Page 14 of Sweet Dreams

“I assumed that. You have always been a transparent little thing.”

“Grandpa…. he is acting like something is wrong. But, Gigi, please, don’t lie to me.”

“Your grandfather doesn’t involve me in any of that stuff. He’s got the paper, he just says I should just focus on you.”

“Well, now I am the paper. And, Gigi, something is going on. Kenneth and Joe–”

Gigi swatted the air. “Those two love gossip so much that Lennon actually asked them to host their own column. You can’t let their updates get you down.”

I took another spoonful of soup as soon as she narrowed her eyes. Swallowing I sputtered out a “But, even now, something seems off. He’s always locked in his office, and Bruce has been so sketchy. Something is going on. And you know what it is.”

Gigi snorted, “I do not.”

“Give it up,

“No.”

“Mattie Yale, you need to tell me.”

Gigi sniffed loudly, then stood to move back towards the sink. “If you are so sure of things, ask your grandfather. Don’t come to me.”

I groaned, flopping dramatically across the table. “He’s so grumpy lately.”

“Well, I blame that on that ETA representative, Lulu. He’s shaking everything up for Salus.”

“Traum?”

Gigi returned, a newly refilled bowl in her hands. “The flashy dark haired one?”

I bit into my bottom lip, trying to contain any reaction, but she knew too much about me. “Lulu, I’m not sure what you’re thinking, but he’s married, or very close to it. Lovely girl, lots of blonde hair.”

“Oh, I was thinking of…” I bit off my words, knowing instantly that I might’ve sparked too much interest from Gigi.

“You were thinking of someone else?” Gigi plopped into her chair, scooting it forward. “Tell me everything.”

I sighed, hands pressing over my face. “Grandma,” The barely used nickname slipped from my mouth.

She swatted me, “Tell me.”

“Fine, fine. I don’t even know anything about him. Just that his name is Zaldi.”

“Zaldi? Interesting name.”

“Yeah, no idea where it’s from. I just know that he saved me from Mrs. Klausner the other day and, I swear, there’s just something.”

Gigi’s silvery brow rose. “Something?”

I squirmed under her gaze, “Something. A pull between the two of us. It was magnetic, different, exciting.”

“And, he’s new here? I surely don’t know him.’

“He must be, total newbie. I didn’t even ask him a single question. It was just bam, we were on the ground. Bam, we were smiling and then yah–it was over.”

“Lots of ‘bam’ in that sentence Lucinda,” Gigi said with a narrow eyed stare.

I laughed, unable to resist her attempt at being serious. “I know, but he’s harmless.”

“Give me the rest of the week and I’ll know all about him, local or not..”