Amorette winced and sent the message. “I’m getting it. I’m sorry.”
“Sorry? Is that what you say when you’ve done nothing the past few days? I’ve been generous, letting you stay here for free when I could be charging rent for that room of yours. Don’t think there’s no end to my generosity.”
“I’m sorry.” It was all Amorette could say. Nothing else would suffice, nor would anything calm her stepmother. She tucked her phone against her chest.
“Who are you talking to? Are you running up your phone bill? Let me see.” Her stepmother snatched at the device.
Amorette stepped back and shied away from her reach. “It’s mine. I don’t think it’s legal for you to demand it. Isn’t that stealing?”
“Insolent child! Who pays for that plan on the phone?” She reached for it again.
“Who paid for the phone?” Amorette stood her ground. She was so tired of being treated like an outcast in her own home.
Her stepmother snarled and smacked at the device, hitting it hard enough that Amorette lost her grip.
The phone went clattering to the floor. It hit the corner of a metal cabinet on the way down. The battery skittered one direction, the shattered pieces of the phone in the other.
Amorette blinked against the sudden tears. She saved for months to buy that. What would she do now? She’d only had the phone a few weeks. It was supposed to be the sturdiest model on the market. Why did it break so easily?
With an outraged, hurt cry, Amorette scooped up the pieces of her broken phone and pushed past her stepmother. She didn’t want to deal with that woman any more this morning. Last night was bad enough. Why should she have to put up with verbal abuse as well?
She made it all the way to the sidewalk before the tears started in earnest. They ran down her cheeks in rivers, dripped off her chin to the pavement below.
Amorette was so intent on putting one foot in front of the other, she hardly noticed the sleek red car that slowed to drive alongside her.
“Mi Amor?” Hunter’s voice floated through the morning air. “What happened? What’s wrong?”
Amorette shook her head. “Stupid corporations, thinking they can sell low-end products for high-end prices.”
“Mi Amor?” Hunter asked again, this time more out of confusion than anything else. “Let me drive you to work.”
“I’m not going to work.” Amorette made up her mind in a split second of emotion and rage. “Drive me somewhere else? I can’t get there by walking. It’s too far.”
Hunter hesitated but a moment before he nodded his head. He reached across the passenger seat and popped the door open. “Get in.”
“THIS MAKES NO SENSE!” Doon flew through the office door without knocking. “There is no record of the sale. Trust me, I checked everywhere. She definitely didn’t sell the journal even if she said she did.”
“Something is wrong.” Unable to sit calmly any longer, Eadric shot to his feet. “The proprietor insisted she sold it. I saw the younger woman with it in her hands, but she appears to work in the place. I don’t understand why either of them are so intent on protecting it. It isn’t their life on the line.”
“For now.” Doon blew out a breath and flopped into a chair. “I mean, really. What are they? Are you sure they’re not Codex?”
Eadric stopped to look over at Doon. The boy had a point. How could they be sure that neither of the women were Codex?
A pair of wide eyes and a wispy birthmark materialized in his memory.
Eadric huffed and shook his head. “The smaller one isn’t. That’s a certain fact.”
“But how do you know?”
“I just do!” Eadric clenched his fists to calm himself. He couldn’t get riled up this early in the morning. He had an entire day to get through. Things to accomplish. Things to fix. “There are some things I know beyond a shadow of a doubt. That girl is not Codex, though I can’t say as much for the proprietor of that store.”
Doon nodded, taking in the information and processing it before he opened his mouth again. “But how do you know?”
“Because she has the mark.” Eadric shot him a glare.
He refused to say more about it. For someone to bear the mark meant many things. It wouldn’t bode well for him to get himself involved with her. Trouble always followed.
“What mark?”
“Doon!” If Doon asked one more question, Eadric feared he may permanently damage the poor child’s head. He never expected him to be so quizzical. Otto made it out to sound like Doon didn’t care, but from Eadric’s perspective, he cared a bit too much. “I swear if you ask one more question I’ll run you through this time.”
