Doting The T's

"Did you go through the contract carefully? I had an extra copy explained and written out in plain sentences for you by the Lawyer. The rewritten pages were attached to the original contract. Did you see them?" Nathan asked Paige on phone

"Yeah, I saw them and he did a great job. I almost had a migraine reading the original contract. Thanks for the thoughtfulness." Paige replied to the receiver on the other end of the line.

"I'm glad you like what she did. So, when are you sending over the signed contract?"

"I'm actually done with it, I'll send it down in a bit. It will be delivered to you at the hospital soon." She replied.

"That was fast. Are you sure you went through it properly? I mean there was this clause that stated that you must work with them for a month before getting your first pay and payments are made every two weeks. Did you read that?" Nathan asked, not a bit convinced that she had gone through the piece carefully. The Paige he knew would have spoken about these things.

"Of course I did. Is there anything else that is giving you a bit of concern?" She asked.

"No, if you're fine with the contents, then we are all good. Just make sure to keep a copy for yourself, you might need it for reference sometime." He advised.

"All right. What about the permit from the Queens, were you able to convince them on my behalf?" Paige asked.

"I'm on it already. I had to follow it up alongside chief Laden in order to hasten it up. The signed approval should be ready in two days tops." He replied.

"Well, that's fast, Thank you so much for doing this for me."

"You know you're my person. Besides that, you need a little change of environment. The weather at Yardstin would definitely do your skin some good. Elfer-town is such a shit hole." Nathan said.

The door to Paige's tiny office at Pai-boxes, a gift shop owned by Paige opened and Stefan walked in.

"I really appreciate the kind gesture" she said into the phone. "Listen, I have to go now Nat. We'll talk much later. Bye now." She said and hung up before turning towards the door.

"Hey," Stefan called as he walked up to her and took a seat opposite her. "I can sit down right?" He asked, smiling already seated.

"Oh Stef, stop being dramatic." She replied, smiling back.

"Aurora said you asked for my presence. Is everything all right?"

Stefan has been with Paige for a while now, helping her out in the gift shop since he lost his job about a year and some months ago.

Since she was always busy at the hospital, Paige found him helpful and decided to let him manage the store for her. Although she could always employ someone else to manage the store alongside Aurora, her secretary, she just didn't see the need to.

Since Stefan was around and it didn't seem like he was ready for another job anytime soon. He was the type that would rather make do with any little he had. He neither wanted more nor was he the type to step out and look for more.

Moreso, searching for another job felt like a tedious task to him. For this reason, Paige had to place him on a monthly salary.

"I'm going to accept the job at Yardstin." She told him out of nowhere and waited to see his reaction.

He flinched like he was pricked with a sharp object. He had thought that speaking to Paige's step-mother was enough to dissuade or prevent her from going ahead with her plan of working for the Kentleys.

His main fear has always been about losing her to other eligible men out there. He knew of his financial limitations but had never given a care about it as long as Paige remained with him. He was okay seeing her foot all the bills.

To him, Paige's acceptance of the job might be a loss for him. For people that are willing to pay her such an amount for just a couple of months, she would definitely meet people from an entirely different class. And might end up returning home wiser.

"I thought you said you weren't going?" He asked, downcast.

"Was that enough reason to tell Veronica and her daughter a history of my life?" Paige asked angrily.

"Oh my God, Pai, I apologize. I only told her because I thought she would help discourage you from going. These people you want to work for, you don't even know them. The family might be dangerous Pai. You said it yourself." He tried convincing her.

"Well, congratulations to you." Paige said, dipping a hand into her small shoulder bag. "Your little gossip just earned me a whole page of four thousand dollars needed by Veronica and her daughter." She said handing him the sheet of paper she got from Veronica earlier. "I hope this makes you happy." She concluded sadly.

"What!" Stefan exclaimed, taking the list from her and glancing through it quickly. "You don't have to give them a dime. They don't even care about your well-being. Why would they give you a list for God's sake! Are you a money bag." Stefan asked in annoyance. He dropped the list on the table and sighed.

"Why did you tell them, why didn't you share your thoughts with me? You knew what my relationship with them was like. Yet you went ahead." She complained bitterly.

Stefan knew she was angry and the best thing to do was calm her down, so he went ahead with the soothing words.

"I'm sorry, I didn't think it through." He apologized.

"That's fine." She grumbled. "Maybe you were just trying to look out for me."

"Exactly!"

"Stef," she called looking at him. "I will go to Yardstin. I have to. Presently, there are lots of bills piled up for me. The shop is running low, it needs a little financial boost. I'm yet to offset my student loan and I need to take care of myself too. I need the money, it will go a long way to help sort out my pending bills." Paige said her honest truth.

"But I've already promised you that I'll get a job. Just give me a little time, I will definitely get a job that will sustain us. Then I'll take care of all your needs." Stefan coaxed.

"I know you said that but you've been saying the same thing since last year. Stef, I really need the money and time is something I don't even have. Just last week, I nursed the idea of selling off Pai-boxes. Having this offer right now kind of feels like a sign. Maybe God is finally saying yes to my prayers. I don't expect him to say it in person, you know. Everything in me tells me that this is God." Paige said, holding Stefan on the hand with pleading eyes.

No matter what, the fact that Stefan is her man was undeniable. He's been there for her since she could remember and she loved him dearly.

He's been the only man that truly loves her except for her dear father of course. Very few men have ever shown interest in her romantically and she couldn't blame them anyway because honestly she rarely had enough money left on her at the end of each month to spend on cute dresses and make up. All thanks to Veronica and her daughter.

"I'm just worried that you might put yourself in danger with this job."

"Stef, Nat knows these people. And he has reassured me that I'll be in safe hands. Stop worrying okay?"

He nodded and managed a weak smile.

"If you insist on going, I won't stop you." He said, squeezing her hand gently.

"Thank you." Paige mouthed. "Promise me Stef, promise me that you will take very good care of the store in my absence., Like she's yours." She requested.

He drew closer to her with a sweet smile. Planting a kiss on her cheek.

"I promise baby, I'll treat PB like my baby. That is what it is anyway." He said smiling.

"I would really appreciate that." She said standing up. She dropped a kiss on his forehead

"I have to go now, I need to get a few clothes in preparation. Bernice, my colleague at work told me that Shein is having an auction sale today. I'll just quickly head to the venue and get a few clothes for myself. Would you like to come with me?"

"Nah, I'll pass." He replied.

"All right, I'll inform Aurora of my upcoming absence on my way out." She announced as she headed towards the door.

"Will I see you tonight?" Stefan asked .

"You bet you will." She replied, flashing a smile before stepping out of the tiny office.