Stella’s mother looks to test her metal

“That was mother, she wants me to come with her to a closer this Wednesday...” Stella slumps back in her seat, there an anxiousness about her while she runs a hand roughly through her hair.

“What?” Grace’s face hardens her matching Stella’s level of alarm with her expression turning uneasy.

Even Johnny who had been happily sucking down some milkshake stops for second, as he suddenly feels a sense of tension at the table. Both Stella, and Grace have serious looks on their faces, making Johnny himself feel a little on edge.

“I-Is something wrong.” He asks cocking his head to side slightly, him not liking how concerned Stella looked.

“Oh it’s j-just something involving the QUEENS business, nothing you have to worry yourself about Johnny, me and Grace just have to talk to each in private for a moment please excuse.” Stella slides out from, a detectable bit of nervousness in her words even as she tries to project a stolid,- me clam demeanor as she speaks.

Grace follows after Stella the two moving with urgency. Johnny watches as they walk over to a corner in the restaurant trying to stay out of ear shot of him and the employees. Because of this he can on catch snippets of the conversation. Stella saying something about how she thought she would have more time, and Grace saying that the coming path will be difficult, and testing her will or something. There’s then an exchange of a hug, before they return to sit back with Johnny.

“A-are you i-is everything okay?” Johnny straightens out his skit as he asks the question in anxiousness.

Yes Stella did say it didn’t involve him, but if something bad happens to her what will become of him? Johnny scorns himself knowing, that such a thought is unbelievable selfish, but he can’t fight his sense of self preservation. His arm still is injured, and he’s in no condition to go back out on to the streets right now. He didn’t know how he would survive out in the cold, especially a state like this.

“My mother has just informed me that she’ll be needing me, and Grace Wednesday for a very important job, it’s called doing a closer.” Stella tries to project an upbeat attitude her able to see she’s causing Johnny to worry.

“Oh what’s a doing closer?” Johnny blinks a few times as he cocks his head again this time with more curiosity then concern.

“It’s a word used to describe negotiationing and, finalizing a deal between parties, for QUEENS it’s basically the the life blood that keeps the company financially stable, and expanding.” Grace answers Johnny for Stella.

“Indeed, besides a product break through or, shift in market, closers are basically the cause of most of the significant gains QUEEN has made in profitability.” Chirps Stella her almost sounding like teacher, explaining to small child as she tries her best to keep a cheery tone.

“It’s a thing I knew I would have to do eventually it’s just... come a bit sooner then I expected.” Stella gives a small smile, as puts a reassuring hand on Johnny shoulder, a silent way to say, really don’t worry about me.

Johnny nods, hearing all of that he understands why Stella had such reaction. All of this seems like a big responsibility. Johnny has only ever really had to be concerned with taking care of himself. While it wasn’t no cake walk he never did have the pressure of having others rely on him. So to have something like the well being of a company resting on your shoulders, well it Stella must be feeling a lot of pressure right now. Flicking his gaze over to her he can see past the strained smile on her. He can tell her mind is probably swirling with anxious thoughts, and self doubts.

At least that’s what Johnny is sure he would have if he were in her position. Feeling prompted to speak some words of encouragement he opens his mouth, only to then close it again. The boy not really knowing what to say, feels that any attempt to cheer Stella would just ring hollow as much as he wanted to tell her she is going to do fine he really knew nothing about this situation. She probably doesn’t need his reassurance anyways, as big of a Tomgirl as Johnny is the business world is really a woman’s game, so him speaking like he had some insight just seems silly to him. So instead Johnny just resolves himself to give out hope that every goes well for Stella.

“Wait if your mother wants both you, and Grace there who...” Is going to watch me Johnny thinks, the last part of his train of thought making him sound to much of burden for him to comfortably say out loud.

“Ah you’e right there’s that too.” Stella’s eyes go up in realization it just dawning on her that she needs to find someone to keep an eye on Johnny.

