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“Sounds great, Gwendoline.”
Why was she blushing again? And why did she enjoy Rayen’s praises so much?
“Is this your schedule?”
She nodded and handed it to him.
“No meeting until later today for either of us would you mind if we drove off a little later than usual? Maybe half past nine?”
“I was going to drive today because I want to take care of a few things while in Houston. After work of course,” she quickly added that last part.
Rayen nodded, his face slightly disappointed. “Of course.”
“Is there anything else I can help you with?” Her eyes flickered between the three men.
“We have one more thing, Ms. Moore.”
Rayen reached for a little jewelry box that Mr. Seavey was handing to him. “Happy birthday.”
For a moment she looked down at the box before taking it from him with slightly shaking hands.
“We do hope it is to your liking,” Rayen said as he motioned her to open it.
Carefully, and slightly afraid of what kind of expensive treasure she would find within it, she opened the box. It was a sleek silver necklace with a small white pearl pendant. In the midst of the draped necklace were two pearl earrings matching the pendant of the necklace.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered in awe. This just like that of her sister’s, looked so expensive that she was afraid to even touch it.
“We can exchange it if you wish to have the same as your sister.”
She looked up at Rayen who seemed pleased that she liked it. “No, I like this one.”
He nodded and smiled.
A little timid, she closed the box and stood up. She turned her face to each one of them and said, “Thank you.”
Even Mr. Seavey’s face seemed to be smiling as she walked out holding the little box to her chest, like the treasure she knew it was.
After work, she left to go to the bank. With the first paycheck she’d gotten that day she planned on repaying everything she owed in rent to her former leasing office.They were quite surprised to see her and even more baffled when she handed them the money order with all she owed plus all the late fees. She apologized and quickly left, ashamed that she’d owed them so much.
She’d hoped that traffic would be less aggressive this time around, but she’d forgotten about the inner loop’s miserable constructions. It took her even longer to pass the Galleria area and drive towards Rosenberg.
When she arrived, the sun was already setting and let the manor glimmer in a spooky, orange light. It was still beautiful, yet so far out in the midst of nowhere it appeared a little scary in the setting sunlight. She parked and headed inside. With a growling stomach, she quickly made dinner, then sat on the couch in her pajamas while she watched a few videos on her phone.
She felt so much relief after paying off the leasing office and resolving at least some of her debt. It was as if she was finally walking the right path after stumbling and falling for so long while trying to survive. Now she could finally focus on the huge amount of debt her mother had left her with. The grief of her death had always been overshadowed with the bills that had kept coming in after her passing.
When she cuddled up in bed and closed her eyes, Mr. Seavey’s soft smile floated in front of her. It had been the first time his face had been so light with emotions. She wrapped her arms around a pillow and cuddled it as she pictured how glad Rayen and even Silas seemed at how much she’d liked the gift. She would probably never wear it, afraid to lose or damage it in any way. Nevertheless, she treasured it, being the most expensive thing she owned now.
Tuesday, she had no meeting and didn’t plan on going to the office. She dressed up anyway knowing Mr. Seavey wouldn’t appreciate her wearing anything less than formal.
She stepped in with her usual smile. “Good morning.”
“Good morning, Gwendoline,” Rayen beamed and reached for his and her schedule.
She handed out the other two and again Silas stepped closer, stiff and reluctant, and took the paper from her. In return to his schedule, Mr. Seavey handed her the list she’d provided to him the day before. She sat down and studied it quickly.
“I’ll have the schedule for Thursday and Friday ready by this afternoon.”
“I was thinking of leaving Thursday morning and returning on Monday afternoon,” Rayen said.
