Chapter 8 Grandma, I'm Here to Celebrate Your Birthday
The three-day deadline had passed, and Margaret's 70th birthday celebration was upon them.
It seemed tomorrow was destined to be an extraordinary day.
Paige mused about visiting the Sackler family the following day to celebrate her Grandma's milestone birthday. Simultaneously, she pondered the need to find a way to meet her mother.
No doubt, Louis would be attending as well. She was preoccupied with her marriage and the search for the hidden room and hadn't gotten around to canceling the engagement.
Being already married, Paige doubted the Sacklers would mind whether she had called off the engagement or not.
The birthday party was sure to be lively.
As Paige's thoughts lingered on the Sacklers, Raymond returned home from work.
As his wife, Paige immediately took over the wheelchair duties from Charles, trying to persuade him to stay for dinner, but Charles was in a rush to leave.
Raymond eyed Paige and asked straight away, "Did you find a job?"
There was no discernible emotion on Paige's face as she replied, "I did."
Paige didn't elaborate on her new employment, not out of reluctance to share with Raymond but because her mind was preoccupied with figuring out how to get Margaret to agree to let her see her mother.
Noticing her curt two-word response, and her failure to mention Mid-hill Villa, Raymond gave her another probing look.
Did she think he was clueless? Nice act, he thought.
Raymond continued his probing, "How's the job going?"
Paige, momentarily distracted, snapped back to the moment and quickly said, "Oh, not bad. They've bumped my salary up to ten grand."
But was salary the information he was after? Raymond wanted to ask outright: What's your real agenda?
Yet going straight to the point would spoil the intrigue.
So, instead, he played along and did not press further.
Paige ushered Raymond in front of the television, switched it on for him, and, with a thoughtful touch, tuned it to the sports channel. She then placed a fruit bowl within his reach and said, “I'll get started on dinner.”
True to her word, Paige disappeared into the kitchen and busily whipped up two dishes and a soup. Having previously savored Paige's culinary skills, Raymond sat down to eat, his confidence in her cooking well placed.
As he ate, a thought popped into his mind, perhaps this cunning woman wasn't entirely without merit.
Meanwhile, Paige realized Raymond's eyes were on her. She looked up and met his gaze head-on.
“Is there something on my face?” she asked.
Their eyes locked in that moment, her gaze was clear and unclouded, with only a dining table between them. For a brief moment, Raymond found himself caught in the depth of her eyes.
A sudden urge to ask her how much Louis had paid her was stifled by another thought; if she was after money, he was far wealthier than Louis.
For a split second, the notion that she might be there for his wealth didn’t seem so repugnant. He was, after all, incredibly rich, a fact he couldn't help but take pride in.
Still, he promptly squashed such thoughts, shifting the conversation to more pragmatic matters, “I'll have to work late tomorrow, just letting you know.”
Paige simply replied, “Oh, that’s fine. I have some things to take care of myself, might be back late.”
After dinner, Paige naturally took on the housework while Raymond used the bathroom. Upon finishing up, he bid Paige goodnight and retreated to his room.
Once Paige was done tidying, she too retreated to her room, the secondary bedroom.
In the master bedroom, Raymond booted up his computer to find the materials Charles had sent over for the project reopening.
In her room, Paige pried open the back of her unimpressive phone to reveal a new screen concealed within. Still displaying the blueprint of the mansion, the screen’s content now mystified her completely. She stared until sleep overcame her.
The next day, Raymond was picked up by Charles to 'go to work' as usual.
Paige had agreed to start a new job with Sean the next day, because today, she needed to go to the Sackler family residence. Preparing for the day ahead, she knew she was in for another tough battle.
Paige left early to beat the rush hour traffic, hailing a cab only to find herself dozens deep in line. So, she decided to pick up a rental bike and pedaled off instead.
She arrived at the International Grand Hotel by 6:50 PM, only to be stopped by a security guard at the entrance. Just as she was held up there, a Ferrari zipped by, nearly grazing her rented bike.
The driver, as soon as the Ferrari came to a halt, stepped out and barked, "What kind of place is this, letting junk like this pile up by the entrance? Move it, move it!"
Paige glanced at the young man spewing the complaints and instantly recognized him as the heir to the hotel, technically her cousin.
But his gaze just swept over her with distaste before he rushed to open the passenger door for his companion, who was none other than Paige's very own 'dear sister', Xena Sackler.
Tonight, Xena glowed, with perfect make-up and evening gown glittering with luxury. Paige looked away, unsurprised that Xena didn't spare her a glance as it probably would've tainted her. The illustrious heiress didn’t even acknowledge Paige who was in her ordinary clothes and riding a bike.
Xena clung to Elijah Trump's arm as they made their way into the hotel, Elijah casually tossing the car keys to a staff member for valet parking.
Five years.
Paige had taken Xena's place in prison.
And while she was behind bars, Xena's life shone bright; coddled like a princess by the families of both Sackler and Trump.
Paige watched their retreating figures. Sooner or later, she vowed, she would reclaim what was rightfully hers.
Parking the bike aside, Paige locked it with a quick scan of her phone then, carrying a 'gift,' she entered the hotel.
Margaret Trump's birthday bash, hosted at her family's grand hotel, was naturally a lavish event. Most guests had arrived by the time Paige walked in.
Margaret sat prominently, receiving birthday salutations from her family members.
Xena Sackler and Elijah Trump were now presenting their gifts to the matriarch.
From a distance, Paige overheard Elijah Trump say, "Grandma, this is a necklace I've brought for you, carved from a stone I personally unearthed. Had it sculpted by the finest craftsman. It's of considerable value, and I'm sure you'll love it."
As he spoke, an attendant stepped forward to present the gift, prompting a wide, beaming smile from Margaret.
Xena followed with her tribute: "Grandma, here's a red coral tree, which I discovered and personally harvested from the depths of the ocean. Just last month, one of your card partners offered me five million for it, but I told her it was meant for your birthday."
The coral tree was presented and set in front of Margaret. Hearing that her old friend had failed to secure it, despite offering five million, only to have her granddaughter gift it for her, Margaret's laughter grew even more joyful.
After the gifts were collected, Margaret announced, "Now that we've all paid our respects, let's take our seats. Xena, you'll be sitting next to me."
No sooner had she said this than Margaret stood up, ready to lead Xena to the dining area.
It was then that Paige approached, holding a plastic bag, and called out crisply, "Grandma, I haven't had the chance to wish you a happy birthday. I raced against time to make it, thankfully released from prison just before your birthday. I've also brought you a gift."
Paige's voice was so loud, it captured the attention of everyone present.
The term 'Grandma' coupled with the notion of prison drew all eyes to her.
Everyone, including Margaret Sackler and the entire Sackler family.
Elijah Trump glanced at Paige, "Isn't she the one who left a bike blocking our hotel entrance earlier?"
Xena Sackler's gaze fixed on Paige, her complexion drained of color.
How did she get here?
Did she really think she belonged at this birthday celebration?
At that moment, Paige approached, reached into her plastic bag, and pulled out her 'gift.'