Stella rubs her temple with a hand her now also annoyed with her mom, as well as freaked out by her springing this on her. As Johnny suspects the thought of having to do a closer is really making her sweat. Yes she has been doing some minor stuff for her mom in company, finance board meetings, investor events, seasonal reviews, market round ups. Though all of that more so in involved her just analyzing what ever information some one is spews at her, or putting on a friendly face for patrons at a social event.

A closer is something much more delicate, and difficult to navigate properly. It’s really being in the thick of it you have to keep your wits about you, and have an iron will. One has to really know just what to say, as the other party in a closer is both your friend, and your enemy. You want to accommodate them, yet also keep them from taking advantage of you. Acting too harshly may end up with them walking away from the deal, or being too limp wristed could end up with them taking advantage of you.

Stella wonders what exactly has made her mom call for this now. Her mother opinion when it came to the idea Stella running QUEENS had always been that Stella wasn’t ready for that role yet. Much to her mother’s dissatisfaction, as after Ashlyn was basically exiled Stella’s mom started to groom Stella as successor to the QUEENS empire.

She became a harsh taskmaster after that happened, sending Stella out for high end education, and learning. The freedom that Stella once with had enjoyed due to her no longer being the second child was gone. Any interest out side of what her mother wanted was dismissed as foolish, or unimportant. Yet no matter how many classes, or how well Stella did her mother was still always quick to scrutinize, and criticize Stella. Growing up it seemed that now matter what she did it all feel short of her mother’s expectations.

It’s what made this news of this closer all the more shocking. Her mother has made it clear to Stella before that she didn’t trust her handling anything too crucial. Her only recently being **** to go on theses nearly insignificant excursions like the board meetings, and investor events is so that she can learn the ropes. So that she is eased into how the company functions, and learn to navigate the business world.

Now though it’s like all of that gradual build up has been thrown out the window, along with Stella feeling she’s been thrown into the lions den. It’s so strange, what in the world has made her mother change her mind? What ever the case it’s a thought to dwell on for another time. For now she should figure out under whose charge she should leave Johnny while she, and Grace will be occupied locking horns at the negotiating table.

“Hmm, do you have any idea why mom requested both you, and me Grace, surely you don’t need to come as I’m probably going to be interacting with people, beside mother.” Stella asks, her tapping a finger to the table as she tried to imagine an answer that would line up with her mother’s mindset.

She isn’t the type of person who would have Grace there to provide Stella moral support. so the answer must be something more utilitarian.

“More then likely she wishes for me to be their so that you have some nod you know under you, QUEEN representative puffing themselves up with a bunch of servants to make an impression is a common tactic though if you were to interact with any other servant you might act slightly awkward, though with you, and me my lady we already have a well established relationship, and dynamic.” Grace’s words have an overt wisdom to them, years of experience under Stella’s mom backing her logic.

However as she presses her lips, and making a bit of a face it’s plain to see she isn’t that confident in her conclusion here.

“At least that is my guess.” Grace sighs, her shoulders slumping some what as she wishes she could give her lady something more concrete then just speculation.

“It’s not your fault Grace, I doubt even my dad knows how that brain of my mother’s works.” Stella inhales, exhales deeply resignation coming over her as she feels a tinge of jealously under the surface.

She some times wishes she had that same knack for this that her mother had. As her farther described it her mom was already an accomplished business woman by the time he meet her. QUEENS a famous yet budding brand at that time, because of her Cunning, and eye for opportunity she was able to quickly catapult QUEENS into the mega corporation it was today. Stella then stiffens up as her phone then dings. Speaking of the devil it’s a an another message from her mom. This time she’s giving her the specifics of the closer.

“God lord...” Stella mutters under her breathe as she looks over the text.

“She wants me to finalize a deal with a tech company, I don’t know anything about computers besides how to use them Grace.” Stella has audible frustration in her voice, her eyes flash Grace a look of desperation, her looking to her loyal butler for some guidance here.

“Calm yourself Lady Stella.” Grace holds up a hand signaling for Stella to halt that panic rising in her.

