The Light Everlasting

Chapter 2: In the Office of Mr. Byrne

Edith spent the night in the faded wine-colored, high-backed chair. Earlier, she had stood at the door of her father's bedroom and stared at his bed for quite some time, but couldn't bring her exhausted self to lay down.

She was awakened by an orange cat sprinting around the house, charging across her chest, and leaping off of window sills before coming to an incredible, balanced halt on the mantle, staring at the chair.

“Blaze! My goodness!" Edith exclaimed, sitting upright. She looked at the clock on the wall, it was time to get up anyway.

Groaning, Edith stood up and rubbed the cat's head.

“Let's see where my dad keeps your food," she smiled. The cat bolted to the two small bowls in the corner of the kitchen, just below a circular container clearly stating, “Cat."

Edith laughed, “You were always straight to the point, Dad."

Blaze purred contentedly as Edith dumped a scoop of food into one of the bowls, filling the other with fresh weather.

Edith looked around for the stately black dress she had worn for the funeral. Seeing it gone from the back of the chair where she had placed it the day before, Edith kneeled down to discover her feline friend had pulled it to the floor.

With a gasp, followed by a pointed glare at Blaze, Edith shook her dress to relieve it of any cat hair.

“I wish you had stayed off of my dress, Sir!" She ran a hand through her red hair. “I need to make a good impression today."

Blaze blinked contentedly from his current perch on the kitchen window sill.

With one last look at the clock, Edith simply removed the jacket part of the dress and nodded.

“This will do."

Once showered and dressed, Edith searched for directions on her smartphone.

“Dad, your internet is terrible here," she mumbled as she wandered around the cottage, phone in hand, praying for a quicker connection.

After several minutes, Edith was on her way to the small town, hoping the cafe there would have better internet than her father's little cottage. She parked her rental car in a shaded parking spot by the town's old cemetery, and jogged across the road to the cafe. As she entered the cozy, local shop, a familiar face turned from a seat near the window.

“Oh, hello Miles!" Edith smiled.

Miles raised his coffee, “It's good to see you smile, Miss Doyle. What brings you to town today?"

The young woman rolled her eyes, “I'm trying to find a place with wifi so I can look up directions. My father doesn't seem to have gone on the internet much."

Miles smiled, “Where do you need to go?"

“Do you know where Byrne Marketing and Investment Company is?"

Miles blinked his chocolate-colored eyes, and after a moment answered with a nod, “Yes, I do. It's just down the road a bit."

He pointed out the window at a small, yet impressive grey building just two blocks down.

“May I ask why you are heading there? Is there an issue with your dad's estate?"

Edith shook her head, “I'm simply applying for a marketing job. I've decided to stay."

Miles raised his eyebrows.

“My dad left me his house," Edith shrugged. “I also inherited his cat."

“Ah," her new friend chuckled, adjusting the coffee mug in his hand. “Why don't you grab a coffee and I'll walk you down to the office? I'm done with my break anyway."

Edith straightened in surprise, “You work there?"

“I actually have a meeting with Caden Byrne in fifteen minutes," Miles stood up and finished his coffee. “I'll introduce you to the boss."

Edith was too excited and nervous to have a coffee, so they headed down the road to the historic building of Byrne Marketing and Investments. Miles opened the front doors and Edith almost stopped in awe. The doors, furniture and desks were all of a rich mahogany. The floors were black marble that flowed into the stairs.

“Up we go," Miles motioned up the stairs.

On the way, he introduced Edith to various staff, friends, and acquaintances. Miles seemed to be well-known and respected, even being asked for advice for various matters as they made their way through a large room with several workstations.

“He's the only one who can work with Mr. Byrne," a pleasant woman named Lydia whispered to Edith as they chatted briefly.

She looked at her companion in panic, but he only shrugged and continued forward.

At the other end of the room, there was an open door. Edith could see the edge of a heavy, dark desk, an umbrella, and a coat rack holding a long black coat.

Miles stopped outside the office and looked at the delicate woman who sat at the desk closest to the door. The woman nodded, and gave Edith an encouraging wink.

Miles knocked, and after a moment, entered the dim office with a smile. Edith took a deep breath before following her new friend.

“Good Morning, Miles," a tall, dark-haired man in a tailored blue shirt rose from the desk and greeted them in a smooth, clear voice. “Have you brought an assistant?"

“Caden," Miles shook hands with Mr. Byrne. “I'd like to introduce you to Edith Doyle, she's the daughter of Liam Doyle. He… uh, was the writer who recently passed away. She's taken over his home and is looking for a marketing position. During our discussion today, perhaps you may think of a potential position for her."

“I have a degree…"

“Your father often came here to look in the archives," Caden Byrne, owner of Byrne Marketing and Investments interrupted. “He was a good man. I am sorry for your loss."

Edith was surprised and touched at the stranger's kindness.

“I will think about available positions. For now, Miles, we need to discuss business."

Edith sat for the next few minutes listening to Miles and Mr. Byrne brilliantly discuss the upcoming marketing campaign. As she gazed around the room, she noticed numerous photos and paintings of horses. They were similar to the ones that had pulled her father's hearse. Edith suddenly remembered Miles telling her Caden Byrne, the man before her, was the breeder.

Miles brought her back to the present by asking her for an opinion, and she gamely answered without hesitation. Byrne regarded her silently as Miles continued. From time to time, he would ask Edith a question or for an opinion.

Suddenly, Byrne turned to her.

“I do need someone who can make advertisements, but I also need someone who can take notes during conversations like this," Mr. Byrne lifted a slender, yet masculine hand. “Would you be able to do that?"

Edith jumped, “Certainly. Would you like me to take notes now?"

Byrne blinked and slowly nodded. Reaching into his desk, he took out a large pad of paper. Miles handed her a shining black pen with gold accents. Just holding the pen made Edith feel important.

For the remainder of the discussion Edith took notes and offered opinions and solutions when asked.

“Please, make a report out of those notes and get it back to me as soon as possible. I like to review meetings so I don't forget anything," Caden Byrne's sharp, dark eyes looked into Edith's for a brief second before he turned his head.

“I can get it to you before lunch," Edith replied.

With a nod, Byrne stood up and walked his guests to the door, shutting it behind them.

“Well, that seems to have been a success," Miles grinned triumphantly at Edith.

She looked back at her friend, her head still swirling from the experience, “What?"

Miles shook his head and replied, “You walked in there cold, and are now the assistant to Mr. Caden Byrne."

Suddenly, Byrne's voice rang out behind them, “Theresa, will you get Edith set up? Please fill her in on the office rules and events coming up for employees? Thank you."

Theresa, the delicate woman who had winked before, smiled excitedly at Edith, “Oh, honey! Forget the rules for now, let me tell you about the trip to the ruins this weekend!"