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Remy:Phew! Tonight was HARD. But Mom seems to be warming to you… x
Zoe:No way! I didn’t get that feeling at all. I thought she hated me even more than before.
Remy:I know, she surprised me too. I think it’s going well though. Hey, do you have any plans for tomorrow because I’m actually having a little party, I’d like you to come with me x
Shit, I guess if this is a work thing or one of those socialite parties, then I have to say yes. I hope that means he’s going to get me a dress again. Not because I need the fancy dresses, but because that’s the way everyone else expects me to be dressed.
Zoe:Sounds good, let me know the details.
Remy:I’ll pick you up in the morning. Goodnight x
I can almost feel him whispering “goodnight” into my ear, while lightly kissing me on the cheek. I’d love to experience that kind of love in my life. It’d be mind blowing. I canseeit with Remy, but I know I can’t feel it for real.
Chapter 12
Remy
Ican’tbelieveIdidn’t think of this sooner. Waiting for Zoe to meet me outside her building has a fun, joyous feeling bubbling away in the pit of my stomach. Inevershow anyone this side of my life because I’ve always wanted to keep it private, but I think today that can change.
Today I’m happy to reveal a bit more of me to Zoe. I think it’ll help us.
Mary Lou and the children at the Congregate Care unit can’t wait for the party this morning, if the texts I’ve been receiving this morning are anything to go by. And actually I can’t wait for it as well. I don’t want the kids to feel like they have to do anything for me, but I get the impression that this is for all of us. We all need a bit of time to just relax and have fun.
“Oh!” Zoe cries out in shock as she spots me leaning against my car, waiting for her. “You’re dressed casually. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you out of a suit before.”
She blushes immediately, because of course she’s seen me naked! But today definitely isn’t about that. I’m hoping we can see one another in a different light today. I think we should work on building a friendship, right? So we can continue on with this.
“Well we don’t need fancy clothing for this party.”
“We don’t?” She checks her outfit quickly, but jeans and a cutesy t-shirt are absolutely perfect for where we’re going. “I don’t think this is party wear…”
“No, it is, trust me.” I beam ear to ear. “Come on, let’s go.”
She doesn’t look sure, but she climbs into the car with me, eyeing me curiously as she does. “Now I’m really curious about this party. Where are we going?”
“You’ll see,” I reply mysteriously. “Come on, I think you’ll enjoy it.”
Putting all of her trust in me, Zoe nods and leans back in her seat, eager to go wherever I want to take her. I can’t stop myself from smiling at her. This is why I’m sure Mom will continue warming to Zoe, because she’s absolutely irresistible. I do think dinner with Freddie, however challenging it was at the time, worked wonders. Mom did soften just a little.
“A Congregate Care unit?” Zoe asks curiously as we pull up by the building. “Is this where the party is? This isn’t what I was expecting at all.”
“I’m full of surprises,” I declare with a little chuckle. “Are you ready to go in?”
I can tell Zoe still doesn’t know what to expect as we head inside, but as the kids run over to hug me, all calling out my name excitedly, I think she’s starting to see that this is a place I come all the time, because I’m not just business through and through. There is more to me. I didn’t grow up as deprived as these children, I had a fairly comfortable life, but I also didn’t have the sort of money that I do now. I always wanted to use my earnings to make a difference.
It's surprisingly cool to share this with someone. I like it a lot.
“Alice, Rebecca, Ben, this is a friend of mine. This is Zoe.” The children wave to her and invite her inside. “And this is Mary Lou, the woman who runs this organization.”
Because there’s much less pressure here, I step back and let the introductions happen organically. Considering Zoe wasn’t prepared for this at all, she’s taking it all in her stride perfectly. I’m impressed with how well she’s fitting in. We might be having issues with the other people in our lives, but not the wonderful people at the Congregate Care unit.
I love this. I’m so glad we’re all here together.
“We have a cake for you!” Alice yells to me. “It’s chocolate cake.”
“Ooh really?” I chuckle at her twinkling eyes. “Ilovechocolate cake. How did you know that one is my favorite? You are so clever.”
“It’s my favorite too! Come on. Come and see what we have done for you.”
