II #3
And for the rest there was no help. Rumors would always appear, and she had to force herself to accept that she'd unknowingly be the cause of many rumors.
Especially because of her orientation and the company she kept.
Most rumors are untrue and arise from false facts and the twisting of truth.
She could only hope that this rumor about partying on the fourth floor would die down when people realized that both Ana and the people around her were doing the lion's share of the work, which most of them in the shelter weren't even aware was being done.
So she went on, somewhat shocked, following the hallway through which, unaware of her drama, a river of people flowed, led by their tasks.
Ana sighed deeply. She had so much to do, so much to set in motion, and she couldn't allow herself to eavesdrop on conversations behind closed doors like a schoolgirl.
So, with determined steps, she looked for Dijana, who she knew was trying to set up a supply system and organize the so-called shops in their rather pitiful shopping mall.
And she found the girl a few offices down, right by the wide staircase that led to the machine room.
Dijana was explaining something to two girls by the entrance of a wide office on the right side. She heard Dijana explaining her vision.
"The goods on display up front, and behind you have a small warehouse where you can keep what you intend to display. The office is too small for customers, so you'll have to do all the trading in front of the shop."
The girls murmured enthusiastically, nodding their heads and gesturing hurriedly with their hands.
Both entered the office and then Dijana noticed Ana.
A sincere smile immediately appeared on her face; she ran up to Ana, kissed her, and squeezed her in a strong embrace.
Ana stayed in the embrace for a moment. She needed Dijana's strength and immediately felt better.
She pulled away from the girl and, with a fixed smile, asked her:
"What's going on here?" She pointed at the office and the two chatty girls inside.
"Ana, what happened?" Dijana looked into her eyes. She'd noticed the sadness on Ana's face.
"Oh, nothing. Don't worry," Ana replied quietly.
"How, nothing, you can barely stand, come, sit here." Dijana dragged over a small chair, onto which Ana gratefully sank. Then she asked her again: "What happened?"
"Oh, nothing important. I just witnessed the birth of rumors we're the main heroes of,"
Ana replied, settling more comfortably on the chair while she still watched the two girls enthusiastically planning their future clothing-trade business.
The scene was so guileless and optimistic that she even began to relax.
Dijana crouched in front of her, took her by the head, and gently spoke, looking her directly in the eyes.
"You know there'll be that, there will always be talk and untrue rumors."
"I know." Ana sighed heavily.
"And you know all those rumors always pass when some new news appears."
"I know."
"Well, let them talk for now, it'll all stop when the latest news spreads." Dijana straightened and cheerfully greeted the girls coming out of the office.
"What do you mean?" Ana rose from the chair and, with renewed strength, greeted the girls.
"It'll be quite enough, it's a gorgeous space. Just what we need." The taller of the girls praised the space.
The chubbier blonde with her nodded enthusiastically, spreading a charming smile across her round face.
"Great, then all that's left is for you to arrange with Irena about the delivery of some goods." Dijana smiled broadly, nodding her head, while her green-dyed hair fluttered.
"And of course, we have to contact the seamstresses," the chubby one spoke up.
"You have seamstresses too?" Dijana was surprised. "I didn't know."
"Oh yeah, a few girls and one guy from textiles and design."
"Wait, do they need an office too?" asked the suddenly serious Dijana.
"I think they do," the taller brunette explained to her. "It would be great if they were somewhere near us, you know, because of the delivery of goods and the sale of the same." She blushed.
Dijana then looked at Ana. "Are there any free offices, and actually, is sewing considered an essential job?"
Ana thought for a moment, then replied to the girls:
"Maybe not at this moment, but when things start to tear and need to be patched, or something needs to be made from the remaining rags, then seamstresses will be very sought-after." She nodded. "I think it's an essential profession." She looked at the girls. "And how many of them are there?"
The taller girl thought, then replied: "There are five of them. Four girls and one guy."
"Too few for a guild. But then again, you should stick together." Ana looked at Dijana. "I think that office over there will suit them." She pointed at a nearby office that currently gaped empty.
"Oh, that's excellent news." The brunette was delighted, while a huge smile spread across the chubby blonde's face. "I'll tell them right away." The girl said goodbye and headed quickly down the hallway. Ana called out to the blonde, who had paused:
"And tell them the council fully supports them, and if they need anything, to come to Ana."
The girl nodded and ran after her friend down the hallway. Dijana then smiled at Ana.
"One problem at a time. Just take it slow."
"Exactly that. And I also think that group of seamstresses and traders will help us in the long run."
"You mean public support?" Dijana asked with interest.
"Exactly that, because we have to have allies in this shelter too." Ana approached the office she'd assigned to the seamstresses, took a pen from her pocket, and scrawled "RESERVED" on a paper, then left it on the table of the empty office.
"Allies?" Dijana probed.
"Oh yeah. Rumors are going around that we just party on the fourth floor."
"Seriously???" Dijana frowned.
"Yes. And not only that, it's going around that we're the main ones for stripping and getting people worked up." Ana grew sad.
"You're kidding? You and me?" Dijana sounded aghast.
"Yes," Ana quietly agreed.
"We get people worked up? Us? We barely have the strength to lie down in bed, what getting worked up!?" Dijana protested while her face suddenly flushed with anger.
"Well, you see, people don't know that, because, to their mind, we do nothing all day."
"Well, they're out of their minds." Dijana was shocked.
"Serves us right for isolating ourselves on the fourth floor, like some kind of elite." Ana sighed.
"Well, someone has to tell people what to do — technocracy, or so it's been sold." Dijana wouldn't give up.
"Of course, someone always has to be in charge, and with that comes a sense of power. Power that can be abused."
"And that's exactly why guilds exist, to resolve such things within themselves, and you have an incorruptible triumvirate that manages everything."
"Yes, a triumvirate that isn't interfered with. And who says we're worthy of such power?" she asked her seriously.
"Oh, come on, cut the crap. I really don't know anyone who cares about this shelter more than you and Nick. And Nika would slit anyone's throat in their sleep who got in the way of her development and the laboratory."
Dijana was resolute. "Besides, almost all the guild leaders respect you, and everyone can confirm how much of yourself you give for this shelter."
"You think I do a good job?" Ana asked, looking Dijana directly in the eyes.
Dijana took her hand, squeezed it gently, and quietly spoke: "Of course."
Ana kissed the girl, surprising her a little, but she soon accepted the kiss, and their tongues played for a moment. Ana felt her pulse quicken and desire overtake her. She pulled back, breathing hard, but without letting go of Dijana's hand, and spoke breathlessly:
"Come, I want you now."
Dijana's eyes widened. "Now?"
"Yes, now, because in the evening we're both too tired, let's go," Ana commanded and abruptly pulled the surprised girl toward the staircase.
Almost running, the two girls dashed up the stairs while their hearts pounded with excitement in their chests.
On the fourth floor they passed the surprised runners coming out of the meeting room and, still laughing, rushed into their room, where a moment later they gave in to sweaty passion and wild lovemaking.