DAY 12
Patrick left for work earlier than usual. Phina got up to prepare breakfast for his mother. It was something she'd always wanted to do for her mom, and she did it for her because she was around.
The woman saw her deliver breakfast to her room and was ecstatic.
"You didn't have to do this, Phina." She remarked, grinning widely.
"Don't worry, mom. It is important to have breakfast early." Her words were sincere.
"I'm very grateful for your concern, Seraphina." She was grateful. "Let me go and brush my teeth first."
"All right, Mom. I'm going to the kitchen again to package the food for the other people," she said.
She cleaned her room after leaving the woman to package other people's meals. Since Celeste would arrive later that day to wash Patrick's clothes, she removed the clothes she needed to clean.
She had just finished eating and would carry her plates to the kitchen when she returned. But before going back to her room, she grabbed it from her and took it into the kitchen.
"Patrick had gone to work, right?" She inquired.
"Yes, mom." She answered.
"He loves what he does. Has he ever explained to you why he skips breakfast? She inquired.
"Patrick doesn't often discuss himself. He validates what I've discovered on my own. Thus, he kept it from me." Phina lied.
The lady doesn't need to know that she knows nothing about her son. She was also interested in learning a little bit about the billionaire.
"You're right in that regard. Patrick is somewhat reticent at times. Before his passing, his grandfather was the only person he occasionally confided in." And she filled her in on everything. He had to go to school without eating until lunchtime since they couldn't afford meals in the morning. His friend Phil occasionally helped him buy lunch at school.
Moreover, he can only have breakfast after heading to school. He would rather keep the money if his mother finds a better job to support them, as he believes it could be helpful in the future. Thus, he adapted to skipping breakfast.
He either had stomach issues or puked whenever he forced himself to throughout the day. He, therefore, skips breakfast.
"Ah! I've never heard of it. He doesn't communicate." stated Phina.
It was astounding to learn that Patrick wasn't born into wealth. When he was a child, his family was so poor that they hardly had anything to eat. However, he is now a billionaire.
He also has a peanut butter and crayfish allergy. He is never fond of them. Grinning, she said. Phina smiled in return at the woman. She hoped she could tell her that all she knew about her son was that he was a billionaire, single, and owned a beautiful home. In addition, he acts rudely and cruelly against those he dislikes.
He also dislikes green beans, although he is not allergic to them. He finds them unpleasant. He dislikes mudfish as well. He does not consume pudding.
"But why, mother? Between them, not much separates them." Phina exclaimed in shock.
"I am aware. I don't know why. It also aggravates me occasionally." She laughed as she spoke.
Phina nodded in response. It was pleasant to learn about Patrick. Thanks to that, she could view him as someone other than a wealthy man. She'll also make sure she remembers all the specifics of his dislikes.
*******
When Patrick returned later that day, he went to Phina's room. It took her some time to open the door when he knocked.
She was wearing a pink blouse and pants. Furthermore, she didn't appear at all happy to see him. He was standing by the door.
"Can I come in?" Patrick inquired nicely.
She contemplated letting him inside her room as she gave him a look. However, she nodded, opened the door, let him in, and returned to the room. She sat down on the bed.
Patrick trailed behind her. He also observed that she had a movie on.
"I came to say I am sorry. I apologize for my remarks from the other day. I made a mistake." With composure, he said. He had changed from his previous rudeness. "And I bought you something."
"I didn't ask for a gift." She says.
With a soft groan, he went on. "I'm not attempting to buy your forgiveness. But I do want you to know how sorry I am."
When Phina glanced at him, he appeared earnest in his apology.
"All right. I accept your apology. The gift can be left on the table. She says.
"Thanks." Muttering to himself, he placed the gift box on the dressing table. And left the room after that.
When he left the room, he let out a big exhale. It was not like him to apologize. It required all of his resolve to complete the task. The main reasons for it were that Phina had been kind to his mother and that his mother had begged him to. She was keeping her company while he was on business trips. That is what he owes her.
To make sure Patrick was gone, Phina listened. She got up and proceeded to the dressing table to retrieve the gift that Patrick had bought when she heard footsteps. She wanted to know what was within.
She picked it up and examined it, speculating what might be within. Returning to her bed, she tore off the wrapping and opened the box. Within was an earring and a gold necklace. The necklace has tiny diamonds that reflect the room's light.
Her mouth dropped open. She knows it was expensive even though no one told her. Why did he need to spend so much money on a gift to say sorry? She questioned herself.
She grabbed her phone and made a video call to her friend.
Avery responded practically right away.
"Hey, young lady. Why did you not come online this morning?" She inquired.
"I had been busy."
"What are you doing? You mentioned that there is nothing to do at that house, right? Avery stated.
"Patrick's mother is around, and I must entertain and be with her." She responded.
"Ah! Is it the kind mother who doesn't share her son's traits?"
"Yes, indeed. Nothing escapes your memory. You never forget anything. But I didn't call you for that reason." stated Phina.
"So, what is it? Has the haughty billionaire done anything new?" She playfully asked.
"Avery shut up. Take a look." Saying so, Phina displayed her Patrick gift.
Avery is the ideal person to ask to verify the value of the present for her. She is quite knowledgeable about jewelry and diamonds.
"Oh my God! That was given to you by whom? Mr. Billionaire?
Indeed. He came to apologize and offered this to me right away. I would like to know the approximate value."
Three days ago, I came across this exact necklace online. Four hundred and fifty thousand is the number." Avery answered with shock.
"What? 450,000. For merely a necklace? Where would I wear it, and where would I go? I cannot allow anyone to rob me of the necklace."
Avery querying. "What do you mean?" Avery querying.
"I'm sending it back, Avery. This I cannot accept. It costs too much. What am I supposed to do with such costly jewelry? I need help getting into problems for myself. He ought to give it back."
"Is it likely that he would do that? Money is meaningless to him, and he is proud of that."
That, then, is his issue. I'm giving it back. He ought to use the money for something." Phina spoke with determination.
"If you say so."
"All right. I only needed to make sure. Thanks. Good night.
"Good night. Give you a call on tomorrow." She says.
"Alright." And end the call, she said.
With a sigh, she placed the gift down by her bed. She was undoubtedly giving the gift back. She's unable to accept it.
After turning off the television, she put on her nightgown and slept.