Page 37 of Robert

Sonya had warned her that she would not be able to pay her what she had been earning, but the woman had insisted that she did not need the money.

“I admire what you’re doing here and would very much love to be a part of it.” That had been three years ago, and Sonya was grateful for the woman’s expertise and efficiency. She had left her to take care of things for the week and had not been disappointed.

Nor had she made a fuss about not being invited to the wedding. “You wanted family. I completely understand.”

“I want to say something.”

Sonya looked up from the files she was leafing through.

“Go ahead.”

“The shortfall is a little over ten thousand dollars.”

“I am aware.”

“Which could be filled by your husband.”

Placing the files carefully in front of her, she folded her hands and stared at the neat as pin woman who had come into herlife when she needed her. “I had thought about that.” She said truthfully.

“But?”

“I don’t want to push him for something that big, this soon.”

And he’s not really my husband, she added silently.

“Honey, the man is loaded and the fact that he has been single all this time and has chosen you to be his wife, has to mean something.” Curious blue eyes stared at her. “That’s what husbands are for.”

She shook her head. “Robert is used to people hitting him up for a favor. I don’t want to be one of them.”

“You are more than entitled to be the one hitting him up. He is your husband.”

Sonya firmed her lips, unwilling to stay on the subject. He had just called to let her know he was going out of town and would not be back for a week. She was still reeling from that piece of information and had no idea what to do about it. She certainly did not want to talk about him.

“Let’s try Melvin again. He said he would think about it and get back to me. In the meantime, we received a check from Kane and Kelly, with a promise to supply the home with food for a year. That’s something to celebrate.”

“I need to say something.”

“As long as you say it in two minutes,” she glanced at her watch, “I have a meeting with the accountant.”

“What you are doing here is tremendous. You have dedicated your life to making a difference to other people. You have provided for children and made an impact in their lives.” Gloria sniffed. “I have no regrets coming to work for you Sonya.

When I first got here, I was skeptical…” She gestured towards the younger woman. “You are by far the most beautiful woman I have ever seen outside of a magazine.

You come from a wealthy family and could have taken a different path, but you chose to do this.” The woman sniffed again. “I really and truly admire you and the sacrifices you have made. You deserve a medal.”

Sonya felt the lump inside her throat at her words. Perhaps, right now, she needed to hear them, while she was feeling less than worthy.

Spending the week with Robert had her thinking about her past, especially her high school days and the shame was uppermost in her mind. The shame of doing nothing, of being frivolous and shallow and a complete bitch.

“Before you go ahead and start pinning awards on my chest, you must know that I did some pretty awful things when I was younger,” she admitted quietly.

“Who hasn’t?” The woman asked airily. “I was a holy terror in high school myself. The point is my dear, you are a different person now and that should count for something.”

“Thanks Gloria. You have no idea what that means to me.”

Chapter 9

Robert had to admit to himself that he had run away. He could have sent someone over to deal with the problem. His company employed the best people that money could buy and he had more than enough people who could have flown over to deal with things.

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