“No, this can’t wait. We’ll see you tonight. Come, Urik,” he ordered, standing up to leave.
“I…” I didn’t know what to say. This was going to bug me the rest of the day. I could only hope we stayed busy enough to keep me focused on anything but this conversation until later.
“Ve vill see you lata,” Urik said, skirting past me quite gracefully given his size. I stared after them dumbfounded.
Unable to do anything else, I got back to work.
Luckily we were busy late into the evening. The last customer left just past 11:30. By the time we finished cleaning it was well after midnight.
“You busted your tails today, girls. I appreciate it.” Wilma smiled, clearly pleased with us. “Harvey, stop dawdling and let’s lock up so these pretty ladies can get home!”
Harvey rolled his eyes, but complied. He pulled the keys from his pocket and ushered us outside.
“Have a good night, guys.” Brandy waved as she got in her car. We waited until she drove off safely.
“I don’t suppose we can talk you into a ride?” Harvey asked.
“I stopped asking ages ago. Apparently Em prefers to freeze her fanny off so she has something to do when she gets home: defrost it.” Wilma cut her eyes at me.
I smiled knowingly. They’d offered regularly for a long time. I never accepted though. They lived in the opposite direction in one of the newly developed neighborhoods. I felt bad to inconvenience them, regardless of how many times Wilma assured me it wasn’t an inconvenience. Truth was, I’d never had anyone go out of their way for me unless they wanted something. While I didn’t think they would, I simply didn’t feel comfortable chancing it. Plus, with Ryan and Urik waiting outside, tonight was the last night I would accept their offer. “No, but thanks for offering.”
“Crazy girl.” Wilma’s eyes twinkled. As angry as she wanted to be, there was a bit of admiration in her gaze. “Get home safely and I’ll see you tomorrow.” She patted my upper arm.
“Be safe, kiddo,” Harvey echoed.
“I will, thanks.” I started my trek home. I heard Wilma fussing about me walking to Harvey as they headed in the opposite direction towards their SUV. I chuckled to myself. She was the closest thing to a mother figure I’d known. I loved that she looked out for me, but didn’t smother me. She let me live my own life and make my own decisions, regardless of how ridiculous some of them were.
I was calm all the way until the last block. I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t know what Ryan and Urik wanted to talk to me about that couldn’t wait until tomorrow. As I rounded the last corner, I stared blankly ahead.
They weren’t there.
I cautiously started up the steps, almost anticipating Urik’s attack, yet it didn’t come. I paused by the front door looking around, but saw no one in sight. I struggled to decide whether to just go inside and forget about them or to wait in case they got held up. If I waited, then I would be outside, exposed. If I went inside, I could miss the opportunity for clarity. I wanted an explanation.
“They’re not coming,” Marco stated, stepping into view.
I jumped, not expecting him to be there.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you,” he said moving towards the stairs.
I merely nodded my head in acknowledgement.
“We’re not allowed to interfere. I know that’s a riddle to you right now, but come Friday, everything will be explained by Ryan or myself.”
“Until then?” I met his gaze, easily getting lost in her brown eyes, the color of tree trunks, glistening with maple and honey.
“Just hang tight.” He smiled. It was the first time I’d seen him smile. It was breathtaking. His face lit up; his olive skin glowed as his eyes twinkled like the stars. There was something comforting about him. Despite the fact that I had more questions than answers in that moment, he soothed me. I realized that I actually felt safe in his presence.
“Sweet dreams, Emma.” He winked. I was awestruck as he walked away, leaving me to stew for two more days.
—
Chapter Three
I had a repeat of the night before, the dream growing in intensity, waking to a frenzy of adrenaline and fear running through me; my body was drenched in sweat. I again felt closed in in my apartment and opted to shower and head out. Though conscious of it this time, I found myself drifting back towards the abandoned building. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but there was something about the place that interested me. It looked like all the other empty buildings around it, but it felt different. I felt the warmth within the place calling to me.
