He turned to look at him, explaining his idea. "I was thinking we could merge Palaeontology and Astronomy. I mean, we were both on the chopping block, it makes sense, right?"
"It's a good idea." She repeated. "And besides, with Jess and Dr. Carmazan gone, a department merge alongside new personnel could be exactly what this museum needs to ensure this never happens again."
"So she really made it all up?" Xeno asked. "The budget cuts, I mean?"
"Well, there were certainly some cutbacks, but only to her personal paycheck." She replied. "It seems to me that she got cocky and thought she could kill two of her birds with one stone." She turned to Haiden. "As for you, I'd recommend that you ask Mr. Crossley to train you to be the head of palaeontology." She winked. "For no particular reason."
"Really?" Haiden's face lit up, before morphing into one of confusion. "What about him?"
"I was hoping he would take the position as my second- in-command as the head of the museum. Perhaps we could catch up. A lot can happen in fifteen years." She mused, regarding him for a moment. "Anyway, your quick-thinking and ideas are exactly what that department needs, and you clearly care deeply for it." Shifting focus, she looked at both of them. "Don't worry, the power won't go to my head; there'll still be plenty of money for all the departments."
"How do you know you're going to be the head?" Xeno asked, confused. "Not that I'm complaining, obviously!" He rectified.
"When Zar-.. I mean, Ms. Pepper signed the contract for the museum, I was named as the interim head in case of emergency." She pulled out a couple of sheets of paper from Ms. Pepper's desk. "I'd classify this as an emergency, wouldn't you?" She paused. "Speaking of contracts."
She produced a document from the filing cabinet in front of her. It was slightly yellowed, with crinkled edges that gave it an almost sinister appearance, like a witch's scroll. "It's Dr. Carmazan's non-disclosure agreement." She smiled, holding it out in front of herself and tearing it. Once in half, then into quarters, and then into eighths, placing it down on the table. "No loose ends." She said.
"Well played, Doctor." He replied, impressed. "Should I.. get to work then?" It felt bizarre to say, even if he'd only been away for a couple of weeks.
"Oh, please, Xeno." She began, smiling.
"You can call me Kiara. If anyone's worth it, it's you."
EPILOGUE:
Three weeks later:
"Haids, I'm still not really sure about this," Xeno said, a slight edge of nervousness creeping into the edges of his voice. "I know it's only our friends, but still, you remember how the other work party ended." He parked his car behind the bakery, putting the car into the right setting.
"I'm sure it'll be fine." He replied, turning towards him. "And even then, if anyone kicks off, I doubt your dad'll tolerate it." He unbuckled his seatbelt, waiting for him to do the same. "Besides, what did Jess call it? It's not a party, it's a.."
"A get-together." He chuckled. "You're right. We're just going out for coffee." He stepped out of the car, and the pair headed towards the entrance of the bakery. "Are you nervous to meet him? My dad, I mean."
"Oh, I'm terrified." Haiden laughed. "But, I mean, once you've seen Ms. Pepper angry, you can brave anything." They arrived at the door, which was slightly ajar. "You ready?"
"Yeah." he replied, pushing open the door. Immediately, he noticed Jess, sitting down in the same seat they'd reunited after he'd been fired, her auburn hair orange in the mid-afternoon sun that streamed in through the windows. The whole ordeal felt like a lifetime ago. There were two tables pushed together, which he assumed was because of the number of people who would be in attendance. She didn't notice them at first; she was too busy poring over her sketchbook, her latte sitting untouched in front of her.
"Hey," Haiden broke her immersion as they sat down, her head jerking up to face him. "What're you working on now?"
Her eyes lit up. "Hey, guys!" She glanced down at her work. "We've got our first assessment in a month. We're getting paid to design for a runway and, not to brag, but it's alright money." She closed her sketchbook, sliding it into a navy handbag.
"Already? How could you have learned enough by now?" Xeno asked.
"It's got a work placement alongside." She replied. "I mean, it's not amazing; the models are catty as anything, and the requests these labels make of us are ridiculous. A third of my class has already been kicked out, or quit altogether." She paused, a grin spreading across her face. "I love it."
Since she'd left, the trio had stayed in touch. Despite this, they always had something to say to one-another. The bakery was comfortably busy, with a quiet hum of chatter as they caught up on each-other's lives. "Jess," Xeno began. "Who else is invited?"
"How many promotions do you need before you buy a planner?" She replied dryly, rolling her eyes and eliciting a chuckle from Haiden. "I've invited Doctor Aruda, obviously." She began. "She's bringing a "mystery man", apparently. Her new boyfriend. Wouldn't tell me who he was, but apparently we all know him."
"All right. Who else?" he asked.
"There's one other person." She replied. "Aruda organised this; she just said that she'd bring a couple of people, but I'm not actually sure who they are."
"Can I take your orders?" He jumped as his dad's voice boomed from behind him. Turning around, he saw him dressed in anapron with a notepad in his hand. Of course, he thought, he'd be manning everything alone while Shane and Robin were at school.
"I'm fine for now, thank you," Jess replied, holding up her latte. "I'll probably get another one when everyone gets here, though."
Xeno went to speak, but was immediately cut off. "I already know what you want, you haven't changed it in years." He said, scribbling something down on his notepad. "And you?" he asked, turning to Haiden.
