She stood on her balcony in the cold wind that blew briskly in the dark night. All shewore was her thin red night gown made of silk. Although she was cold, she didn't feel inclined to go inside the house. She liked being in the cold, because it reminded her of home. Home was in New York City where she had moved when she was only five. Before then, she lived in Spain with her parents and when they were offered a better job in America, they moved. She didn't mind it so much, but her parents hadn't liked the schools so she was forced to do home schooling. Her parents had bought a large Victorian house just outside the city, because they knew that their children liked the country side. Her father was Antonio Vega and her mother was Catherine Vega and they had two children; both girls. There was her sister, Janet Vega, who was the more into sophistication, books, and her over all appearance. Then there was her, Alana Vega, who was some what like her sister when she wanted to be, but more often the tom boyish type. Alana liked to draw, run around the large open land they called a back yard, she loved to play with and take care of animals, where as her sister Janet would be sitting in the house reading books and worrying about going outside because she might tear her clothes or get sun burned and have an ugly tan line. It was their different personalities that separated the two sisters and that made them fight with each other all the time. Alana always took her family for granted until she realized that Janet was the only family that she had left and even then she made no move to communicate with her. Alana's bright green eyes almost filled with tears until she pushed her mind to something different. She didn't want to think about her past. It was almost ten years ago, going on to eleven. She left New York when she was sixteen and moved across country to San Francisco, California. She was assuming that her sister still lived in New York. She not only left New York for family reasons, but out of confusion of her own life. Everything had happened so fast, she didn't realize how much pressure she was really under until it all came to her and drove her to near insanity. Her and the one person other than family that she cared about dearly had gotten into a fight and she had simply picked up and left. She hadn't even said goodbye.
Alana shook her head of the thoughts and walked back inside her plainly designed apartment. She worked for a graphics design company as one of the main artists to pay her bills. But the money left behind for her and Janet was always there. It was sent in annual installments to a bank account that Alana specifically specified not to give out her home address of phone number. She went and sat down in her living room on the leather couch and looked around. The apartment was already furnished when she moved in. Almost all of her belongings was put into storage and remained untouched for almost eleven years. The only she did keep with her was a key to her old oak chest that was also in storage, a few personal belongings, and her dog which had died three years before. Alana did however breed her and get a lovely puppy from her. She kept the puppy that was more like the mother than any other. He was an Australian Shepherd with one blue eye and one brown and his coat was blue merle color. He was four years old and the other one was two years old. He was also an Aussie, except he was a red merle and two years younger than the other. The blue one was named, Harley, and the red one was named, Copper. They both were laying down on the floor in the corner of the living room sleeping.
She went to her room and sat on her bed and then looked at the night stand with the picture of her family all together and then the one of her and her sister. Janet was the older one,with chest length light brown hair and brown eyes. She looked more like her dad than anything. Alana on the other hand, had the same length hair, but it was extremely dark brown, even mistook for black, but her eyes were a vibrant green. She was the one that looked like her mother. Alana was the one that was always jealous of Janet, because she was so clean and untouched, but Alana never got dressed up or even tried to make herself presentable like Janet did. Alana liked to run outside and sweat, get dirty, and roll around with the dogs. Janet liked to do her nails and fix her hair when she wasn't reading her books and such. Alana turned away from the picture and went to the rest room. She washed her face and then dried it with a towel. Now a days, she realized how beautiful she was when she was out with dogs. She flicked the lights off and went to her bed. She heard Copper and Harley come in and jump onto the bed. She smiled and hugged them both before drifting off to sleep.
Alana felt the dogs pawing gently at her arms and she could hear the faint beeping noise in the distance. She groggily reached out for the night stand and turned the alarm off. Her dogs stopped pawing her and she slowly opened her eyes. The sun was rising and she had to go to work soon. She got up from the bed and went to the bathroom and started the shower. She ran cold water through and undressed from her night gown and stepped into the tub. She opened her eyes when she felt the cold water pour over her body. She shivered and began to soap herself. Soap lathered her skin and she rubbed it in until she felt clean and fresh and then she rinsed it off and turned off the faucet. She stepped out, now wide awake, and dried herself off. Harley camein and looked up at her.
