Posted by Civilian Molly Holloway (CEO - Holloway Heavy Industries) in [Holloway Heavy Industries HQ, Lucas Holloway’s Office] Should Private Matters Be Kept Private?

Posted by Civilian Lucas Elliot Holloway (Chairman - Holloway Heavy Industries) in [Holloway Heavy Industries HQ, Lucas Holloway’s Office] Should Private Matters Be Kept Private?

Posted by Civilian Molly Holloway (CEO - Holloway Heavy Industries) in [Holloway Heavy Industries HQ, Lucas Holloway’s Office] Should Private Matters Be Kept Private?
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Picking up her uncle’s copy of the OED Times every evening during his stay at Sacred Heart had become routine. With Lucas’s discharge from the hospital, the habit remained, only this time, in the morning. It was a small part of her day, but one that Molly enjoyed immensely. She would take the public transit downtown, walk to the small café across the street from HHI’s main headquarters and get a cup of coffee. If the pastries were particularly fresh that day, she’d take one for her uncle. She’d then stop by the street kiosk and grab a copy of the day’s newspaper.

More than anything, it served as an excuse for Molly to share a little bit of family time with Lucas, right before the start of the busy work day. Time that she would otherwise not have, and she cherished every second of it.

That morning was no different. As usual, Molly’s eyes roamed mindlessly around the stacks of magazines displayed for sale, while she waited for her coffee to be made. There were some tech and business magazines, but most of them were nothing more than endless gossiping that Molly found to be nothing but a waste of paper, no matter how replicated and recycled it was. Until her eyes found an unexpected topic on one of the covers.

Pictures of Lucas Holloway and a woman who Molly recognized as Dominique Bruner, the company’s long time COO filled the space. In the main one, the pair could be seen walking downtown with their backs towards the camera, and a red square zoomed in on their held hands. The other showed the couple, this time at a table having what it seemed to be a romantic candle lit dinner at one of OED’s most famous restaurants. The titles screamed to whoever laid eyes on the large print: Romance in the highest ranks of Holloway Heavy: Is Lucas Holloway back on the dating scene? Who is Dominique Bruner, the company’s COO. We tell you all about it on page 4!

With an abrupt movement, Molly grabbed the issue on top of the pile. Dropping the credits on the small counter, she tucked the magazine between the pages of the newspaper and headed to work. Her mind clouded by anger and hurt, not even noticing that she had left her coffee behind.

In an assertive step, Molly burst through the top floor’s front doors. No one dared to say a word, but rather immediately stepped out of her way, as the younger Holloway stormed into Lucas’s office.

“What the hell is this?” She said, slamming the magazine on the surface of her her uncle’s desk right as the door slid shut behind her. Molly hadn’t even taken her coat off, and truth be told, had no intention of doing so. The rage flowing through her veins was threatening to burst, but she kept it under control as she waited for Lucas to look up at her. “What is this and why was I the last to know?”

Molly

Lucas Holloway, one the Federation’s wealthiest and most powerful individuals, raised an eyebrow and considered his niece before his eyes panned down the magazine she had just slammed down on his desk. When he saw the cover, the shipping magnate closed his eyes and let out a slow, deep sigh. He had always known this would be a tough conversation, considering Lucas’ previous relationship with Molly’s mother… but he was honestly hoping he could have told her himself before those goddamn vultures over at the Daily Scoop got their grabby little mitts on photos. As his eyes returned to Molly’s, Lucas took a long, slow breath then said softly.

“Because Gracie, those bastards over at the Scoop have nothing better to do with their time besides trying to cause trouble. I never intended for you to find out this…”

With her brow furrowed and fire in her eyes, Molly opened her mouth to speak, but Lucas was quick to keep going.

Lucas raised a quieting hand as Molly tried to protest. “… I never intended for you to find out this way. It’s wrong and completely unfair. I wish I could have told you on my own terms.” He looked strained and truly disappointed in how his beloved niece and surrogate daughter came to find out the fact that he was seeing someone Molly knew quite well. Lucas would never, in his wildest dreams, do something to hurt Molly but unfortunately… the editorial staff at the Daily Scoop took that away from him.

The disbelief was obvious in Molly’s gaze. “You wished you could have told me on your own terms!? I’m sure you had plenty of opportunities! Or did you guys started seeing each other yesterday!? Did you not think this was going to happen!?” The hurt in her tone blended with the anger in her words.

After another deep breath, Lucas continued. “Alexis and I have been seeing each other since the night I left Scared Heart. She is a brilliant, talented, and yes… remarkably beautiful woman that I have known and worked very closely with for over a decade. We have discussed the challenges to our relationship at length and know that things aren’t always going to be sunshine and rainbows… but we do love each other very much.”

Molly’s breath caught in her throat, each of Lucas’s words stabbing her more than the next. Their family… the dream she had sustained ever since she was a child… it had first been taken away by her mother’s untimely death and now by Lucas himself. And for whom? For someone half his age, that Molly was sure was in it for nothing but the family’s money! Lucas had never married Mary, or anyone else out of the commitment for her. Or so had Molly always perceived it as such. And now… he wasn’t even committed to her anymore. Did he really still love Mary? What did that mean for Molly? Closing her eyes, she shook her head, trying to disband the reality shattering around her.

“Besides… Alexis and I are grown adults, Molly Grace…” Lucas said with a bit more force. “… and we do not need anyone’s permission or blessings to enter or remain in a relationship!” Lucas’ tone snapped like a whip with the last few words. Taking another slow, calming breath, Holloway added. “Gracie… I loved your mother very much.” The hurt in his eyes at the loss of Molly’s mother was evident. “Mary was an incredible woman that… had she lived… I know I would still be with today. But…” He looked genuinely sad, his voice cracking. “… but that’s not what happened. I…” Lucas took another slow breath. “… I know this won’t be easy, for any of us… but I would ask that you girls support me in this and give Alexis & I the time to see where this goes. I love you and Erin very much but… after all these years, I think it’s time to let my heart love again.”

