Grescha Loveday
A buzz caused the sleek black phone to skitter across the top of the wooden table and Doctor Grescha Loveday set her fork down in the salad bowl and lifted the phone to her ear, "What is it, Alexis?" She did not bother disguising the sharp, annoyed tone to her voice as Alexis knew she was not to bothered during lunch.
"Um, D-Doctor L-Loved-day," the girl stammered and then paused to what Doctor Loveday assumed was to collect her thoughts, shouldn't she have done that before calling? "Spit it out, Alexis."
"Iaccidentallyoverbookedyouandyourclientsareherewaiting..." came the wailed explanation all in one breath. There was a long pause as Doctor Loveday let her stew on her problem for a moment, though truth be told, her blood was boiling. "Explain to them your error and reschedule, and when you do reschedule, make sure it is done right. Be prepared to discuss your employment, or lack there of, when I get back to the office." With a click of her thumb, she ended the call.
A hand was raised to signal the server who hurried over, "Run my card, please. I need to leave." A shiny red card was handed over between middle and index finger.
Fiona De la Cruz
Fiona felt out of place dressed in her goth/biker getup here int his fancy restaurant, but the looks and stares didn't bother her too much. Her aunt and uncle had come into town and had insisted on taking her to lunch, and she wasn't about to turn down a free mill in Chestnut Hill. Her aunt was commenting about how Fiona's mother would abhor what her daughter was wearing and how much it would delight Ramona to see her sister complain. Fiona, though, was only half paying attention. A sharp voice from the table behind her had caught her attention and she was listening intently to both sides of the conversation. Hm. She'd be needing a job... "Excuse me," Mumbled the woman to her aunt and uncle. "Restroom." And she got up in such a rush that she bumped right into the waiter who dropped the credit card that had been passed over. "Apologies," smiled Fiona, dropping to pick up the card and read the name there before passing it to the waiter and disappearing into the bathroom.
Grescha Loveday
As her card was run, Grescha ate several more bites of the strawberry, kale, and chicken salad since her lunch break was essentially cut short. So caught up was she in what she was going to say to Stripper Alexis that she missed the entire exchange between the server and the clumsy girl, only glancing back at the bit of commotion before facing forward once more.
When the card was returned, she signed the recipt with a flourish, stood, lifted the purse to her shoulder, and walked with purpose to the door and exited.
The restaurant was only a block away from her offices, so it did not take long for her arrive. The business looked like a nice town home from the outside with bright red bricks, a shiny black door and black shutters. The only difference was the copper plate above the door which read simply, Grescha Love, PhD, Marriage Counseling, and a small window sign proclaimed the business hours.
Forcefully pushing open the door, Grescha stepped inside, chocolate brown eyes situated steadily on the tiny blonde behind the pristine white counter. The girl had glanced up when the door had banged back against the wall and scrambled to a standing position. "Doctor Loveday, I am so, so sorry about double booking you!" The dark wings of Grescha's brows lowered over her piercing stare, and she placed both hands on top of the high, white counter. "Are you? This is the third time you have double booked me in a month, so I ask you, Alexis, are you really sorry? Maybe instead of apologizing for everything, you do it right the first time. After today, you are no longer my employee. I will have your final check ready for you when you leave."
Fiona De la Cruz
A quick google search while she was in the bathroom brought up Grescha Loveday fairly quickly. Fiona hadn't expected someone so noteworthy but the woman apparently had written several books appeared on radio shows, etc... and she might have a job opening. She was pretty sure, based on the conversation that she overheard, that it was a receptionist type position. Pffft. That was easy enough. Fiona rushed out of the bathroom and hurriedly ran up to her table. "I'm so sorry, Aunt Ramona. I forgot I have a job interview today and if I don't go now..." "Of course, of course." her aunt waved her off and Fiona gave her beloved aunt a kiss waving to her uncle before heading out the door. "I'll call you in a bit and we can maybe go see a movie tonight?" But she didn't wait for a reply. Instead, she hurried down the street. The address was nearby and she wanted to see the outcome of that phone call. If the receptionist
was fired, then perhaps she'd have a chance at a job. Of course, it would require some research but she was desperate for income and having a job in Chestnut Hill? It was bound to pay well. Minutes later she was standing outside the door of Dr. Loveday's office. The voice inside was low, but clearly angry. Quietly she'd press her ear to the door in time to hear, "... final check ready for you when you leave."