" Hey, no boys aloud. Shoo! I'll get your breakfast in a minute." She said sternly, but kindly. Harley obeyed and went to the kitchen where his breakfast bowl was. Alana walked to her closet and went through her clothes. She found her nice dark green business suit and took it out. She rushed to put on her under garments and stockings, then went to the kitchen and got her dogs their breakfast. As they ate, she went back to the room and finished dressing. She tucked in her blouse and put the coat on. She grabbed her black high heels and then went to the bath room and began to apply her make up and put up her hair. She always wore her necklace that had a heart pendant with a diamond in the middle. It was the one thing she did have from that friend eleven years ago. She put her diamond earrings on and then walked out into the living room. She grabbed her suit case and gave both her dogs a good bye pat on the back.
" You two be good now, ok?" She said and smiled at her Aussies as they watched her go.
She hurried to her car which was a 2001 black Buick Regal and next to it, locked to a poll was her Harley Davidson Heritage Springer which was where she got her dogs name. She opened the door to her car and started the engine. She wanted to get to work early to discuss a very important deal her boss was about to make with a film director and producer. She listened to her music on the way to work. Then the song, All out of Love, by Air Supply came on and Alana nearly started to cry. She quickly turned the channel to another station, because that song brought back too many memories, bitter sweat maybe, but still painful.
Alana pulled into the parking lot of Stars Graphic Design Company and got out of the car. She walked to the building and signed in at the front desk. She walked to the elevator and pushed the button for the 7th floor. When the door opened, there was her friend Tina, waiting to greet her.
" I knew you'd be here early and that you wouldn't have eaten, so I brought some bagels and coffee for us while we wait to hear what the boss says about this big deal that he's trying to make." Tina said cheerfully.
" Thanks. The only ones that had breakfast this morning were the dogs. I was in such a hurry to get here early, I didn't even think to stop for breakfast." She said and went to Tina's office and sat down across from her desk. They sat together and ate their breakfast. Alana sipped her coffee and looked at Tina.
" So what have you heard?" She asked.
" Well, according to my sources, this producer and director is making a film that needs a lot of special effects, and the company they had previously hired started saying that they needed more money, like ten million dollars more than what they were already getting paid. That would be almost thirty million dollars. Well, the director said that there was no need to pay that much for the special effects, so he went looking for another company and then he came across some of the pieces that we had done. Like the commercial pieces and so forth, well anyway, he called our boss and asked him if he would review the work that needed to be done and see if we would be interested. He's in the office, talking to him right now, but we don't know how much the company would be getting paid. But if it's anywhere near two million or even more, we would be rolling in cash. We would also be getting a raise from hell and the few employees that would be going would be getting a shit load of cash. That, and all our expenses for the trip would be paid. I know I could use the time to get the hell out of here." Tina said with excitement and took another bite of her bagel.
" I don't understand......what do you mean trip? It's not in San Francisco?" Alana asked.
" Hell no! It's not even in California, but I don't know where this film deal is. We'll find out as soon as the boss tells us what's going on." Almost instantly their boss came out of his office and called everyone out of their offices. Everybody rushed over, nearly tripping over each other to find out the news on the deal. This was a big thing for the little company, although Alana knew that she didn't really need the money.
" Alright, as you all know, we were asked to do some graphics work for a film that's said to be a multi-million dollar investment. Well, I just got off the phone with the director of the film and our company has agreed to sign on. This is a three year contract, so those who were chosen are going to have to make a move to where this is all taking place. Expenses will be paid and yes families are invited. The director is paying the company twenty million dollars and each employee that goes is getting two hundred thousand dollars a year for the duration of the contract. That's six-hundred thousand each. Here's a list of the people that will need to go...." He handed a list around for them to check their names.
" On an additional note, Tina Bearing, Mr. Daniel Burt, and Alana Vega, the three of you must go as supervisors of the other employees." He said. Tina and Daniel jumped up with joy, but Alana wasn't so enthusiastic.
