The invitation

DAY 2

Patrick got up at his regular hour, worked out in the morning, and then went to his library to read. After finishing his reading, he returned to his room to shower and get dressed.

Since he doesn't care, he wants to appear unconcerned. His mother, his grandma, and his job are the three things that matter to him.

However, he cannot suppress his emotions following his remarks to Phina the day before. He didn't tell her he was sorry last night, even though he wanted to.

He removed his mind from it. After completing his outfit, he picked up his suitcase and exited the room. He didn't think to see how she was doing. He didn't care because he was sure she had everything she wanted. She ought to even feel appreciative.

Patrick visited to see how Phina was doing, but it didn't bother her. She went to eat and assist with mopping the floor downstairs. Although Sara had not been as obnoxious as the day before, she had observed that she had become quieter, so she tried to avoid her.

On that day, the woman who had assisted her with her baggage on her initial visit to the residence appeared, and she recognized her as Patrick's dry cleaner. She came from his laundry service. She assists with washing his pajamas, bed linens, and other items of clothing he wears at home. Her supervisor launders his suits.

They became friends, and she assisted with laundry. She even included her wardrobe. She could have done without her hands. Downstairs in the back of the house was a laundry room. She wishes she could have used this to wash the clothes of her father and sisters.

Because her father instructed them, she typically doesn't wash her brother's clothes. He wants for him to gain some independent work experience. And he does. He is capable of doing housework and washing dishes and clothes. He assists her with the work if she is sick or has a big exam. Whenever he likes doing his laundry, he cleans the twins' clothes.

She's thinking that she should see her brother. She had been blind to his friends' angry outbursts, hilarious school pranks, and arguments over clothes.

The memory made her grin.

"Why are you smiling, Phina?" The laundry girl, Celeste, said.

"I just remembered my brother."

She questioned, "Your older brother?"

Phina chuckled. "Brother, you should see the expression in your eyes. What makes you feel strongly about a boy you haven't seen before?" Phina teased her.

She laughed and pouted.

"Not at all. But he has to be attractive. Are you unaware of your beauty? Since the first day I met you, I have admired you." She says.

"Wow, many thanks. But don't be duped—the packaging is everything." They chuckled as Phina said in a low voice.

"It is irrelevant. Is your sibling older than you, then?

"Not at all. I am four years his senior. However, you'll mistake him for my boyfriend if you see him. He is large and towering." Phina responded.

"Whoa. Therefore, having beauty in the family is not the main thing," stated Celeste.

"My father is not that tall. I'm not his heir; my mother is. Furthermore, my maternal grandparents were tall until the day of their deaths. He, therefore, gets that from her family. However, one day, I can introduce you to him."

"But I'm older than him." She says.

Phina said, "You can be friends."

That's how they remained for the majority of the remaining day. Even after the clothes were washed and spread, they continued to converse for a while. They conversed while watching movies in the living room. Phina brought some snacks and biscuits from the fridge to her.

Sara continued to observe them while acting indifferently. However, Phina sensed that she would soon turn around.

She walked Celeste outside and then sat down to speak with the gatekeeper, Jack. He was cheerful and amiable. Moreover, she enjoys conversing and making new friends. She never got tired of anything. Her family is gregarious, and they live with her. Everyone discusses their friends and day. They learned the value of communication from her father. They become quiet talkers as a result. The twins are the same as well. She also receives support from her friends, and two of her neighbors, who are also her friends, are talkative people.

She is, therefore, relieved that she can speak with them. Furthermore, she needs to be more concerned about their standing in the home. She is just like the rest of them.

They are all employed by Mr. Patrick MacDowell, the Almighty Billionaire, who despises his last name.

God only knows why. She dared not ask, though, as if they had sat down to converse. It was an impossible dream.

***********

While en route to his upcoming appointment, Patrick took a call from his closest friend. Before leaving the office, he had been phoning and had instructed his secretary to inform him that he was preoccupied. And now he was calling once more.

He doesn't understand why his friends aren't letting him work quietly.

"Phil, Why don't you wait till after dark when we talk?" He claimed to have answered the phone right away.

"Ricky, how does your mother handle you? Is this how you refuse to answer her phone?" Phil answered.

How would you like to respond? I've almost reached the location of my upcoming meeting." Bored, Patrick said.

"All right. It would help if you always got something done. Nevertheless, you are not free. Are you planning to attend tomorrow's Henry sisters' dinner?

"I suppose so. They extend an invitation to me." He stated.

"So, are you bringing your fake girlfriend?" He enquired. "We have to meet her."

Indeed. She's on her way. It will relieve my burden over Alan, Henry, and his sister."

"I am quite excited to meet her. Eva gives her best wishes. She'll be back tomorrow as well." stated Phil.

"All right. Goodbye. Patrick then hung up. His friends are only sometimes friendly.

"We are here, sir." said the driver.

"Okay." To the driver, he said. "Let's go, Susan." She dashes to pack her tablet and files and follows him downstairs.

*************

When he returned later that evening after dinner, the house was once more silent. He had to tell Phina about their dinner outing the next day even if he hadn't seen her. He decided to visit her room to check on her.

Phina changed into her pajamas and went onto social media to join her friends in their group chat as she could not fall asleep. She and her friends were on WhatsApp in a group discussion. They built it to stay in touch with one another after high school.

She heard the knock on the door while still laughing and conversing. It caught me off guard. She sent a brief text on her phone before getting out of bed and opening the door.

She was startled to see Patrick when she turned the doorknob and opened it. He had not taken off his suit. However, the blazer was in his grasp, and his shirt's two buttons were undone. There's a frown on his face, too.

"You've returned. Greetings." He nodded as she spoke.

"Sorry, I snapped at you yesterday." He stated. Phina gave him a look.

It's acceptable if you choose not to apologize. I am not pressuring you. She stated frankly.

"What?" Exasperated, he asked.

"Let me tell you something. Despite having stated the word, your entire facial expression suggests otherwise."

"What are you—a psychologist or a sociologist? Patrick snorted as he asked.

He was becoming enraged with her. She had a sharp tongue, something he was unaware of. If he had known she had this irritating side to her, he would never have accepted this agreement.

"Name it whatever you want. In any case, why have you come here?" She asked, hoping he would go right away.

This is my house, as I last remembered. And I could do everything I wanted to do. I can travel anyplace in it as well." He stated.

It was clear that he was upset. She questioned why. It is supposed to be her who is furious. He arrived to apologize, but his words had no real value. What does he take her for?

A moron. A fool.

It was supposed to be her, not him, who was furious. But she chose to keep silent. She is done with issues and pointless discussions. She allowed him to say whatever he had to say as a result.

"I'll be returning early tomorrow. We're heading to a friend's dinner." He stated.

"A dinner. "What's that?" With a snarl, she asked.

"A modest party-style get-together with family. It's restricted to a small group of people. You must dress nicely. Thus, until tomorrow. He said so, but he didn't say good night.

With a sigh, Phina returned to her room and shut the door. She was a little depressed. She tried to adjust to Patrick's attitude, but it was challenging.

He hardly ever sees her. She wondered if that was how all wealthy people were. She did not attempt to assume a different identity. To him, she was just the real her.

Before bed, she disconnected her phone and turned off the Wi-Fi.