Visit from the boss (Angela)

[jack]

It had been quite some time since Jack had visited the prophet. He had little reason to do so where as his assistant ran everything for him. He had only just decided to stop by the office at the last minute on a whim. He was sure that E.J. was probably else where seeing to another of his many businesses so he would come and handle things at the prophet.

As soon as he walked in the door he could see that everyone was immediatly nervous having the boss there. He didn't need his legelimency to see that. His lips pulled up into a cruel grin at the stress he was causing his employees. He made a point to stop behind the more nervous people and look over their shoulder at their work not really seeing it. It was just to make it a little bit more nerve wracking for them.

He walked down through the middle of all their desks at a much slower pace than he would have normaly. He just wanted to see how they reacted to his presence. He also was listening to their thoughts on the stories they were righting making sure that nothing about himself or the death eaters was being leaked out. The wizarding world still had yet to discover that he was the dark prince. No to them he was Jack Lestrange businessman.

[nan]

It was almost three years, since Angela worked for the Daily Prophet. She wasn't a regular writer for the Prophet, just a freelance one. Although, she'd signed a contract saying that her articles would be published atleast bimonthly. She could submit as many articles as she wanted, though, the minimum was two per month. The first time she stepped into this office, she was seven months pregnant, and destitute. Ej and she worked out on a plan, that gave Angela flexible hours, as she was told to rest by her healer during the advanced months of pregnancy.

So, that's how, she started working at the Prophet. Normally, she worked at home, keeping a close watch on Aaron, as she penned down her article, seldom coming to the office. However, there was a desk at the Prophet, which belonged to her. She rarely went to the office, and if she did, it was just for any last minute adjustments. Sometimes, it was her getaway. Like for instance, right now. It had barely been a week since she ran into her ex-husband at the Ministry. Afterwards, when she came back home, she'd refrained from crying. Yet, those feelings of hurt, and betrayal had resurfaced. Now, she spent her time wondering if she loved him, hated him, or regretted meeting him at all. Whenever she looked into Aaron's eyes, she was reminded of Trent. Usually Aaron was her muse, but she couldn't write a single word at her small home. Instead, she'd decided to come to the Prophet, for a change.

By now, she'd found a babysitter, and old lady who agreed to keep a watch on Aaron whenever she was away. She donned a blouse, and a skirt, but left her hair open, since Aaron had a tendency to tug on her ponytail. She embraced him, and told him to be nice, and apparated to the Prophet office. She didn't know many people there. But she'd smiled, as she walked towards her desk.

She lay a parchment, and a quill, and probed through her mind for ideas. All she could think of, was Trent. Sighing, she rested her head backwards, against the chair, and her eyes fluttered close, as she thought of something to write. As she did so, images of herself, and her husband, and their memories together, flashed inside her head, and then she saw the one scene which made her hate her husband. She saw a flash of him with Shiloh, and they were kissing. By this time, the Prophet had become quiet, as their Boss had come for a visit. Angela, in her own world was oblivious to this. She opened her eyes as soon as she saw the incident that had broken her marriage, and found a man standing in front of her desk. Angela had no idea the said man was the boss. She rarely did come to this office, after all. She eyed him for a minute, and then promptly asked, "Excuse me, can I help you?"

[jack]

Jack had intended on walking straight to his office when the thoughts of one woman stopped him dead in his tracks. He understood where her mind was at, and how hard it would be for her to change the train of thought. Then she abruptly opened her eyes, and noticed him. Her words made it clear that she had no idea who he was. He heard quick gasps from other employees, and some start talking in hushed voices behind their hands. He could feel that most of the eyes in the office were on them. He turned quickly to look back at them with harsh eyes and in a second they all returned to thier work as if nothing had happened.

As he turned back to the woman in front of him he laughed lightly. "Well actually I was thinking that I might help you." He flashed her a warm smile. He then held his hand out to her. "I'm Jack Lestrange the owner of the daily prophet." His smile never wavered as he spoke. "Don't worry about it no need to say anything. I am a pretty understanding person." His voice though it had a slight edge to it was as warm as his smile.

He looked the woman over unable to ignore how beautiful she was. He wondered how the woman would react to who he was, and what he wanted to help her with. Not many people reacted very well when they realised that he was listening to thier thoughts. Eventually people got use to it when they realised that he never spoke of peoples thoughts to any one else, and he never judged a person based on thier thoughts. Jack knew better than most people how the mind worked. Even the most saintly of people could have thoughts that would raise the hair on the back of your neck.

