Their Double Blessing

Chapter 2

Patricia felt strange after meeting George. There was no question he was just like any other billionaire; throwing around his money to get attention and holding grand press conferences, basking in the glow of the role of white savior to a community he knew nothing about. She was glad this time to be placed outside. Which allowed her to miss most of the vomit-inducing bending over backwards people would have gone to to make him happy. Patrolling out front might have had the least drama and opportunities to check in with the young people. Her job was security, not celebrity-watching. At the end of the day, everything worked out for the best.

Then again, he also seemed genuinely interested in making people happy. In news clips it was touching how kind he was to that young girl giving him a card. Most would have had someone else take it to ‘give to George later’, but he personally accepted the gift. There was also the defense of their community; talking about them not being poor and deserving of respect. While she agreed with him poverty wasn’t a bad word, the way that reporter said it was out of line. Some felt that if you needed any kind of charity, then you were less than. It was good to see a person of means making it clear that was wrong. She could respect him for that move.

When she confronted him about the limited luncheon, the words just came flowing from her mouth. She’d always been someone who spoke her mind. Not caring about the consequences in the immediate moment. Everyone at the mall deserved to get pampered. It was nice he was willing to do it at all, but she could never feel right enjoying herself and leaving other employees in the dust. Clearly others didn’t agree, but human nature was often selfish.

But now she was worried. Several fellow guards had called her later upset about the move. Concerned that George might cancel. If that happened then her job would be in jeopardy. The higher-ups would be furious she upset such a major person in public. Sure, the firing couldn’t be done outright, but she’d seen first-hand how those who crossed the wrong people got pushed out. Their lives made so difficult that they end up quitting themselves. By then word got out they were difficult, making it hard for them find new jobs. She had no interest in joining that lot anytime soon. Her life was complicated enough.

The best bet was to lay low and stay out of the way. Just work and home for a bit. Let things die down. Hopefully without her presence at the luncheon Mr. Moneybags might calm down. If not then she could kiss all the peace in her life goodbye. She wasn’t sorry for speaking the truth, but she was also no martyr. Anyone who wanted to throw themselves on a social landmine was free to do so, she preferred to help and still remain in one piece.

“So, when are you going to attend that fancy event?” Mary walked in with multiple shopping bags. The woman always found a way to get new things. There was limited space and she was sick of her sister throwing clothes out of the closet to hang up new stuff. Who needed a new outfit everyday? Not normal people, that was without question.

“I’m not going. There are more than enough people rushing over to make both the mall and that rich guy look good. They don’t need me, I promise.”

Mary dropped the bags and groaned. This was why she didn’t want her sister finding out. But this girl had her hand on the pulse for anything exciting. Since their community wasn’t the hip spot like the places Mary usually hung out, George’s luncheon was like a red carpet event. Which made not going even more difficult with a sister like this one. “I can only go if someone’s my plus one. Why can’t it be you? I don’t want to beg strangers. Please Patricia, I swear to not be too dramatic. We eat, watch the time fly by then go home.”

“No. If we go you’re going to talk to everyone in sight. Then your matchmaking urges are going to go into overdrive. I don’t want fellow employees to see me yelling at my own blood to leave me alone.” Patricia had no doubt that Mary would make a spectacle. Her little sister couldn’t help it. If they weren’t related she would never be around someone like this for even five seconds.

It was agonizing enough dealing with Mary when things were normal. During a fancy luncheon would be a nightmare. Her sister would hunt down every eligible bachelor and divorcee to introduce Patricia to. Patricia couldn’t imagine anything worse outside of being hit by a car during rush hour traffic. No, she would consider a terrible death over that nightmare.

Mary pouted and went off to watch television. Patricia knew this wasn’t over. The idea of finding romance now was ridiculous. Yes she was under forty and still in what society considered her ‘prime’. But she was exhausted by all the negativity that came with past relationships. Not all of them were monsters but they ended for a reason. She was better off living the single life and enjoying time with friends and family.

Taking a nap, she was unprepared when a pair of hands shook her awake. In fighting mode she flipped the person over. Only after hearing a series of screams did she realize it was Mary. “Mary? What do you think you’re doing? I thought someone was trying to attack me!” Only this drama queen would shake someone awake as if it was a real emergency.

“Kill the messenger why don’t you?” Mary squeaked. She looked pale and rubbed the arm Patricia had used to flip her over. “I come bearing gifts and you try to kill me. Typical. I have a good mind not to give you my perfect proposal.”

Patricia had to beg the Lord to keep her from kicking Mary off the bed. Whatever this offer was, it would be nothing good. Why couldn’t she have a twin? Someone more like her to have real conversations with? Mary wasn’t the worst sister in the world but sometimes she wondered what it would be like to have a sibling who respected her choices and wasn’t so self absorbed. “What could possibly be worth scaring the life out of me?”

“You’re the one in attack mode and complaining about being scared? Typical. I think you might change your mind after seeing this.” Mary help up an envelope bursting with money. The last time Patricia had seen her sister with that much cash was… never. Then again having a sister who only thought of herself made it hard to pay all the bills piling up.

Patricia tried to grab it but Mary danced out of her reach. She could wrestle Mary for it but that would be stooping to a level her sister would never let her live down. Beating up blood for money. Then again with the bills that cash could pay… Perhaps the shame would be worth it. “You better give me a good reason not to kick you out for hoarding all that cash.”

Mary rolled her eyes. “Of course you’re mad instead of grateful. Listen, if you take me to the luncheon the money is yours. I was saving it for something special but an event like this only comes once in a lifetime. I’m certain George will have some of his rich friends there. This could be my shot to get out. Then we won’t be warring roomies anymore.”