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Once
Upon a Lifetime – By Kazza
Award winning story from the Venus Rising Fanfic Awards
Disclaimer: In the alternate universe that all Roswell Fanfic writers visit, I own Roswell. Sadly, in the real world, I own nothing, so please don’t sue me! I promise to return the characters good as new. The Story idea, however, was generated from my own imagination! Summary: Alternate Universe. Not set in Roswell and there are no aliens in sight!
Category: A bit of everyone (probably biased to Max and Liz ‘cause their my favourite
couple!)
Rating:
PG-13 (For now!!) Authors Notes: This is my own story, from my imagination, I really hope you like it, and that my ‘American terms’ are correct! Once
Upon a Lifetime – By Ronan Keating
(From his Album – Life is a Roller Coaster) Once
upon a lifetime I
looked in someone’s eyes And
felt the fire burning in my heart For
the very first time She
was scared and young And
had never tasted love So
I took her by the hand And
a boy became a man Once
upon a lifetime And
once upon a lifetime You
hold the Queen of Hearts And
if you game on a diamond win The
dealin’ starts You
stand to lose it all As
the cards begin to fall And
the lesson learned is hard You’re
only dealt the Queen of Hearts Once
upon a lifetime So
if you’re taking chances, know the chance you take A
broken heart’s a high price to pay Foolish
ways will make fools of the wise And
the best things seldom come along twice Once
upon a lifetime You
know that you’ve been blessed When
you hold your first born tenderly against your chest And
through the innocence you see The
value of your family And
you feel a special bond Thank
only comes along Once
upon a lifetime So
if you’re taking chances know the chance you take A
broken heart’s a high price to pay Foolish
ways will make fools of the wise And
the best things seldom come along twice And
people only find love like yours and mine Once upon a lifetime Prologue
As he walked out of his office, the 25 year old lawyer surveyed the people working around him. Next door to him his twin sister was busy dictating a letter to their secretary. Two doors away his best friend was busy yelling at someone on the phone. The two junior lawyers, Alex Whitman and Robin Ward, both aged 24 were racing around the office researching something for a case, and the two junior secretaries, Maria DeLuca aged 22 and Sally Wright aged 19 were gossiping and giggling at something, probably girl talk he thought. After a few minutes he shut his office door to block out the noise and headed back to his desk. His room was an executive office with a large solid oak door, a large oak desk and a big high-backed leather chair you could almost fall asleep in. Two large wooden cabinets lined one side of the room, housing his most important files. Another smaller chair positioned opposite his large desk and a couple of paintings on the wall finished all that was in his office. It was simple, but effective, serving to have nothing in the room that could distract him from his clients. “Yes.” He thought to himself, “I am definitely enjoying life right now.” Snapping out of his appreciation for life, Max Evans picked up one of the blue files on his desk. Flipping it open, he pulled out the first resume and began to read it. “Mmm, Miss E Parker, aged 21. She’s worked for James Watson for the past year, he’s a good lawyer. This is an impressive resume, I definitely think she’s worth having in for an interview.” He replied putting her resume to one side. After a further fifteen minutes, Max had sieved through all the resumes and pulled out four potential candidates. “Anna, when you’re free could you please come in, I need to dictate a letter.” He said courteously over the intercom. “Yes Mr Evans, I’ll be right in.” His secretary replied. True to her word, a few minutes later she appeared in his office. “Please, have a seat.” He encouraged. He certainly didn’t want Anna on her feet any longer than necessary, not in her condition at least. She was nearly eight months pregnant with her first child and to Max’s untrained eye, looked like she was about to ‘drop’ at any moment. The 28 year old Anna had been his secretary for a little over a year, since his move up from junior lawyer to partner, taking over a lot of his father’s clients. Philip Evans had eventually relinquished his grip on the firm he had started from scratch once he was satisfied Max knew the ropes. At the same time, Diane Evans had also did the same thing, giving most of her clients over to Isabelle. They still kept one or two clients for themselves, and were still silent partners, but the business in effect was now their children’s. “Right, I have selected the candidates I would like to invite for an interview, and I’d like you to send a letter to them, to go out first class this afternoon.” He instructed, handing the young lady the resumes of the lucky applicants. “Certainly Mr Evans.” She replied politely, busily writing down his instructions. The only problem Max had with Anna, was his inability to persuade her to call him Max. God when she called him Mr Evans it sounded way too much like she was talking to his father! He knew it was nothing personal, she did the same to Isabelle and Michael, she