Check Please [Zander, casual]

[ZANDER “ZEUS” DEVEREUX]

He watched as she folded his cheque around the card, promising to pass it along. Well, that was interesting. If the cheque and the card were staying together, it was probable that both would go directly to the artist to cash. Usually, charities took their cut. It was interesting to see that this charity operated differently. He was sure they were asking for their own separate donations at some point – after all, even charity workers couldn’t live on the feeling of doing something good.

Zander smiled when she laughed at his words. He would normally have been offended, but he liked her laugh. It was bright and soft and had character.

"That's not a bad attitude to have."

He felt like laughing himself. If only Sidda where there to hear that. She had accused him of having a bad attitude only hours before. He had a wonderful attitude – this woman had just told him so. Well, not in so many words, or so few, but she had still complimented him, so he considered it a win.

"You...can say that I'm on the payroll. I actually own the charity. My name's Jane Eyre, it was on the invitation."

Eyre. He knew that...At some point. He could have sworn she was a Janet, though.

“My apologies, Miss Eyre – I did not personally view the invitation. Though, I must say, you look far too young and beautiful to be running a charity.”

He wondered where she found the time – he couldn’t imagine running a charity when he was her age. He was far too busy having fun, living life to the fullest, and working on his degree. She must have been highly selfless, and very rich. He couldn’t recall meeting her at any of the parties he went to – though, with his memory...

“However, I can see why you’re the one in charge.”

She was more than a pretty face. Already she had managed to make a sale from him, keeping him entertained with her knowledge and charm. If every man there was as taken by her as he was, she would make out with a hefty sum for her charity.

“So, tell me, Jane – what is your fundraiser goal? For fun, Devereux Industries will match it.”

Oh, he was going to get slapped when Sidda found out. He knew it, and yet he’d put the offer out there. He couldn’t exactly take it back, nor did he want to. Devereux generosity was legendary, after all. And besides, charity was for good causes and it was a nice tax write off. His accountants would love that.

[JANE EYRE]

“My apologies, Miss Eyre – I did not personally view the invitation. Though, I must say, you look far too young and beautiful to be running a charity.”

Jane laughed, loudly. Young, yes, she could see that. She was only 21 and it was true that most charity owners were far older having already lived their lives and were wanting to give back. But the beautiful part was just absurd. She was lucky if people noticed her during the day, let alone had enough time or energy to create a positive opinion.

"Well, thank you for that. But I find that age and appearances are never surefire ways to determine the abilities or drive of a person."

“However, I can see why you’re the one in charge.”

Jane thanked him again for that. That was a very solid compliment, especially since she was in charge.

“So, tell me, Jane – what is your fundraiser goal? For fun, Devereux Industries will match it.”

"Well, we're aiming for something between $200,000 and $250,000 ideally. I think that realistically, $180,000 and that's if every single person invited shows up and donates a healthy sum. And thank you very much, that's incredibly generous of you. Just a small donation would be appreciated, you don't have to be so extravagant. That's a lot of money, I know." Jane couldn't believe that he was offering to meet the fundraiser goal. It was so kind and generous of him.

[ZANDER “ZEUS” DEVEREUX]

Zander was a bit surprised when she laughed at his compliment about her youth and beauty. He wondered if anyone ever told her she was lovely. She wasn’t as pretty as some of the woman he had dated before, but she was still beautiful. It was in her eyes, and it was in her words when she was talking about art. These northern men were missing out.

"Well, thank you for that. But I find that age and appearances are never sure-fire ways to determine the abilities or drive of a person."

He had to agree with her. At twenty-nine, he was head of Devereux Industries – a multi-billion corporation. They dabbled in all sorts of technology and research that even he couldn’t have explained. He dealt with the money and share holders, running the administrative end, and making sure that the company functioned as a well oiled machine. He’d been criticised, accused of being in the position because of his last name, rather than any skill he had. He’d had to prove himself, much as he imagined Jane had to prove herself if she was as young as she was.

"Well, we're aiming for something between $200,000 and $250,000 ideally. I think that realistically, $180,000 and that's if every single person invited shows up and donates a healthy sum. And thank you very much, that's incredibly generous of you. Just a small donation would be appreciated, you don't have to be so extravagant. That's a lot of money, I know."

He didn’t laugh when she told him her goal. It was reaching. He knew most of the people milling around – not their names, but their money. They’d give a little, maybe buy a painting, but nothing near what would be generous enough to make it to her goal. It wasn’t that he was more generous, he just had incentive, and now he wanted to make sure this woman wasn’t disappointed.

“It is a lot of money, but it’s needed for a good cause, and I was more than likely going to end up spending it on something silly. So the offer stands, on the condition that you personally tell me where every dollar ended up.”

And if he could get her to tell him over a candle lit dinner somewhere, all the better. Perhaps he would even cook for her and show off his own version of art.

“Besides, this is purely selfish of me – One day, I may need a legacy.”

He winked, taking a sip of his bourbon. He was half serious. One day he would die and it was always better to be remembered as a charitable man. Besides, he may be able to get much more out of all this money spending. Like a date with this lovely woman, or several pieces of art in his likeness. Imagine how his image could brighten the whole city. He liked the idea of that.

“And if public opinion has taught me anything, it is that it is always better for the art community to like you when creating that legacy. I’ve seen caricatures done of select members of City Hall and I would rather avoid being drawn with a nose the size of a cucumber or ears like Dumbo.”

He had always gotten a laugh out of pictures like that, but he was sure he wouldn’t be laughing if the same were done to his likeness. He was a gorgeous man, after all - it would be a crime to ruin that.

“But enough about my legacy. What motivated you to start yours?”

A charity was a noble legacy, indeed.