My imagination sparked around it. It was clearly an industrial, commercial building, yet, being near it made me want to curl up with a good book among the dust and cobwebs. There was something inviting about it. Whether the invitation came from its potential or its potential inhabitants was a different topic to ponder.
It was the quiet, open invitation that had me confidently walking up to the front door and opening it without hesitation this time; knowing exactly what would satisfy my mind, I headed straight for the stairwell. Listening carefully at the door beforehand, I slowly pulled it open and tiptoed up a flight. I opened the door to the second floor, but was disappointed to find it abandoned and empty, just like the first. I wasn’t sure what I was hoping for, but this wasn’t it.
I returned to the stairwell to go up another flight. One of the floors was being heated, which meant that someone must be using the space somehow. I ventured up half a flight only to stop dead in my tracks. I heard voices, as in multiple, boisterously laughing on the third floor. Suddenly the door was opening. I took off at a bolt forgoing jogging down the steps to slide down the rails. It was the quickest and quietest way out. I reached the bottom, not stopping to listen at how far behind they were. I ran straight for and out the front door, again seeking the bank across the street.
My heart was beating in my throat by the time I slowed down. I couldn’t help but laugh at myself. That’s what I got for being nosy; curiosity did kill the cat. I turned face and looked directly at the building. Despite almost being caught lurking a second time, I knew I’d return again. Something was pulling me to that building, and I was on a mission now to discover exactly what it was, even if it meant interrupting whoever was on the third floor.
—
It was another busy day at work, which was good. It distracted me from the burning questions Marco and Ryan aroused. It also kept me from overanalyzing the building I couldn’t seem to pull myself from. It was after midnight by the time we locked the doors. Wilma and Sandra immediately plopped down in a booth.
“Have a seat. Take a load off, honey,” Wilma said, patting the empty space next to her.
“I’m okay. I’d rather just start cleaning so I can head out.”
“Em, sit your butt down. It’s not going to kill you to give up five minutes,” she fussed.
“Okay,” I conceded, taking a seat next to her.
“You ready?” Harvey called.
“Yup!” Wilma yelled back.
“Ready for what?” I frowned.
“Happy Birthday, Em!” Harvey and Ed shouted in unison as they entered the dining room. Harvey was carrying a cake and Ed was juggling several gifts.
“No! You didn’t!” I looked at all of them individually, semi-scolding them.
“Oh, hush! You’re the hardest damn worker I’ve ever hired; you never ask for days off, never call out and never let anyone do anything for you. You deserve it, and you’re going to sit here and enjoy a nice big slice of my chocolate cake and grin through it if you know what’s good for you.”
I chuckled. “You guys really didn’t have to do this. I mean, I’m grateful, thank you so much, but it really wasn’t necessary.”
“Of course it wasn’t necessary, but I haven’t met a woman yet who didn’t love chocolate.” Harvey beamed, setting the cake down in front of me. It was an old-fashioned round cake with chocolate icing. In the center were three pink sugar
flowers with the words “Happy Birthday, Emma” in pink icing running above and below them.
“It looks great, Wilma. Thank you so much, guys.” I hugged them each before returning to sit. This would be the first time I celebrated my birthday. These sorts of things weren’t recognized in the orphanage; a birthday was just another day to all of them. It was enough to bring tears to my eyes. To think, these people I’d only known for two years were doing more for me than anyone ever thought to do at the orphanage I’d been raised in. I felt blessed.
“What are you waiting for, Ed? Give the girl her gifts!” Wilma ordered.
“Happy birthday, sweetie.” Ed gave me a kiss on the cheek as he set the gifts down beside the cake on the table.
“Thank you.” I felt my cheeks heat. It was strange to have all the attention on me like this.
“Go on now. Start ripping ‘em open,” Harvey encouraged. I smiled up at him.
I grabbed a plain white box with a simple tag showing the gift was from Sandra. She was an older woman, about the same age as Wilma, though much thinner. She’d had chestnut brown hair since the day I’d met her, though Wilma claimed it was from a bottle she’d never touch. I had to laugh at Wilma’s canter there. Regardless, she was a sweet woman I’d come to appreciate knowing.
