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Hello all! To those loyal readers who subscribed me years ago, thank you SO MUCH for coming back! It means the world to me. And for those of you who are new, I hope you like my style. If not, thanks for trying. Before you start this story, I can supply you with an image of the two main characters, Akita and Anastasia. Just go to bisexual-artisian. deviantart. com/art/ Big-and-Small- 78568398 (Just be sure to remove the spaces) I hope you like it!
Their mother, Margaret, didn’t see it that way. If Akita took over Lucien’s old position of President, then who would care for little Anastasia? Surely, Lucien reasoned, surely if Akita could successfully attend high school and college while caring for the younger child, then she could take a full time position and still manage. But no, this was not satisfactory to his wife, who brought forth the argument that Lucien had always brought work home with him. Twenty-three years of age was not enough to balance the mental and emotional strain of being president.
There was, of course, the undiscussed factor—the “little problem” which lay sub-dormant in the bodies of their children. Akita was fully aware of her situation, but Anastasia had yet to discover her bloodline’s idiosyncrasy. Once Anastasia displayed the telltale signs of its emergence, Akita would need to attend to the girl twenty-four hours a day to guide her through the difficult time. Where, in three years, would the girls be? Where, in three years, would Kaiser Corporation be?
Kita sighed as she heard her sister’s wails. She opened her second-story window and looked down. At the sound, the child’s head spun to look expectantly into her older sister’s face. It appeared that Ana had fallen off of her bike into the soft grass. The girl needed to learn that her older sister could not and would not pick her up after every fall. When Akita showed no obvious signs of coming down to inspect her, Ana began to cry harder.
“Do your fingers move?”
The little girl waggled her chubby fingers.
“How about your toes?”
Ana pulled her sandals off and wiggled them in the air.
“You’re fine! Just don’t fall off again.”
Ana nodded, snuffling at the indignity of being, more or less, ignored. She missed the days when her parents had first died. She had missed them, but her older sister had been so attentive, fussing over her every time Ana so much as got a rock in her shoe. Ana knew things had changed, and that at seven years old, she was a big girl, but the feeling of being disregarded still weighed heavy in her mind.
She realized that her older sister was still watching her, waiting to see what she would do next. She jumped up and wiped the tears from her face with the back of her hand, and got back on her bike. She circled around and waved at her sister, who smiled down on her and waved back.
Akita sighed. Her workload was overwhelming. She had taken six classes for her final semester, and four of them required final papers, leaning towards twenty pages each. She ran her fingers through her red hair and slid down in her chair. What would she do after she graduated?
Her parents had not left a will; therefore, she owned Kaiser Corp. Her father would have wanted her to take over for him, she knew. He’d spent countless hours showing her the numbers, showing her his doctrines, and showing her how he did things, to groom her for the job. He did more than show her, he made her think about it, he asked her what she thought, how she would do something, and asked her why she would do it, what were the benefits to herself and the company? The cons? He’d instilled a love of business into her, and though she hadn’t meddled in the company’s affairs in years, she could still see herself sitting in her father’s office, inspecting the papers he’d brought home with him.
What had changed? Akita sighed more deeply than ever and leaned the chair legs back to stare at the ceiling. She’d always assumed that when she took over, her father would be there to help smooth out any wrinkles she caused. She’d expected a mentorship. She’d expected…something. She was also displeased with how profits had been falling since her uncles took over. She knew that her uncles would want to maintain an active role in the governing of the company, and also knew that she would have to bar them from doing so. She didn’t know if she was ready to re-establish the family feud brought about when her father had kicked out his two younger brothers. She looked down at her beloved little sister, who had abandoned her bike to chase a butterfly. Akita definitely wasn’t ready to subject her sister to such a position. Akita still remembered being twelve years old, answering the phone, only to hear loud strings of curses and threats from her uncles. At least by twelve years old, Akita had the sense to know that her uncles couldn’t hurt her, and even if they tried, the self-confidence that she could protect herself. Her seven-year-old sister would have neither of those things.
Akita glanced over her textbooks. “The Global Market” “Business Without Borders” “Economic Policy” “Business Ethics” Regardless of her insecurity about taking her position as head of the family and head of Kaiser Corporation, she knew that she’d been preparing herself to do just that. No question about it, her life lay in business, and where better to start than in the thicket of what had slipped from the top grossing corporation in the US to the fiftieth, and building it back up to number one?
Alice was the family doctor, an expert on their particular abnormality. Because it was of a personal nature, she’d grown close to her patients, Akita and her parents in particular, due to their friendliness and openheartedness. Raul had been a close friend of her parents as well, and had remained friends with Akita. She had been seeking his counsel as of late, about business plans as well—Raul was an entrepreneur, himself, and had always maintained a friendly rivalry with her father in business.
