Wendy ended her last lecture with her students and headed to her office to get some rest. After she decided to sign the contract papers, she significantly improved because she would not have to worry about financing throughout her gestational period.
She had wanted to let the mayor know about her other financial plight, but something held her back. Leonard was already out of the picture, and she didn’t want to bring anything about him into her future. She wanted to contain the humiliation as much as possible.
Her mind was still active in thoughts, and she took no notice of Leonard loitering on her office floor.
“Wendy”
The familiar voice tore her emotions into shreds.
“Wendy, Wendy.”
She continued walking to her office, ignoring him completely.
“Wendy, there’s something I can’t keep any longer, and I think you should have it.”
How comical Leonard sounded this time. Wendy paused mid-step and gave him a scornful glare.
“Leave my workplace. I do not want to see you near me ever again.”
Leonard flung something in her direction, and it dropped on the floor. It was the locket she gifted him years ago.
“I just wanted to make sure we were done with this. I couldn’t sleep peacefully with that in my home.”
“Why did you do it? Why did you do this?”
“I fell out of love with you, I guess. I thought that putting a ring on your finger would make it right, but I was wrong, and I’m grateful Vera stopped that move. I feel more strongly for Vera.”
“Get out! Leave my office this minute.”
“You’ve grown wild, Wendy. You don’t even take care of yourself anymore. You have to move on.”
“Leave my office!” Wendy yelled.
Mayor Crawford emerged from the side passage, his security following behind.
“Hey! She said you should leave,” Mayor Crawford vented.
“What is this, Wendy? You called some thugs to beat me up or something?”
“I will be forced to order my men if you don’t leave at this moment.”
“Wuuuw. Nice move, Wendy. You’ve got some balls.”
One of the guards moved to slap Leonard out of the building.
“Don’t, please don’t. Let him be. He must have learned his lessons now,” Wendy found herself pleading for Leonard to be left alone. Her feelings for him were not as dead as she had thought. She couldn’t stand the sight of his torture. It was this weakness of hers that left her in her current state. Her hard heart withered in Leonard’s presence.
She turned pleadingly to the mayor to give orders that he should be freed. Her eyes wore a pitiful look as they met the mayor’s.
“Let him be. And never bother her again.”
The guard's grip loosened, and Leonard staggered away, turning intermittently to be sure they had truly let him be.
“Let no man pester you, Wendy.”
“I will only be a contract wife; I don’t have any feelings whatsoever toward you. You don’t need to pour your protection on me.”
“You’re with my child, and that’s what matters.”
“People are staring already. Can you let me know why you are here?”
“The contract papers are ready. My lawyer here will guide you through every step.”
“Let’s move into my office then.”
“No. I want us to be in a safe and comfortable environment.”
“Where else is safer than my office?”
“You fail to understand who you are about to become.”
Wendy looked at him confusingly. She could not make sense of what he was insinuating.
“Will you also forfeit the title of a mayoress?”
“Is that part of the deal?”
“Only you and I know the story behind the deal. In their eyes, you are my wife and the mayoress, but behind closed doors, you’re only the mother of my child. So, come with me; let’s hit the ground running.”
“I should have my witness, Mayor Crawford.”
The mayor turned to his lawyer, and he nodded in agreement.
“I will call Silvia right away,” Wendy declared.
“We can pick her up at her location then,” Mayor Crawford asserted.
A few minutes later, they picked up Silvia from the ballet palace where she was practicing and headed to the exotic Carlton Hotel.
“Are you sure about this, Wendy?” Silvia questioned Wendy as they sat together in the limousine Mayor Crawford provided.
“Of course. I have thought about it.”
“It’s definitely better than your previous plan. At least you’ll have full-time access to your child.”
“I guess so.”
“You’ve got to be careful, Wendy. It won’t be easy to ride with Mayor Crawford.”
“How do you mean?”
“I think he has opposing powers at Green Baey. I’ve read about his leadership style, and not many are happy with all his doings. As expected, he’s a man of affluence.”
“You’re right.”
“Yes. At best, convince him that you’d like to retain your work here. Let him provide all the comfort here for you.”
“That would be impossibly difficult, Silvia. It makes sense for me not to leave my work behind and chase shadows, right? But I don’t think it’s best for me.”
“How do you mean?”
“On second thought, there is nothing to live here for. Everything here is a constant reminder of Leonard,” Wendy said to Silvia, who seemed to be oblivious to this fact.
“I know. Which is very valid. Moving to Green Bay will surely give you a new start in life.”
“Yes. This is what I think I should do.”
The driver pulled in front of the Carlton Hotel as the mayor’s car followed behind. It was just Silvia and Wendy in the limousine whispering into each other’s ears as though they were being monitored.
Not too long afterward, they were perusing contract documents in a private meeting room at the Carlton Hotel. The papers were signed by Wendy and Mayor Crawford, indicating the beginning of an agreement.
The mayor approached Wendy side by side as they left the building, gently whispering to her to slow down her pace to give them more privacy.
“Are you all right, Wendy?”
“Of course. Why do you ask? I am only the mother of your child; you don’t have to bother about me.”
“I am fully aware of that. You continue to say this. You have my child in you right now. So, I should be nothing less than concerned about your well-being. But Wendy, is there something you think I should know?”
A suspicious look crossed Wendy's brows as she came to a halt.