Chapter 109 The Velvet Case
Not only was Teddy leaving town, but Emily’s student Katie was going away for the rest of the summer.
“This is my last lesson,” Katie said.
Although Emily already knew it, she was sad to hear it spoken out loud. The studio had quite a few of Katie’s paintings hanging on the walls, and it would never be the same without her.
“Well, it’s been a pleasure,” Emily said, “I guess you won’t likely be back to art lessons in the fall since you’ll be busy with college.”
“Yeah, I probably won’t have as much time for art anymore. I’ve decided to take business as my major.”
“Still aiming to get that rich husband?” Emily teased.
“Of course, but this time I have a better plan. I’m going to be rich myself, and then it’ll be so much easier to sort through the rich men of the world.”
“Love the confidence,” Emily said. “And if you need a part-time job when you get back, I could always use some help around the office. I’m sure we could find something business-y for you to do.”
“That would be awesome!” Katie said, “Thank you, Emily! Could I be in charge of something so I could have leadership skills straight out of college?”
“Uh… we’ll see.”
It was the height of the summer season, but already there was a hint of fall in the air. Emily woke up the next morning, and it occurred to her that she needed to get out and enjoy the good weather before the never-ending rainy season began again. Especially since something smelled so delicious. Some kind of fried food was definitely at hand…
Before she could get up to investigate, her sexy fiancé entered the room, carrying a breakfast tray and putting it down in front of her. She inhaled not only the scent of the French toast wafting from the tray but also Byron’s aftershave and the alluring scent of his breath as he kissed her.
“Breakfast in bed as requested, Madame!” he announced.
“It looks like you put in a lot of work,” Emily said, “this is so fancy.”
“Yes, it’s got a hint of cinnamon and other secret flavors.”
“What’s this?” Emily realized there was also a velvet jewellery case on the breakfast tray. “Are you going to propose again?”
“You’ll see.”
“I’ll open it after I finish the French toast. It’s too delicious!”
“Okay…” Byron said sourly. “I can wait.”
“You can blame yourself for making such an outstanding meal,” she said, grinning. “Okay, I’ll eat one slice and then open it.”
She liked the feel of the velvet case. It was such fine and soft fabric. But when she opened it to peek inside, she was a little confused. The case held an emerald necklace. It wasn’t just an ordinary necklace: there must have been at least a hundred precious stones dangling off it, attached to the main silver chain by smaller cascading chains branching off each other like some kind of precious cluster of grapes.
“What’s the occasion?” Emily asked, completely bewildered.
“No occasion,” Byron said, “It’s a ‘just because’ gift. Because I wanted to spoil you.”
“Well, thank you!”
“You don’t like it, do you?” he asked.
“No, I like it a lot,” she lied. It would have been cruel to tell him it wasn’t really her style after all the effort he put into making breakfast and getting her this gift. Emily always preferred glossy plastic jewellery to precious gems. Although the necklace might have cost thousands of dollars if not millions, it was really not her style.
When she tried it on, she didn’t like the sight of so many strands of jewellery hanging down from her neck. It was like… a beard splayed out on her chest.
“You don’t like it,” Byron said with certainty this time as she looked at herself in the dresser mirror. The expression on her face was unmistakably one of repulsion.
“I feel so bad!” she said.
“No, I should have known.” Byron helped her unclasp the chain at the back of her neck, and she felt a pleasant tickling sensation. “You never really wear this kind of jewellery. I wanted to get you something outrageously extravagant, but this was the wrong choice.”
“Well, it’s the thought that counts.” Emily was grateful enough not to have to wear this monstrosity and pretend to like it.
“Maybe… but I still want to get you something.”
“That’s okay,” Emily said, “This breakfast is good enough for me.” She returned to bed and her French toast and coffee.
“Are you sure?” Byron sat down on the bed beside her. “I wanted to surprise you, but it’s probably better if you choose something, any gift you like.”
“I have everything I need,” she said, “coffee, a wonderful man by my side.”
“In that order?” he said. “But really, I want to get you something. If there was anything you’ve ever wanted, and you could have it now… what would it be?”
Emily closed her eyes trying to picture it. “Oh, I know. A baby goat!”
“Even with a big house and yard, I’m not sure a baby goat will fit with our lifestyle…” Byron said, “but I’ll see what I can do.”
“I wasn’t serious!” Emily exclaimed. “It’s just that little goats are so cute.”
She was kind of worried that Byron was getting too restless during their engagement. He seemed to be anxious to get married, and maybe he saw her wishing to delay the date as a sign that she was not ready for marriage. Emily didn’t know how to reassure him.