Akita had foregone the after party. Tonight was decision night. She strode to she stands to fetch her sister and give her thanks to Raul and Alice for their support.
“That’s ridiculous! You have to celebrate!” Alice exclaimed, taking Akita by the shoulders. Akita had just revealed her plans to go home and sit alone.
“Honestly, Kita, this is a big day,” Raul reiterated, “C’mon, let’s all go to dinner someplace.”
“I’m only coming if you’ll pick up the tab,” Alice said, glaring at him. Akita’s eyebrows rose. Had the two met before?
“Fine, I’ll buy. McDonalds, it is!”
“No way am I going to McDonalds for my graduation celebration,” Akita grumbled.
“Akita!” a male voice called through the crowd. Three heads spun to look at Akita; none of them had ever heard of the twenty-three year old ever associating with a boy.
“There you are!” panted a boy, smiling broadly. Akita surmised that he must have run up the stairs to reach them.
“I’m…I’m sorry,” Akita mumbled, “I have no idea who you are.” It was regrettable; he was certainly handsome. He had shaggy brown hair, which hung in his bright blue eyes. He had a square jaw, and very pretty lips. And most importantly, he was tall. Akita stood at five-ten without shoes, and as she preferred heels, she found it difficult to become interested in any man less than six-three. This one was at least six-five.
“I’m Byron. We were in Econ together?” Did he ever stop smiling? Akita stared at his straight white teeth.
“Uh…This semester?” Akita was sorely disappointed not to know him.
“Yeah. Well, most semesters, actually.” His smile faltered a little. “I never introduced myself, though. Ah, are these your parents? Glad to meet you!” He promptly shook Raul and Alice’s hands.
“No! Nono, God, I’m hardly over thirty!” Alice exclaimed as the boy shook her hand enthusiastically. “I’m Alice Kimble, family friend.”
“Ah—sorry about that! I thought you looked to young to be her mother.” Byron turned expectantly to Raul.
“I’m pleasantly single; no children whatsoever. Raul Michaels, family friend.” Raul shook Byron’s hand again, one smooth, strong shake that scared most men in board meetings.
“Ah…you certainly have a lot of family friends, Akita.” Byron smiled at her, his eyes searching for anyone who might be Akita's family.
“I’m Anastasia, Akita's mother!” Seven-year-old Anastasia stuck out her hand and waited for Byron to shake it.
“Where on earth did you get that cold humor?” Akita demanded, slapping the girl’s hand down.
“She’s my little sister,” Akita said apologetically.
“Very nice to meet you, madam,” Byron said, bowing with a flourish. Anastasia did a little curtsey.
“So…your parents are busy?” Byron asked, dejectedly.
“In a manner of speaking,” Akita replied uncomfortably. The five of them stood in uncomfortable silence. The two adults looked to Akita's face for guidance.
“Well, I guess we should get going. The restaurants will fill up quick,” Raul said, putting a hand on Akita's shoulder.
“Yes, let’s go, I’m starving!” Alice took Anastasia’s hand.
“Uh…Did you…do you have any plans? Right now?” Akita asked, looking to Byron. “You could come to dinner with us, if you wanted.”
“Really?” Byron searched the eyes of Alice and Raul, who shrugged. “Uh, yeah! I’d like to! Could I maybe catch a ride with one of you?”
“Yeah, that’s fine. I’ll take you,” Akita offered without pause. Raul and Alice looked to each other. They both knew the girl well, and knew that she had no experience with the opposite sex. They’d need to watch carefully if this developed further.
“It gets me around,” Akita said, trying not to be smug about it. “Buckle up, Ana.” Akita listened for the sound of a buckle behind her before she turned on the engine. “You, too,” she said, seeing that Byron hadn’t done so. He was sitting stiffly in the passenger seat. “Relax!” she laughed, smiling reassuringly at him. Byron, who was very comfortable running up stairs, was apparently not comfortable around wealth. He must not have noted the finely tailored clothes that Alice and Raul wore.
Byron jumped as the speakers announced, “Good evening, Akita.” Akita smiled as her little sister laughed outright. “Program Nav,” Akita said firmly, “Adanto’s.” This was the restaurant that Raul had suggested they go to, and met with approval from Alice.
Akita's only memories of the place were dinner business meetings. Her father had always encouraged her to come and listen to him and Raul tackle their opponents. Diplomatically, of course. Though friendly opponents, Raul and Lucien were a deadly pair when teamed up for something that benefited both of them.
