Chapter 81

“Here we are,” Spencer flipped on the lights of the new apartment. It was larger than the one they had just left. As promised, it was already furnished. The walls were a light, cool blue with white trim. The space was bright and open. There was a large vase with a beautiful assortment of flowers, and a single balloon that said “Welcome Home” waiting for them on the kitchen counter. In the living room, all the boxes they had packed waited for them.
“It’s lovely,” Emma said as she looked around.
“The building has a pool and a fitness center. There should be a pamphlet about all of the amenities in your welcome basket over there.” He pointed in the direction of the flowers.
Emma walked in, followed by Emmett who supported himself with his cane.
“The bedrooms are the in the back. Both have decent sized closets,” Spencer continued. “There is one only bathroom. Both rooms have access to it from the inside, and there’s also a door from the outside. There’s a nice big garden tub in there as well as a stand-up shower. I’ve already had a shower bar installed, and a shower chair is in there as well for you, Mr. Wells.”
“Thank you,” Emmett smiled. “Very… thoughtful.”
“This is too much,” Emma said as she looked around.
“There is also a park behind the building. It has nice walking trails. It’s only accessible to other building residents, so it’s perfectly safe to walk at night. And straight through the living room, there is a balcony through those sliding doors. It has an amazing of the park, and of the city at night.”
Emma marveled at Spencer’s generosity.
“Spencer, I…,”
He put his hand up to stop her.
“Don’t say this is too much, or that you can’t accept it. The company owns this building. Several of the apartments are reserved for new employees and are rented out at discount rates to new graduates. So, this isn’t favoritism or anything. This, however, is.” He handed her an envelope. Emma opened it. Emmett watched over her shoulder. There was some kind of receipt inside that showed that the first three months of rent for the apartment had been paid.
“Spencer, you can’t!” Emma gasped.
“I can. And I already did, so you can’t make me undo it.”
“This really is too much. But thank you,” Emma smiled. Emmett looked between them, and a knowing look grew in his eyes.
“We need… to unpack,” he said.
“Let me help,” Spencer offered. “That way, Mr. Wells can rest. The bedrooms are furnished as well. I’ve arranged for there to be a fully electric hospital bed in your room, sir. As well as a walker and wheelchair.”
“Spencer!” Emma scolded.
“Okay,” he put his hands up in defense. “That was a little bit of favoritism.”
“Thank you,” Emmett said, shaking Spencer’s hand. “I will… go rest.” Emmett hobbled into this room, leaving Emma and Spencer alone in the living room. They got to work on unpacking. There weren’t many boxes as Emma didn’t take many things from the mansion when she left. Having lived a luxurious lifestyle for a while, Emma did develop an enjoyment for good clothes. So, she did take some of the clothing and accessories Jason had curated her wardrobe with. As well as a few pairs of shoes. She also had a few things for her father selected as all he had were hospital gowns and pajamas. Those along with her mother’s old things, a few trinkets from her childhood, and her school things, that was all she had.
“There is a nice restaurant a few blocks away. Let me take there to eat after we finish. We can get something for your father while we’re there as well,” Spencer offered.
“That would be nice. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“You really didn’t have to do all of this, you know.”
“I know. I wanted to. Please, Emma. After everything you’ve been through, you need a little light in your life.”
Spencer drove her to a quaint little restaurant. They were seated at a small table by the window.
“Lyncrest is such a cute city,” Emma commented after they order their food.
“It is. It’s a great place for young families. Speaking of…” Spencer trailed off. He didn’t want to be indelicate about Emma’s situation. “What are your plans for the future?”
“You mean the baby,” Emma deduced. “I’m going to keep the baby and raise it on my own. It’s going to be difficult, but I can do it.”
“You’re not going to tell him?” Spencer was surprised. As much as Emma didn’t want to see Will, the baby was his too.
“I don’t think so.”
“Emma… I don’t think you should keep this from him. I know that if I were him, I’d want to know if I fathered a child.”