“Okay, got it. Curiosity squashed.” Doon ran a finger over his lips in a zipping motion.
At least he learned quickly. Many self-centered young men such as Doon didn’t know when to stop, even for their own good. Perhaps there was still humanity behind his apathetic exterior.
Eadric motioned for him to follow. “I’m hungry. Let’s go.”
“Food?” Doon was on his feet in seconds. He fell into step beside Eadric as they headed down the hall. “Are you buying? Because that’s a first.”
Before Eadric could answer, a security guard stepped into their path, his arms spread. “I’m sorry, sir. We’re dealing with a problem at the front desk in the lobby. I’m afraid we can’t let you leave yet. Just in case.”
“What kind of problem?” Eadric tuned out Doon to listen to whatever his subordinate had to say.
The man retrieved his company phone and held it out.
Eadric took the device and squinted at the screen. The live feed showed all he needed to know. A young woman, hair falling from a ponytail, waving her hands around like a madwoman. She seemed upset, like she needed something desperately.
“She’s been complaining for an hour. She won’t leave.”
Eadric handed the device back and folded his arms across his chest. “Bring her to me.”
The guard blinked. “Excuse me?”
“What?” Doon tugged at his arm in a silent demand to leave it alone.
Eadric shrugged him off. He knew the woman at a glance, something he would ponder over later. Right now, he was more curious than cautious. “I said, bring her to me. I’ll settle the matter.”
“I don’t think that’s the wisest idea, sir...” The guard cleared his throat, clearly flustered at the demand.
“I didn’t ask for your opinion. I gave an order. Bring the girl to my office.” Eadric spun on his heel, intent on seeing this through.
Why would Amorette be at his company, of all places? It must be some kind of cruel joke on someone’s part, to have him deal with her so many times in the span of a week. He should get a reward for it.
Doon trailed him back into the office, his eyes wide and his lips in constant motion. “What do you mean? Who is she? You never deal with things yourself, that’s what grandpa said. Why this one? What are you planning? She’s innocent, don’t hurt her or anything just because you’re angry with me.”
“Doon.” Eadric faced him and took a step closer. He held out his own company credit card. “Go have lunch on me. Bring something back for me to eat. Don’t lose this card.”
As expected, that shut Doon’s mouth faster than any explanation. He grabbed the card from Eadric’s hands and bowed slightly. “Yes, sir. Of course, sir. I wouldn’t dream of it, sir.” Doon left the office muttering something about “the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.”
Eadric had to chuckle at his young naivete. Doon still had much to learn about life.
Eadric heard the woman before he saw anything. He didn’t know she could be so deafening. Somehow, through her entire rant, she managed to avoid any expletives. An impressive achievement.
The security personnel hauled a struggling Amorette through the office door and dumped her on the couch.
Eadric waved them out. He could definitely take care of the little woman on his own. She never had presented
much of a problem, aside from her stubborn attitude and that mark on her shoulder. She shouldn’t be much of a problem now.
Amorette sprang to her feet and charged after the security personnel until she met the closed door. Her fist slammed against the metal. “Cowards! Come back here and fight your own battles! Don’t pawn me off on some politician!”
“Did you bring the journal?” Eadric rested against the side of his desk.
Amorette froze, her fist midair. He couldn’t tell what she was thinking since she faced away from him, but her shoulders slumped before they stiffened.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She spun to face him. “In fact, I didn’t even know you worked here. I’m sorry, I was looking for the CEO or someone in charge.”
“Mm, yes. That would be me.”
It was amusing, at least, the way her eyes went wide. Right before she squared her shoulders again. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you ran this company.” Amorette turned for the door again.
“You’re going to run off because I frighten you? After you’ve been complaining and screaming for an hour?” Eadric clucked his tongue. She was a strange girl, after all.