" Where is this exactly?" Alana asked and everyone hushed to listen.
" It's in New York City." He said happily.
" All right! The big apple!" Tina yelled. The boss looked at Alana worriedly.
" Is something wrong, Alana?" Everyone went quiet.
" I can't accept this job. I'm sure that there is someone else with my qualifications that can do the same work." She said and turned quickly and left the room. Everyone looked at the door she had just walked out of, puzzled at the fact that she wouldn't take such a great job. Tina took off after her along with the boss. They found her in her office, sitting at her chair with her face in her hands.
" Alana, are you ok?" Tina asked with concern. She shook her head and breathed heavily.
" Alana?" She looked up at her boss and he could see almost fear in her eyes.
" I'm really sorry, but you are the one that needs to be there. The director saw your work and wanted you to be there, because he knows you are capable. It's a done deal. It's part of the contract, but maybe we can ease whatever it is that is wrong if you would tell us why you don't want to go."
" Sir........I used to live there......there's a lot of bad memories there." Alana said.
" Well, you know that personal matters cannot interfere with work."
" I know, it's just, that's where........" She broke down in tears and Tina tried to comfort her. Her boss looked at her curiously, wanting to know what was the problem. Alana was one of his best employees and it concerned him to see her this way. Then she finally spoke up.
" That's...where my.....family was killed. My mom and dad were murdered there...." She sobbed.
" My God....." Tina whispered.
" Geez, Alana, if I would have known that, I would have told the director no. There's nothing I can do now......did they ever find the killer?" He asked, hoping that they had.
" No." She said.
" Hopefully, we can ease the pain a little bit. We can arrange for you to stay with a room mate if that brings comfort. I'll make sure there is tight security...."
" No....that's ok......I just need to get control of myself. I'll be alright. I just haven't faced this since I was kid." She said and wiped the tears from her eyes.
" Perhaps, this trip will help. You might be able to face these fears and get them out of your head. It would also give you the opportunity to visit your parents grave, since I know you have never taken leave to do that." He said trying to comfort her.
" Well, that's a whole other problem." She said.
" What do you mean?" Tina asked.
" Their bodies were never found." Tina and the boss looked at each other and then back at Alana.
" I'm sorry to hear that." The boss said finally after a moment of silence.
" It's ok, I just need to get a hold of myself. When do we leave?" She asked.
" Two weeks, but those with families are being given an extra week. Housing complexes have already been set up for all that are going. I won't be going so my assistant Mr. Jonathan Seth will be going. I will drop by every six months to see how things are going." Alana nodded and took a deep breath.
" There are pets aloud in these complexes, right?" She asked in concern. He smiled and looked at the pictures she had of her two dogs.
" Yes of course. I know that you couldn't leave with out your babies, so I had made sure that there were pets aloud. The maximum is four." He said and got up.
" I'll be in my office if you need anything." He said and then he left. Tina looked at Alana and sympathized with her.
" Why didn't you tell me about this?" She asked.
" I'm sorry, it's just something I never talk about. I was just a kid and I saw too much and lost too much at the same time. I didn't want to relive the horror of the whole thing." She said. Tina nodded.
" Don't worry. I completely understand. Anyway, after work, why don't we go to the park by your house with the dogs. My little Golden needs exercise anyway. If he doesn't get up and do something, I'll be known as the woman with fattest Golden Retriever in San Francisco." She said and smiled when Alana laughed.
" Yeah, Harley and Copper could use the work out. I'll meet you after work then." She said and Tina nodded.
" Cool. I'm going to go back to my office and finish that load of paper work." She said and left Alana's office. Alana sat back and looked at the art she had done as a screen saver on her computer. It was portraits of her two dogs riding her motorcycle with no one else on it but them. She smiled when it looked as though the dogs tongues were hanging out of their mouths and blowing in the wind. It was obvious that she loved her dogs very much. And why wouldn't she? That was practically the only family that she had left.
