Chapter 64: Influencing Interactions
It had been several weeks since the school break and Miss Galina had finally come to terms with the one she is babysitting with.
Most of her associates had no idea about the comic book industry at all or how to approach Mr. Creed's grandson.
All that she garnered from recent weeks is the fact that Alex is incredibly stable when it comes to outside things and likes to focus on what he should be busy with.
The boy didn't even seem to need babysitters in the first place as he could take care of himself and wasn't any trouble to anyone else.
If anything she was just a placeholder babysitter that was hired in case the guardian organization came to check in on a boy that lost his parents.
There was no chance for her to use her supposed tricks about being a substitute mother figure and all that.
Galina simply did her job as she could while leaving the Alex friendship breakthrough to her daughter.
Unlike her obvious attempts of establishing trust, Milla fit right in with old Mr. Creed and had an established talking friendship with the almost always preoccupied Alex.
It was quite different from how she egged the little girl to become friends with Alex. Now, she would always stick close to the boy just so she can get the proper spoilers for the comic books that she is subscribing to.
To think that her innocence did the trick and as such Galina had much more ease with handling other things.
It was due time that she amped up her preparations for Milla as well. With being able to interact daily to a personification of child potential, dallying around would be a waste.
During her big durations of free time, Galina simply set up her layouts for their future while her little girl was having fun in the weird company of the Creeds.
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On another working day of Creed Comics, Alexander was busy in his office while Milla was in the room also busying herself as she waits for the comic maker to finish.
The little boss room had long been filled with his trinkets but it was much more on display shelves that laid out his published issues.
Of course, coziness and all that was among the theme so it made sense that little Milica made it her lounge spot while she spent her hours in this building.
Alexander just let her do as she wants as he didn't have the veto power to shoo her away. His grandfather compelled him to interact with Milla more and so he did.
Milla also happen to happily take advantage of that Sullivan order as she got a much momentous viewing platform for every new comic issue that she looks forward to.
She could only feel bad for the public as she knew that what she has read would only be made available to them a year or so later.
The quirk of being semi-involved in the creative process could be seen. Even though she just cheered and watched, she unabashedly took credit for whatever was made.
A friend's win is a win of my own. Milla always defends herself with that quip she got from the old Creed.
Alexander didn't quibble with her much but it was at least interesting to have her mumble around in the office and give him a fresh preview on how his advanced works could be perceived by the general public.
In a sense, Milla was his experimental dummy to gauge what he is doing wrong and what he is doing right.
With that reasoning, it didn't become a hassle to have her around the office anymore and it became less begrudging to be tasked by his grandfather about socializing and friendships.
As confident as she is to believe that she has special viewing privileges, Alexander had the advantage in knowing her special purpose that she failed to see.
Of course, he wasn't dastardly enough to only think of the little girl as a market research material. He has genuinely come to realize some interactive benefits to having friends... albeit it is just a little bit.
Perhaps this re-life will let him be uncaged from being an apathetic introvert. Whatever the case, little Alice was an interesting character to meet and interact with.
As for the consequences of their interactions, it was up for the chaos flaps to decide.
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"Alex, why are you working on such weird figures I haven't seen before? Is it a new villain for Leonardo and the others?" Milla asked as she got a closer look at what he was working on.
"No, but they're integral characters for the next series I'll be working on." Alexander answered her curiosity as he kinked out some details with his pen.
"Wow!" She was quite excited by this development.
"I'm pretty sure everyone outside would be excited about the news. They always gossip about when their little boss would make another great creation you know."
As much as how much fun she has with the recent stories, it wouldn't be too bad to add another one to look out for.
"What is the story about?!" Eagerness swept her up as she waited for his spoilers as she usually did.
"Just wait when I'm done crafting up the first issues and you'll know." Alexander simply left her with that as his memory conjured up an interesting plot that has potential for integration.
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Milla could only keep quiet as she knew that this friend of hers was quite stingy when he is on a creative drive.
She could only pick up the recently finished Dragonball issue that art group 4 had submitted.
Milla had freeloaded here long enough to know the many processes that Creed Comics is going through on a daily basis.
She was just a normal kid unlike Alex so she didn't know much about all the numbers and stuff from the first-floor people. However, she did know about the simplicity of the second-floor people.
It was fun for her to see grown-ups quarrel and to be reprimanded by someone the same age as her. Yet, aside from fun it also made her feel something else.
Sometimes she can't help but wonder if she has what it takes to do what Alex usually does. To be able to focus on what he likes to do and be able to win with it.
After all, her mother always reminds her about how awesome and amazing Alex is with his comic books. She didn't know about the business side of stuff but she did know that Alex was a winner in entertaining people.
Little and young her wants to find that kind of amazingness and awesomeness too. Someday, she also wants to focus on something she likes to do and be able to win with it.
Alex, who was caught up in busyness, didn't notice her hopeful stares but Milla was fine with that.
"Someday, I'll be able to ignore you too because I'll be super busy as well." Milla whispered and harrumphed with the passion to surpass her friend.
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Thus, Milica 'Milla' Jovovich was starting to embark on a success journey of her own.