[nan]

As soon as she uttered the words, she noticed that people around her had started to whisper. Instantly, Angela remembered of the times in Hogwarts when the fellow students used to either ignore her, or snicker, and talk about her being so tall, ugly, and extremely thin. She also noticed that at his one glance, the entire room was quiet, but everyone did keep their eyes on them, as if they were spectators to the something really unusual. With just one nod, and glare of his eyes, he commanded a power to silence everyone, so she wondered if he was someone in the top. She should have felt intimidated by him, but however, she did not feel so. Alright, to some extent, she did, but the only one who always intimidated her was Trent. He did not really intimidate her, but surprise her at every step. Right from the time she first met him, again at the Leaky Cauldron, till date, he always sprung surprises at her. The only thing she was scared of Trent finding out about their son, and taking him away from her. Now that she'd ran into Trent, after three years, once again, she had little doubt that they wouldn't be meeting again. Next time, she hoped there wasn't any, she wouldn't even give him a minute of her time.

Her attention was brought back to the person in front of her as he spoke. She blinked as he said he could help her. She wondered how he would help her. After all, it was the first time she'd set her eyes upon him, and they did not have any idea who the other was. Then, how would he know about her problems? About her near poverty state? About her broken marriage, and worse, her broken heart? Yet, she smiled, "And, prithee, how would you help me?" she asked the stranger.

When he introduced himself, her brown eyes widened in recognition. She had heard of Jack Lestrange, he was the owner of the Daily Prophet or something. As if he'd read her thoughts, Jack had confirmed that he was indeed the owner of Daily Prophet. In short, he was her boss, and she had asked him, how she could help him. Angela let a sardonic laugh within her head, she always had a knack of getting herself into such situations. She gained her composure, and took his extended hand, and shook it. "I'm Angela Hastings. It's a pleasure to finally meet you." She said. She was about to speak, when he asked her not to worry, as he was pretty understanding. A retort among the lines of 'Sure you are', was at the tip of her tongue, but she refrained from saying it aloud.

Angela had not even a faint idea that Jack could read people's thoughts. If she did, she would probably tell him how immoral, and unethical it was to listen to other people's private thoughts. The only one who knows what happened that night her marriage ended, was she, Shiloh and Trent, among whom, only she knew that Trent had fathered their child, and wanted things to remain that way. Only a few close friends, like Clara, and Ted, and now the babysitter knew about Aaron's existence. She sighed, inwardly, as she raised her eyes to meet Jack's, silently repeating her question, as to how he could help her.

[jack]

Jacks smile wavered as he actually felt guilty for the first time hearing someones thoughts. He didn't need to look away from her to tell that most of his employees were still paying attention to them. He held up his index finger silently asking her for a moment. "Everyone back to work." He called out, and he knew with in a few moments that they had done as instructed, but most were still trying to listen in. "Silencio." He spoke with a quick twitch of his hand so that no one would hear anything that passed between them. With another twist of his hand a chair appeared before the desk. He took the seat the turned back to the woman with a guilty expression.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Ms. Hastings, and let me apologise for intruding on your thoughts. I have been practicing Legilimency and Occlumency constantly for many years, and it isn't easy for me to keep from doing so. You have no need to worry I never repeat what I hear to any one. I merely use the practice to make sure that none of my mothers people are trying to spy on me." This last sentence was a lie, but everything else he spoke was the truth. He wondered if she was going to react badly to his confession which is something that he would understand.

"I also will not press you about the details of your thoughts just try to offer you what assistance I can. I have been considering having a daycare facility in the building that would be free for the employees so that those who have children would have an easier time. I can also offer you a more permanent job working five days a week with a considerable raise in salery. As I said before I can be very understanding. That is as long as you are honest with me." If it weren't for the fact that he was so controled he muight have actually laughe at the idea of honesty. It was his job to decieve people, and to keep anyone from knowing who he really was or what he was up to.

He glanced around the office able to see expressions of annoyance on many of his employees faces. They deffinately were not to happy that they couldn't eavesdrop on the conversation. His lips pulled up into a slight smirk at this. He always found it amusing when he was able to upset nosy people. He turned his attention back to Angela. "As for my original intentions I was going to tell you that whenever my mind is stuck on something that it is easy to lose those thoughts by listening to music." He hoped that she would take his advice kindly, and not be to cross with him over his eavesdropping on her thoughts.

[nan]

Angela waited, as he gestured for a minute. She saw him make everyone in the Prophet go back to doing their tasks, and then put on a silence charm around them, so that no body could eavesdrop on their conversation. She had to admit, it was pretty impressive. Well, he was the boss after all, and she could see it. With a move of his hand, he drew out a chair, and sat on it. By now, she was standing, after she knew who he was.