Grescha Loveday
"You are the most hateful bitch!" the voice of Alexis screetched at her back as she walked toward her office. "It amazes me that people believe you when you're so hateful and mean!" Turning her head, Grescha stared over her shoulder at her red-faced ex-assistant, a half smile curving her lips, "Is that so? Well, perhaps you ought to read one of my books....at the very least, it might give you a few more adjectives for your rather limited vocabulary. Get out, Alexis, if you're going to snivel and pout the rest of the day, I do not need you here. I will mail your check to you." Perhaps along with a nasty curse for her slanderous words. And then she slipped into her office. The personal assistant grabbed her purse and clattered to the door in her high heels, ugly sobs coursing black trails of mascara down her pale cheeks.
Fiona De la Cruz
Fiona moved out of the way, quickly, turning away and staring at her phone as the crying, sniveling woman came barging out of the office, obviously in tears. With a name like Alexis you can't expect to be anything but weak, anyway... The door to the office hung ajar and Fiona continued scrolling through her phone. Forums and threads and fan pages for this woman. There was a ton of praise for the woman, but she was apparently not the first receptionist snubbed. Complaints and rants of working for the woman and how awful they all were. One woman was apparently having nightmares about black coffee, three sugars. There was a lot to sift through, but before Fiona could continue reading, the front desk phone began ringing. Biting at her red stained lips, she looked around. There was no one else... and she'd intended on applying for a job anyway... The sorcerer sauntered right in and took a seat behind the desk. Alexis had left everything up on the computer, a planner open on the desk, too. The phone was still ringing but she took a second to orient herself and then lifted the receiver, "Dr. Loveday's Office, Fiona speaking. How may I assist you?" She'd even put a little perk in her voice, something that was not usually there, her Work Voice.
Grescha Loveday
As soon as the door to her office shut with a snap behind her followed by the muffled sobbing of her assistant as she left, Grescha closed her eyes and inhaled a deep breath. Santuary. She was in her sanctuary. She was just about to begin a little ritual meditation when the phone rang. Ugh. She positively hated answering phones and scheduling for herself. Rolling her shoulders, she opened the door and stepped out into the reception area only to see
someone, a completely
unknown someone, behind reception on the phone. And she had the perfect perky receptionist voice. Tilting her head slightly as she listened, Grescha studied the young woman while she handled the caller, and when the phone was placed once more in its cradle, she said, "What is your name?"
Fiona De la Cruz
So far she'd figured out how to check Grecha's schedule, but not how to actually
make an appointment in the system. She grabbed a sheet of paper from the printer. "Yes, ma'am. Mhm." She was scribbling notes about the woman's woes with her lover. "Well, it seems that Dr. Loveday is booked out for the week but I do show an availability for... Tuesday at--no, that's lunch. How about three p.m. two weeks from now?" She listened intently, writing the time and date and the woman's contact information. "I'm unsure if your insurance will cover, ma'am but if you arrive fifteen minutes early to your appointment we can have it run and figured out by the time for your appointment." She started fiddling with the computer, trying to figure out how the appointment system worked. "Alright. Yes, you two. Buh, bye now." She put the phone down, whirling around at the sound of Grescha's voice. Fiona stood and straightened, but she did not jump to attention. "Fiona De la Cruz," she offered her hand to shake. The receptionist voice was gone, replaced with something a little warmer, though not as soothing it wasn't altogether unpleasant.(edited)
Grescha Loveday
Grescha was impressed with how, despite not knowing the computer program, she problem-solved the situation
and included Grescha's lunch time in the schedule. Not that she would allow the young woman to know that yet. She did not know her, did not trust her. "Doctor Grescha Loveday," she took the offered hand in a firm shake she had perfected.
"Carry on," she turned and walked back toward her office, then paused and glanced over her shoulder, "By the way, Fiona, Lady Danger is one of my favorite shades of lipstick, too," she raised her dark brows, offered a slight smile, and stepped into her office. It wasn't often she complimented anyone on anything unless they were a paying client, but she liked Fiona's black and red style as it matched her own though just different.
Fiona De la Cruz
She would have been disappointed if the woman's shake had been anything less than firm. Still, it was strong and she appreciated that in a woman. She grinned, pleased at the other woman's lipstick preference, and sat back at the desk, busy googling the name of the system and how to input in an appointment. She had a feeling going to Loveday to figure out how any of it worked would not go well.
For now, it seemed, she might have a job.
