Chapter 32: Precious Heirloom
- RAYA -
"Lawson, can you go?" I have to squeeze my eyes shut so I’m not looking at him when I request it. I don’t want to see what his face does. I’m already nauseous hearing this plan and how truly devious he is. How could I have overlooked it before?
"Oh, by the way... I think I found something of yours," he says, ignoring my question.
When I look at him again, my nana’s locket is dangling from his hand.
"Oh my god, you found it!" The relief at seeing the locket is instantaneous, and I open my hand for it, but he doesn’t approach. Instead, he leaves it dangling there like a prize that has to be won.
"This must be precious to you."
"Yes, it’s precious to me. It’s my grandmother’s locket."
"So it’s an heirloom." His eyebrows shoot up. "You know what’s precious to me? My father’s legacy. My father’s company."
The nurse walks in and frowns when she sees Lawson standing next to the bed. "How did you get in here?"
"Oh, I was just bringing Auraya something from work." He flashes her a charming smile and then steps closer to drop the locket into my hand. "Think about what I said. I’ll be in touch."
After he leaves, the nurse comes to my side to check on things. I glance at her name tag, reminding myself again what she told me her name was. "Christie," it says. The nurses here are on twelve hour shifts, so I should be able to remember her name with how often she comes in, but somehow it keeps slipping out of my brain.
"No one should have let him back here without clearing it with you first, which means clearing it with me first." Christie says. "I’m sorry. I will have a word with the women at the desk."
I just smile, unable to say anything. Lawson has a way of talking himself into any room, no doubt. It’s his looks, his privilege and entitlement, his money. He won’t take ’no’ for an answer, because he is used to getting what he wants.
Despite the awful fact that Mr. Mobius is sick, I’m so grateful that Dex moved back when he did. Even one date with Lawson would have been too much—too risky. Now I’ve had an opportunity to see the real him, and this visit from him was enough for me to want to stay as far away from him as possible.
My fingers run over the locket in my hand. Lawson must have picked it up off the street yesterday when he retrieved the rest of my things and I was too stunned to do it myself. But he neglected to put this in my bag. He kept it.
Was he planning on trying to bribe me? God, he is such a bastard. And he will stop at nothing to keep his brother from taking over the company. Rather than worrying about his father being ill, he is worrying about being the next CEO.
"Where do you work?" Christie asks gently, rearranging the blanket and smoothing it out.
"I was working at Möbius Media as an intern. It’s an advertising agency."
"Oh yeah, I’ve heard of it."
I smile. Of course she has. "Yeah, they do some great stuff. I think I’m going to have to quit, though."
"Oh no, I’m sorry to hear that. Is it because of that guy?" She points back toward the door where Lawson left, her expression alone speaking volumes about what she thought of him.
"Yeah, actually," I chuckle and stare at my hands. "He’s got me doing something other than what I was hired for, and it’s not a good situation. But this accident doesn’t help either."
"That’s unfortunate. I hope it works itself out."
That reminds me of what Rory said. She imagined that all of this would work itself out, but it doesn’t seem to be doing that. In fact, it feels like the opposite is true.
After Christie gives me more pain medication and asks if I need anything, she leaves and I reluctantly grab my phone. I don’t want anything to do with Lawson, which means I can’t have anything to do with Möbius Media if he’s still there. He’s only going to see me as a potential weapon to use against his brother rather than a serious intern who only wants to do what she was hired for.
And what if he does become CEO? I shudder at the thought. No, I definitely don’t want anything to do with that place if there’s a chance that he will be running it one day in the near future.
My vision blurs with tears as I scroll to Dex’s name. When I click on it to write him a message, I have to pause to find the right words.
Why did this have to happen? If Lawson weren’t there, Möbius would be such a great place to work. It seemed like a dream come true. Now it’s a nightmare.
My attention turns to the text message to Dex: ’I’m sorry to ask, but if you have time at some point, would you mind stopping by? There’s something important I need to tell you.’
I stare at it, my finger hovering over the blue arrow. It sounds dramatic and needy, but I hit send anyway.
His response comes right away. ’Of course. Do you need me right now? Otherwise, I should have some time this afternoon around 3.’
I can’t help but smile and shake my head. He is such a good guy. Lawson can’t convince me otherwise. If the worst thing about Dex is that he is caring and sensitive to others because of what he’s been through in his past, then he seems pretty perfect to me.
’No rush. 3 is good.’
’Okay, see you then.’
I’ll have to let Christie know that Dex is allowed to visit. I sigh heavily and lean back on the inclined hospital bed, wondering how I’m going to find a way to tell him that his brother is hatching a plan to try to undermine him. It’s not going to be easy, but he needs to know.
Why would Lawson expect that I would just do what he wants? Does he think I’m stupid?
A few moments later, I get a text from my dad.
’Car broke down on South side on the way to your apt. Waiting for tow truck. Sorry! I will be there as soon as I can.’
’OMG are you okay?! What happened?!’
’Engine light came on, and then it smoked. And then it died. I’m not sure.’
’That’s not a great area. Be careful.’ I bite my lip and stare at the screen, trying to envision exactly where exactly my dad is. God, please don’t let something happen to him just because I asked him to feed my cat.
’Don’t worry. I have a fearsome and intimidating presence. I also carry pepper spray.’
I roll my eyes and groan but can’t help giggling in the end. Imaging my father with a small thing of pepper spray is kind of hilarious. Let’s hope he doesn’t find himself in a position to use it. No more drama is allowed today.
