Chapter 256
Russel’s request was just too hard to refuse. I dug out the diamond ring, slid it on, snapped a picture, and sent it his way.
In no time, Russel was on the phone again, “I saw it. Looks nice,”
I responded, Im quite fond of the design too. It just wasn’t meant to be.”
Then I asked him, “Where are you now?”
He reassured me, “Don’t sweat it; I won’t do anything stupid. If youre ever unhappy, just think of me as your plan B.” He continued, “I’ll be home tomorrow My folks are pressuring me to propose to Chloe, but I turned them down.”
So that was the reason for his family feud. It hurt to hear, but there was nothing I could do. From an outside perspective, Chloe was a catch and a good match for Russel.
He went on, ‘Anyway, I’ve been away for a few days. They probably won’t bother me anymore.” He sounded like a kid saying that.
I told him, “Okay, shoot me a message when you get home tomorrow, or else I’ll be worried.” A weight was lifted off my chest.
Russel responded, “Sure.”
We didn’t chat for long, most of the time was spent in silence, neither of us knowing what else to say
By the time I hung up, it was past 3 am. It had started snowing outside. I got up and looked out the window and saw a thin layer of snow already covering it
The first snow of the year in Rosemont had arrived early I had no idea where Russel was, whether Dad was freezing his butt off in jail, whether Oscar Morse had left Rosemont, or when Mam would wake up.
I stared out the window, lost in thought.
Before I knew it, dawn had broken. I wasn’t tired at all, so I just cleaned up, got dressed, and headed for the office.
Neil was just leaving looking like someone owed him a fortune.
As I drove past him, he suddenly stood in front of my car.
I hit the brakes hard, “Are you out of your mind?!” I yelled after rolling down the window
The ground was slippery with ice and snow, and I could have hit him if I hadnt stopped in time.
He stood outside the car, his face gloomy, “Is Russel at your place?”
I retorted. If he were with me, would I need you to help find him? Can’t you think straight?”
Neil stared at me coldly. “Who knows if he s faking running away and is just hiding at your place? Asking me to help find him could just be a smokescreen
I was stunned by Neil’s suspicion. His thought process had somehow become so bizarre overnight.
I told him, “Neil, maybe you should see a therapist. I think you might have some mental issues” I honestly suggested.
Neil’s face darkened even more, “If I’m not mistaken, after all this time, nobody could find him, yet you got him to call home overnight, saying he’s safe?”
Because he reached out to me and promised me that he would go home today!
Neil always linked the fact that Russel ran away to me and him planning a secret meeting together. He was nuts.
“He called to say he’d be home today. You sure have a vivid imagination” I was in a hurry to go to work, so I answered and started to drive off.
But Neil beat me to it and got in my car. I didn’t understand his actions and asked, “What are you doing?”
I have to go to StarGlow Enterprises. Isn’t it near your office? We can share the ride. Neil buckled his seat belt and responded as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Never mind what he was doing at StarGlow Enterprises, the fact that he was hitching a ride with me was mind-boggling.
Neil had plenty of drivers and assistants, yet he insisted on riding with me. I felt like he was doing it on purpose to annoy me.
I stayed put, “Take your own car
“I had a drink this
because I was upset, so I cant drive.” Neil did smell a bit like alcohol
“Then call your driver to pick you up.” I offered a second suggestion
Neil looked at me unhappily, “Is it really that big of a deal for your ex-husband and neighbor to hitch a ride?”
The problem wasn’t him hitching a ride; it was that Neil was constantly hitching a ride even though he didn’t need to. I couldn’t keep indulging him like this
If I keep indulging him, I might as well switch careers and become his personal driver.
Neil’s shamelessness always rubbed me the wrong way whenever I left the house.
What baffled me the most was that Neil actually fell asleep in the passenger seat. His even breathing and closed eyes made it clear that he was fast asleep.
His slightly turned face and disheveled hair reminded me of Sleeping Beauty from fairy tales, even though he was a man
I took a deep breath, completely defeated by Neill’s shameless behavior. Not only did he refuse to get out of the car, he even fell asleep peacefully something that never expected.
With things as they were, I had no choice but to drive him to the office.
My driving was pretty good, but the road was a bit slippery after the snow, so I had to drive slowly. What was usually a half-hour drive took nearly an hour today.
As soon as we reached the office parking lot, Neil woke up as if he had an automatic sensor
“We’re here, you can walk to StarGlow Enterprises.” I said coldly.
“Why can’t you drop me off directly at StarGlow Enterprises?” Neil frowned, seemingly dissatisfied.
“I’m not your personal driver!” I snapped back.
Neil looked like he suddenly understood, then unbuckled his seat belt and got out of the car.
I held back from asking him what he was doing at StarGlow Enterprises. He and Bonnie weren’t as close as they used to be, so it was unlikely that he was going to see her.
So he must have been going to see Gloria. That seemed more likely
Recently, StarGlow Enterprises hadn’t been kicking up a fuss, but they had been sneaky, snatching away some of my business behind my back.
Ever since my home got turned upside down, Gloria had suddenly gone quiet and only Bonnie would occasionally pop up to stir the pot.
What on earth were Neil and Gloria talking about? I was filled with doubts as I started my day’s work. As the year-end was drawing near, work was getting busier, and I no longer had time to overthink.
When I was just about to clock off, I got a message from Kitty, “Irene, I have a question. Whats a good gift for a female elder?”
I replied, “You need to consider the elders status and hobbies”
“Actually, it’s Neil’s mom. I know it might be a bit off to ask you this, but I heard his mom used to like you a lot, so I thought I’d ask you.”
Her reply was straightforward, not hiding anything at all.
I also gave her some proactive advice, “If I remember correctly, Neil’s mom is quite fond of jewelry. You might want to consider that.
