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The heat on her face rose and rose. It did not feel like flushed skin anymore, but a horrible sunburn that was still getting scorched by the sun.
"Forgive my forwardness." Mrs. Henderson backtracked her movements, releasing some tension from her gaze. She left room for Rose to breathe again, relaxing in her chair, more distance between them. "It seemed like you and him knew each other."
The stares from the gallery to there. Mrs. Henderson's persistence to take her out for brunch. It was her and Alexander's proximity that arose those actions, not her wanting to learn of her employee.
"Let me put it differently." She crossed her arms, taking a deep inhale. "My son only steps his foot at the gallery when he's forced. And strives to make as little contact with anyone in sight. So you can understand how baffled I was when I saw him willingly sticking to a conversation with you."
And being so close to you. Rose could imagine the unspoken line as a glint came to Mrs. Henderson's stare.
"I also know for a fact that I didn't have to spend hours persuading him to be present at the building today. So what higher power convinced him?"
Rosalie gulped. It was her time to speak. "There were papers that needed to be sign- needed his signature... for us to be able to start the restoration progress."
"There are always papers." Mrs. Henderson humorously rolled her eyes, dismissing her answer. "And even if so, that doesn't solve the mystery of how he was called when no one in the building has his contact information."
Her body was locked like a deer caught in headlights.
"Relax, dear." Mrs. Henderson made in sympathy. "I am not as scary as they made me out to be. I just... I rarely get a glimpse into my son's personal life. Friends, partners. He is secretive about everything. Sometimes, I think, especially with me." Her features visibly did not change at the proclamation, only lips stood parted, head ever so inclined.
It may have been long since she was close to him.
"We crushed onto one another." Rose said, pity rising in her.
"At Carter?" Sierra begged for more information.
"Yes, and also at a bar, as luck would have it. He was kind enough to offer me his card when I told him where I worked."
Mrs. Henderson's brow spasmed, the movement paired with her briefly wide eyes depicting shock at the kind gesture of her child. She nodded, fixing her face to be once again casual, though she viewed Rosalie in a more curious way. "How nice of him. To offer a helping hand."
Rose carried out a smile, hiding once more behind her water.
"And he came to your aid today." Mrs. Henderson mussed, tilting her head to the side.
"There were two paintings under his name, from the latest of your deliveries."
"Hm." She pushed her luscious hair back, her index to her temple. "I must have accidentally packed two of his paintings from the dining room."
