i (50)
55 vouchers
Jane had some idea about what was going on between Reba and Jeffrey, but she’d always thought of Reba as just a regr team member and never really paid much attention to her personal life.
But today, barely after Jeffrey had left, Jane’s phone buzzed–he’d sent her a message. At that moment, Jane finally got what her family had meant when they said Jeffrey had everything figured out.
It only took him a few days of watching before he saw right through Jane and knew exactly how she felt about Reba.
Reba said, “I’ll do my best and won’t hold you back.” Jane always looked out for her. Right now, the only way she could repay Jane was to put everything into her work.
Jane nodded in response.
They didn’t say much else. After a bit more casual chatter, Jane went to get some water, while Reba headed outside to make a video call.
Even though Reba knew Samuel was getting all the care he needed, she couldn’t help but worry a bit. The moment the video call went through, she asked, “Are you doing okay over there, honey?”
“I’m fine,” Samuel said as he set his tablet aside, his sweet little face full of innocence. He added, “But I do kinda miss you though.”
Reba felt her heartpletely soften. She said, “Mommy misses you, too, sweetheart.”
They talked about this and that–one minute Reba was asking if he’d eaten enough, the next she was checking if he liked his sses. The whole conversation wasfortable and warm, like any nightly check–in between mom and kid.
That was, until a deep, steady voice came from the other end, saying, “Drink your milk first, then you can talk to your mom.”
Momentster, a pale, elegant hand holding a ss of milk slipped into view. The fingers were slender and impably neat–Reba didn’t even need to see the face to know instantly it was Jeffrey.
Reba thought, ‘<i>So </i>Jeffrey’s been with Samuel this whole time?‘
Samuel took the ss and gulped down the milk, then handed it right back. He said, “All done.”
“Okay,” Jeffrey responded.
Samuel blinked at him, puzzled.
Jeffrey leaned backzily in his chair, left hand on the table. He asked, “Why are you looking at me? Go on, chat with your mom.”
“I wanna tell Mommy a secret,” Samuel said, not–so–subtly trying to shoo Jeffrey away.
Jeffrey said, “Just go ahead.”
:
Samuel said, “How am I supposed to, with you right here?”
Jeffrey frowned and said, “I’m not covering your mouth.”
50
55 vouchers
Samuel thought Jeffrey was honestly shameless. He blurted out, “Are you sticking around here on purpose just so you can overhear me and Mommy talking?”
Jeffrey nced at the tablet screen, catching every flicker of Reba’s expression. He said, “You could say that. After all, you both pretty much hate my guts right now. For all I know, you might be talking smack behind my
back.”
Samuel said, “Mr. Hanson, don’t be so suspicious. If Mommy and I ever wanted <i>to </i>badmouth you, we’d just say it straight to you. No need to sneak around.”
Jeffrey repeated, “Mr. Hanson?”
Samuel blinked back at him, looking all innocent. He asked, “What?”
Jeffrey let out a chuckle and poked Samuel on the head. He then said, “Nice, kid. Make sure you use that name the next time you want me to bail you out.”
Samuel just went silent, his cheeks puffing up as if he was about to protest, but couldn’t say a word.
Seeing Samuel sulking like that, Jeffrey finally stood up and let him off the hook. On his way out, he locked eyes with Reba on the screen, giving her onest look before walking away.
Up to then, Reba had only seen Jeffrey’s hand handing Samuel the ss and heard their voices. Not until Jeffrey stood and walked out did she get a clear look at him.
Reba and Samuel ended up talking for almost another twenty minutes.
After reminding Samuel to stay warm with his nket at night, Reba hung up. She didn’t head upstairs immediately–instead, she sat outside for a while, her mind wandering.
Reba realized she’d been totally nking on Samuel’s tuition fees until tonight. If Samuel hadn’t teased Jeffrey by calling him “Mr. Hanson,” she probably wouldn’t have thought of it until summer break.
Tuition, room, board, fees–they were looking at well over 100 thousand dors a semester, enough to make any wallet weep. Jeffrey covered part; Reba covered the rest.
Reba knew she had to pull in extra cash–fast. That night, she sketched a side–hustle roadmap, then headed upstairs, washed up, and crashed.
But bills kept piling, and the money stress wouldn’t quit; she tossed all night. Even on a rare off–day, her brain shed the same nagging thought: if she’d stayed home, she could’ve knocked out anothermission and plumped up her bnce.
The next day, Reba spent time with everyone at the event and then joined the group rehearsing for Wednesday night’s performance.
Thepany car didn’t drop them off at home until it was almost four or five in the afternoon.
<b>50 </b>
55 vouchers
When Reba got home, she dropped a message in the group chat: [Either of you free right now?]
Ian replied: [I’m free.]
Jessica replied: [Busy.]
Reba texted: [I need to go ask my dad something, but I don’t really want to go alone.]
After what happened before, Reba was extra cautious with stuff like this. Between the stuff May said and the way she acted, Reba was left totally in the dark about what was really going on between Amelia and Richard.
Reba figured she’d wait until Amelia woke up before discussing her situation. Still, she felt the need to figure out her rtionship with Richard right now.
There was what Richard had said earlier: “Don’t you want to know why I abandoned back then?”
Half an hourter, Ian came to pick Reba up.
you and your mother
Dressed to turn heads as always, Ian leaned over the steering wheel while driving to the bar, making small talk with Reba. He said, “If you need anything these days, juste to me. Jessica’s totally swamped right now.”
“Didn’t she say she wouldn’t work for her dad for free?” Reba asked.
Jessica’s cards were still all on lockdown. Anything she wanted to buy had to go through her parents for approval. Jessica had been pretty mad about that for ages.
Ian said, “It’s not about work. I really have no clue what she’s doing. She won’t say a word, just acting all mysterious about it.”
“Jeffrey hasn’t sent anyone to check up on themtely, has he?” Reba asked, her mind still tangled up with Andrea. She just couldn’t shake the vibe that things weren’t as simple as they seemed.
Reba thought, ‘If Andrea went so far as to establish a family connection with Eugene through Jeffrey, there’s no way her intentions were straightforward. Wouldn’t surprise me if she’s set her sights on the Scott Group!’
Jan replied, “Nope.”
Reba kept digging, “And you? Anything?”
Ian shook his head and said, “Nope, nothing
There was one time his dad called him back, but Ian wasn’t that spoiled rich kid just drifting through life anymore. These days, he could handle anything thrown at him–nothing really fazed him.
Reba finally felt herself rx a little.
:
A 50
55 vouchers
About half an hourter, Ian and Reba rolled up to Richard’s usual spot–the bar where he could always be found behind the counter, polishing sses.
Brady was Stanley’s man through and through. He recognized Reba and Ian right away.
As soon as he found out they were asking for Richard, he didn’t waste any time showing them the way–but he made sure to tip Stanley off about it at the same time.
Stanley wasted no time passing the news along to Jeffrey.
Jeffrey didn’t seem too fazed. He said, “If she wants to see him, let her. Just make sure nothing goes down likest time.”
Stanley added, “She’s with Ian.”
Jeffrey went silent.
When Jeffrey didn’t respond, Stanley went ahead on his own, “Since you’re not giving any special orders, I’ll go brief the crew.”
“Wait,” Jeffrey finally spoke up, his tone cool and unhurried. He said, “Keep me posted on what they talk aboutter.”