?” Alek asked, making a bit of a face. Though, he laughed softly at himself. 

Alek had to wonder what this proper city lady thought of him. He certainly wasn’t as well rounded as she was, but he was good at other things. He was rough around the edges he supposed. That was probably putting it nicely. 

[eliza-vanderbuilt-blog]

“That’s really sweet.  And, uh, I guess Happy Father’s Day– I assume that’s why she made you breakfast, right?”

“My five year old daughter made me breakfast in bed..Granted it was cheerios with spilled milk, but it was the sweetest thing I have ever seen.”

[eliza-vanderbuilt-blog]

“Maybe that’s why I think of that. I’m not surprised you were– you seem very outgoing.” Eliza took a seat and sipped her drink before laughing off the compliment. “Huh, thanks, nice of you to say so.” She smiled and nodded at the mention of the books. “I’ll probably see the movies either way but, I’m not a huge fan. Oh, how old are they?”

“Observant is good. Musical huh? I love musicals. I was in all of them while I was in High School. But yeah dude, it’s a good name and I doubt people would dislike it.” Prim grinned, wiggling her eyebrows. She joined the other woman sitting and pulled her coffee cup close. “Thanks, I’d love to join you. Just telling it like it is, you’re pretty. And Hunger Games is okay, I didn’t hate it. The oldest kid I nanny loves them.”

[eliza-vanderbuilt-blog]

She laughed slightly and nodded. “Right. So at least I’m not making a complete fool of myself.” Eliza smiled and raised a brow in curiosity. “Really? That’s awesome. What’s the book about?”

Brent let out a small chuckle. “It’s fine, honest. At least you’re not throwing yourself at me.” He laughed softly. “Yeah, I’m..trying to make it as a musician, I’m also writing a book on the side.” 

[eliza-vanderbuilt-blog]

She took a sip of her water as he spoke, her annoyance growing simply because he was so entitled. “Right. I have, actually.” Eliza sat up a bit straighter and looked him directly in the eye, completely serious. “Why don’t you stop trying to get me to work for you and I won’t report you for harassment.” She arched a brow, as if wondering what else he was going to say. Knowing him (as little as she did) Eliza already could tell he was used to getting what he wanted, though why he wanted her to work for him, she had no idea. “It’s honestly getting a bit ridiculous.”

Business Arrangements || Eliza & Lyle

[eliza-vanderbuilt-blog]

Eliza looked up when Lyle came out and shook his hand only out of politeness. At the mention of no one else joining them, she resisted the urge to laugh. Of course they wouldn’t be. She chose one of the tables by the window so it overlooked the streets far below before nodding. “Right. Sounds good.” She wasn’t exactly here by choice rather, necessity brought her to the devil’s door.

She took a seat and pursed her lips, only getting water when asked for her drink. “So do you do this a lot? Rent out an entire restaurant for a meeting?”

Business Arrangements || Eliza & Lyle

[eliza-vanderbuilt-blog]

Business Arrangements || Eliza & Lyle

Eliza sighed, completely fed up with the past two weeks. It turned out that when Mr. Lyle whatever his name is (she knew it, she just was too annoyed beyond belief to say it) wanted to make a point, he made a point. After their initial meeting at the gallery, he’d somehow gotten hold of her last name and after that, she began to get a flood of flowers and gifts everywhere she went, from her small studio to business meetings to even her apartment. She was completely done with his entire game and only accepted his invitation to lunch as a means to an end.

She pursed her lips, glancing around the restaurant. Just like a man who thought he owned the world to be late. The brunette was already done with this meeting and it hadn’t even begun. She didn’t know why he was so fixated on getting her to accept a job she didn’t want (he didn’t even know what she could do,) but Eliza was determined to get him to stop. It was madness and she was through dealing with it. Besides, her allergies were acting up with all the flowers around. 

boredbarnone

[eliza-vanderbuilt-blog]

[eliza-vanderbuilt-blog]

She plopped on the bed beside him, handing him a water bottle. “Thai, and I got some yogurts and shit. Your fridge was empty. Honestly,” Eliza grinned up at him, the sort of smug grin she seemed to have quite a bit, “you’d be dead with out me. Nothing but skin and bones.”

Ross groaned and rolled over so he was on his back. He appreciated Eliza, without her, he’’d probably be dead from the lack of care he took of himself. You’d think that with him being a doctor, he would take extra care but that was common myth among them. “What kind of food is it?” He asked, staring up at her. 

[eliza-vanderbuilt-blog]

Eliza poked Ross’s face, a sigh on her lips. “I let myself in.” She nudged her friend’s shoulder. “And I brought food.” She knew he’d had the day off and that he’d be sleeping for most of it. But she also knew he wouldn’t bother to take care of himself, like make a simple meal or even a snack if he could sleep the day away (a rare occurrence for sure.) “You’ve been sleeping all day, come on. Eat something and I’ll leave you alone.”

for two days

He was dead tired. Which was funny, since he’d been asleep all day, but that’s how it was when you’re a doctor. He worked for two days straight then he slept on his one day off. At least that was how it was supposed to go. Usually, he worked for 3 or 4 days with a nap here or there until someone told him to go home. But Ross was dead asleep until he felt someone poking his face. “Whaaat?” He whined.