After work, Tina had gone home to pick up her dog Summer, then she drove over to Alana's place and the two of them walked with the three dogs to the park. There was no one there and it was fenced in so it was safe to let the dogs off the leash. They watched the dogs run around the park, chasing each other as Tina and Alana sat on the bench.
" It sure is relaxing out here." Tina said.
" Yeah, here is one place that some one could clear their mind." Alana said.
" Alana? Do you ever date?" Tina asked. Alana was a little surprised by the question, but shrugged.
" No."
" Why not?" Tina asked in amazement.
" Cause I don't like to. I haven't dated since....well, since my parents died eleven years ago." She said.
" What? You were only a kid then, you're an adult now. Go out and have some fun. It's not like you can't get a guy. I mean come on, you're drop dead gorgeous and I have seen guys look at you, but you don't pay one bit of attention to them. Why?" Tina asked trying to understand how someone could not date any of the fine looking guys of California.
" Well, for one, I have my own problems to deal with before I start with someone else's, two, I don't want to search for a guy while my career is at it's peek, and three, I still haven't completely forgotten about my first date." She said.
" Ohhhh, Alana's first crush is still on her mind. Hubba, hubba!" Tina squealed. Alana couldn't help but laugh, but it faded as she thought about it.
" Well, that someone is not in my life anymore and will never be again. He hates me for leaving without even saying goodbye. He said he'll never forgive me, so I heard. Anyway, it's just not something I think about. What about you? I thought you had a crush on Daniel." She said changing the subject.
" I do, but I can't tell if he likes me or not. I mean, now that we're all going to New York together, I'm sure that I'll have all the time to find out, but if he doesn't then oh well. Why waste time on what you can't have?" Tina said. Alana nodded and pulled a frisbee out of her bag and then whistled. All three dogs stopped dead in their tracks and looked at Alana.
" Look what I got!" She said. Copper barked with anticipation and then chased the yellow frisbee across the park when Alana threw it. She smiled when she saw Copper fly through the air to catch it. Copper was the one dog that loved frisbee the most. Harley liked the tennis ball, and Summer liked almost everything with the exception that he was getting a little too chunky to beat the other two. Copper ran back with the frisbee and put it in Alana's hand and then went after it again when she threw it. Tina smiled as Summer barked and tried to catch him. Harley just ran past the frisbee and red merle dog and back to Alana. He just seemed to be there for the fun of things.
" How long did you have Azul, before she died?" Tina suddenly asked. Alana looked at Harley who resembled her old dog more than any dog she had ever seen. The only difference was that Azul had two blue eyes, not one.
" She was fifteen when she died three years ago and I had her when she was a pup, that was when I was ten years old. We grew old together. I bred her once, but she was fourteen and old when I did. She died a year later. I bought Copper from a local breeder when I went to a dog show and saw him. He didn't do so good, so it wasn't hard to get him."
" Cool." Tina said. They both looked up and realized that it was going to be getting dark soon and they had better get inside. It was also supposed to rain tonight and they didn't want the dogs to get wet, because that would not only do a number on their coats, but also the apartments. They called the dogs to them and they came and waited as they were leashed. They walked together to the apartment complex that Alana stayed at.
" Well, I'll see later. And hey, don't worry about going back to New York, I'm with you. If you need a friend, you know who to call." Tina said. Alana smiled and hugged her friend and then went inside. Even though she was going to have her dogs and Tina, she was still afraid. Going back meant facing her past and she wasn't sure that she was ready for that. It was hard enough living the life she had on the other side of the United States. She looked at her shelf where she kept books. There was one shelf that had three books with a soft cover and then two big novels with a hard cover. All of them had the same author; Janet Vega. Some of them were co-written by her old friend. Alana turned away and hoped that while she was up there, she didn't run into her sister. She didn't want to bring up old arguments. Her sister had said she hated her and she believed her. She looked at Harley and Copper.
" This move is going to suck." She stated. The dogs merely put their heads to one side and gave her an expression of curiosity.
" Oh this sucks." She groaned and starred at the ceiling.