Jack informed her that he could help her because he was thinking of starting a daycare, for the employees of The Prophet. A Daycare? Angela wondered, why would he be telling her that? And then, he proceeded to clarify that he could read people's minds and thoughts. She immediately grew angry, and barked out, a "What?!" With a sharp intake of breath, she focussed her eyes on her boss, "Pardon me, but what gives you the right to read people's private thoughts?" Spoke she, with a sharp tone in her voice. He had read her thoughts about her husband, his 'lover', and her son. Something she had vowed to keep a secret from anyone unless she was comfortable enough to reveal it. When he apologized, she gave a curt nod, "As long as it remains with you, I don't have any problem." For sometime, she wasn't comfortable knowing that he had the ability to read what's going on inside her head. Well, as a consolation, atleast she wouldn't have to explain things blatantly to him.

She considered the job offer. A daycare facility, she wouldn't have to be away from Aaron. He was giving her a job security with a higher pay. Seemed like he was considerate, the offer was too good for refusing. However she said, "Mr. Riddle, I'm sorry but I have to decline this offer. At this particular instant, I can't take this job." Teddy would probably jinx her if he came to know she had refused from taking another job. She had her own reasons, that included Aaron. She didn't want anyone to know about him. For one, being a daycare with wizards running around, would lead to probing, and eventually someone would link her to the Lotts, and Trent would discover he had a son. Also, working for five days a week, means she had to write more articles. More articles meant more writing, more interacting with the people of her kin, and that increased the chance of her running into Trent. She was a fool, but she had her reasons not to accept this job promotion. "I am sure you know my reasons, Mr. Riddle. I'd love to take that up, but right now, I'm not in a position to."

He adviced her to listen to music, as that's what he would do when he was stuck with something. Angela blinked for a minute, and then remembered he could listen to her thoughts. She smiled at him, "I stopped listening to music three years ago, sir." She told him honestly. Any music, always reminded her of Trent, he always used to sing to her, something or the other.

[jack]

Jack nodded his head. He understood exactly why she was refusing his offer. She seemed to be scared of her husband. "Ms. Hastings you need to stop worrying so much it is not healthy for you. Also if what you seem to fear most should happen I can help you there as well. All you need to do is ask for it. I have a law team that has never lost, and it is the best money can buy. I would be more than willing to have them represent you." His eyes were full of kindness as he spoke to her. He was sure that she would be confused as to why he was so willing to help her. He normally enjoyed making people nervous when around him. Now he was acting differently.

"I want to help you because I will be a father soon, and I am lucky to still have my childs mother in my life. I could not imagine how hard it would be to raise a child alone. I am thoroughly impressed that you have managed to do so well by yourself. Also this is not the only business I own. I own two bars, a store, and gringotts as well. These are just the business's I own in the U.K. I have more than enough money, and I can easily help out people who deserve the help as I believe you do." He smiled as he turned to make sure that no one was watching. He was pleased to see that everyone had given up on his conversation.

He waved his hand over her desk as he turned back to look at her. A large leater pouch full of galleons, sickles, and knuts appeared. It was more than anyone working at the prophet would make in an entire year. "Consider that a holiday bonus. Make sure that you give your son the best christmas you can. Also if you are willing perhaps you, and your son could join my fiance, and I for dinner on christmas eve. I am sure that she would be overly happy to have guests. She tires of seeing only my sister, and I." He sat patiently waiting on her response.

[nan]

Law team? Why would Angela need a law team. She hadn't even considered divorcing Trent. She hated him, yes, for almost cheating on her, and destroying life as she knew it, but she also loved him. As they said there was a thin line between love and hate. In actuality, she wanted to remain bound to him in marriage. Even though her marriage was over, according to her, a part of her still belonged to Trent, and that wasn't easy to forget. Then, she realised Jack was talking about the situation if Trent found out about Aaron and filed a case against her. It would be the word of a pureblood and a ministry worker against hers, a mere muggle-born. She didn't think Trent would do that, he had after all fought for her with his parents.... Well, she didn't know anymore. Nodding her head, she said, "I don't think that would be a necessity, sir, but I'll surely keep that in mind. Oh, you can call me Angela, sir." She didn't like formality that much, when she was living with her parents, all this etiquette, the prim-ness and the properness, was something she was not really fond of. It made people seem very artificial, and lacked warmth, according to her.

