It was extremely late when Margaret and I returned to our apartments. After saying goodnight to both her and Ruth, who shared Margaret's apartment, I made my way across the hall to my room.
I immediately changed into my nightgown and collapsed into my bed. Hopefully tomorrow's meeting will be better, I thought to myself.
______________________________
The next morning, I was awakened by a crow pecking at my window. Annoyed, I stumbled from my bed and smacked the window to make it leave. Then, I realized I should be up anyway.
With a pan of water heating on the stove for my morning oatmeal, I went back to my bedroom and quickly unrolled my curlers and fluffed my hair around my face. I put a loose white blouse and a long blue skirt on. Slipping on my loafers, I checked on the oatmeal water. It was ready, so I prepared it the rest of the way. In no time, I was finished with breakfast and out the door.
It was Sunday, my day off, so my meeting with Mr. Grey would be earlier. However, I still had errands to run and a book I was dying to complete.
In the city, I stopped at a shop to get groceries. Then, I went to Flora's Produce because their produce was better than the supermarket's.
All I needed from the fruit aisle was apples. After paying a ridiculous amount of money for my fruits and vegetables, I turned to leave.
I ran smack into the single person I thought could never shop like a normal person.
Oliver Grey.
He smirked. "Fancy running into you this morning." We both snickered at his lame joke.
"Just running some errands. Although, I'm really off-kilter after seeing the one and only Oliver Grey shopping like a lowly peasant!" I joked.
"Good one. See you later, I suppose." We nodded our goodbyes and parted ways.
______________________________
At approximately 2:45 P.M., I caught a bus to Oliver's office. I arrived close to three o'clock. After signing in (with another curious look from Sharon), I settled in the lobby.
Twenty minutes later, Mr. Grey still hadn't called me in. I confronted Sharon.
"Is Mr. Grey held up at the moment?" I inquired.
Sharon paged through her appointment book. "This says he had a business meeting at one-thirty. It must have been extended."
"Thank you." I sat back down and waited some more.
Finally, a couple of minutes later, I was alerted of my appointment. Assuming I knew the way, Sharon smiled and waved me back.
Oliver invited me to sit in one of his office chairs. The nerve of some people!
"I'll stand, thank you." I fake glared.
He held up his hands in defense. "Okay, I get it, I get it!" I laughed at his overreaction.
"So... what's on our agenda for today?"
"I think," he said slowly, contemplating, "that we'll get into the real reason that I've called you to my office."
Frowning, I asked, "Does this mean that I don't have to kick your father out?"
Oliver chuckled and muttered under his breath. It was something like "You always were bright."
I sucked in a breath. "What did you just say?"
"Nothing. Nothing at all." I eyed him warily. "Never mind, on to business now." He clapped his hands and smiled.
"Okay. Tell me what we're doing," I replied, pulling out my notepad.
"Veya, what I'm about to ask of you is strictly-and I mean entirely-confidential. If you don't accept my request, please do not share with another living soul. I'm asking you to complete this assignment because I care about you."
I put my hand up. "What are you talking about? How can you possibly care about me? I barely even know you, and you're a celebrity!"
He looked sure of himself, though. "If only you knew," he said softly and with much sadness in his voice, I noted.
"Will you please continue? I don't really have time for riddles! Can you just explain yourself later and tell me your proposal now?"
Oliver nodded. "To sum it up, the first instruction would be to leave town. Something will be happening here, and you won't find it pleasant to be around." He paused.
"Please continue. What's next?" I was interested now.
What he explained next left my blood cold and my body feel weak.
YOU ARE READING
Illuminate
Teen Fiction·······················COMPLETED··························· Sometimes, beauty dwells in vulnerability. Veya is a young adult in London. She's had bad experiences in the past, but they're all behind her now that she's living her dream life: her ideal...