Lucas

Hurt, anger, betrayal… the emotions mixed in Molly’s gaze as she tried to hold back tears. “She’s my age, uncle Luc!” She pointed at her chest as the words were spat from her mouth, her voice trembling, louder than she had intended. Molly could only hope they hadn’t been heard outside. “How could you do this to mom?” She paused, glaring at her uncle for a moment. “How could you do this to us?” And with that, Molly threw the newspaper on the desk. “Here’s your news.” The words were uttered almost in a growl. And with that, she turned around and left. If he wanted to talk, he’d know where to find her.

Molly

Lucas slowly rose as Molly stormed from his office. He knew, without a doubt, she needed time. Pulling out his TextCom, Lucas sent a short message to Bruner.

=A= My Love… our little secret is out. I’m so sorry. The Daily Scoop has us on the goddamn cover. Molly is pissed. I’m going to try and calm her down. I’ll call once we’ve talked. Love you, Lucas =A=

The response was almost instant. =A= I was afraid of that. Internal Security warned me that the day before yesterday that they spotted someone tailing us to dinner but they beamed out before they could intercept. Lucas, I’m so very sorry. I’m sure Molly is even more pissed at me than you. Do what you need to… don’t worry about lunch. Spend time with her. I love you. See you tonight, Alexis XOXO =A=

“GODDAMNIT!” Lucas boomed, his the bottom of his fist slamming hard against the ballistic-rated crystoplast window behind his desk. A few tears fell from his eyes as he heard the door open behind him. “Mr. Holloway… is everything alri…” But Lucas cut her off. “Jenny…” His voice cracked slightly, not turning to face his Assistant. “… clear my schedule till after two. I’ll be out of the office.” The sad tone in her voice told Lucas she had heard part of blowup between the two Holloways. “Of course Sir… I’ll be here if you need anything.” She left and closed the door. Drying his eyes, Lucas grabbed a jacket ad headed out. Once outside the foyer, he tapped in the TextCom a request to locate Molly, which came back simply:

=A= Molly Holloway is in the Executive Recreation Center on Level 42… Holodeck #3 =A=

With that information, Lucas hoped on the Lift and minutes later walked into the ERC and straight to the door for HD#3… pressing the admit key, he stepped inside.

Lucas Holloway, Chairman HHI

The warm sunlight of late fall was the first thing that reached Lucas’s eyes. The second was the large amount of plants around him. There was a pleasant breeze, and the bright orange tones of the leaves it swayed would be immediately recognizable. The flowers, the trees, the lazy waters of The Pond would be all too familiar, and the schist bridge not far ahead would make it abundantly clear where he was – Central Park, New York City.

Lucas knew this particular area of New York City quite well. He remembered bringing the girls there when they were little, remembered the smell of the flowers in spring and the vibrant color of fall. Central Park was one of the few places Lucas Holloway could just be… some guy. Some guy reading a book on the Green, some guy playing catch with his little girl, some guy walking hand in hand with a beautiful redhead that looked at him like he was the only guy in the universe.

The pace of the Big Apple had never changed. If anything, it had only increased with the passing of the centuries. But Central Park was one of the few places where one could still enjoy a leisurely stroll. Where life’s pace could slow down enough for one to enjoy a moment of peace, which was exactly what the few people passing by seemed to be doing. Couples, families, alone or with their dogs, everyone seemed to be taking a breather from their otherwise busy lives.

The simulation was incredibly detailed, so much so that Lucas wondered if Gracie had purchased the program back home. He strolled along, thinking of all the beautiful days he had countlessly walked these paths… and the far too few nights that he & Mary had blended into the darkness for equally too few moments just to themselves.

Up ahead was Gapstow Bridge. The old stone structure had always been Molly’s favorite, and the one place they couldn’t leave without visiting on their walks in the park when she was younger. This time it was no exception. For once, her bright red hair blended with the bright reds and oranges of the autumn leaves, making the younger Holloway quite hard to find. The only thing giving away her location, being the group of ducks swimming below, and the occasional piece of bread falling in the water.

He’d never told Molly, but her favorite place in the park was also his… but for a completely different reason. Gapstow Bridge was where he & Mary first kissed, where she first told him she loved him, and where he’d sat the night she died after he’d finally got Erin to sleep… sobs wracking his body… wondering if he could ever move on. A Northern Cardinal, Mary’s favorite bird… landed in front of that broken, sobbing man and just sat there… staring up at him. It was then that Lucas heard Mary’s beautiful voice on the summer evening breeze. They need you, my Love… more than ever… go home, please. Lucas Holloway broke down once more… and the Cardinal didn’t move. It watched as Lucas stood, then the bird landed on his shoulder for just a moment and then flew on.

Molly Holloway was leaning against the parapet, holding half of a replicated loaf of bread in one hand that she was peacefully sharing with the ducks. Sometimes, she’d eat a piece herself. When the open doors broke her immersion in her surroundings, her eyes shifted to see who was the newcomer. Only a few people had her access codes, still, her hand fell down to her side looking for her handgun just in case. When Lucas walked in she sighed softly and resumed dropping bread chunks into the water, yet this time her movements were noticeably more forceful.

Molly Holloway, CEO Holloway Heavy Industries

The elder Holloway walked over the bridge, arriving next to Molly. After a moment, he said softly. “Penny for your thoughts?”

Lucas Holloway, Chairman Holloway Heavy Industries