Veronica offered him a smile, then reached to her nightstand and pulled out a few tissues to clean herself up at least minimally, then rolled out of bed to go to the bathroom and do a better job. She wet a washcloth with warm water and washed between her legs, then tossed it in the hamper before making her way back to bed.
She laid herself down and then turned off the lamp. Calvin leaned over and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
“Goodnight,” Calvin murmured softly into her ear.
“Goodnight,” Veronica answered. “I’m going to report to work tomorrow and sort out the details of my employment for Davenport.”
Calvin stiffened in the bed and was quiet for a long moment.
“If that’s really what you want,” he said a little shortly. “I can’t stop you.”
Veronica said nothing. He was right, and they both already knew it. With a sigh, she turned over onto her side and looked over at him.
“It’s a good opportunity,” Veronica said softly.
“I know,” Calvin nodded, offering her a smile that didn’t touch his eyes. “I just… pictured all this a little differently.”
“Me too,” Veronica lifted her hand and cupped his cheek.
They remained that way for a moment, silent.
“Well,” Calvin sighed, taking her hand and pressing a kiss to her palm. “I guess we’d better get to sleep.”
“Yeah,” Veronica murmured.
“Well, goodnight,” Calvin said, and settled down into the bed.
“Goodnight,” Veronica responded, and settled into the bed as well.
She felt Calvin wrap his body around hers, and she didn’t protest. She knew that this would be the last night they spent together for a long while. She wanted to feel more sentimental, but the feelings never stirred within her. She simply made herself comfortable and fell asleep.
When Veronica’s alarm went off in the morning, she was a little surprised to find that Calvin was no longer in bed with her. She looked around for a moment, wondering if he was in the shower. She listened for a moment to try and tell if he was in the kitchen, but she heard nothing.
She rolled out of bed and headed to the bathroom, brushing her teeth. She realized about halfway through that she was headed to Davenport’s estate today, and her stomach fluttered with excitement, and not entirely about getting such an incredible job. She wondered if Davenport would be there to greet her himself, or one of his associates.
Veronica scolded herself for her wayward thoughts. She may be moving out, but she was still with Calvin, and Davenport was off limits.
Veronica moved out of the bathroom and headed to her closet. She carefully selected a simple outfit of a white blouse, a black blazer and a matching pencil skirt. She would likely have to be more practical with her wardrobe in the future for her tasks around the house, but for her first day she figured something nicer couldn’t hurt.
Once she was satisfied with her wardrobe, she considered the fact that she was to start living there immediately. The paperwork had said Davenport would arrange movers to come to her apartment and
collect her items, but he had perhaps not accounted for the fact that she lived with Calvin.
So, she collected a few sets of clothes, and put them into a small suitcase. Then, she would speak with Davenport about her situation, but still be able to stay there as per his request. When she was fully packed, she gathered up her suitcase and purse and headed down to the ground floor of their apartment building.
Veronica stepped out onto the street and reached into her pocket for the business card that had been among the papers Davenport had given her. The number on the card was for a driver that would take her to the estate. She felt a flash of nerves and excitement and dialled the number.
“Thomas Elkhart speaking,” a man answered after the first ring. Veronica recognized it as the name on the card.
“Hello,” Veronica said, feeling a little awkward. “I’m Veronica Lawrence, I’m starting work at Mr. Davenport’s estate today. I was told to call this number to get there.”
“Certainly Miss Lawrence,” the man answered pleasantly. “I have your address right here and I will be there to collect you shortly.”
“Oh,” Veronica blinked in surprise. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure,” the man said, and the phone went dead.
Veronica felt another flash of nerves and excitement. She set her suitcase on the sidewalk and sat on top of it as she waited. It was not long until a car pulled up on the curb just in front of her. She stood, and the driver, fully dressed in a crisp black suit, stepped out of the car.