The Union 3

Two Weeks Later

Now, all was set for Rose to leave for her summer internship. She had looked forward to it because it would be an opportunity to have a change of environment and meet new people. Nevertheless, Mrs. Owens' appearance in her life, and her request to be her daughter-in-law, gave her cold feet. She would miss her new-found joy.

“Is this the Shop Attendant?” Mrs. Owens asked, after she walked into her shop and met a strange face.

“Yes, mom. Her name is Adeline Seymour. Meet my mom, Adeline,” she introduced. Nevertheless, the eighteen-year-old girl greeted warmly, “Good evening, ma'am. I am happy to meet you.”

“Good evening, Adeline. It is a pleasure meeting you,” Sarah responded with a soft smile.  Then, she turned to Rose and advised, “Be a good girl.”

“I will, mom. I will miss you,” she declared with an emotional voice. Howbeit, Sarah looked into her wet eyes, and consoled, “I understand. I will keep in touch.”

“All right Mom.”

“Inform me when you arrive. Is that clear?”

“Yes, mom.”

“Remain a good girl, and always remember our discussion.”

Now, Rose grinned from ear to ear, and responded, “I will, mom.”

“That is good to hear. Safe trip.”

“Thank you, mom.”

Afterward, Sarah left, and Rose faced the Shop Attendant, and instructed her on what she expected of her. Then, she encouraged her by saying, “I have no doubt that you would deliver.”

“You can always depend on me,” the attendant replied with confidence.

The Next Day

George was not security conscious when he drove his junker. That Saturday morning, he went out for his morning exercise. Benson, was lazy to go with him, so he went to the Recreational Park alone, and exercised with other youngsters. His father was there too, but he was with other management and senior staff members of the organization. He admired the General Manager, Mr. Tony Benedict, who would always come along with his six years old twins. After the training, he drove to the suburb to have his hair cut. For whatever reason, he would not patronize the barber at the Residential Area.

“Familiarity breeds contempt,” he would always say. As a policy, he volunteered to be his father's barber, and preferred the local barbers in the suburb for himself. After having his hair cut, he attempted to leave the suburb when he spotted a familiar face, and halted. Previously, he was not interested in women, and that explained why he was repulsive to them. He believed that love was a dangerous game, and he was not ready to play because it could hurt him. Based on what he saw in his grandparents, the present General Manager, and the former General Manager, Mr. Bruno Angus, he never bothered to love or be loved.

“Hello. I can be of help if you do not mind,” he declared when he parked before Rose, who was standing by the roadside to board a cab. At that point, Rose could not recognize him, but she was familiar with his annoying clunker. Naturally, she was a courteous person, but repulsive people like George, required some nasty treatment. 

“I mind,” she answered curtly, and looked away. Now, he felt despised, assumed that she was turned off by his bucket of bolts, and resolved to make her get into it by force. To rub it in, he teased, “The cab you are waiting for may not be finer than my clunker.”

Now, Rose was attracted by his sense of humor. To avoid giving him the pleasure of getting her attention, she kept a straight face. Incidentally, the aromantic George was out to catch fun that morning, then he pressed further, “Hop in. I'm certain that you are broke, I won't charge you much.”

At that point, Rose laughed shrilly, and George smiled too. He got off his car, and walked up to her. Nevertheless, he picked up her luggage, and teased, “Long live the queen. Permit me to assist with the luggage.” Likewise, she laughed the more and picked the second luggage, and walked after him.

“Thank you, for this,” she appreciated. 

“It's my honor to be of service to her majesty,” he smiled, and acknowledged. Meanwhile, he walked to the car trunk, and opened it. Subsequently, he carefully arranged her luggage, and announced, “Get in.”

“Thank you,” she appreciated, and walked to the passenger's side, while George walked to the driver's seat. Now, Rose got into the car, and shut the door.

“I hope you don't mind my Lamborghini Aventador,” he announced with a silly smile. Rose laughed happily, as though they had known each other for ages. Nevertheless, George could not believe that he could relate freely with a lady apart from Lilian, his little sister.

“So, where to?” He inquired after they had fastened their seat belts.

“To the Municipal Station,” she informed. George showed shock because of the distance.

“I can get down if it is off your route,” Rose volunteered when she noticed his discomfort over her destination.

“Never mind,” he said, and began to operate his phone while she looked on in confusion. Although she was not conversant with phones, but she was observant to discover that his phone did not align with his car because it was far pricier than his bucket of bolts. Meanwhile, even though he was with a bucket of bolts which was a disguise, he was aware of his limits. Riding for a distance of three kilometers without his Personal Assistant and Security Guards was a great risk, and he would not take it. Now, he sent a message to the company's Chief of the Security, Mr. Silas Jack, and his team. After informing him of his route, he waited for his signal. To while away the time, turned to Rose and inquired, “My name is George. Do you mind if I know yours?”

“Nice to meet you, George. I'm Rose.”

“Wow! I'm delighted to meet you, Rose. Where are you going from the station?”

“I'm on my way to Dome City for my Summer Internship.”

“Dome City for internship? Why the distance? You would have applied for it in any company in the Federal Capital.”

“Yes, it's quite far, but I prefer my professional learning experience from the National Mathematical Center. Besides, there is much competition in the Federal Capital.”

“I see. Did you apply for your internship in any company around?”

“Not at all. My colleagues applied with the Blue Sea, but they only got automated messages,” she explained with a silly grin. George smiled too. Suddenly, his phone beeped with a message. He read through, turned on his engine, and drove off. Then, he continued with his quest to know more about his new friend.

“You are right. The competition here is quite much. I want to believe that you studied Mathematics.”

“Yes. From the Unity University.”

“That is good,” he commended, and drove on in silence. Now he spotted two of his security vehicles. They were both one hundred meters away from him. Silas was at his back, while his Personal Assistant was in the front.

“What will happen to your shop when you are away?” He asked after a while.

“I have a Shop Attendant.”

“That is good to hear. If only she would deliver.”

“I believe she would.” 

“It's okay.”