Chapter 11

Morgan Smith

“It’s a beautiful Friday innit?” I said to Amelia in the best British accent I could muster and she gave me a weird look before continuing with her food. I don’t know if the look meant that she was irritate by me interrupting her eating or I was bad at imitating the accent.

Like, come on, I have been trying to imitate it for a while now and I even watched some British movies to help me with that I’ll just ignore her, she is just her regular default mode. Irritated.

We and by that I meant I, George and the queen Amelia are having our lunch at our favorite spot ‘Olah’. We were seated in our usual spot and its like the waiters know that we come here so much that they knew where to take us when we come to dine.

Ricardo and his little brother went straight to attend to business matters after they were done with class. They both are full-time students but still have the time to run their business. They opened their office officially later last year and I am so proud of him and all his achievements.

They promised to be back before the break was due and I doubt that Ricardo has anymore classes to. I was also thinking of grabbing something for him and his brother, just worried that they might not have anything yet.

“I need to bring some lunch for the Whites’” I voiced out my thoughts and took my phone to call him and also to ask if they need me to bring it for them or not.

“What if he and his brother already ate?” George asked with a shrugged and I looked at Amelia as if I was expecting a response from her which she indeed delivered.

“She’s just looking for an excuse to see her boyfriend” she remarked and her mouth was full with pasta as she said those words and I threw her a dirty glare.

“Eat properly Lia, we are in public” I cautioned but she ignored me and just continued with her food.

Amelia can be a pain most of the time and she will definitely get on your nerves but she is one of the sweetest people you could ever have around. A great friend, I would say about her.

“I will just call him to be sure” I said and George shrugged then focused his attention on Amelia which I liked since she was looking pissed that he interrupted her date with the food in front of her.

“Hello babe” he greets when he picked up and I smiled.

“His baby! I how did work go?” I asked. “Are you done with the meeting yet?” I asked and heard him ‘hmm’.

“Yes, we are done with it and work went well, we will be coming in soon” he said to me and I smiled.

“Okay, have you both had anything to eat yet?” I asked the main reason I called.

“Yes, we did but get me some lasagna” he told me and I note it down.

“How about your brother?” I asked and heard him ask him in the background.

“He will have the same as mine but he needs a separate plate of meat, thank you love” he thanked and I felt my cheeks go warm when he said ‘Love’. It sounded nice and I think I want it to be his new endearment to me.

“No need to thank me, we will be waiting at Olah, be careful okay?”

“Okay then, we will meet you guys soon and I will be careful, you guys too should be careful”

“Sure, we will, see you soon”

“You too girl” the line went off and I called the waiter to pack them in take aways since I am sure that they wouldn’t be able to eat it here when they come. “They are coming here to meet with us” I informed them and George checked the time on his watch.

“Break is two minutes over, call him that we will be heading to the university, they can meet us there and get their package, lets just get ourselves there before it’s over” George suggests and stood to his feet then helped Amelia and then me with our chairs while we wait for the waiter to bring the take aways.

They brought it and we paid then we made our way outside the restaurant to George’s car so that we get moving. I had texted Ricardo about the new plan when he wasn’t picking up his calls, my assumptions are that he is driving that’s why.

We got to campus and rushed into our respective classes. I and Ricardo are having the same class and he is running late by five minutes and just as I looked at the door from my book, I saw him walking inside and coming to sit beside me with a smile on his face, then Mr. Alvin came in and I grinned.

“Just in time” I said and he grinned. “How was work?” I whispered since I didn’t want to be asked about what I am saying that is more important than his course.

“It was great babe, where is our food?” he asked and I pointed to the small polythene bag beside me and he nods.

“You guys are having a little test now then we can continue the class for today” Mr. Alvin announced and there were groans and hissing coming from almost everyone in class, the ones that are commonly referred to as the nerds didn’t feel bothered by his announcement and so were I and Ricardo.

We always knew that there would be a surprise test from him so reading ahead is one of the things we do together or when we get the time to.

“I guess our studying is paying off slowly” he whispered and I agreed with a nod.

