Chapter 118 Settling Debts
Once Ophelia got off work, she couldn't wait to get home. It was probably because she knew he was waiting for her there. Walking out of the company, she noticed a familiar car parked at the curb - it was Magnus's.
She approached with a smile, and Magnus got out of the car, holding a gift for her. "Happy Birthday, Ophelia. This is your present," he said, offering it to her.
"Thank you," she replied, accepting the gift. "How come you're giving it to me so early this year?"
"There will be others to celebrate with you tomorrow. I didn't want to crowd them," Magnus said with a laugh before asking, "How is he treating you?"
At the mention of Finnegan, a smile involuntarily spread across Ophelia's face. "He's great," she admitted.
She simply couldn't find any faults with Finnegan. If there were one, it was that he was too wealthy. His world was so different from her less affluent one. Yet, he was willing to step into her world.
"I used to think he was one of those macho types, but I was wrong. He's very considerate. His usual aloofness is just an act. In reality, he's a very warm person. Magnus, I think... I may have made the right bet."
"I'm really happy for you," Magnus said, a hint of bittersweetness passing through his heart, but his face held a warm smile. "As long as you're happy, Ophelia, that's all that matters to me."
Ophelia asked, "You mentioned your parents were coming to A City to see you, have they arrived?"
"Not yet, they were held up. They'll be here in a few days," Magnus replied. "Let me give you a ride home."
"That'll save me some cab fare," said Ophelia, with a playful lack of formality, and got into the car.
Halfway through their journey, the two began to talk about Seraphina. Ophelia inquired, "How's Seraphina doing recently?"
"She's doing well," Magnus responded, opting to share good news over bad. "After learning from her recent misadventures, she's started job hunting."
What Magnus didn't disclose was the full extent of Seraphina's troubles. Having been swindled out of a million dollars, her whole demeanor had changed dramatically, from despondent to seeking drastic ways out. Broke, she couldn't make rent and had moved in with Magnus.
Magnus had already covered several thousand dollars of Seraphina's loans. As for the rest, he was unable to help at the moment, managing only to make the monthly interest payments.
Hearing that Seraphina was job hunting, Ophelia felt relieved and didn't press further, saying, "That's good to hear. A person like her only learns from getting swindled. And Magnus, don't you go spoiling her. Let her look for a job on her own."
Magnus smiled. "Don't worry, I'm not spoiling her at all. This experience has really made her grow. And you shouldn't be upset anymore."
"I've been over it for a while now," stated Ophelia. "It's just… interacting with her wouldn't be pleasant. No point in stirring up trouble. As long as she listens to you, and you're taking care of things, that puts my mind at ease."
"You can count on me to look after her," Magnus assured her, not wanting to burden Ophelia with any worries. He was wholeheartedly dedicated to keeping Ophelia's mind free of concerns.
As they arrived at the base of Ophelia's apartment building, Magnus instinctively glanced up at the direction of her rental, noting the lights were on, indicating someone was home.
"Ophelia, did you forget to turn off the lights when you left?" Magnus asked.
It had never crossed his mind that Finnegan might have moved in with her.
Looking towards her apartment floor, Ophelia replied with a touch of embarrassment, "No, it's him. He's at home."
Magnus grasped the situation immediately. Although surprised, he didn't pry further. "Well, you'd better head up, then. I'm going to head home too."
"Thanks."
Ophelia got out of the car and, carrying a gift, made her way upstairs.
Magnus sat in his car, watching Ophelia disappear from his view before finally driving away. The thought of them living together churned in his gut with an indescribable discomfort. He considered grabbing a drink to numb the sensation, but then remembered the balance in his bank account and decided against it.
Paying off debts for Seraphina had left him financially strained.
When Magnus arrived at his house and walked through the door, Seraphina came at him with urgency. "Magnus, do you have any money left? Debt collectors called me again today."
Weary from the constant talk of debts, Magnus asked, "How much this time?"
"Twenty thousand." Seraphina pressed, "If I don't pay up, they're going to sue me."
"I don't have that much right now. I'll pay you when I get my paycheck," he said. "These companies skirt the edge of the law. They won't sue you. They're just trying to scare you."
"What if they retaliate? They said on the phone that they'd come to my house if I don't pay up," Seraphina panicked. "Maybe I should go to Ophelia. She's with Finnegan now; getting a few hundred thousand from him should be no sweat."
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