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I never imagined those words would come out of my mouth. Is that even a compliment?
“Thank you.” She faces her daughter. “Did you appreciate the move to the Unity Suite? It’ll be more appropriate for your experience here. I’m almost certain you two haven’t spent nearly enough time together at your little assistant job. You can consider it my gift to you.” Vivian’s Cheshire cat smile could cut glass.
“My job is important.” Molly seems irritated. We’ve only been here for five minutes, and her mom has already belittled her twice.
“Of course, doll. We all know how vital assisting others can be.”
My nostrils flare at the blatant disrespect. “Without Molly, our offices wouldn’t run. She’s the glue holding all of ORO together.”
Molly’s mouth gapes.
Vivian appears annoyed by my remark.
“Let’s dive into your plans here.” Ignoring me, she pulls a journal and a fountain pen from her bag. “Like my mother-in-law did for me, I took over the privilege of handcrafting your stay.” Vivian gives us a piece of neatly pressed stationery. “I’ll be leaving later tonight, but I wanted to ensure that Lolita will monitor you and give me daily reports. So will the state-of-the-art cameras. All of this is to guarantee that you’re succeeding in your course.”
Cameras? That’s overkill.
Molly wears a broken expression. Sure, I’ve picked up on our ten-year age difference a few times, but the gap is obvious when she’s bickering with her mom. Although, I suppose Molly’s occasional spells of worry and anxiety at the office make a lot more sense now. This level of scrutiny is bound to make anyone feel uncomfortable in their own skin.
We scan the meticulous agenda. The days are jam-packed with activities from eight in the morning until late into the evening.
Feeling uneasy, I tug at the collar of my shirt.
How many yoga classes will it take to prove our love?
“This must’ve taken you the entire flight to plan,” Molly says, looking resigned to the extensive list before us.
“It was worth it.” Vivian smiles, watching us expectantly.
Moving us into one room, forcing us to spend all day together…is Vivian trying to overwhelm us?
Does she already know this is fake?
We have to prove her otherwise.
Hell, it’s twenty-five million dollars for the both of us. Molly’s independence. EcoDrones.
Our fire seasons are getting longer, and the destruction is going to permanently ruin our ecosystem.
I need to stick this out. It’s only two weeks.
I can do this.I can do this.
“Thank you.” I give Vivian a polite nod. “Your effort to enrich my love for your daughter is so kind.”
Mrs. Greene seems taken aback by my compliance, and I’ll count this as a small win for the evening. “My pleasure. I’m sure it’s a privilege for someone likeyouto visit one of our family jewels.”
It’s impossible to miss the way she emphasizes the wordyou, as if I’m less than. Molly stiffens again at her mother’s poorly delivered jab.
I, however, am not remotely offended. Intimidation is the lowest form of social warfare. Little does Vivian know, affording one of the eight-thousand-dollar-a-night rooms here would barely put a dent in my account balance. But frivolity isn’t my thing. I’m a simple man.
“Your generosity knows no bounds, especially when I get to have the familyjewelby my side at all times.” I hug her daughter close.
My patience, nonetheless, has an expiration date. I may need to teach Vivian Greene a lesson or two about boundaries.
Chapter7
Molly
