"Rakara! My girl! You've done well! He sent me over the new contract for ten percent. That's why I say you are the best at what you do." Leo puffs up with elation over the deal I made with Mr. Chambers.
"So how did you do it?" Leo asks plopping down in his large leather seat.
"I merely agreed to another dinner tonight with him. He is the one who offered to take only ten percent. Do you know he bought a teapot from my shop as a gift for me?!" I exclaim remembering that little gaffe.
"HAHA! Seriously?! A Tea Pot! Oh my goodness!" Leo was fit to be tied, hitting the arm of his chair as his slight belly shook with mirth and humor. "Did you accept it?" He cracks a tearful eye open through his laughter at me.
"Heavens No! I gifted it to Dorothea." I crossed my arms as Leo broke into a howl of laughter.
After I knew I was good with Leo, I left his accounting office and hurried back to my shop to find a surprise waiting for me.
"Evangeline?! Mrs. Stargo?! You came here to my shop?! This is a surprise!" I exclaimed on seeing the two ladies who I had met at the soiree.
Evangeline grasped my hands and kissed both of my cheeks, "That was the point, Rakara!"
Mrs. Stargo gave me a warm hug as well while we went to a table and caught up. We were enjoying a pot of tea between us when Elaine came over.
"Pardon my intrusion Ms. Langridge, Mr. Monet is here."
I look to the front and see Mr. Monet with his briefcase. "Excuse me ladies, I have to handle some business matters."
"Quite alright! We shall wait for you here." Evangeline smiles waving for me to go over her cup of tea.
In my office a few minutes later me and Mr. Monet are finalizing some paperwork on the building I purchased that had a fire in it.
"That is the last signature required, Ms Langridge. Here is your copy of the deed and bill of sale. I was informed of the load of lumber to start the support replacement work has already arrived. My assistant is there as we speak while they unload the lumber and lock the place up for you. He will drop off your second set of keys when they're done. Here is your first set." Handing me the keys and the paperwork I have to shake my head in disbelief.
"I'm sorry but lumber order? I did not place an order yet..."
It struck me....'BAV!'
"Never mind, I know why it's there. All is well, Mr. Monet. Thank you so much for all your kind help and thoughtfulness."
"It was my pleasure Ms. Langridge. Good day." Mr. Monet bows before I escort him out the front door of the shop.
Turning on heel I call my girls, "ELAINE! MARAQUETTE! I GOT THE KEYS!"
It doesn't matter that my shop has customers in it still, or Mrs. Stargo and Mrs. Sawyer are there too.
We three act like teens with a squeal of delight and a little victory hop and bobbing dance. Even my customers yell out a hooray!
"Alright! Back to work ladies!" I am still smiling but calm and compose myself quickly. I sit back down at the table with Mrs. Stargo and Mrs. Sawyer.
"Apologies, I just got the keys to my new place! Now the fun begins with remodeling!"
"Oh how exciting! A project!" Evangeline exclaimed. "Oh my! We've taken up too much time today, though. We need to schedule a tea party later! We have to get back up, there's another play later."
I get kissed on both cheeks again and a hugs before they are taking their purchases and heading out the door with promises of coming back soon.
"Ms. Langridge, those women are your friends from the Gilded district?" Elaine in a dreamy, breathless whisper wondered out loud.
"Acquaintances really at this point, but I can see us becoming friends eventually." I mention this nonchalantly as I walk around picking up the tea set and dishes from the table we were at.
"What did they buy here by the way?" I turn back to Elaine who snaps from her daydream.
"They each bought some of the Green lemon rose, the Dandyberry, and the Mint Strawberry teas. They also bought s tea set each, and a set of the table cloths and napkins that Mr. Wellsew recently made. They asked us to place a larger order for them to for Mr. Wellsew to make."
" Which styles exactly and how many? I'll give him a ring on the tube." I start to head to my office.
"They want two hundred table cloths and enough napkins for six hundred guests, plus extras."
I stop and turn back towards Elaine. My jaw open wide, "TWO HUNDRED! SIX HUNDRED PLUS EXTRAS! EACH!" I tremble at the size of the order. "What styles?" I remember to ask.
"Mrs. Stargo wants the blue ones, with the simple trim. Mrs. Sawyer requested the white with gold filigree and floral pattern." She called out as she started to settle a bill with a customer.
After I called Mr. Wellsew and informed him of the orders, I wasn't the only one jumping for joy. We both were going to be making a fair amount of money off these two orders. We would each be making just over a thousand gold coins each, which doesn't happen in two transactions on a normal day. This was a nice boost to our tills, one that would help me remodel the new building quicker.
I had closed up the shop and gone upstairs to get ready for the second dinner with Mr. Chambers, when I noticed a letter on my kitchen table.
'Odd, When did that get here?' I open it up, scanning over it at first and see that it's from Bav.
