Chapter 54
I thought this drama would end smoothly.
Faye was obviously scared by Arabella. In her world, giving gifts between friends was perfectly normal. She never expected Jessa would take her mother's things, nor did she imagine her mother would track them down and make a scene.
In the evening, I returned home.
Levi texted me asking about Faye, but I never replied. Before, if I didn't say anything, he wouldn't ask too many questions. I figured this time he should just do the same as usual.
Everyone was sitting in the living room.
When Celestia saw me, she climbed out of Levi's arms.
"Daddy, I'll help Mommy with her bag."
Faye's eyes got a bit red when she saw me. She must still feel wronged. I told her not to tell Levi, so she's probably uncomfortable keeping it bottled up.
Jessa is perfect in Levi's mind. Even if Faye told him, it would only make Levi unhappy.
"Blair, you're back."
Faye also came over to me and took my coat.
"Celestia didn't give you any trouble, did she?"
"No, no, she was good." Faye turned her face away, not wanting me to notice her sadness.
I could tell that Jessa and Arabella had really hurt her. I needed to find a chance to help her work through her feelings.
"Mommy, Auntie Faye seemed unhappy today. She's been down since she came back this afternoon. She didn't want to play with any of the toys I offered her."
Celestia frowned. She wanted Faye to be happy.
I took Celestia's hand and pulled her to sit down.
"Celestia, Faye also needs her own space sometimes. If Faye is a bit upset, just let her have some time alone, okay?"
"Okay, Mommy, I understand."
Faye tugged at Celestia's little braids. "You're such a clever girl. Who do you take after?"
"My mommy, of course."
"Your ability to read people's moods is definitely like your mom, but the way you ignore others is like your dad."
Faye hit the nail on the head. Celestia really did combine traits from both of us.
Levi was scrolling through his phone. Now that I was home, he had time to handle some things.
I guessed Celestia must have asked him for help, which is why he came home earlier than me.
"Blair, is your company hiring?"
I had just taken a sip of water and immediately choked. Faye was looking for a job?
She patted my back. "I have an internship assignment. The school was supposed to arrange it, but since I came back home, I have to find something myself."
"Our company doesn't have any positions suitable for you. Besides, your major doesn't really match what we do."
"Auntie Faye, why don't you go to Daddy's company? You can do whatever you want. I'll talk to my dad and tell him not to boss you around."
Faye pouted. "But I want to work with your mom. I'm so happy when I'm with her."
"She's just not afraid of you causing trouble."
Levi got to the point. I could indeed cover for her everywhere and not let her be wronged.
Even though Levi could protect her, she'd probably be more comfortable with me. After all, the Morgan Group moves fast, and the atmosphere is pretty intense.
"Levi, that's not nice to say. I just like Blair. I'm being direct about it, unlike some people who are like a block of stone."
Levi rolled his eyes at her and picked up his laptop again.
"Let Levi arrange something for you. I used to work under him, too."
"She can't do it."
Levi rejected her outright, though those trivial tasks really wouldn't train her much—they're just hard work.
"Who are you looking down on? Tomorrow I'm going to your company, and you have to give me a position. Otherwise, I'll tell my aunt that you're bullying me."
"Whatever."
The two of them started bickering.
Things had been harmonious until Indigo announced that Jessa had arrived, and everyone fell silent.
Jessa came in carrying a large fruit basket.
I found it ridiculous. Every time she came, she seemed to bring fruit, and she'd say she picked it herself to cater to Levi's preference for fresh produce.
At first glance, she actually looked a bit like a farm woman.
Faye didn't want to see her and was about to go back to her room when Jessa stopped her.
"Faye, what happened earlier was all a misunderstanding. I brought you some fruit. Try some." Jessa started arranging the fruit as she spoke.
Indigo came over. "Miss Greer, let me wash them. Please have a seat."
"Levi, you're home too. Off work early today?"
Jessa looked awkward. She was probably here to test whether Levi knew about the gift incident.
"Yeah, early today."
Levi closed his laptop and gestured for her to sit down.
I got up and sat across from them. I didn't want her sitting next to me.
Faye sat down next to me. "Celestia, come here."
"Celestia didn't go to school?"
"Thanks to you, she's not going at all this year."
Faye knew about Jessa hurting Celestia's arm and was upset about it.
"It was my fault. I'm really sorry." Jessa looked at Levi pitifully. "Levi, I came today to check on Faye and to invite her to my house."
"I'm not going!"
Faye jumped up. "I'm starting work at Levi's company tomorrow. I don't have time."
"My mom said you misunderstood today. Come to my house for a simple meal tomorrow. She wants to apologize to you in person."
Arabella apologizing? I didn't believe it.
I figured it was another trap. If it weren't for Levi's mother's sake, Arabella wouldn't invite Faye at all.
"What happened?"
Levi asked the question, which stunned Jessa. She realized we hadn't told Levi about this. At the time, we only had Faye call to tell him he didn't need to come, but she didn't know we hadn't mentioned it again after getting home.
"Levi, it's just..."
"Nothing, just a misunderstanding."
I cut Faye off. This matter was too embarrassing. If Levi found out Arabella had treated Faye like a thief, he'd definitely be furious.
"Levi, it was just a small misunderstanding. We've already cleared it up. Faye finally came back home, and my mom has always been close with Auntie Natalia, so she wants to invite Faye over for dinner."
Levi wasn't so easily fooled. He didn't press further because he wanted to give everyone some dignity.
Faye said firmly, "I appreciate the thought, but I won't go. Your mom is a bit scary, and I don't want any contact going forward."
"Uh, Faye, this..."
Jessa didn't expect Faye to be so resolute. She looked at Levi.
"If she doesn't want to go, then don't go."
Levi stood up. "I happen to have something to take care of. I'll drive you home."
"Levi, you're not staying for dinner?"
"No."
Levi walked past me with Jessa. I didn't know if Levi really had business to handle or if he was deliberately taking her away to spare her the awkwardness.