preferred the professional distance calling him Mr Evans gave her, however much it irritated him. Taking a deep breath, he began to dictate the letter to his secretary, as he carefully passed backwards and forwards behind his desk. It wasn’t something he often did, he was aware it served to unnerve Anna, but today he just felt restless and unable to concentrate while sitting down. Once Anna had left to type the letters, Max finally sat back down in his chair. Turning it, he looked out the large window that covered the whole of the back of his office. Watching people rushing around on the pavement below, some chatting, some running, he liked watching the world go by. New York was a busy city, with a pace that suited Max’s lifestyle. He was a self confessed workaholic, a trait he had inherited from his father, yet it was something he enjoyed. It left little time for a social life, and girlfriends. Max hadn’t had a girlfriend in just over a year, since he took over from his father. The promotion had happened just after his girlfriend of three years, Tess Harding, had up and left him. She had wanted commitment, marriage and above all a family, something that Max felt he didn’t have the time, the patience or the inclination to commit to. They’d had many rows about the subject, and in the end Tess had given him an ultimatum, either he married her and they started a family, or she’d leave. So, after very little thinking, Max allowed her to leave, walk out of his life and never to come back. At first he had been lonely and a little sad, but with his father stepping down as a full time lawyer, Max threw himself into his work and didn’t stop. He was putting his personal life on hold, but he wasn’t ready for another relationship, it complicated his life too much. No, being on his own was definitely the way to go. His sister, Isabelle, on the other hand was different. She was the same workaholic as Max, but also managed to balance her hectic social life perfectly. Her boyfriend of just over a year, Brad Ellis was a rich daddy’s boy, his father a highly successful businessman. Brad was perfect for Isabelle, knew all the right people, invited to all the right parties and Isabelle loved the glitzy lifestyle he lead. Max doubted if she really cared about him, or whether it was just his contacts she was in love with, but then that was Isabelle. Sweet and perfectly pretty in the evenings, but fiery and icy at work. He had learned long ago to accept Isabelle for what she was, of course he also knew her kind caring side, but that never came out at work. While she was in the office she was Isabelle Evans, a lawyer to cross with at your peril! Sighing, he turned back to his desk and flipped open the lid to his laptop. The first thing it did was beep at him to indicate he had ten unread e-mails. “Great, no rest for the wicked!” He complained before opening the first message. He knew he only had three more weeks with Anna, and he hoped he could find an adequate replacement in time. Part 1 “Excuse me Mr Evans, Miss Elizabeth Parker is here for your meeting.” His secretary called over the intercom. “Thanks Anna, please show her in.” He replied before releasing his finger from the button. A few seconds later, there was a knock and the large wooden door of his office was pushed open. “Hello Miss Parker, I’m Max Evans, please take a seat.” He said shaking her hand and pointing to the seat opposite his desk. “Thank you Anna.” He added before his secretary left the room. “Right, let’s get this interview started. I’ve looked over your resume and it’s very impressive. Please tell me a little about your present job.” He asked smiling warmly. She liked him already; he seemed to be doing everything possible to help her relax. He did have a certain charm about him; short brown hair that whipped over his forehead, sparkly deep brown eyes and the navy blue suit he was wearing did plenty for his sex appeal. “Well, I am a legal secretary for a small law firm, Watson and Jones Associates. My boss is Mr James Watson; I cover all his secretarial requirements. Typing correspondence, arranging appointments, booking travel and accommodation.” She said trying to act confident. Inside though, she felt like a piece of quivering jello. She hated interviews and no matter how many she went for, she always worried herself sick the night before. It wasn’t that she necessarily wanted to leave Watson and Jones, she didn’t, but she needed more money to pay her rent and eat, so she didn’t have a great deal of choice. Plus the position at Evans Associates was a more senior role, and she liked the idea of climbing the career ladder. “Ok, and what do you think you could offer to my firm?” He asked. As she thought for a moment, Max watched her intently. She was obviously someone who thought things through thoroughly before acting upon anything, someone very much like himself. She seemed timid and perhaps quite shy, her shiny brown eyes often showing flickers of fear as he directed questions to her. “Well, I am a
very methodical worker, I work easily under pressure with tight deadlines, I am
thorough in everything I do. Erm
