wered the man on the phone. “Y

flowers, placed them in her basket and went inside. “You should warn

ce said again. “Just

be ther

_____________

and he started towards the till, but quickly turned down one of the aisles. Stran

prisingly, those kinds of men came in often. People that weren’t able to express themselves clearly en

Abigail normally steered them i

greeted cheerfully. “What

ail Miller?”

oze, the smile falling

is morning. They could not afford another catastrophe, not now. Hopefully

ough, everything was up to date. They were

r,” Abigail a

,” the man said calmly. “Mister Adam Woodtr

to process everything th

er from anyone other than her mother. And here he was, requesting lunch

the name to her, Abigail would have written it off as a weird coincidence. But looking at the man in suit in front of her

he richest men in the country

ain. “We have cars waiting to take you to the restau

o with him without proof. This could be a very elaborate kidnapp

with you. I need to call my mother first. I need

rely,” the man told her. “We’ll be waiting just

al phone number. They never called each other at work; they couldn’t take the chance o

nswered on t

ong?” Her mother

to preface this, no normal way to start,

taking a deep breath. “I

ver once revealed her father’s real name. She had only

d again when there

red, sighing. “Yes, Adam Woodtr

her voice though, her mother was the most calm and rational person she knew; if her mo

He knew I still lived in this city, but he hasn’t bothered cont

. Her father lived in the same city she did. Not only that, she h

ad she just page

is fa

il said again, after her mot

f they could afford it. And truthfully, they could

Abigail

hink you should go and meet him,” her mother to

Abigail answe

u,” her mom told her, an

ispered into the receiver, a

______________

where her father was currently working. A

her man sat in the front. And they were followed by a

the man she’d spok

ge glass doors at the back simply opened. And to Abigail’s astonishment, they drove right through, into the buildin

to Abigail’s astonishment, and the elevator doors clos

ildings, the driver drove them a few pace

tter developed than most mansions Abigail ha

or for her, and a young

greeted. “Your father is waiting for you on the resta

ly led Abigail to another, smaller elevator on the other

helm her. This was a man, possibly her father, but a

they had to round a corner. And then

sitting at

own hair and

er steps, but was able to

out a chair for her to sit down. “It’s

f water and a cup of tea was placed down

ed softly. “It’s ni

e tried to contact you sooner, but,” Adam shook his head. “T

” Abigail answ

d of man with free time or someone given to sentiment. And the two of

his hands on the table in front of him. “If you’d give

ugh her head was swimming with everything that had happene

willing to come and stay with me for a little while? I’m a very busy man, and I think if you were to live with me,

n entirely aback, but

in it. I'd like to give that to you. You don't have to work in the flower shop, struggling just to get by. You have inherited