“Remember you’ve been trained for this, much as you didn’t like it all those classes your mother had you attend has been readying you for this moment.” Grace pushes her glasses up, her expression unwavering, her projection of confidence helping Stella herself to take a breathe.

“Right, expression, example, experience.” Stella closes her eyes, as she repeats the once long forgotten mantra.

“Hah I’m surprised you still remember that little saying, it’s been so long.” Grace smirks.

“It was one of the first things that was drilled into my head when I started those special classes for mother.” Stella meets Grace’s smirk with a smile of her own, though a small twitch in her face makes it seem like thinking back to that time isn’t a good memory for her.

“Focus on reading the one on opposite side of the table as best you can, search for small hints that will give you insight into their mind...” Stella repeats the phrase like it was know to her by heart.

“...Talk about significant happenings in their field, act like you are up to date, and actively involved in their speciality...” Grace says continuing the saying.

“...Teach them about their occupation as if they were the new comer, and you were the veteran, portray yourself as some one with experience.” Stella gives a really smile this time, her pleased that she still was able to remember that little saying the whole way through.

“See you’ve got the skills for a job like this already, don’t sell yourself short lady Stella.”

Stella nods, it’s true she’s probably gotten more training for something like this then anyone else on her line of work would get. Yet there still is one thing that bothers her.

“Still why now with this, do you think this mother punishing me for that incident with Olivia?” Stella asks, arms crossed as she looks upwards with an inquisitive look on her face.

Grace shakes her head.

“I doubtful, if anything your mother looked rather pleased with the outcome of that whole kerfuffle, I mean a chance to remind her sister whose the head of the family, that’s something she would take glee in especially with how the situation went down, with the way Olivia acted there’s not many in the family who would say you weren’t justified in your action.”

Stella’s lips twist into a frown as she thinks back to tanning Olivia’s hide. While she didn’t take kindly to what her cousin had said about her siblings, the fact that it became swept up as part of her mom’s politicking left a bad taste in her mouth.

“So I’m helpful to her because I humiliated some one outside the main family tree, ugh what happened to a sense of kinship?” Stella grunts, her not just annoyed with all the posturing, and scheming that plagued her family itself, but how it poisoned every one with suspicion.

Of course not every one of Stella’s relatives got sucked into that mind set of strife, and paranoia. Yet there still are a lot. A big enough number that you had to watch out when giving some as innocuous as a Christmas present to some less gossip begins that your trying to form, an alliance because you bought some one a flashy charm bracelet.

This actually is something that happened to Stella when she was 15. Her giving a piece of jewelry to a removed cousin almost caused a full on civil war in the family due to series of misunderstandings. All the lawyers came out, and everything. The only way things ever got calmed down was due to her mother to cracking the whip, and forcing though who were escalating tensions to get back in line. It just got so tedious some times. Like Stella is trying to find her way through a dark tinder box with a lit match.

“Maybe that whole incident has her actually thinking your ready to finally be tested in the business world.” Grace’s face lights up slightly, her thinking she’s finally unraveled this mystery.

“Surely you’re joking?” Stella recoils at such a thought, grinding her teeth at such an idea.

“It makes sense, too your mother you showed that unapologetic assertiveness one needs in negotiations.” Grace nods too herself becoming more and more sure of her conclusion as she thinks about it.

“So what she expects me to spank the opposition into giving us a better deal?” Stella jokes, her voice dripping with overt sarcasm.

“Hehe If only it were that easy my lady.” Grace chuckles into the back of her hand.

“No here let’s try, and come up with some strategies.” Grace says.

The more, Grace, and Stella talk the more Johnny felt his head start to swim. Mind floundering in second hand anxiety for Stella as the manner in she talks about makes the her family, and the business realm makes it seem as if it’s some sort of spy drama, or high fantasy politics. All this focus on subtleties, and seemingly minuet details makes the young lad fearful for Stella. Can she really navigate her way though this, what if she slips up, is she going to be okay? Needing a palate cleanse Johnny took another sip of his milkshake. The measured combination of chocolate, and frozen dairy bringing forth a sweet dopamine rush that’s a welcomed distraction from all of this QUEENS stuff.

