Chapter 54

Nan’s POV

He points his finger….at my necklace.

I glance back at him in confusion. “Mr. Darren?” I ask.

“That could be the solution to your problem.” He answers calmly.

My eyebrows furrow. “What do you mean? It’s just a gift from Lionel.”

He huffs a little impatiently. “Ms. Lupa, surely you understand what I mean.”

His intentions click in my head. I unintentionally jerk my head back. ‘He wants me to…’

“I think I would like you to say it anyway.” I suggest.

He presses his lips together. “You should sell that. It should fetch a fair price.”

My guess is unfortunately correct. “Mr. Darren, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” I say.

He looks at me incredulously. “Do you have a better one? One that will get us the money in time to correct the budget?”

“No. I guess not.” I hedge out. Still unsold on this plan.

“Are you concerned about the value of the necklace?” He asks abruptly.

“I don’t think…” I trail off in bewilderment. Surprised by the random direction the conversation has turned to.

“You shouldn’t be. I heard from a little birdy that Alpha Lionel brought the necklace for around 3 million.” He tells me.

I choke on my spit. “3…3 million?!” I shriek.

‘I had figured Lionel downplayed the price,’ My mind cries. ‘But not by that much!’

I could never spend that much money in a lifetime. Let alone on a necklace. Said necklace around my neck suddenly feels much heavier.

‘I might have to see a doctor,’ I think only half-jokingly. ‘All of these surprises today have probably raised my blood pressure!’

“That’s…interesting to know.” I strangle out,

“It would more than cover the cost of the misused funds. You would even have plenty left over for yourself.” He adds reassuringly.

“It would.” I unwillingly agree.

He studies my face. “That’s not the real reason you don’t want to sell.” He states.

“No, it’s not.” I reply.

All I think of is Lionel. Lionel’s warm eyes when I opened my gift. Lionel’s furious hurt when he thought I gave the necklace away.

How would he react to me selling it? I cannot imagine that revelation ending well. Selling it…surely that would only dig the hole further.

And in all honesty…I don’t want to sell it. This necklace represents Lionel’s affection for me. One of the turning points in our relationship.

I am not sure I could bring myself to sell the necklace.

“Ms. Lupa, what is holding you back?” Mr. Darren’s urgent voice ends my contemplation.

“I just…Lionel would be really upset if I were to sell it.” I try to explain.

Realization crosses his face. “Ah… I see.”

His foot begins to tap. The sudden sound in the quiet room startles me at first. At the same time I am selfishly comforted that I am not the only one stumped by this predicament.

“May I speak frankly with you?” He inquires.

I bit the inside of my cheek. “Sure.” I breath out.

“There is no good answer to this. If you don’t sell the necklace, our entire teams suffers along with the bride. And…I doubt Alpha Lionel would want his relatives’ joyful day to be ruined.”

I recoil slightly in my seat. A kernel of truth was embedded in his statement. Lionel has always prided himself on being a great alpha…something like this would wound his pride.

“On that same note…do you not owe the Wolfsbane family this much? Mrs. Wolfsbane may have wronged you…but has Lionel? Has the bride?” He throws out accusingly.

My guilt grows. “No. They haven’t.” I say softly.

“Don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater. Everyone else does not deserve to be punished for one person’s folly.” His tone loses its angry edge.

He places a comforting hand on mine. “I understand that this necklace means a lot to you.”

My lip quivers. ‘You will not cry,’ I command myself. ‘You will not.’

“But at the end of the day…it’s only a trinket. Isn’t it silly to hang onto a piece of jewelry out of sentiment when you could be helping so many people?” He reasons.

‘It’s not just a trinket!’ I want to yell. ‘It means so much more than that!’

But…was it really right for me to hang onto it?

Mr. Darren has some good points. Wouldn’t Lionel be more upset about his relative’s ruined wedding than a silly necklace being sold? Causing problems for Lionel is the last thing I want to do.

I do not know what choice to make. Once more, I am at a stand still between my heart and my brain.

My heart refutes the idea of selling the necklace. Of selling something too important to both Lionel and me. This very idea causes me pain in my chest.

But my head sings a different tune. If Lionel really cares for me, surely a necklace will not be a tipping point. That it would be selfish to hand onto a necklace when I should be cleaning up my mess.

“Selling that valuable necklace is the right choice.” Mr. Darren says. Oblivious to my conflict.

I do not response. Something in his words caught my attention. I inhale sharply.

“I have a valuable necklace…” I say absently.

“Yes, that’s what I’ve been saying.” He remarks. But I am no longer paying attention to him.

‘A valuable necklace…’ I did have a valuable necklace in my possession. Lionel’s gift…and my mother’s necklace.

Hope and despair wells within me. I have another choice. Possibly a worse choice…but a choice.

I snap my eyes back to him. Smile gratefully. Then shake his hand.

“Thank you for all your help, Mr. Darren. You have given me a good idea.” I tell him.

He blinks at me. Disoriented by my quick change in attitude. But he returns my hand shake firmly.

“I am glad to be off service. I hope this situation will be resolved soon.” He says meaningfully to me.

I nod. “Yes. Everything should be solved in time for the wedding. Leave this too me.”

I gather my belongings. Nod once more at the budget coordinator. Then I walk out of his office.

Once outside I pull up Lionel’s text thread.

From me:

How about we get take-out? Put on a movie? I would rather eat at home tonight.

From Lionel:

Sounds great. Any preferences?

From me:

Something greasy. I could do with the comfort.

From Lionel:

Should I be concerned?

From me:

Long day. Don’t feel like talking about it.

Thankfully, he does not press further. I put my phone back in my purse. Purpose imbuing me as I hurry home.

A perfect, terrible idea swirling in my head.

THIRD PERSON POV

Mr. Darren watches from the window of his office as Lupa leaves the building. His eyes follow her until she disappears from view. His thoughts are heavy in his head.

The older man opens unlocks a door to the back of his office. Or more specifically, his private office. His personal sanctuary from overly friendly department heads and demanding clients.

It is a rather small room. A remnant of his days as an intern. Before the old budget manager retired and he decided to convert the space into a private office.

Inside sat a well-loved burnt orange futon. Stained with ink from broken pens and the occasional spilled coffee. Mr. Darren’s favorite spot.

He laid onto the futon gracelessly. Letting out on “oomph” when his joints protested the carelessness. He sits there quietly.

Then he reaches inside his jacket pocket. Pulls out the aspirin tablets. Then dry swallow them.

Jay lightly hits his knuckles on the door. Mr. Darren groans. “What is it?”

“I’m just letting you know I’ve finished all the paperwork. I’ll be heading home now, sir.” His assistant cheerfully announces.

“Good work, Jay. Have a safe trip home.” Mr. Darren dutifully replies.

“You too sir!” Jay’s voice fades from the door.

Mr. Darren sits up. ‘I can’t delay any longer,’ he thinks regretfully. He pulls out an old cellphone.

Punches in the number. A voice answers. “I hope you have good news for me?”

Mr. Darren takes in a breath.

“Yes, Mrs. Wolfsbane, she’s taken the bait.”