“What size?”
The question makes me pause. I have no fucking idea what size clothing she wears. “Just ask her when you bring the food up,” I conclude. I notice there’s a slight hesitation in her movement that I haven’t seen before. “Are you okay, Susan?”
She seems surprised by the question. “I’m just a bit tired. Nothing to worry about.”
I lean against the counter, noticing the pill bottle tucked half-behind the olive oil. Arthritis medication. I’ve known about her arthritis for a while, but this is the first time I’ve seen her keep her pills this close in the open.
“Are your hands bothering you?” I ask.
A flash of discomfort crosses her face before she masks it. “It’s nothing, Mr. Russo. Winter makes them ache a bit. That’s all.”
I don’t press. Instead, I reach for my phone, making a quick note. “I’ll have the heating system adjusted in your room. And find someone to handle the heavy lifting in the pantry from now on.”
“That’s not necessary—”
“It is.” My tone leaves no room for argument, but it’s not unkind. “I expect excellence, Susan. That requires proper working conditions.”
Something that might be gratitude flickers in her eyes, but she’s too professional to make an emotional scene. Instead, she simply nods. “If you insist.”
“I do.” Pointing at the black credit card. “After you get some clothes for Alina, take the rest of tomorrow off. Get some rest and a massage.”
“But—”
“It’s an order,” I cut her off. “The house won’t fall apart in a day.” At least I hope it won’t.
A small smile crosses her face. “Thank you, Mr. Russo.” Then she laughs softly. “It might, though. Please don’t make me come back to a mess.”
I chuckle because I know damn well Susan will be back at work tomorrow. In the years, I’ve only ever once convinced her to take the entire day off. And since she lives here, it’s not like I can ban the woman from the kitchen.
Three hours later, Susan finds me in my office, sorting through emails with a glass of whiskey at my elbow.
“She hasn’t touched the food, Mr. Russo,” Susan reports. “The cat ate, though.”
I look up, setting aside my laptop. “She hasn’t eaten anything at all?”
“No, sir.” She shakes her head emphatically. “And she wasn’t happy to see me until I told her I was bringing stuff for her cat. Those she took and even thanked me. I left her to it, but when I came back to collect the tray and empty plates, they were still full.”
I wonder if she didn’t like the food.
“And she said it wasn’t the food,” Susan continues, answering my unvoiced thoughts. “But she just… didn’t want any. And she didn’t want to tell me her clothing size. In fact, she was offended by the question, even when I explained why.”
Sighing, I pinch the bridge of my nose. Fucking stubborn woman. “Thank you for trying, Susan.”
The woman smiles slyly. “Of course, I don’t actually need to know her size to know what will fit,” she informs me. “I did your mom’s shopping for years. I know how to dress other people. So leave it with me.”
Considering she’s the one who buys everything in this house, I should have known better. Susan’s attention to detail is unparalleled, so I know she’ll get exactly what Alina needs.
“Thank you,” I call after her when she’s already halfway out of my office.
“I’ll buy myself a gift of appreciation tomorrow.”
There’s no need to answer. Susan always buys herself what she needs, which includes presents. The only thing I personally buy her is flowers on her birthday and Mother’s Day. Her son was thirty-four, my age, when he died while working for my dad. That was six years ago.
But as Susan always says, just because she no longer has a child doesn’t mean she isn’t still a mom. So I make it a point to give her a big bouquet twice a year.
I drain the last of my whiskey, groaning and rolling my neck to crack it. My shoulders feel tight, tension building at the base of my skull. Nothing a good workout won’t fix. But that’ll have to wait until I’ve met with Ian and Colin.
My phone beckons me from where it lies on the desk. It would be all too easy to open the security feed and check on Alina. But it’s her first night here. I should give her time to settle and trust that she’ll eat when she’s ready.