Akita had a feeling Byron would be very uncomfortable at the upscale restaurant. She pulled up in the parking garage a block away from the restaurant, rather than in the VIP parking places directly next to the restaurant. She felt that, on top of discomforting her guest, parking in VIP places was a sure way to get someone to attack a lone car. Besides that, anyone in the same social circle would recognize the car and plates, and be sure to come in to say hello. She wasn’t sure if she was quite ready to be approached in public the way her father had been.
“Hold my hand, Ana,” Akita said softly, reaching out to the young girl as they prepared to enter the busy street.
“So,” Byron began, apparently back at ease on the ground, “What are your plans for the summer?”
“I’m not entirely sure. I’ll probably be…” She’d almost said it. She’d almost confirmed something she wasn’t sure of. However…was that a sign that she was sure? If she had already prepared the phrase, wasn’t she sure? “No, I might be going over some business files.”
“Ah, of course business. You were always brilliant in Economics.”
“Thank you,” Akita replied. She was taken aback by the compliment. Raul had told her she was good at it, when she occasionally asked for help on large assignments, but she’d always figured it was to ease her fear of not knowing enough. “Anyway, here we are.” She noted Raul’s car parked in a VIP place.
Akita strode up to the maitre’d. “We’re with Raul; I don’t know if he went to my table or his.” She said. The maitre’d blinked at her. “Oh good grief. Don’t you know who I am?” she demanded crossly. That did it.
“Right this way, ma’am,” he said, quickly, bowing his head. “I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you; I haven’t seen you without your father.”
“That’s quite all right,” she mumbled apologetically. She rarely snapped at anyone. Would it get worse if she entered the business world?
“You have a table here?” Byron hissed in her ear, looking around the lavishly decorated dining room.
“Yes,” she replied simply. There was no use in lying to the boy. “I have reserved tables at most restaurants, should I choose to use them. However, I have not in several years.”
“Who are you?”
“You’re the one who approached me,” she replied with a smile, “you should know; I’m Akita Kaiser.”
“Don’t be a snob,” her little sister said, tugging on Akita's hand. Akita laughed. How often had she told that to Anastasia?
“Here you are, madam.” The maitre’d said, having led her to Raul and Alice.
“Took you long enough,” Raul complained, but smiling. “You must drive like a grandma.”
“You drive like you think you’re being chased by the police,” Alice commented, surveying his face for a response.
“If I don’t go over seventy, my baby complains. Ferraris aren’t meant to go slowly.”
“Honestly…” Akita sighed. “You’d better not displease Alice, or she won’t patch you up when you nearly kill yourself.”
“She did it before. You were wonderful, darling,” Raul waggled his eyebrows at the doctor.
“Don’t even!” she replied exasperatedly, putting her chin on her hand and looking pointedly away from Raul.
So, they have met, and gotten to know each other, apparently. Akita thought, somewhat pleased and somewhat upset. She wished she’d known before. Considering both of them dear friends, she was displeased to have been left out on a sector of their lives.
Lucien and Margaret were pleased to see that Alice and Raul were with their daughters. They’d fully expected them to stay friendly with her, but seeing them celebrate graduation with her in their stead filled Lucien with sadness and joy all at once. He’d regretted not being there himself, but knowing that two people who genuinely cared for her as much as he did had taken his place, and knowing that they supported her, let him relax. Certainly, Raul would help Akita settle into high-competition business, and certainly, when Anastasia reached ten years of age, Alice would help the girls cope. And he was glad that they had adults in whom they could confide. Margaret’s highest concern had been the lack of a respectable adult influence in their lives. He was pleased to see her smiling upon the dinner party. He was less pleased; however, to see the boy sitting next to his daughter. He was clearly uncomfortable in the rich setting, which sparked two opposing ideas in the old tycoon’s mind: first, that whoever wanted to be with his daughter would need to be fluent in the lives of the rich and powerful, and second, the fear that someone poor would marry her for money.
Don’t be stupid, Margaret glared at him, It’s just as likely that someone rich would marry her just to stay rich and not love her. But then, marriage doesn’t seem to be about love anymore, does it? As history repeats itself, so does the medieval view of marriage.
Lucien sighed. Marriage, indeed, was not about love. Unless a prenuptial were to be signed. If his business was safe, then why should he care who got close to Akita? His wife was not pleased with his theory on dating.
“Oh, no, that’s not…” he shifted uncomfortably. “That’s really nice of you to offer, but you really don’t have to.”
“Don’t be silly. Where do you live?”
“113 Montague Street,” he answered hesitantly.
“Program Nav, 113 Montague Street. Are you buckled in, Ana?”
“Mhmm. Turn the AC up.”
Twenty minutes passed in silence. “So…what are you going to do, now?”
