“Ernest,” Megan beamed with practiced social grace, then turned toward the other woman.
“Hadley, what a pleasant surprise to see you here!”
Ernest’s brow furrowed as he fixed Eric with a stern look.
“What brings you to my office?”
Eric faltered, the words caught in his throat as courage abandoned him. His peripheral vision remained painfully aware of Hadley’s presence. A mortifying thought struck him—had he intruded upon Ernest’s private time with Hadley?
“Ernest, look.” Megan stepped into the awkward silence with a bright explanation.
“Eric went to the west side early this morning and only just returned. He realized it had been too long since you two last spoke, so he decided to drop by.”
Ernest’s expression maintained its cold, unwelcoming edge.
“Ernest,” Megan added with determined cheerfulness, “Eric has already secured a reservation at that lovely restaurant nearby. We’d love for you to join us for lunch.”
She pivoted toward Hadley with an inclusive gesture.
“Would you care to join us as well?”
“I really should…” Hadley began to shake her head, preparing to politely decline the invitation.
“Please join us,” Ernest interrupted with quiet authority.
“We had already planned to share a meal, and you mentioned having something important to discuss with me.”
“Yes, that’s true.” Hadley managed an uncomfortable smile and nodded reluctantly.
“I suppose that would work.”
“We should head out, then.” Ernest glanced at his watch before addressing Hadley.
“Have you completed your review of the documents? Everything’s in there?”
“Not quite yet…” Hadley shook her head with obvious embarrassment.
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She had been on the verge of beginning her review when the unexpected visitors arrived.
“I’ll finish this quickly. It shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.”
“Alright.” Ernest nodded with patient understanding.
“Take all the time you need.”
“Thank you for your patience.”
The three of them settled into an uncomfortable silence as they waited for Hadley to complete her task. Hadley carefully opened the document folder, spreading each paper across Ernest’s desk to verify its contents before methodically returning them to their proper places.
As she worked, a small booklet slipped from between the papers and fluttered to the floor. Both Ernest and Eric instinctively moved forward, bending down simultaneously to retrieve the fallen item. However, when Ernest noticed Eric’s hand extending toward the booklet, he deliberately pulled back and stepped aside.
Eric paused, clearly surprised by Ernest’s gesture, but continued to pick up the booklet. The document in his hands was a birth certificate, and he saw the name—Joyce Scott. He didn’t recognize that name, but he noticed the surname was identical to his own. Eric’s frown deepened as recognition tugged at the edges of his memory. Why did this name stir something familiar within him? Who was Joyce Scott?
“Thank you,” Hadley said quickly, her hands moving with obvious urgency as she took the booklet from his grasp and tucked it securely back into the document folder.
Eric snapped back to reality, still a bit dazed.
.
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