Page 52 of The Woman

I stare at the screen in front of me, quite pleased with the end result. I came here early this morning before Avery was even awake, eager to work on it. She’s going to be quite pissed at me when I get home. One side of my lip tilts up at the thought, and I click over to the live feed from the camera in my home.

She woke up about an hour ago and went into the kitchen, presumably to start making us breakfast like she usually would at that time, but once she saw the food I left for her in the warmer, she went walking back down the hall off-screen, probably to check my bedroom. A minute later, she marched back into the kitchen with pursed lips and ate her food.

I don’t see her on the screen right now, so she must be in her bedroom or something. I wonder what she’s doing?

I’m still staring at the screen when there’s a rapid knock at my door, and then it’s bursting open. I quickly click out of the video feed as Thomas crosses the room with rushed steps.

“What the fuck, man?”

I turn my scowl onto him. “Excuse me?”

“I can’t even . . . I just . . . I don’t know why you’d do that,” he sputters.

I lean back in my chair. “Do what?”

He huffs out a breath, an incredulous look on his face. “Umm, I don’t know. Buy a new fucking apartment in a nice area and send movers to pack up mine and my dad’s stuff, then move us out of that shit-hole we were in? All expenses paid.”

“Oh, yes, that.” I glance back at my laptop. “It’s closer to work, so you don’t have to worry about traffic and being late. And it actually has space to fit an ironing board.” I sweep my eyes down to his wrinkly dress pants and back to the laptop. “Do you know how to use one?”

“Yes,“ he replies.

I exhale an annoyed sigh. “I guess it’s too much to ask for anonymity with these companies. I should complain that they didn’t listen.”

“Well, I’m not an idiot. You’re the only person that would do that type of thing. Anyway, when I demanded they tell me what was going on, they said they were sent by a Mr. C.”

“That could have been anyone, my grandfather, for example.”

He scoffs. “Please. That guy hates me.” Dropping into one of the chairs across from me, he props his elbows onto my desk. “My father cried when he saw the new place and watched as they unpacked everything. Do you have any idea what that did to me?” I shift uncomfortably, noting the glisten in his eyes. “I don’t know how to repay you.”

“I told you. It made sense from a business perspective.”

Thomas sits there shaking his head, looking at me in disbelief. “Well, thank you.” He lets out a heavy sigh. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” I tell him, reaching for the next file to work on. “Now, I need you to call and schedule a meeting with Mark Anderson. Since I’m finished with the design, we’ll need to go over it.”

Thomas pushes to his feet and slaps a palm on my desk. “Whatever you need, sir. I’ll do it right away.”

Sir. I’m only six years older than him, but he seems so young in comparison. I guess having the father and grandfather that I do, along with the responsibilities of the company, I grew up a lot quicker than most.

He hesitates right before turning around and drops his gaze to the ground. “You know, it’s funny. I’ve not once been late for work, and traffic has never been a concern for me.” His eyes lift, connecting with mine. “But my father’s wheelchair seems to fit through every doorway now, and the bathroom seems like it was designed for someone like him. I can’t thank you enough.”

“Guess you won’t need my credit card to buy a new house now.” I raise a brow at him.

He chuckles, rubbing at the back of his neck. “Yeah. I guess not.”

He walks out, leaving me staring at the door for a few seconds longer, a pleasant sort of feeling flooding my body. I’m glad I gave that kid a chance. I’m quite fond of his unabashed comments and genuineness.

I return my attention back to my desk. Now that I’ve finished that design, I’m eager to get working on these other projects.

But not before checking on Avery again.

Opening the live feed once again, I scan the screen until I find her sitting at my piano playing. I wish I had sound on this thing so I could hear what piece it is. I watch for several minutes before I finally pry my eyes away from the screen. I’ve had my fix, and now I need to get to work.

With the new-found motivation, I get a good start on two other projects I had lingering around. It’s surprising and irritating how easily the ideas seem to be coming to me now.

Just as I’m closing my laptop for the day, a single knock precedes my office door opening. For fuck’s sake. It’s no wonder I get Thomas to give me warnings. Nobody bothers actually waiting for me to reply after they knock.

My grandfather’s strides are purposeful as he moves across my office to take a seat opposite me. “I talked with Mark. He said you finally have a design to show him.”

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