I opened the box to find a navy blue knitted scarf inside. “It’s beautiful, Sandra.” I pulled it out and tried it on. It was a little long, but would certainly help keep me warm against the harsh cold outside, and it was the one staple I didn’t own. “Thank you.”
“It looks good on you. Brings out your eyes,” she beamed, her kind eyes sparkling in return.
Five gifts later, Harvey handed me an envelope. “You can’t refuse,” he gruffly stated.
“And you’re taking tomorrow off whether you like it or not, birthday girl,” Wilma firmly added.
I clammed up. If they prefaced it with those lines, then they were clearly giving me too much. I opened the envelope, careful not to give myself a paper cut. I pulled out a card full of beautiful cherry blossoms on the front. To a very special birthday girl, it read.
I opened the card only to have two hundred-dollar-bills fall out. I gasped, looking between the both of them. “I can’t.” I immediately shook my head handing it back.
“Now what did I just tell you? You can’t refuse this, honey,” Harvey said, shoving his hands in his pocket and steadying his stance before me.
“It’s too much. Seriously.” I turned to Wilma. “I’m sorry, but I can’t accept.”
“Well fat luck chance you’re gonna have giving it back to us.” She smiled sweetly despite her harsh tone.
“I… Can we compromise? How about I keep half?”
“Didn’t they ever teach you not to look a gift horse in the mouth?” she frowned.
“Huh?”
“Damn, Willie May, just say it straight to the girl.” Ed laughed.
“Oh, God, not that name again.” Wilma scowled at him.
“What she’s saying, baby girl, is not to slap the hand that feeds you. Don’t turn away or question a gift,” Ed explained.
My chest constricted, squeezing my lungs just enough to be uncomfortable. “But it’s too much.”
“Why the hell are we all trying to reason with the girl? She has never accepted shit and while we probably shouldn’t have expected any different, tough shit. You’re keeping the money or you won’t have a job. Now cut me a big slice of that damn cake,” Harvey grumbled.
I squirmed in my seat, unable to even attempt to read the inside of the card. I slowly tucked the money back inside and returned it to the envelope. I held it loosely in my hands, unable to grasp that it was mine. These were the most generous people I’d ever met. Words escaped me. They single-handedly covered my rent difference.
“Stop thinking and eat,” Wilma commanded, setting a plate with a large piece of cake in front of me. She patted my upper arm encouragingly as Sandra passed me a fork.
“Thanks.” I gave her a shy smile. She grabbed my hand and gave it a light squeeze. They all overwhelmed me. It was by far the best birthday I’d ever had.
Twenty minutes later, before I even had a chance to argue, Harvey and Ed gathered my purse, the gifts and the remainder of the cake and carried them outside to Harvey and Wilma’s SUV.
“We’re dropping you off tonight whether you like it or not. Plus, that’s too much for your little arms to carry all those blocks when it’s snowing outside,” Wilma insisted.
I laughed softly, nodding my head in agreement as I pulled her in for a hug. They always knew when to assert themselves.
I stopped just as we were about to walk out. “What about cleaning?”
“What about it?” Wilma pressed.
“Well, doesn’t it need to be done before we go?”
“Not by you.” She tried to shoo me out the door.
“But—”
“But nothing, honey. Don’t worry yourself over it. Sandra and Ed volunteered to do it,” she said, shaking her head at my persistence.
“Oh, okay. Thanks, guys.” I waved as Wilma and Harvey ushered me out the door and into their vehicle.
The drive to my apartment was quick, much faster than I was used to. Heat swaddled me in the back of the vehicle, lulling me along with the gentle vibrations of the engine. Wilma filled the time by humming along to the Christmas tunes on the radio. Harvey drove contentedly. He kept glancing at the rear-view mirror, almost as if he was ensuring I was still safely buckled into the same seat.
“Thanks again for everything,” I offered as I climbed out of the car.
“Don’t go running off. I plan to help you carry this stuff inside,” Harvey said, coming around to help me gather everything.