….. I certainly enjoy new challenges.” “Erm, well I am looking for a fresh challenge, I enjoy my job but want to work for a bigger firm and your position here is more senior to my present one.” She replied chewing on her lip. After some more questions, Max concluded the interview by showed Liz around the office. “Michael, I’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Parker, she’s here for an interview for Anna’s job. Liz, this is Michael Guerin.” He said walking into his friend’s office. “Hi.” Michael said standing up and offering his hand to the young lady. “Hi.” She replied shaking it. To Liz, Michael looked anything but a lawyer. He wasn’t dressed in a suit, just trousers and a shirt, and the top button of his shirt was open under his tie. His hair was an unruly mess, and Liz wasn’t sure when the last time he had shaved was either “Michael here deals with the messy side of litigation. He likes nothing more than getting his teeth stuck into a complicated and challenging divorce!” Max joked. “Yeah funny Max!” Michael whipped back as Liz giggled softly. “Wow, that’s a really cute giggle.” Max thought to himself. “God where did that come from?” A voice in his head added. “So, you want to
work here do you?” Michael asked. “Well it’s nice to meet you.” Michael said, before the telephone on his desk started ringing. “Ok, let’s introduce you to the others.” Max said showing her out. “Liz, this is
Isabelle Evans. Isabelle is my partner in the firm and my sister.” “Isabelle and I work closely together on the multi-national companies we have on our books.” “I hope you don’t like your social life, because we work long, hard hours here and if I’m here I expect you to be.” Isabelle replied sharply. “Oh I don’t mind working hard.” Liz replied quickly “Thanks for that one Isabelle. Honestly Liz, we’re not really that bad. Granted the hours can be long, but if we’re off in court and you’ve nothing to do you can take the time off in lieu.” Max replied throwing his sister an icy stare before heading out of her office. As she walked out, Liz wasn’t sure if she liked Isabelle, she was obviously very career minded, her hair pinned up in a professional manner and her pinstriped suit obviously indicating she wasn’t someone to mess with. It wasn’t that she minded strong willed and career minded women, Liz just found it slightly intimidating. “Ok, that’s the formal people over with, oh except my mother and father who own the business but they aren’t in today. So I’ll introduce you to the others.” Max said smiling as the walked down the corridor back towards his office. Liz was introduced to the junior lawyers, Alex Whitman and Robin Ward. Both seemed very nice, Alex had a certain boyish immaturity that Liz took to immediately. Robin was also very handsome, his blond hair flopping over one eye, his tanned skin and clear blue eyes definitely made Liz look twice at him. “And lastly, these are our general office secretaries, Sally Wright, and Maria DeLuca. Ladies, this is Liz Parker.” Max said, pointing to each girl in turn. “Hi.” Sally said slightly cautiously. “Hi.” Liz replied. “It’s really great to meet you Liz, I’m sure you’ll love this place!” Maria squealed enthusiastically, throwing her arms around the young brunette. “Erm, Maria, squeezing the life out of my potential new secretary is not the best way to make a good impression.” Max said, looking at Liz’s slightly pained expression on her face as Maria hugged her. “Oh, of course,
I’m sooo sorry Liz.” “I’m sorry about Maria, she gets kinda excited. We only let her out once in a while!” He joked, pleased that she was smiling. “It’s ok, I don’t mind, I’m fine really.” She replied dipping her head to hide her slightly blushed cheeks. “Right then, well you’ve met everybody, and I hope you like what you’ve seen. I have two other candidates to interview today, so I should make a decision by tomorrow and I will let you know." He said cheerily. “Well, thank you very much for your time Mr Evans.” She replied returning his smile. “Great, Anna will show you out.” He added, shaking her hand “Thank you.” Liz replied. As she disappeared from his office, Max sat down and thought about the interview. She was certainly qualified for the job, and she’d handed herself very well. “Yes, she’d be a good asset for the office.” He thought to himself. “I think that the other two candidates are going to have to be something pretty special to beat her.” He added before moving his mind back to the work sitting on his desk. Stepped out onto the busy New York sidewalk, Liz couldn’t help but feel so happy. Evan’s Associates seemed perfect for her, everyone seemed very nice and amiable to work for. Max Evans seemed a nice boss, and she definitely thought she could work well for him and fit in easily. Michael seemed amenable, and Isabelle could be coped with, then of course there was Maria! Liz really didn’t know what to make of her, she seemed to wacky, definitely someone to liven the office up. “Yeah”, she thought to herself, “I think I could really enjoy having someone like Maria around me.” She added. All that remained now was for her to get the job. As she hailed a cab, Liz had a good feeling inside; maybe her life would take new direction with this job; god knows she needed and deserved a good break in life.
TBC ...........................!
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