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Continued...

Joe is intently reviewing case details when he hears a loud knock on the door. He can't imagine who would be coming to his pad at this hour- he just got off the phone with Ashley and she was on her way to The City to meet a client. A look of suspicion covers his face as he slowly rises and walks towards the door. He can only imagine the person to be his mother , and usually a conversation with his mother ended with them both frustrated at each other. After all, it was quite evident that Callie Sawyer didn't approve of his current situation with Ashley.

A look of surprised replaces suspicion as he sees his sister once he opens the door. It's been nearly two years since he's had contact with his sister who moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting. While he would never say such a thing to her face, he knew she was in a complete dreamland to think that she would actually make it big.

"Hey little bro!" Stacey greets him with a big hug. She always had a way to put him down- whether it was calling him little, younger, or nerdy. While she always thought it was playful, Joe never seemed to be on the same page with her.

"What are you doing in town? You never said anything about coming back?!"

"Jesus, I'm happy to see you too." Stacey rolls her eyes.

"What happened in L.A.?"

"I don't want to even talk about it...it was such a mess." Stacey replies as she helps herself into the kitchen and opens the fridge. "I am starving."

"Well, I'm sorry, but I don't have much here. Usually I eat out."

"Ah, the life of a bachelor. Actually, wait... I think Mom told me you were seeing someone? How is that going?"

"I'm sure Mom had nothing but great things to say," Joe smirks. "Yeah, her name is Ashley and we're actually expecting a child soon."

"And you haven't gotten married, right? Oh shit, I bet mom and dad flipped a lid."

"I could honestly care less about what mom and dad have to say. This is my life." Joe does his best to convince even himself.

"Whatever you say..."

"So how long are you in town for?"

"I can't say, but quite awhile. I start a new job tomorrow morning here."

"An acting job?" Joe inquires.

"No, silly.I'm so over the acting. It gets you nowhere to pursue that bullshit. It's actually a high-profile Assistant position to a C.E.O."

"You're kidding me. How did you land that one?"

"Jesus, Joe...have a little faith in me, will you?"

"Okay, okay...so what's the company?"

"Landon Points Publishing. It's one of the biggest publishing corporations in Northern California. Aren't ya proud of me?"

"I am impressed, yes. It's a quite reputable company."

"I've heard the same. So you have a guest bedroom, right?"

"Yes...why?"

"Because I'll be needing a place to stay before I get back on my feet."

"Stacey..."

"What? This is what family is for, right?"

"Yes, but that family needs to call and ask first...not just show up on my front door. Why don't you just stay with mom and dad? God knows they have enough empty rooms in that house."

Stacey shoots a glare back at Joe. "Are you kidding me? I'd rather kill myself. Look, this will be fun. I'll go grocery shopping tomorrow after work and we'll clean the place up."

"Excuse me? I think my place is quite clean." Joe looks around and nods his head.

"Whatever you say, little bro. Well, I should get my things. The cab driver's been waiting for awhile downstairs. Oh, and by the way, do you think you can help me out with the cab fair? I'm a little short on money until I see the rents this week."

"Sure" Joe shakes his head and pulls out his wallet. "Here we go...another crazy adventure is upon us."

______________________________________________________________


Scene: Chez Rendezvous. 

Braden studies her facial expressions as she goes on about how the company is doing so well this quarter. Always on a mission to sell herself, Emily breaks down why the quarter earnings are so high- and, of course, it's in large part due to herself.

"I must say I love a confident woman."

Emily bites her lip and takes a sip of her wine before replying. "Well, you must be head over heals in love then."

"How did you know?" Braden continues flirting.

"I can see it in your eyes." Emily smiles back and does her best to formulate a new plan to exact her revenge on Diane. She has Braden right where she wants him- he's like a lost puppy that will do anything for his new owner.

"I need you to do me a favor."

"Yes?" Braden raises a brow.

"You said you loved this company with all your heart, right?"

"Right."

"Then you would stop anyone dead in their tracks if they tried to bring us down?"

"Of course," Braden says.

"Then I need you to help me do just that. Do you know Diane Davison ?"

"No, not personally. I've heard of her. That's Steve's ex-wife, right?"

"Right. She also used to work for the company until I let her go a few years back."

"Oh really?"

"Yes. She hates me. Detests me. I don't know if those words even do it justice. At any rate, the woman has been on a mission to bring the company- including myself, down to a crumbling mess."

"Well, we just can't let that happen. Can we?" Braden locks eyes with her.

"No, we can't. I'm glad we're on the same page."

"So what do you need from me?"

"I need you to distract her, my love. I need you to sweep her off her feet and then we can attack when she least expects it." Emily explains.

"You mean you want me to seduce her?"

"Not just seduce her, Braden. I want you to sweep her off her feet. I know how charming you can be..."

"Well, you said it."

"I'll give you all the information you need to track her down. Then I'll leave the rest up to you."

"Sounds like a plan. I'm always up for a fun game." Braden cracks a smile.

"Oh, this is no game" Emily takes another sip of wine before replying. "This is war."

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