Chapter 30

Third Person POV

Vera and Patti have been vibrating with excitement.

Or at least Patti felt that way. On the surface, Vera’s energy was calmer. But Patti had gotten better at reading Vera.

Vera imitated their dad a lot. Her face as cold as his. The same daring brown eyes.

But Vera had her tells. The tapping of her fingers. The scheming tilt to her head.

It betrayed Vera’s own excitement. “Is dad home yet? You have to be there at the same time.”

“I know, I know. What do you think I’ve been doing? I got this.”

Patti was confident. This couldn’t go wrong. Not when it was so important.

It would soon be her mother’s birthday. This most important in all the universe was coming up in less than a month! Patti was determined to make this the best birthday ever.

The ding of an ancient clock down the hallway echoed through the house. Patti sprang into action. “Be back.”

Patti nearly skipped towards Lionel’s office. With a quick knock, she heard her dad call out from inside. “Come in, Patti.”

He was sitting at his desk. Papers neatly piled on one side. He watched her approach him.

He opened his arms, expecting and welcoming her hug. She hugged him as tight as she could. He groaned dramatically.

“Ow, you’re going to break my bones. Be nice to your poor, old Dad.” Patti looked at him critically.

“You should drink more milk. The TV says they’ll make your bones strong.” Her tone was sincere.

Lionel choked on a laugh. “Thank you for telling me, Patti. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Patti nodded her head with satisfaction. “Daddy, I have something important to say.” Lionel hummed.

“Let me guess…Nan’s birthday is coming up soon.” Patti beamed. So her dad was listening to her.

Patti said as much. “I’m glad you remember, Dad. I wanted to make sure.”

Vera had told her that sometimes adults forgot things. Like remembering where their keys were, or their cars. But repeating it every day helps them remember better!

Patti thought those were pretty silly things to forget. But when she asked her mom about it, she only smiled humorously and agreed. So Patti made sure to go tell Lionel everyday until her mom’s birthday.

Lionel said dryly, “Patti, you’ve been here everyday for weeks to remind me. I don’t think I could forget.”

Patti pouted. “I’m just making sure! Did you get mom a present yet?”

“No, not yet. I haven’t decided yet. I’m still thinking of a good one.”

Patti thought he looked a little confused. She decided to help him. “Vera and me are giving mom some pictures we painted her.”

“Oh? That sounds like a good idea. I’m sure Nan will love it.”

Patti knew that too. But dad sometimes stated things she already knew, so she just smiled at him. Silly Dad.

Now was the perfect time to enact their plan. Patti asked, “Would you like some help Dad? I have a great idea.”

“Sure Patti. I’m stumped right now. Tell me what you’ve got.”

Patti held back her snicker. It was working! Time to go for it.

“You and mom are our parents, right?” Lionel seemed to hesitate but gave a single nod. Patti thought the answer was simple.

Vera and Patti saw the gross way they looked at each other. It was clear that mom and dad liked each other. ‘Why do grown-up’s make things so hard?’ Patti thought with disgust.

“So you should give her a diamond ring.” Lionel choked on his own spit for a second. He hadn’t seen the direction this conversation was going.

“Diamond rings are usually for special occasions, Patti.” ‘For marriage,’ Lionel thought. But Patti was undeterred.

“Mom’s birthday is special. It’s perfect. It would make her, and us so happy.”

Patti acted purposefully oblivious. Patti knew very well why people wore diamond rings. She thought an engagement ring would be a great gift for her mom.

But her dad was clearly not sold on the idea. “But your mom and I are not married. A diamond ring might not be a good choice.”

‘Time to up the game. Just a little,’ Patti thought. Patti had one card left to play.

Patti said, “But both of you are our parents. Parents who wear diamond rings every day are loving couples who never separate.”

Lionel had nothing to say against that. “I’ll think about it.” Lionel conceded.

Patti saw that she could not push him any further. So she dropped it. She could add this to her daily plea beginning tomorrow.

‘Vera will be proud of me,’ Patti cheered inwardly. Vera liked it when Patti was smart and sneaky. If mom had been there, she knew she would never have been able to get away with it.

“Okay, dad. I’m going to go play with Vera.” She kissed his cheek sweetly and left Lionel’s office.

Lionel’s POV

I wonder what chaos my girls would unleash on the world once they are adults.

Patti is not as subtle as she thinks. I know she is angling for something. I did not know what yet, but I indulge her regardless.

Learning to wield manipulation is a good defense to have as the daughter of a powerful, wealthy alpha. It would serve her well one day. So I did not dissuade Patti.

Besides, Patti’s only five. She cannot possibly understand the real meaning of a diamond ring. She probably just wanted whatever she heard was the best for Nan.

Now aware of my feelings, I could not say I completely disagree. I would love to see a ring on Nan’s finger. A symbol of my love and claim for others to see.

Patti’s idea is lodged in my brain now. Turning around and around in my mind. Even days later, I am sitting in this auction and still thinking about it.

I had concluded that I could not be with Nan. Not romantically. But I still wanted to show my regard for her while I still had time.

‘A big diamond ring,’ I ponder. A ring may send the wrong message. But another type of jewelry should be fine.

The universe must have approved. At that moment, a diamond necklace appears on stage. Under the light, little rainbows bounce off it.

‘Like Nan’s eyes when she is joyful,’ I think. I have to get this necklace for Nan. No other will do.

The bidding starts off relatively cheap. Somewhere in the low thousands. I lazily raise my number each time.

The necklace isn’t actually that beautiful. But it somehow looks as if it were made for Nan. There was a personality to it, as Nan might say.

100,000…do I hear 200,000…900,000…

Less cards raise as the price shoots up. I am not stressed. This is chump change compared to some other purchases I’ve made.

Besides, nothing will stop me from providing Nan with this token. Nothing. Yet one man does not seem to get the hint.

We are the only two left. I observe him. Wealthy, but not nearly as much as me. Nice suit, but not custom made.

‘He must be making the purchase for an employer, rather than himself,’ I figure out. Sadly, for him that means a limited budget. I have no such constraints.

I just have to wait him out. I can see the strain on his face as the price range now reaches the millions. His limit is close.

“3 million…going once…going twice. Sold to this fine gentleman here.” The auctioneer points at me.

I smirk victoriously. The other bidder is pale and fidgeting. When he looks over, I can’t resist the urge to gloat.

I flash him a smug stare. He glares back. I look way dismissively.

The auction is over soon after. I hand over the check, and my prize is wrapped carefully in a fancy box. It’s only as I’m leaving that I see the losing bidder out of the corner of my eye.

He is speaking rapidly into a phone. His voice is panicked and apologetic. I can’t make out any words nor do I care enough to try.

‘His boss must be furious,’ I conclude. I just shrug. Not my problem.

My only thoughts are of Nan. The look on her face when she receives my present. Like the girls, I can’t wait until Nan’s birthday.

I do not see the vengeful glare of the man I had defeated.