"How did this get here?" I look around the house but seeing no one there, I go ahead and read the letter.
Rakara- Things are more chaotic here then I thought they would be. I have been working relentlessly with two goals in mind. 1 To ensure that the mining and shipment is safe and stable. 2 To get back there, sweep you into my arms, kiss those lips I adore and be in your company once more.
My heart aches being so far from you. These past three weeks have been hard, but I am only encouraged to work faster to arrive earlier, if possible. You should have your new shop by now, I made sure to order some support beams to help replace what needs to be. I pray you are not too cross with me over my hasty decision to gift you the lumber. My office located there on Jakesha will be delivering these letters to you, Viekar stayed there for this purpose. If you wish to write me back, you may leave the letter where you found this one. I will receive it.
I shall be patient and continue working diligently to return to your side.
Ever Yours, Bav
I clutch the letter against my chest, a sad smile curling my lips. I pull out a sheet of paper, write up a return letter and tell him I did receive the shop and the lumber. I thanked him and told him about Mrs. Stargo and Mrs. Sawyers surprise visit to me. I could not think of anything else I should share so I signed it and sealed it with wax, leaving it for Viekar to pick up.
I went and got ready for my dinner, still keeping my weapons and test kit with me. I decided on a gray high necked long sleeved dress, with a light bustle, pulling on a light tweed vest to wear under the coat. I once again use my special body odor perfume and this time, I put more on my person. I don't go overboard, but if he gets too close....
My wig and hat are on and shortly I am slipping my mask on before heading to the boiler room. Slipping out through the alley I make my way through the side streets to the restaurant that Mr. Chambers will be meeting me at.
7:45
I'm early. The letter from Bav had given me a rush of energy earlier and even though I did not rush to be here, I naturally moved faster than normal.
'Should I go in early? He may get the wrong impression and think I am eager to join him.'
Muttering to myself under my breath, "He can only dream." Shaking my head, I go ahead and walk into the restaurant. The hostess of the restaurant greeted me, asking me how I would like to enjoy my meal.
"I am here to meet someone for dinner." I informed her, her eyes widening in acknowledgement.
Her smile widened, "Yes, Mr. Chambers is already waiting for you at your table. Follow me and I'll show you to your date." She bites her bottom and raises a brow in excitement for me.
Correcting her, "I am here on business, ma'am. It is not a date." Uttering this sentence so coldly, she becomes embarrassed.
"My sincerest apologies ma'am. I misunderstood." She bows in apology and quickly takes me upstairs to the more private dining areas. Upon spotting Mr Chambers, I understand why she assumed this was a date.
The scowl that rolls over my face is hidden beneath the mask, otherwise I am sure I could have set something on fire. Seeing the large bouquet of roses on the table, I pinch a ring and touch my mask's edge.
As we neared the table my nose began to itch. "Ma'am can you please remove the roses from the table and gift them to a woman who looks like she could use something to cheer her up?" I take a seat at the table and Mr. Chambers stares at me wide eyed.
"I brought those for you...."
"ACHOO!" My violent sneeze cuts off Mr. Chambers and I have to hold onto my mask so it wouldn't fly off.
As I begin to sneeze repeatedly, Mr. Chambers waves the hostess to take them quickly.
"You're allergic to roses?" Mr. Chambers resembles a puppy who's been scorned.
"Sadly, Yes. Mr Chambers. Thank you for sending over the contract this morning..."
"May I get you a beverage, ma'am?" Our waiter came forward and asked me.
"Bring me an unopened, wax and paper sealed bottle of Veradine wine. I will open it myself, and I do not need a glass for it. I require a platter of your uncut white cheeses and uncut fresh fruit to pair with it, thank you."
With that, the waiter turn on heel and went to fetch my requests. Mr. Chambers stared at me for a minute until I turned my head and sneezed again. I turned back to face him, crossing my legs and hands in my lap.
"Well Mr. Chambers, Here we are again. Sharing a meal and furthering our business adventure. Our mutual friend was very pleased with the revised contract. I do say, the new terms have ensured that I get to keep my job another day. I appreciate your consideration towards my well being and ensuring my employment."
Mr Chambers gives me a week smile as he reaches for his glass of liquor, slouching in his seat, lazily. "Glad I could do one thing right for you, Lady Cogs. We shall be meeting day after tomorrow to handle the highlights of the contract. Our friend said that you would be his plus one for the event."
"Well then, I guess you are luckier than I fathomed previously. You get to see me three times in a week." I chuckle lightly, quickly silencing myself when our waiter arrives with my orders. Once everything was checked and cleared, I pulled out my collapsing cup and poured a glass of wine.
Mr. Chambers leans forward, growing closer to me, with a smile on his face.
"Lady Cog, I just want you to know, that you are the most intriguing and interesting woman I have ever met. I do not plan on stopping my pursuit of you."