Amorette froze, which at this point was just about the reaction he expected from her. “Fine.” She spun back to him so fast it almost gave Eadric whiplash. “If you really want to hear it, I’ll tell you.” Angry and fierce, she lifted her palms to reveal a shattered cellular phone. “Replace my phone.”
“You came all the way here for that?” Eadric scoffed. “Phones break all the time. What business is it of mine?”
“Your company created this phone!” Amorette stepped closer to drop the pieces onto the coffee table in the middle of the room. “They promised it was the sturdiest, longest-lasting model on the market. I’ve only had this for two weeks! This is false advertising and I’ll scream it to the world if you don’t replace my phone this instant!”
“If you’ve only had it two weeks, it should be under warranty, yes?”
Amorette’s shoulders stiffened again, a bad habit of hers when she was at a disadvantage. She looked away. “I didn’t have money to pay for the warranty. I barely managed to get the phone.”
“Then it isn’t my fault, is it? You should have been wise and purchased the warranty.” Eadric leveled his gaze at her. There was something innocent and fragile about her, even though she was demanding.
“That’s not the point! The point is that the phone broke after your company promised it would last a lifetime. I’ll... I’ll... I’ll sue!” Even Amorette looked startled at the threat.
They stared at each other across the room, her gaze unwavering and Eadric’s anger rising.
“Fine. Okay.” Eadric folded his arms defiantly. His chin lifted for him to look down his nose at her. “You do that. Sue me. We’ll see who wins. Your phone isn’t my fault.”
Amorette’s eyes went wide again, making her seem more lost little girl than angry, confident woman. Moisture pooled in her eyes. Her chin quivered. “I need it for work, though. And I can’t afford another one... It isn’t my fault it broke. I didn’t do anything to it.”
“Bring my journal and I’ll think about replacing it.”
“I told you, I don’t have it anymore.” A single tear rolled down Amorette’s cheek. “Do you have to be so cruel?”
“If you read that journal, you know I’ve been around long enough to recognize forced tears. I won’t fall for the sympathy card you want me to fall for.” Eadric arched a brow. He knew full well that women could manipulate with their tears. That they used them to get what they wanted.
Amorette wrinkled her nose and wiped the one tear from her cheek. “I’m not lying. I really do need this phone and I really can’t afford a new one.”
“Then you should have thought about that and acted responsibly when you bought it. Warranties are wise decisions. Having no backup plan is not.”
Amorette snorted a humorless laugh. “You’re a strange kind of person, you know that?”
“So I’ve been told. I did offer you a settlement. Bring my journal.”
“And I told you I don’t have it.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Obviously.” Amorette folded her arms with a huff. “Replace my phone.”
“Bring my journal.”
“I don’t have it! Stop talking in circles!”
Eadric watched her stubborn facade melt into desperation. As if her legs gave out from beneath her, Amorette sat down hard on the nearest surface. His coffee table. If not for constant practice of composure, he would have winced at the assault on one of his oldest and most favorite pieces of furniture.
“I really do need the phone...” Amorette swallowed, perhaps in an attempt not to cry. Perhaps a bit of feminine manipulation. “But... it’s... it’s okay. I’m okay. I’ll... figure something out. Thank you for your time.” She scrambled to her feet and shot for the door.
Eadric rolled his eyes at the obvious ploy for empathy. “If you find my journal, let me know. I’m sure we can work something out.”
Amorette was already in the hall by the time he finished his sentence.
“Strange child,” Eadric mused to himself as he picked up his tablet again. A few clicks opened the live feed from the camera out front. If that’s how she came in, he had no doubt that’s how she would go out.
Sure enough, he watched her sulk out of the front doors and straight toward a sleek-looking sports car. More surprisingly, toward the man standing next to it.
Eadric narrowed his eyes, trying to make out who awaited her. He didn’t seem very familiar, but then again, Eadric had met a lot of people through the years. The man might be a boyfriend, but if that was the case he was doing a very poor job of it.