Burying himself back into eating his meal, Johnny just focuses on enjoying himself. Finally unwrapping the Bicchicken sandwich her order, her takes a big old bit. Letting himself being enveloped in taste of a perfect bread bun, a processed chicken patty with mayo, and a zesty pickle to top it all off. Johnny chews slowly savoring every second the flavor lathers his tongue. He at a crawling pace then works about finishing the rest of his meal, with the time he’s done it seeming like Stella, and Grace have come up with a plan of attack for this closer.

“Alright I think that’ll work, thank you for assisting me with this Grace, you’ve been a big help...” Stella trails off her rubbing the back of her neck with how **** she most have looked through out this chit chat with Grace.

“I’m here to serve Lady Stella, and please don’t underestimate yourself I have confidence that you can do this.” Grace’s face shines with a certain cheerfulness, her glad she’s able to help Stella find her footing somewhat.

The tense air about the table seems have dissipated some what, with Stella, and Grace again joining Johnny with eating their meal.

“Oh drat we still have to find some one to care for Johnny.” Stella says her as she chews on the Bicchicken sandwich she ordered.

“Manners lady Stella, don’t talk with your mouth full.” Grace tuts her, with a disapproving eye.

“Besides that though why don’t you ask your brother James to take in Johnny he might be free, and he’s about the same again as your younger brother isn’t he,”

“Hmmm I don’t know if James is the type who can handle that responsibility, mostly HE’S the one who needs to be looked after.” Says Stella her thinking back to a few times she’s had to save her younger brother from some trouble he’s gotten himself in.

The image of that one time James got stuck half way though a dress in mall changing room one time didn’t exactly inspire thoughts of dependability.

“He isn’t the clumsy boy he was in his childhood my lady, besides I know his butler Samantha she’s is more then capable of watching over both of the two of need be.” Grace states, her really for this idea.

“Besides I’m sure Johnny will want to spend time with boys his age.”

Hearing his future being discussed so casually with out even being consulted about it made Johnny feel a little bit uncomfortable. A fact that Stella picks up on as she can see the awkward look on his face from the corner of her.

“What do you think Johnny, would you like to spend some time in the company of my brother James?” Stella speaks with a very upbeat tone her making sure to rectify the fact that they kind of left Johnny out of the conversation.

“Oh Umm...”

However now being faced with a chance to have his input taken into consideration, Johnny didn’t feel so sure of himself. He shifts around in his seat, cheeks getting a little flush, as both Stella, and Grace had their eyes transfixed on him waiting for an answer. Despite his girlish appearance he isn’t a very assertive person, even when it came to making choices he can some times be indecisive.

Mostly because his life involves taking what he can get, he didn’t really have the privilege of choice. Though he supposes if he has to leave Stella’s side being with one of her siblings doesn’t seem to bad. James seems really nice too. The boy even instinctively swooped in, and comfort him after the Willow incident.

“Well I wouldn’t mind staying with James he seems really nice actually.” Johnny sweeps his eyes across the table as he speaks.

“Heh good it’s settled then, I’ll let James know I’m sure he’ll be glad to have you the two of you are kind of **** spirts you know.” Stella gives a big smile, her gushing in thought over her little brother getting along with Johnny.

Both young boys are kind of adorable in there own way to Stella, and the thought of them gossiping, and going about doing girl things together, well it has Stella getting cuteness aggression just thinking about.

“H-Huh, what do you mean by that?” Johnny asks.

“ahem I mean the two of you are just both tender souls, you know people who get along well with others.” Stella quickly making up a small fib, admitting that she finds Johnny cute even as in terms of how one would see a puppy too much of an awkward thing to say.

“Hmmmm.” Grace plays with a smirk on her face, as she gives Stella a knowing glance.

“Anyway it’s getting real late, let’s pack up what we didn’t eat, and head to the hotel for some rest.” Stella claps her hands together as she stands up her moving quickly to hope Johnny can’t see the small amount of embarrassed red on her cheeks.