Banna - Chapter 2

The following day at work, things were hectic as always. Being the personal assistant to the editor-in-chief of Charisma didn't mean that she got to relax except during her fifteen minute lunch break which she usually skipped due to the amount of work her boss Miranda Danvers put on her. Banna always thought her boss took workaholic to the next level, often staying late to finish working.

She greatly admired her dedication, even though it meant sending Banna all over the O' Sullivan & McPartlin Publications building. Today, she had been sent to the big boss's office which greatly surprised her because usually, if something had to go the head office, Miranda went herself. It was an even greater surprise when Miranda told her that the boss wanted to see her.

She made her way to the office, took a deep breath and knocked. "Come in." said a deep voice. She went in and closed the door behind her.

"You asked to see me Mr. O' Sullivan?" said Banna.

"Banna Perez right?"

"Yes."

"Have a seat. Banna, this is my father Patrick O' Sullivan, and my partner and close friend, Charlemagne McPartlin."

"Mr. O' Sullivan, with all due respect, I don't see a point to your sending for me to introduce me to your father and partner." said Banna very matter-of-factly.

"Actually my girl, this is exactly why we wanted to see you, Max and I." said Patrick.

"Oh. Okay. It's nice to meet you. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to work." said Banna, trying her best not to sound exasperated.

"Miss Perez, have a seat." said Charlemagne, speaking for the first time since she'd entered the room.

"Okay. Here. I'm seated. Now, I believe someone owes me an explanation." said Banna, not bothering to hide the annoyance in her voice.

"Chip off the old block aren't ya?" said Patrick. "Yes you're right my girl, I do in fact owe you an explanation. I know your mother Lucinda."

"Okay. I'm listening." said Banna curiously.

"I used to know Lucinda a long time ago. Back in Ireland. And you see, I ran into her a few days ago. And, did she talk to you about something?"

"Yes." she simply stated, wondering how he knew so much about her life.

"Well you're supposed to meet your father today aren't ya?" said Patrick.

"How did you know that?" said Banna eyeing him suspiciously.

"Because I'm your dad." said Patrick.

"Okay. That is crazy talk. You're not my dad." said Banna, getting up and backing towards the door. Charlemagne approached her and blocked the door.

"Can I call you Banna?" asked Maxmillian O' Sullivan.

"Uh yeah." said Banna.

"Banna. I realize that this is very shocking. Trust me. I was just as surprised. But we ran a DNA test and it proved that you are in fact my half-sister." said Maxmillian, handing her a document.

"When did you get a DNA test done?" said Banna slowly.

"Your mom gave us your hairbrush." said Patrick, smiling broadly. His smile disappeared though when he heard Banna's next words.

"Okay. Fine. Apparently I'm your biological daughter, and your half-sister Mr. O' Sullivan. But that doesn't mean anything. And you understand of course that no one can find out that we're related."

"And why is that?" asked Patrick. " You are my daughter aren't you?"

"Why? Why?" asked Banna looking at him with disbelief. She took a deep breath, changed her expression and started explaining to them slowly. " The O' Sullivan family is one of the most high-profile families in the world. You must realize that it would be a disaster to suddenly announce that THE O' Sullivan has an illegitimate daughter. Who happens to be a secretary. The press would eat your family alive. Do you guys really want that? No, you don't. I've lived my entire life not knowing whether or not I even have a father. And now I know that I do have one, and I know who he is. I don't find it important to announce to the world that my father is Patrick O' Sullivan."

Charlemagne looked at her. "And what would be the cost of your discretion?" he asked.

"Shay. What are you saying?" said Patrick.

"Uncle Patrick. It's obvious the chit wants money." said Charlemagne.

"Don’t call me a chit you dip. And no, I don't want your money. You already pay me enough for my salary."

"Then what will it take to guarantee your silence?" asked Charlemagne. " A house? A car? What do you want?"

"Mr. O' Sullivan, is your friend trying to get his nose broken? Because trust me, I have enough experience to do it without blood flying around" said Banna, while glaring at Charlemagne.

Patrick started laughing at her comment and Max soon joins in. "Ah I haven't had a good laugh in a very long time."

"Glad I could help." said Banna smiling.

"Well I need to go. But Max, I want you to sit with your sister and get to know her."

"Sure Dad." said Max. He looked at his sister, trying to find any ressemblance between her and his father. He looked at her eyes and found himself staring into a pair identical to both his and his father's blue eyes. " So Banna, tell me how old are you?"

"Mr. O' Sullivan, you do realize that it's extremely rude to ask a woman how old she is don't you?" said Banna, trying very hard not to smile.

"It’s Max. I'm your brother. And you're my sister, so I think I have a right to ask you that. I'm thirty by the way." said Max.

"I suppose you're right. I'm six years younger. I'm twenty-four. What's Max short for? Maxwell?" asked Banna, clearly interested in getting to know her brother.

