Chapter 3: The Gift
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I instantly shook his hand and gave him a smile because I was too shy to say 'you're welcome'. I glanced at Noah who was actually smiling at me. He's so cute with those little clothes on him. I bet his mom does know how to style someone.
"He likes you," his brother told me. I winked at Noah and he chuckled when I did that.
"Jeremy!" Noah was pulling his shirt. "Is she your girlfriend?" he suddenly asked which made our eyes meet. I laughed a bit when this little one said that. It was unexpected and hilarious.
"Noah, you don't say that out of nowhere. He's not my girlfriend. We met five minutes ago," his brother said, trying not to laugh at what Noah just blurted.
"Oh, okay," Noah said before continuing on eating his ice cream. While he was busy eating, Jeremy looked at me.
"Hey, I don't have the exact words to say thank you. I almost had a panic attack when I couldn't see him. I'm glad he was into someone's precious hand," he told me.
"No problem. Just look after him more often," I suggested.
"I will, thank you," he said and I smiled. "Say thank you, Noah."
"Thank you! The ice cream is so delicious!" Noah proudly said.
"Oh, right." Jeremy immediately got his wallet and was giving me money, maybe for the ice cream.
"No, you don't need to pay me. I bought it for Noah," I told him.
"Are you sure? It's okay if you accept the money," he asked just to make sure but I shook my head to disagree. "Okay then, we'll go ahead. Thank you again."
I just nodded and smiled before they started waking away. Noah waved at me and when they were out of my sight already, I went back to walking by myself around the park. I bought myself a corndog and pineapple smoothie. I sat on the nearest bench as I eat the corndog. I just relaxed and tried to forget everything first. I want to cherish this moment when I could only think of positive things.
I remembered that in two months, I'll be nineteen. I don't have plans for my birthday. I'd rather use the money for my mom's medicine and for my brother's allowance. Now, I'm saving up money so I wouldn't worry anymore if there's a sudden situation that I need to pull out money to pay. And also, there's no one left to work for us. I'm now also deciding to save up because Carson will be entering high school next year.
Now that I finished eating my food, I have decided to go to a mall. I've always wanted to buy shoes because I only have one pair left that I use every day when I go to the bakery. I also have extra to buy a new one.
I took a cab and when I was at the mall already, I went straight to the store where I wanna buy a pair of shoes. I was about to ask the sales lady to get the size of the shoes I wanted to try on when my phone rang. It's uncle Steve.
"Hello, uncle," I greeted him on the phone.
"Good day, Gwen. Am I taking your precious time?" he asked nicely.
"Oh. Absolutely not, uncle," I told him.
"Okay, that's good. My wife and I are hoping to have work with you today." This is actually unusual. They don't always want to talk to me in person if it's not very important. What could be the reason?
"Okay, uncle. What time should we talk?" I asked respectfully.
"If you may, you can already come here now. It's really an important thing to discuss. But if you're a little busy, you can come by later," he answered.
"I'll be there in fifteen minutes, uncle."
He said okay and ended the call. I returned the shoe on where I got it. I can go back here anytime so it's not a problem that I couldn't buy it right now. I went out of the mall and took a cab. Their house isn't far away from here but I still said I'll be there in 15 minutes in case traffic will come in my way. Although traffic is not actually common in San Antonio, it happens when the road is under construction.
After paying the cab driver, I pressed the doorbell on the side of the gate. Uncle Steve's is the biggest house here inside this village. It's like a mansion to be honest. After how many seconds, one of their helpers opened the gate for me.
"Good day, Gwen. They're inside, waiting for you," Liz, their oldest helper, said to me.
"Thank you, Liz." I walked to their front door and went inside the house. They were waiting for me in the living room. "Good morning, uncle Steve and aunt Adelyn." I smiled as I greeted them.
"Likewise, Gwen. Have a seat." Uncle Steve gestured me to sit on the sofa in front and parallel to where they are sitting.
"Steve and I had the idea of giving you an opportunity, Gwen. Steve and I decided to make you a scholar of our company so you'll get to study again and finish college," aunt Adelyn suddenly said which made me stare at them for a few seconds.
"Uhm... I—I don't know what to say. Aunt Adelyn, are you both serious about this?" I asked just to make sure. Suddenly, it felt like I was dreaming.
"We are, Gwen. We're very serious about making you our scholar," Aunt Adelyn answered to me. I can't believe it. I'm returning to college. All I ever wanted was to finish college and have a good work. Now, two angels are here to grant my wish.
"That is if you want it, Gwen. We won't force you to," uncle Steve clarified.
"Uncle Steve, you don't know how much the two of you made me happy today. Thank you so much for this opportunity," I told them.
"You're very welcome, sweetie," Aunt Adelyn said.
We were talking when I saw their only child going downstairs. I've seen him a couple of times already. He often comes to the bakery and buy coffee. We don't interact that much if it's not when I'm the one giving him the service in the bakery. After all, he looks like someone you can't get along easily with.
"Miles, glad you came down. Gwen here will start going to your school next week. You should give her even just a short tour tomorrow," uncle Steve said to him.
I know what he knows me already. I come here sometimes and we did have dinner together too when his parents asks me to. But this is going to be awkward. He'll hate being with me, I presume.