Chapter One

Song of chapter: Intentions by Justin Bieber.

Marion's POV ;

The entire floor was silent but Marion knew Zeff News Agency was anything but that. It's members clicked on well and were like second and third families to each other. But they had their moments. It was almost too perfect unless someone spilled hot cocoa on a certain someone's white blouse or knocked over the stack of folders off a busy bee's desk. Yet, she was content.

She had a problem and she consulted her trusted friend. But the results were no good. The damn pickle too was pushing her buttons too much.

Bali had the guts to consider artificial insemination. It was against the Torah. It wouldn't have mattered if her mother wasn't still religious. She never failed to let you know. If anything possible except for one night stands and jumping pussies. She never even let the thought venture into in vitro fertilization. Marion was uncomfortable having to know that she had a test tube baby. No, no, no! That was plain horrible in her imagination. Then artificial insemination? God, where did she get that from?

Marion runs her hand through her waves. The style she had put it in barely visible. She didn't blame herself though. She had wanted this. Bali only insisted on helping which was…Marion shuddered in the sudden chills. Even if Bali brought over appealing convictions and assurances on artificial insemination, she wouldn't bat an eye. Marion assured herself. But would she accomplish her goal? She didn't know the answer.

This wouldn't have happened if Aunt Teiyo hadn't opened her goddamn Christian mouth last Hanukkah. She hadn't hesitated to make it her national anthem upon seeing her brother and cousins children. She was twenty- seven for Christ's sake and independent. She could make her own damn choices! And she chose to be alone.

Marion was fed up already. They hadn't released any new magazines in months. They were relying on the glory of their old magazines. She needed new ideas. That too fast. She hated the pace Vise Co. were playing the catch up game. When they have only been around for five years! She screamed aloud startling Bali.

"I suppose this is about Vise Co.?" She mused. Marion didn't bother to reply. Rather she rolled her eyes in indignation. She reclined into her swivel chair playing with a pencil on her fingers. Bali was in one of the visitor's chair opposite. She was half sitting, half leaning. Typical! She liked to hang out in her office. Marion's office was in neutral paint pastels which Bali never hesitated to admire. It was simple but classy like it's owner. She was the prim and proper of the century Everybody knew that. Heck she has received several awards to prove that.

The memory of Aunt Teiyo played again as it always did when she took her mind off work for a while : it was Hanukkah. Her extended family decided a get together. Her abuela was also celebrating her ninetieth anniversary. The kids were playing around, jumping, giggling and pranking themselves. The victims rushed to their mothers crying: mummy, mummy but not one approached her with that title. She discreetly wiped her silent tears. However Aunt Teiyo had caught on. The blasted woman had not let her mouth rest , always belittling her about being the only single person in the family. Anybody who tried to get her to quiet down received a verbal beating. It was collateral damage.

Marion was in the kitchen helping her sisters in law to stuff the turkeys when she entered like a queen. She hadn't hesitated to start. Her sisters in law smiled at her pitifully trying to express their remorse. They knew how Aunt Teiyo's words stung. Like a queen bee's ovipositor!

"Have you finished warming up the milk?" The question was directed to Shelah, Marion's older cousin's wife.

"Yes Aunt." She stuttered. The woman was freaky scary. She was only sixty-eight. But she was strong and vibrant. She was the second wife to her husband after a fatal divorce. She had a heart of steel and wouldn't be reluctant to let all versatile liquids evaporate. Man! Was she demanding.

"Then what are you doing here? Get on with it!" Shelah practically ran out of the kitchen. She rounded up the kids as soon as possible. She knew despite being in the kitchen, Her mind was also outside and could sense if something was 'out of order'. The remaining four women were on guard for any other barking. She was mostly silent. Aunt Teiyo was that calm before the storm. At times she was bark and no bites. However her bites were deadly too.

"Marion?" Marion was startled she called her. "Follow me." It was an order. She followed her to the bakery building right next to the main house.

This piece of land has been in the family for years. It was vast and had several spaces left even after building all the grand houses they needed. The bakery was one of them too. A wonderful privilege! Her great grandfather and grandmother had immigrated to Ireland after a War broke out in Israel. They wanted to start a family somewhere safe. Ireland was the chosen one. So, they worked their butts off to acquire this piece of hot cake to grow their family.

Marion helped Aunt Teiyo to take the cookies and bread from the oven. As they were sorting it out, apportioning pieces to the various children, she striked.

"Won't you save some for your children, Marion?" Aunt Teiyo said. " Bet they would nag you for them whenever they pop out of you." She smiled sweetly. It was anything but that. One could see the intentions behind it. Marion couldn't hold it in again. Her lips quivered. This wasn't the first time she had taunted her and she knew it wasn't the last until she did something. She couldn't bother her mother about this. Aaren was hypertensive. Besides, there was not much she could say to over rule her elder sister, the breadwinner of their family.

Marion blew a breath as she tried to reel her mind back to her office. It was always emotionally exhausting. She rubbed her temples to ease the incoming headache. Her eyes stung with tears.

"Make an appointment." Her voice was heavy. Bali had been in her own land. But she heard.

"With whom?" She asked, smugly.

"A Gynaecologist, goddamn it." Marion snapped.

Bali smirked.