“Apply to some different places, I guess. I’m not sure what I want to do, permanently.”
“Something in economics?” Akita guessed.
“How did you know?” he asked, clearly astonished.
“Why else approach me? I was known for a lot of things, but all you mentioned was economics. I have the ties to get you in the door someplace.”
“You do?” he asked, uncertainly.
“Sure. You didn’t know?”
He shook his head.
“Surely you’ve heard of Kaiser Corporation.”
“Who hasn’t?”
“We have a branch that deals in economics. I’m sure that I could find you an opening, if you wanted it.”
“How?”
“I own it.”
“We own it.” He younger sister corrected fervently.
“You’re not eighteen,” Akita said to Anastasia, glancing at her in the rearview. Anastasia stuck her tongue out. “Keep it out and a fly will land on it,” Akita warned, playfully.
“Yum, yum! I love flies!”
“How can you own it?” Byron asked, quietly. “You’ve only just graduated college.”
“My father owned it. When he passed five years ago, I was already eighteen, so it went to me. I’ve been letting my two uncles run things, but they…” she sighed. “Profits are down. I hate laying people off. I hate factories closing. I hadn’t decided yet earlier, but now I’m sure that I’m kicking them out.”
“But you don’t have any experience!
“That’s okay. My dad taught me how he did things. I’ve been studying hard. If my morals are his, and his morals put our Corporation through the roof, then mine will, too.”
Lucien wanted to cry in a burst of pride and longing.
“And besides, if I do have trouble, the Raul will help me out. Plus, I’ve been digging around a little. There are a lot of executives who hate my uncles, and remain loyal to my father, thereby, to me. They know he was personally prepping me for this.”
“Why didn’t your mother put in a bid for the company?”
“She went with Dad.”
“Left turn ahead.” Nav declared.
“Wasn’t it lonely?” Byron asked as the car turned left.
“No. I have Alice, and Raul, and Ana.”
“Left turn ahead.”
“Don’t you have friends?”
“They are my friends. I don’t bother with people my age. They’re too caught up in social scenes and boyfriends and drama. Everyone’s too busy trying to find out who kissed who in the back room of the club. I hate that mentality.”
She turned left. She realized that they were in a distinctly poor neighborhood.
“Right turn ahead,” informed the cool, smooth voice of the Nav. Akita pulled into the driveway of a small house with white vinyl siding. “You have arrived at your destination.”
“But anyway, here’s my card. If you want to interview, give a call. It was nice meeting you, Byron.”
“Yeah,” Byron murmured, staring at the card, “Nice meeting you. You, too, Anastasia. Byron said, looking to the backseat. Be good.”
“I’m always good,” she informed him, “I’m a princess.”
He smiled, got out, and shut the door behind him.
“Program Nav, Home.”
As she passed the gates and past the gardens and fountains, up the drive to the mansion, Akita realized how alone she felt. It was an uncomfortable kind of twitch in her heart.
“Ana, do you want to sleep in my bed tonight?”
“Mhmm,” she replied sleepily. The poor kid is exhausted, Akita thought.
“Here, I’ll carry you.”
At seven years old, Anastasia was really too old to be carried, but she was tired, and Akita missed her sister’s dependence on her. The loneliness in her heart vanished the second she wrapped her arms around her little sister. Her dark lashes fluttered against her soft cheeks, which were slightly flushed with heat. Her small hands curled on Akita's shoulder. Ana was very small, for seven years old, Akita thought, or were they all so small?
Malcolm, their all-purpose man, who occasionally served as a bodyguard, chauffer, and even cook, lit the porch light and opened the door when he saw Akita's full arms. She smiled gratefully and mouthed, Thank you.
She moved up the stairs as smoothly as she could manage, so as not to disturb her sleeping sibling. She laid her on the bed and realized that she’d have to wake Anastasia up anyway, to dress her. She went to the younger girl’s room to fetch her pajamas, and when she’d returned, her sister had curled into a ball.
“Come on, now, you can’t sleep in that dress,” Akita coaxed softly, unfurling her sister’s limbs and rolling her over to unzip the dress. Akita hadn’t realized how much she missed her sister being three. It had seemed so tiresome to dress and undress her, to give her baths, to comb her hair, but now that her sister was old enough for independence, it was hard to give. Was this the premature set in of empty nest syndrome?
Once Ana was in pajamas and tucked into the bed, Anastasia went to the bathroom and washed her face and brushed her teeth. She pulled her nightgown from the chair at the vanity and got dressed for bed, tossing her graduation dress onto the just vacated chair. It had been a long day, and she was tired. Tomorrow, she’d give Malcolm the task of babysitting while she dug into her rightful place as president of Kaiser Corporation.