“Thanks. Good night, Wilma.”
“Enjoy your day off, honey. I better not see you unless you’re playing the part of a customer.”
“Okay.” I chuckled.
Harvey balanced everything while I unlocked my apartment door. I grabbed the cake box and my purse from him and walked over to the kitchen counter to set it down since I didn’t own a dining room table.
I turned back to catch Harvey looking around with a frown plastered firmly on his face. “Something wrong?”
“It’s damn near as cold in here as it is outside. Don’t you have any heat?”
“I have a small heater in the corner. It doesn’t work really well though so I’d rather just leave it off.”
He studied me for a minute before nodding once. He didn’t say anything more over it, but I knew his wheels were turning.
“Thanks again for everything, Harvey.”
“Of course. You ever need anything, you just let us know, you got me?” He tried to sound firm, but his lips lifted at the corners slightly giving him away. He really was a soft grizzly bear.
“Of course,” I shook my head in promise.
“Lock the door behind me.”
“Yes, dad.” I laughed.
He ruffled my hair a bit. His eyes glistened as he gazed down at me for a minute.
Abruptly, with one final visual sweep and a curt nod, he left.
I locked the door behind him just as he’d instructed. I looked at the small pile of gifts on the table and couldn’t subdue the happiness within me.
Best. Birthday. Ever.
—
That night, the dream replayed for me again. This time though, I didn’t wake in the same spot with the alphas lunging. This time, I caught a glimpse of someone, a male, staring out of a third floor window in the building I’d visited. It was a flash, but his dark brown eyes were haunting. They stared directly into me, as if he knew I was there somewhere spying on him. It only added to the intensity of the dream. It was a new twist that added many more questions to my growing list.
A knock at the door caused me to nearly land on the floor. I looked at the clock: 9:02 a.m. I never had any visitors. In fact, Harvey was the first person to ever step foot in my apartment besides me.
Suddenly it
all came racing back to me. Ryan; Marco. They said Friday!
I leapt out of bed and raced to the door. I hesitated a bit before cracking the door and peeking through.
“Delivery for a Miss Emma Rayne Bledri,” the young man announced.
I swallowed nervously before opening the door a bit more.
“Are you Miss Emma Rayne Bledri?” he pressed. He was short for a male with curly blond hair and baby blue eyes. There was definitely an all-American look to him, but I didn’t trust him. Only Harvey and Wilma knew my full name, and it was from my application. Plus this man wasn’t in a courier’s uniform.
“Miss?”
“Uh, yes… I am,” I squeaked.
“Then this is for you,” he said passing me a small, square present. It was beautifully wrapped in snow-white paper and adorned with a large, bright blue tulle bow. “Happy Birthday.” He smiled, giving me a wink before turning and leaving.
I stared after him dumbfounded. I scrunched my forehead as I studied the gift. There was no card, only a single white tag with my name scripted. I closed the door, locking it behind me, and carried the gift with me to the sofa. My mind was whirling. I couldn’t imagine who would give me a present. Everyone that was a possibility, even Brandy and Tim, who was another cook, had already done so last night, despite them not being scheduled yesterday.
I slid my fingers under the tape and unwrapped a velvet blue box. “Hmm.” I slowly opened it and immediately gasped at seeing a beautiful silver necklace dangling a large stone.
The necklace was thin, didn’t even appear to be strong enough to hold onto the jewel, yet it did. Front and center was a very large, rectangular, beveled moonstone set in silver and framed by tiny circular sapphires. It glittered and shined exquisitely even beneath my shabby apartment’s lighting. I couldn’t imagine who would give me such an expensive gift.
I turned the box all around checking for any clues as to whom it could possibly be from, but came up empty. Apparently they wanted to remain anonymous, and would.
I carefully withdrew the necklace from its holder and clasped it around my neck. The stone landed slightly above the bosom of my breasts. It was gorgeous; by far the most valuable thing I’d ever laid my hands on, and it was mine. I couldn’t believe it.
Allure Page 3