"Maxmillian." he said grandly.

"Maxmillian and Charlemagne?" she asked, raising up a perfect eyebrow.

"Maxmillian was a Roman Emperor and Charlemagne was King of the Franks." said Charlemagne with disinterest.

"I know who they are. I'm not illiterate. I'm just not rich. You're not the only one who got an education you know." said Banna with obvious contempt.

"Shay, cut it out. Banna, where'd you go to college? And what kind of name is Banna?" asked Max quickly. He knew Shay was very reserved about the whole thing. Ever since they had been little kids, Shay had been the less trusting, the more cautious of the pair. He was his best friend though, and he knew that his actions were meant to protect him and his family.

"Banna..... I actually have no clue what it means. I went to UCLA. I studied international journalism there." said Banna, with a tiny hint of pride. And why shouldn't I be proud, thought Banna to herself, I put myself through college without anyone's help and it means a hell of alot to me.

"Really? International journalism?" asked Charlemagne with slight interest. Ever since Max had shared the news with him and asked him to interfere he'd had his reservations. He didn't trust people very easily and he didn't want to see any of the O' Sullivans get hurt. They'd been like a second family to him, taking him in and raising him after his parents' death when none of the other McPartlins would.

"Yes. Oh, I need to get back to work. Miranda's gonna go crazy." said Banna.

"You're Miranda's assistant? Charisma right?" asked Max.

"Yes. Fashion and health. It's an interesting line of work for me." said Banna. And interesting it was, for her. She never got sick of watching models throw fits and complain. It reminded her that part of why she loved living in New York was the diversity of personalities residing there.

"Banna, you're expected at dinner tomorrow night. It's a weekly family thing," said Max, "Nothing fancy, just me, mom, dad, Shay, and Celine."

"You said a family thing right? Technically, I'm not part of your family Max. And besides I wouldn't feel comfortable there." said Banna, frowning slightly. She had never really liked gatherings and usually avoided them. She also didn't get why the O' Sullivans were warming up to her like that, already including her in family gatherings.

"Look, Banna, my dad was extremely happy to have found you. Please, do it for him." said Max, meaning every word he said. His dad really was happy to find his daughter and he himself was equally happy that he had her for a half-sister. She seemed intelligent and interesting and he thought his sister especially would like her.

"Let's say I do accept. What would your mom do about it? I mean, I am your dad's illegitimate daughter. I don't think she'll be too happy to see me." said Banna, doing her best to convince him that it wasn't such a great idea.

"Yes, but they were separated when you were conceived. So it's not like he was cheating on her or anything." said Charlemagne smoothly.

"Come on Banna, it'll mean alot to my dad. And to me. And to Shay. And definitely to Celine. She's twenty. You'll love her." said Max playfully.

"Fine. Okay. If Miranda decides to let me off early for once." said Banna, unable to keep from smiling. "Hey Mr. McPartlin, why do they call you Shay?" she asked before she could think her words through.

"Because Charlemagne is entirely too long. And now, you have no choice but to call me Shay as well." he said, smiling to reveal a row of perfect teeth.

"Okay, Shay. Max, where do your parents live?" asked Banna.

"My parents' house is- tell you what, where do you live?" asked Max, his face lighting up all of a sudden.

"Brooklyn. I doubt you'd know where it is." said Banna, shrugging.

"I'm rich, not retarded Banna," he said smiling slightly when he saw her smirk, "However, Shay is extremely familiar with New York. can take you home to change, then he'll take you to my parent's house." said Max, grinning broadly. "Yes, Shay'll take you. I would do it myself, but I need to pick something up for Celine."

"Is it normal for you to volunteer your best friend to do something you can't do because you have something else to do?" asked Banna, looking amused.

"In Max's case, yes. He has a habit of doing things like that." said Shay.

"It's fine, you don't need to. If you give me the address I'm sure I'll be able to find it." said Banna blandly.

"No, Banna. It's perfectly fine, he'll gladly do it. Right Shay?" asks Max.

"Yes, of course. It's okay. Meet me here after work tomorrow okay?" said Shay.

"Fine, whatever. I need to get back to work." She got up. "It was nice finding out you were my brother Max. Shay." she said, nodding at him. She walked out the door very gracefully.

"Shay, what the hell is wrong with you?" asked Max, visibly fuming. "Would it kill you to be polite to her?"

"I was polite to her. I was just reserved." said Shay, shrugging. "And why did you basically offer me as her personal driver?" He watched Max shift uncomfortably in his seat.

"What? She's pretty." said Max smiling, "And she's alot like you are. Only you're more subtle at being rude than she is. You'd like her if you were a bit nicer to her."

"Very smooth. Unfortunately, she's not my type anymore than I am hers." said Shay. Deep down though, he was considering Max's words very seriously. She was very attractive, and she was witty and seemed to be very intelligent. Hmmm... you never know what'll happen.