Friends (1)

Pete rolled his eyes when the stopped by the door with Amanda and heard Kathleen praying inside the house, "You can join her inside." Pete said, and turned to leave, but saw Ella coming behind.

"What now?" He asked Ella with a scowl.

"Did I say anything? I just want to spend sometime with Amanda and her nanny so you can have all the privacy to speak with Ken. Let's talk after he leaves." Ella said before walking past him into the house. She paused by the door when she heard Kathleen praying, "Did you know you employed a spirikoko? Or it was by mistake?" Ella asked in amusement.

"Mehn, I don't know what to do about that." Pete said with a shake of his head as he returned to the main house.

Although Kathleen was praying she wasn't deaf. She could hear the movements and conversations outside the house, as well as the sound of her door opening, so she quickly rounded off her prayers and opened her eyes to see Ella seated on one of the couches with Amanda who was looking at her with curious interest.

"You're awake!" She said to Amanda with a cheerful smile before glancing at Ella, "Do you want something?" She asked with a polite smile.

"Yeah. I want us to be friends and I want to get to know you better." Ella said with a wide smile.

"Friends? Me and you?" Kathleen asked looking at herself and then back at Ella who was nodding her head with enthusiasm.

"Yes. Why are you so surprised? Because you're her caretaker and I'm your boss' sister? Or because you think I'm too indecent to be your friend?" Ella asked the two questions that were actually playing on Kathleen's mind.

"I don't just understand why you would want us to be friends." Kathleen managed to say.

"It's simple. My spirit agrees with yours. So tell me about yourself. You just moved in here today I suppose?" Ella asked when she noticed the box beside one of the couches.

"Her house got burnt because she spent the night with me." Amanda said with a guilty frown making Kathleen shake her head as she hurried to Amanda's side.

"Don't be silly, darling. That wasn't your fault. Besides, it's thanks to you that I now get to live in such a beautiful home." Kathleen said with a cheerful smile.

"So you'll live here?" Amanda asked hopefully.

"Only if you want me to..." Kathleen said with a teasing smile while Ella watched them both with interest.

"I want you to live here, please." Amanda added.

"You'll have to promise to be a good girl then." Kathleen said.

"I promise to be good, so will you?" Amanda asked making Ella roll her eyes. Wasn't it obvious to the kid that Kathleen was living here already? She had moved in with her box for crying out loud! Ella mused as she watched them.

"Okay then. For your sake I'll stay." Kathleen said making Amanda him up excitedly to embrace her.

"So you moved in here because your house got engulfed... hold on a second, that was your neighborhood trending on Twitter this morning?" Ella asked with round eyes. She couldn't imagine what it must feel like to lose one's home and properties overnight.

"Yeah. My neighbor was able to save the box containing my credentials." Kathleen said when she noticed that Ella was looking at the box.

"Really? Your neighbor must be a really nice person. So I'm assuming you don't have clothes? They were engulfed by the flames too?" Ella asked looking her over.

Kathleen had a distressed frown on her face when it occured to her that she would need to get new work clothes at least, "Yeah." Was all Kathleen could manage before covering up her worries with a smile.

"I think we wear the same size of clothes. I was going to change my wardrobe next week. How about I bring you the clothes? Or I could just take you over to my house instead, so you pick the ones that suit you." Ella offered making Kathleen look her over.

What clothes did this one have that she wanted to give her? Bum shorts? And other indecent wears? Kathleen wondered.

Ella watched as Kathleen eyed her with disapproval, "Don't worry, I have pretty decent clothes that you can wear." She assured her, knowing someone like Kathleen would have her reservations.

"Then I guess I'll really appreciate it." Kathleen finally said with a relieved smile.

"Try not to wear your heart on your sleeves. Your face is too revealing and I can tell what you're thinking when I look at you. It might end up getting you in trouble." Ella advised as she stood up and signalled for both Amanda and Kathleen to follow her. Hopefully by the time she returns to the house Ken would have left.

"Thanks. I'll keep that in mind." Kathleen murmured as she wondered what the age difference was between her and Ella.

"I'll just pick up my purse and tell Pete we are going out." Ella said as she walked into the house while Amanda and Kathleen stood beside her car waiting for her.