Opening the door, Izzy saw that it was Elaine. Elaine had been Jim's secretary since before she and Jim even met. Izzy didn't know much about her since she rarely visited Jim at his office and never spoke much to her. She was one of the last people Izzy expected to see right now, but Izzy figured this could be a good opportunity to get to know her some.
“Hey Elaine... I'm almost ready to go out there. Is there something I can do for you?” Isabelle asked as she sat back down in front of the vanity and brushed her hair.
Elaine was a homely blonde that was in her mid-thirties and was a few years older than Jim. She didn't have any children and as far as Izzy knew was also single. “I know we've never really talked before but I wanted to stop by and wish you the best. Jim is one heck of a catch.”
One of the reasons why Izzy never tried to get to know Elaine was that she always felt like Elaine didn't like her. But Jim was a successful businessman and Izzy always figured that Elaine was just being protective of her boss.
Despite what Elaine was saying, Izzy could tell that she didn't sound very happy. Her praises sounded awkward and forced. So Izzy asked “What's your problem with me Elaine? I've always felt that you've never really liked me since we met.”
Izzy's abruptness caught Elaine off guard and left her speechless for words. But Elaine quickly composed herself and decided to be brutally honest “My problem? My problem is that Jim and I have been working together since he started climbing the ladder. I've been there for him as he struggled to climb the ladder and then you came along and swooped him up.” she said.
This wasn't something she expected to hear. Izzy had no idea Elaine had a crush on her fiance. She always believed that Elaine was trying to protect him from women that she thought might break his heart or ruin his career. But it seems that Elaine didn't like her because of she was jealous of her relationship with Jim.
It really didn't matter to Izzy though. “It's great that you like your boss but let's get real. You're in your mid-thirties and Jim is a younger man. Men like him want to marry and start a family with successful women, not their homely secretaries. You should probably look at men that are a bit more in your league.”
Elaine laughed at Izzy's insult and said “You think I'm just a homely secretary? Let me guess, you must also think all I do is answer the phone and bring him coffee too.”
“Well being a secretary isn't rocket science. There's a reason why it doesn't require a college degree.” Izzy told her as she finished brushing her hair.
Neither of the women seemed notice that while they were arguing, the stone on the table began to glow.
Elaine angrily said “Just because you have him wrapped around your finger and are about to marry him doesn't mean that you're good enough for him. He deserves someone who truly loves him and will make him happy. Not a foreign tart that will probably use him to advance her own career...”
Izzy couldn't believe the nerve this woman had; especially on her wedding day. She stood up and turned around to face her. "Foreign Tart!? How can I be a foreigner if I was born in this country!? I've worked very hard to be where I am and to have someone like Jim. It's not my fault that middle age is creeping up on you and you have nothing to show for it." Izzy rebutted back.
"This marriage of yours won't last. Jim will eventually realize that I love him more than you ever could." she told Izzy.
"You're delusional. I wish you knew how hard I've worked for everything I have... including Jim." Izzy huffed as she thought about slapping the woman in the face.
“Well I wish you knew how hard I've worked for everything I have... including Jim. ” Elaine echoed back.
Before either of the women could continue arguing, the stone on the table emitted a flashing bright that disoriented both of them. Once it faded, it took a moment for both them to regain their focus.
