Read Mythe: A Fairy Tale for Free Online Page B

here. Let me drop my things and I’ll show you around the rest of the office.” Manda walked to her office in the corner and Richard trailed behind, examining the eclectic contents of the room. She sat down on the edge of her chair and opened a bottom drawer to put her purse away. Richard leaned against the doorframe and inspected her office as well. Potted plants cluttered the space, thriving in the southern light. A small teapot and matching cup sat on the corner of her desk, which was cluttered but neat. On the wall above hung her college diplomas and a few awards, placed there at Jen’s insistence.
    Richard focused on the framed certificates. “You graduated with honors and you have your masters. Very impressive.” He sounded slightly surprised. She was used to that.
    She blushed uncomfortably and looked away. “Um, yes.”
    Richard went on, changing the subject slightly—for which Manda was grateful. “I tried to convince Josh to go to college, but he’s not ready yet. He says he’ll have plenty of time later. I suppose he’s right. He may as well enjoy his singing career for now. It can’t last forever, after all. I promised our mother that I’d push him though. An education is important.”
    “You lost your parents, didn’t you?” Manda asked quietly.
    “Yes,” Richard replied evenly. “They died in a car wreck when Josh was sixteen. He was just becoming well known then. That’s sort of how I got dragged into the whole thing. He needed me, and since I was writing all of his songs anyway, it just sort of evolved into the two of us.”
    “So, you weren’t looking for the fame and fortune?”
    “No. That’s really not my thing. I enjoy the music, the writing. Josh is the one who really lives to perform. And what about you, Amanda Jensen? What do you live for?”
    “Right now, my greatest ambition is to show you where the coffee machine is,” she answered lightly, sidestepping his question self-consciously. “Since you’re apparently a coffee drinker, that’ll be our first stop.” Manda proceeded to lead Richard through the Aronson office, pointing out the lunchroom, bathrooms, conference rooms, and other amenities. Their conversation was friendly and light, but no more personal questions were asked. When they returned to the “Special Creative Services” area, as the plaque by the door named Manda and David’s work space, David was there, perched on the edge of the sofa playing a video game on the flat screen.
    “Nice to see you hard at work,” Manda teased as they entered.
    “Hey, I’ve got to beat your high score,” David retorted, not taking his eyes from the game.
    “You wish!”
    By the time Lena called to tell them that Josh had arrived, Richard, David, and Manda were all three battling it out on the large television screen and laughing exuberantly. Manda abandoned the game to go retrieve Josh, and returned with him just in time to see Richard defeat David soundly.
    “If I’d known I was missing all the fun, I’d have gotten here sooner,” Josh lamented.
    “You snooze, you lose,” Richard taunted, leaning back on the sofa and folding his hands behind his head.
    “Well, since we’re all here now, I suppose we should get to work. We don’t want to take up too much of your time,” David suggested, stowing the video game equipment in the cabinet under the television.
    “I reserved the north conference room, but since we’re all comfortable, shall we just do it here?” Manda suggested.
    “I vote for here,” Josh asserted, dropping down onto the sofa beside Richard.
    “You won’t get him up now,” Richard said wryly, not looking inclined to move himself, “so we’ll just have to do it here.”
    “Then it’s unanimous,” David agreed.
    “Good!” Manda said, kicking off her shoes and retrieving the logo designs from the table. She pulled one of the leather chairs over as well, and then spread the printed pages out on the coffee table. “Here’s what we’ve