Page 16 of Wifey
“I’m not abandoning my father’s home until I know what’s going to happen first. Cameron just gave me an order to move in with him but there was no room for discussion. I don’t know if I’m going to rent the home, sell it, or let family stay in it.” The possibilities made my head spin. “I don’t know what I’m going to do quite yet. I can’t just leave.”
“I’m sure Cam will help you figure all of that out, Tay.” Hayley started another pot of coffee. “He has a lot of connections.”
“I’m well-aware of his connections.” The simmering heat my body remembered from Cameron’s tongue gave away to the bubbling anger my brain had upon Cameron’s dossier on me. “I still need to figure things out.”
“Today is Thursday, Tay, in case you need remembering what day of the week it is.” Hayley reminds me. “You only have two days.”
48 hours to make a decision that will impact the rest of my life. “That’s not enough time.” I shake my head.
A slow curve forms on Hayley’s lips. “Make it enough.”
The next few hours are a daze as we quickly get everything prepared. Cookies and biscuits were baked. Jam was made and bottled. Plenty of coffee was brewed. More staff came in and we completely opened our doors.
Gabe helped set up the cameras and was in communication with the local station as we served the customers. When the benefit starts, the neighborhood is buzzing. People who’ve watched on their phones or at home made their way towards downtown.
All of the businesses collectively got together to share a proceed of their profits to help out families in need, in addition to any other funds they wanted to donate. As I watched yet another artist perform on the station, I wonder if Cameron and his family are watching any of this or if they’ve privately donated money.
Eric and Heather were always so generous with their money for reputation purposes but Cameron was very low-key about his wealth. I didn’t have to figure out why. The less flashy he was, the better he was.
“And let’s turn our attention to the girls over at Fresh Espresso!” The hostess, Marisa, tells the audience as Hayley and I are camera-ready. “Thank you, ladies, for joining us tonight! What do you got for us down at Fresh Espresso? Tell us!”
“Well, we have our usual coffee and pastry offerings.” I begin as Hayley holds up a tray of biscuits and her world-famous jam. “We also created a new brew called the John Lewis, which is an café mocha with nutmeg, cardamom, and cinnamon.”
“It’s bold with a touch of sweetness,” Hayley chimes in.
“Ooh, I like that and I love how you two are carrying the torch laid out by your late father, Lamont, Taylor. I’m also very happy to publicly thank you two for the very generous donation you made to tonight’s broadcast! The biggest donation to date, and this will help many families!”
I blinked at Marisa, but kept my composure. I didn’t write any check for any amount to anyone other than Cameron. “Yes, I’m glad it’s going to good use!”
“You bet it will!” Marisa takes out the small check and shows it to the camera. “A cashier’s check for one hundred thousand!” Everyone in the studio starts clapping and Hayley turns to me. I continue to look at the camera and smile.
“Well, my father was very generous and I want to pay it forward.” I continue with the lie. What the fuck is going on?
“You bet it will! Thank you, ladies, once again for your generosity and support! Everyone, please be sure to support Fresh Espresso right now! Now let’s take it back to Mark!” Marisa cuts our segment.
I remove the microphone and head back to the office where Hayley is on my tail, closing the door behind me. “I thought you said you wouldn’t accept Cam’s money?” She asks.
“I didn’t!” I shake my head. “I’m assuming that’s not you and Que?”
“Que has donated money but nothing like that!” Hayley defends. “Did Cam say anything about donating? His dad?”
“I doubt they care enough to do so. I don’t think his father would be donating on our behalf when he could just do it himself.” The thought troubles me more than I want to admit. Why would anyone donate on behalf of the shop and not tell us beforehand?
“I guess it’s not a big deal, right? We can still claim it on the taxes as a write-off?” Hayley considers.
“That’s beside the point, Hay. Someone is messing with my reputation and I don’t know why.” I shake my head trying to figure out the possibilities. Daddy had no known enemies and was cool with everyone.
“Giving a generous donation on your behalf isn’t what I would like to call ‘messing with your reputation’ but whatever.” She shrugs again. “Now what?”
“I need to figure out who it was and then thank them. Maybe name a table after them.” A weird uneasiness creeps along my spine. “It’s the least I can do.”
“Sounds good,” Hayley gets up. “Is that all?”
Far from it, but it’ll have to do for now. I need to get to the bottom of everything before I’m embarrassed on a nationwide scale. “That’s all.”
“Alrighty. I’m about to head back out and finish up before we close the doors. Let me know if you need anything.” Hayley says before she leaves.
I sat at the desk trying to go over every scenario I could. If Cameron and his family didn’t donate, and if Hayley and Que didn’t, who else did? And why would they want to remain anonymous knowing I had no clue about the donation?