Whatever the case, the unidentified man wrapped Amorette up in his embrace. As if she needed comfort after what happened.
Eadric scoffed and reached for his phone. For a split second, he doubted that Amorette had lied to him. No more. She had the journal. He needed that journal.
“I literally just left! What’s so urgent you couldn’t wait until I come back with food, hm?” Doon sounded more annoyed than outraged when he answered his phone. Thank the heavens.
Eadric settled at his desk and set the tablet down, still on so he could keep an eye on the young woman. “I’m famished. Hurry back. And look into that bookstore. See what happened to my... I mean, the book.”
“Pushy, pushy, pushy,” Doon mumbled to himself, but Eadric heard it loud and clear.
He didn’t mind. The episode with Amorette, both the night before and today, had his mind spinning. She was too young and naive. It was impossible. But then again, so was he.
AMORETTE DROPPED HER head back against the seat and sighed. Just her luck that the same crazy person who wanted the old journal also ran the company she needed to replace her phone. She couldn’t afford it on her own.
“Mi Amor?” Hunter’s voice was soft, understanding. He didn’t try to push or nudge her too far, but the concern in his voice forced Amorette’s eyes open.
She turned her head to look at him. “I really needed that phone.”
“If you think about it, it wasn’t the best idea to start with. I’m surprised you managed to get in and see the CEO. How’d that happen?” He grinned at her, a look meant to encourage.
It grated some, that even Hunter believed she couldn't do anything about the broken phone.
“Am I a joke to you, too?” Amorette folded her hands together in her lap. She wouldn’t cry any more today. She refused.
Hunter set a hand on her shoulder. “That’s not what I meant. I know big companies, is all. They typically don’t pay any mind to a girl complaining that her phone broke.”
“They still don’t. He said I was stupid.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m not stupid. I’m just broke.”
“I don’t think you’re stupid. I think you’re very intelligent.” Hunter let his hand fall away as he turned back to the wheel. “Don’t
listen to him. What does he know, anyway?”
Amorette shrugged. He ran a huge company. He had to be smart, on some level. She blew out another breath. “I don’t even know his name.”
“Does it matter? Will you ever see him again?” Hunter turned a corner and slouched back in his seat. “We should put this behind us.”
“That doesn’t change the fact that my phone is gone and I need a new one.” Amorette sighed and leaned her head back again. “I didn’t mean to drag you into this. Take me home. I’ll figure out what to do.”
“I don’t know, Mi Amor. It doesn’t feel right to let you go home without finding a solution.” Hunter tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. “I’ll replace your phone.”
“You don’t have to do that, Hunter. In fact, please don’t. It’s better if you don’t get involved. But thank you.” Amorette flashed a soft, wry smile.
Hunter clenched his fingers around the wheel again, clearly thinking about what he could do next to help. “Okay. Let me take you to lunch, then. You have to eat. We can pick something up from a drive-through if you would rather.”
Amorette sighed. It would be rude to refuse him everything he suggested, and she was hungry, after all. She nodded her head. “Just a burger or something. I don’t have much appetite after this morning.”
“What was your plan, anyway? It’s not like some stupid, rich CEO owes you a new phone. He didn’t break it.”
“Complaining to the company made sense at the time.” Amorette twiddled her thumbs in her lap. “In hindsight, it was stupid and childish. I should know better.”
“You’ve always been more emotional than rational, Mi Amor.” Hunter chuckled as if recalling fond memories of times past. “If I thought I could have talked you out of it, I would have. We could have bought you a new phone. It’s not like I can’t afford it.”
“Stop rubbing it in, Mr. Moneybags.” Amorette wrinkled her nose at him playfully. “Men with lots of money aren’t high on my good list right now.”
“In that case I’m as broke as you, trying to pay my way through college and pass all my courses to get scholarships.” Hunter grinned. “Guess which half is a lie.”
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