At the news of his going to be a father soon, she smiled brightly, and said, "Congratulations to you and your fiancee, sir. I'm sure you'd be lucky to have her with you." Instantly, she felt guilty that she hadn't bothered to tell Trent about Aaron, and knew he'd be furious to have been kept in the dark. "It was not really hard, I just put my son's welfare before everything. Amazing, it is, how motherhood feels. Just when I was a teenager, I had decided I wouldn't have any children, and now, I'm a proud mother." she told him with a beaming smile, that depicted how proud she really was. She listened to him as he told her about the amount of businesses he held, and about his policy. She thanked him once again for his help, knowing she'd remain forever grateful to him. That's how her nature was!

Her hazel eyes widened upon seeing the amount of money laid on her table. She quickly glanced around to see that nobody had actually noticed that gesture, lest she be labelled something by the workmates. Already, she had got much leverage because of her position. She didn't want people thinking the wrong thing. "I.. er.." she began, a little astounded, "Mr. Lestrange, it's very kind of you, but I can't accept such a huge amount. You've just met me, sir. It's, I don't know how to say this, but it seems inappropriate. Really, sir thank you so much. I could perhaps take you up on that dinner, my son would love to meet new people." said she, smiling upto him. "May I have a word with you in private?" asked she politely, as she would like Aaron to warm upto Jack before they had a dinner at his place.

[jack]

Jack sat back in the chair with an amused expression on his face. The woman before him was buying into his act completely just as everyone else did. It was quite funny to him how easy it was to put on an act. He could convince anyone that he was any kind of person. He had been acting for many years, and for him it was just as easy as breathing. He was a natural con artist.

Granted this woman would never know what he was truly like. She would never be one of his victims. No she would only be a part of his cover. A pawn in his never ending game of chess.Jack continued to look at the woman, and listen to her while he thought these things, and listened to the thoughts of others never missing a beat. His mind was so very complicated that he could do dozens of things at once without breaking a sweat.

He gave the woman a warm smile. "Thank you we are very excited." He lied through his teeth. Alexis was excited sure, but this mattered so little to Jack it was just a good part of his cover. Some would say that he had a heart of ice. Most would say that he hadn't a heart at all. "That is very admirable of you. It's dedication that matters in life, and I can see that you truly are dedicated to your son."

He held his hand up as she tried to refuse the money. "Ms. Hastings don't worry about it. Though it may be a large amount to you it is nothing to me. My vault takes up two entire levels at gringotts. This isn't even a hundreth of a percentage of my wealth. You need it a whole lot more than I do." Then she asked to speak to him in private. He thought over the matter for a few moments.

He had alot to do at the moment, but he was more than willing to have the conversation. Perhaps he could even have Cassandra be there. They were suppose to have dinner that night any ways. "We certainly can, but not at this precise moment. I have much work to do. My sister and I would be more than happy to have you over for dinner tonight. I live just north of Hogsmeade it's a big brick house you can't miss it. Should we say six o'clock?"

[nan]

In all her life, Angela had been treated as an unwanted person, except for the one person whom she had trusted, gave her heart to, and got it broken. Yet, she usually only saw the niceness in any person. Such was the case with the person in front of her too. She thought he was too kind as a boss, and admired him for it. She wouldn't have ever imagined that this man was the the Dark Lord's true heir. She wouldn't have ever imagined that the kind person in front of her was indeed a very evil person, even in her wildest dreams.

She laughed, and said, "You're welcome sir, my son would be excited to see some new face as well. I believe he's thoroughly bored of just seeing his ol' mama's dull face everyday. I'd be pleased to meet your fiancee as well Jack." When he complimented her about her dedication for her son, she just waved her hand in a gesture, as if to portray that it didn't matter much. "I.. Aaron is all I have, so there's no question of any dedication." Said she truthfully.

Sighing, she took the money he'd given her. It was not like she had not seen money in her life. Her parents were one of the very rich people, one among the elitists. When she was dating Trent, she knew he was one of those purebloods who reeked of money, which was not why she fell for him at all, unlike what her in-laws presume. She thanked Jack once again, even if she did think all that was not necessary. She had learnt to live frugally, in the three year of her separation from her dear husband.

Angela merely nodded as he declined her invitation. Sure, he was the boss, and of course he had many other things to do as well. And then he went on to invite her for dinner with his sister. Angela didn't think that would be proper, but out of politeness, she consented. "Sure, Sir, six o' clock isn't a problem. Me and my son will be there. Now if you'd excuse me, I'd have to try my luck in writing this article, once again." smiled she, as she took her seat back, avoiding all the curious glances she was getting from her co-workers; busying herself with the article that was the reason of her frustration; well not really, but she'd like to assume so.

-Finished-