After some minutes of murmuring and complains, the class was silent and we began the test. He gave us approximately thirty minutes to finish it off, I was lacking in some of them but Ricardo was there to the rescue and I helped in cases I could for him too and to the girl beside me who just wanted to copy everything that I had been working on.

Time was up and we all submitted before he started teaching us on what topics we should focus on for our exams that were fast approaching, he explained some things that we didn’t understand and asked questions to test how far we are following.

Originally, I wanted to be a writer, a journalist even, I like cooking up stories that helps and explains things. I had done some volunteer writing gigs for a few people in the past but I didn’t think I wanted to take it as a course so when Ricardo wanted to pursue being an Analytical Chemist, I followed along and majorly because I wanted to be closer. Silly me.

I do plan to take a master’s program in journalism later in my life, hopefully.

When class was done, I handed over his package then head for Mrs. Addison’s office so that we continue our discussion from that day but she told me that she already booked a place we can and her husband can settle and talk about the prices and all those sorts.

We got down from her car and headed inside ‘Havilah’ restaurant to meet with her husband who was already waiting for us, we walked to the table and her husband first off stood up and kissed her then turned to shake my hand as his wife introduced us.

“Honey, this is Morgan, my student that I talk with you about” she pointed to me and smiled up at her husband “And Morgan, this is my husband Mark Addison”

“It’s nice to meet you Mr. Addison” I shook his hand and he smiled.

“You too dear” he said and we all sat down “My wife has told me about you being an amazing designer” he put his arm over his wife shoulder and looked at me as I smiled and tried not to gush over them right now.

I just love how so in love they were looking. I hope I and Ricardo get to this stage or more soon and also Ann.

“Oh, I am so flattered sir and thank you for agreeing with your wife to accept my services” I answered him and he nods then looked lovingly at his wife.

“She definitely has good taste” he comments and I saw her cheeks go pink as she giggled.

‘This is what being in love looks like’ I thought to myself and smiled.

“Let’s get to business” Mrs. Addison said and we began talking.

They showed me how the home they lived in Connecticut looked like and the present place they acquired, they also showed me what they would like to see implemented in the new house interior, the colors they want, themes and other things I should take note of. I wrote down the important points they mentioned and asked questions when needed to.

I waited for them to tell me all that they desired before pitching in my suggestions and letting them know what I think would work for them and they liked it so we came to a conclusion on a particular theme, color and other decorations they needed.

“Are you sure you didn’t learn this in a vocational college or something?” Mr. Addison asked me for the nth time. He found it hard to believe that this was just something I do when I get the chance to.

“I am sure sir, its more like my hobby and when I can’t seem to figure out a particular design, I have YouTube to the rescue” I answered and from how he nodded his head, he was impressed which made me happy.

“I told you that she’s talented” his wife chirped happily.

“You sure did” he said then looked at me “How much do you charge?”

“I charge a flat rate of $1000 per room” I said to him.

He hummed then asked again “Is that what you charge or it’s a discount?”

“That’s a discount for you sir”

“What are your initial charges?” he asked.

“$2500-$3000 per room, depends on the design and size of the room” I said and he nodded again.

“Okay, $2500?”

“Err… sir” he held his hand up.

“My wife showed me your design and they are great, great designs requires great pay, right? I can offer $2500” he said “What do you say Morgan?”

I was happy because this was my biggest gig ever and it will help a lot for me to get most of my graduations things without Ann bothering of buying them for me and also, I can share the rent with her, if she’ll let me.

“Sure Mr. Addison, thank you so much” he nodded and took out a checkbook from his pocket and wrote something down before tearing it from the book and handing it over to me.

I read what was written there and it said fifteen thousand dollars.

“That’s an upfront payment,” he pointed to it “You’re decorating seven rooms, right? Kitchen and store make it nine rooms, just start with this”

“Sure sir, thank you very much, thank you Mrs. Addison” I thanked them both and they smiled.

“No problem, do you need a ride home?” she asked and I shook my head.

“No, Ricardo will be coming to pick me up soon” I informed and she nods.

“Okay” she said and just then my phone rang and I checked the caller to see that it was Ricardo, so I stood up and carried my bag.

“It’s him, goodbye” I said and they said ‘bye’ to me before I turned and went outside the restaurant where Ricardo stood waiting for me.