“Why? To give him a chance to choose someone else over the both of us? I think I’ll save myself the repeat heartbreak.” Emma was still hurting over her breakup with Will. She knew Spencer was right, but she wasn’t in her rational mind. Her emotions had gotten the better of her and she would do whatever it took to keep anyone from hurting her baby. Even if that “anyone” was the baby’s own father.
“I’m sorry. I know you’re hurting. I shouldn’t have mentioned it.”
“No, don’t be. You’re a good person, and I know you didn’t mean any harm by it.”
“I respect your decision and I’ll be here for you in any way I can. We offer competitive starting salaries for new graduates, as well as that sign on bonus. There’s also a pay raise included for those that here in the new office. So, you should have any financial issues at all when it comes to raising your baby and caring for your father.”
“More favoritism?” Emma smiled. Spencer blushed at being caught.
“Maybe a little…” he admitted.
“Spencer…”
“You’ll earn it, I know you will. Your work is amazing, and the company is lucky to have you,” he said quickly. He knew Emma didn’t like it when he favored her. But he couldn’t help it. He liked Emma and wanted to ensure that she was happy.
Emma giggled at his attempt to recover.
“I will earn it. I’ll also never be able to thank you enough for all that you’ve done for my dad and me. And the baby too, now. I’ll work really hard and earn every single bit of this generosity back.”
“Good. Your first day is tomorrow, and I plan on putting you to work.”
“Whatever you say, Boss.”
The next morning, Emma made breakfast in her new kitchen. Sunlight streamed in, and for the first time in a long time she felt hopeful. Emmett shuffled in from his bedroom and took a seat at the table.
“First day?” he asked.
“Yes. I’ve made you a nice big breakfast. Just like mom used to make for us.”
“Looks good,” he smiled. “You look nice,” he commented as Emma served their food.
“Thanks!” Emma had dressed in a sleek black jumpsuit and matching shoes. She paired with a teal blazer for a pop of color and added simple silver jewelry. Her hair was pulled back into a small ponytail. Her bangs framed her big eyes. She kept her makeup simple and fresh. “I’m excited. I get to do the work I’ve always wanted.”
“I’m… very proud of you,” Emmett leaned gave her a quick kiss on the forehead. Emma left for the new studio with the promise to be back home for lunch. As promised, it was a short distance away, just about a fifteen-minute walk. When she arrived, she was surprised to see Spencer there.
“Good morning,” he greeted.
“Hi,” Emma said. “I thought you’d be back by now.”
“I’ll be back and forth between here and the home office for a while. Just until things get started up. I thought it be good to stick around for your first day as well. Get you introduced to the new team.”
Emma smiled at Spencer’s thoughtfulness. She didn’t know anyone in this new city, so it would be nice that Spencer would still be around.
“I was nervous about that. But it’s nice that you’ll be here.”
“Come on, let me show you want you’ll be working on,” he said with a knowing smile. He led her to one of the offices. The back wall was floor-to-ceiling windows and overlooked a small pond behind the building. There were four large desks. Three of them had some personal items strewn atop them. One desk was empty, save for a name plate. It was a black, marble name plate. Written in elegant silver script, it read: Emma S. Wells.
“This is your office, and that’s your desk in the corner. You’ll show this space with three other people. They will be your team. I’ll detail your project when everyone arrives.”
After about twenty minutes later, people began to arrive to the office. Spencer directed for everyone to go into the large conference room.
“Good morning, everyone,” Spencer said as everyone gathered. “I’d like to introduce someone new to our company. This is Emma. She won third place in this year’s Design Conference Competition, and she is a new graduate from my Alma Mater. She is very talented, and we are lucky to have her. I’ve assigned her to Team Alpha.”
The large group of new coworkers greeted Emma warmly. As everyone introduced themselves to her, Spencer winked at her through the crowd. He mouthed the words, “You’ll do great,” at her. She smiled. It was not the way she envisioned it would go, but she was living her dream. Nothing would stop her from fulfilling it.
The Billionaire's Contract Pet
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