Chapter Fifteen

A Gesture Of Kindness

Sebastian’s POV 

  I stared after Maria until she entered her apartment building. She would always play the superwoman and I thought that she was one of the strongest and smartest women I know but this situation with her family was getting to her.

  She didn’t say a word to me about it, nor did she cry or throw tantrums but I could sense her sorrow because it hung vividly over her.

  While I was in deep thought, an idea came to my mind, and I acted on it immediately. I opened social media and copied the office cell of Maria’s best friend and housemate, Helena.

  When I was done, I dialed her cell.

  *********

  “Hello Helena, thank you for meeting me.” I welcomed her as soon as she took her seat across me on the terrace session of my favorite elite restaurant.

  We exchanged pleasantries and ordered glasses of wine.

  “I must confess, Sebastian, I have a very long, worky day but I had to squeeze out time because curiosity has taken a major hold. What is this about?”

  “Okay, as I indicated during our call yesterday, this meeting is about doing something nice for Maria. The truth is, the clash with her family and my father is taking a huge toll on her but she won’t talk about it or even try to let off steam. She prefers to go on working mechanically even with so much weighing her down.”

  Helena gave a subtle sigh as she looked at me. I was certain that she was wondering how I figured Maria out in so little time spent with her.

  “Maria prefers to work when she is going through situations. It’s her own way to let off steam. If she has something eating at her, she works extra hours.”

  “I figured that a woman like her would tilt towards that but I’d like to do something nice for her because I feel partially responsible for all that she is going through.”

  “You didn’t force her parents or your father to go about harassing her.”

  “Yes, but they do it because of me. I also knew about the Kidmans proposal but I thought that my father was just being his usual matchmaker self.”

  "Still, you are not responsible for their actions. Anyway, what is your plan?”

  “Okay, I want to give Maria a pleasant surprise. I saw how excited she was the last time I got her something she liked. I want to do that for her again.”

  Helena cocked her head to the side and studied me as I talked about Maria.

  “What is it?” I asked curiously, aware of her scrutinizing gaze.

  She opened her mouth to say something, then closed it and waved her hands. “It’s nothing. Never mind.”

  “So any suggestion?”

  “You could start with a luxury spa, then something really nice that has to do with novels, poetries and rare first editions, especially in the historical fiction genre. She loves to hide away with those things when she is not working hard.”

  As Helena talked, ideas began to form in my head, and by the time she was done talking, I already knew what I wanted to do.

  I thanked Helena and we engaged in small talk, then said our goodbyes and headed back to our respective workplaces.

  *********

  I waited till Saturday before I carried out my plans with Maria.

  I arranged with Helena to convince Maria and take her to a high-end spa resort, which belonged to a friend.

  Thinking about it, I was certain that she would have a relaxing experience because the luxury spa center was famous for their facials, massages and holistic experiences for elite patronizers.

  I sat at the reception area and waited for Maria so that I could take her to her next surprise location.

  “What are you doing here?” She asked me, then I watched as her eyes became brighter with understanding.

  She turned towards Helena and pointed with her forefinger. “You two! You have some plans going on. I knew it! Helena in a resort spa to unwind on a Saturday? You’d be preparing for some wild clubbing activity right now.”

  Helena laughed and replied drammatically. “Hey! Maybe I’ve changed and love me some bougie but Sebastian here wanted to do something nice for you and I support the motion one hundred percent, so let’s get going!”

  “Wait! There’s more?!”

  I gave her a shy smile as she turned her beautifully shaped eyes towards me, then raised my hand in mock surrender. “Can we go your highness?”

  “Yeah, let’s go.” She replied after staring at me for a while.

  “Yaayy!” Helena squealed excitedly as we filed out of the resort. I wasn’t sure she would enjoy the surprise I planned for Maria because she seemed like the outgoing, fun-loving kind of friend but my only concern at that point was that Camila would love the surprise.

  We entered my car and drove to a friend’s estate, which houses his beautiful historic mansion.

  He was a movie producer and the mansion was one of his movie sites and I was certain that Maria would love it.

  “Oh my! It looks like something from the pages of a historical novel.” She exclaimed softly as she stared at the building, already eager to go inside.

  I ushered her in and smiled as she touched and took it all in like a child in Wonderland.

  When she was done exploring the artifacts, I led her to the sitting room, where cozy sofas and warm pillows were arranged around a low table.

  An artificial fireplace glowed and soft music played in the background but what caught her  

  A glass box on the tale contained her favorite beverages and pastries but what caught and held her attention was an elegant shelf that displayed rare first editions of her favorite novels and poetry.

  “Oh my! Are these what I think they are?” She asked no one in particular as she took one of the books, then squealed with joy.

  I smiled as I watched her take everything in. I had never seen this side of her but it was delightful to watch and I was glad that for a few hours today, she would get lost inside the pages of her favorite books; she wouldn’t remember the powermongers who were after her.

   I turned sideways to see Helena smiling at me while giving me a funny look and I mouthed. “What?”

  She shook her head and mouthed. "Nothing,” then I rolled my eyes playfully.”

  “How did you do all of these, Sebastian?” Maria asked me excitedly and my attention to her again.

  “I called in favors from here and there.” I answered with a subtle,, nonchalant tone but it wasn’t easy to get rare first editions of the novels and also her next surprise.

  “So nice! I will read ‘Into Her Skies and Back by Angela Vangore. She is a brilliant writer and my favorite.”

  “And I think you are a brilliant reader as well.” A female voice said from behind and when Maria saw who it was, she squealed loudly while jumping like a little girl.

  Right there, close to the entrance, stood the writer, Angela Vangore, in person.