I thought I lost everything with that single punch. The one unconscious punch. My whole career, everything I ever worked for, all those years of training and missions, gone down the drain….
But forget Nightfall or Handler. I'll personally "take care" of these bastards later. I let Handler deal with that mean woman at the department store that one time, but is something I want to do myself.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Our heads simultaneously shot to the double doors, which suddenly burst open. My jaw dropped as a familiar figure stationed himself under the threshold, surveying the room clearly distressed and irate. "M-Mr. Henderson?" I whispered astonished.
The two interviewers- still conscious- wore a look of horror, their own mouths flapping a bit dumbstruck. Mr. Henderson fired off an enraged glare their way. "What is going on in here?!" He bellowed before his eyes then reached over to me. Our stares locked and his demeanour immediately altered to one of genuine relief and delight.
"Mrs. Forger! How nice to see you again!" The elderly man came over to shake my hand with enthusiasm. I was too shocked to reply at first, but soon grew a kind grin myself. "And I you, sir. Good afternoon, Mr. Henderson," my hand gave his a squeeze before letting go. He straightened up his back and clasped his hands casually behind him, still looking at me with benevolence. "What a pleasant surprise this is! Had I known you were coming today, I would have greeted you at the front gets myself." I noticed the two interviewers flinch nervously as Mr. Henderson said this; it began to dawn on me that Mr. Henderson might be their boss or higher, which would explain why they were suddenly acting so anxious.
My suspicion was confirmed when one of them, the first guy, took a very timid step forward, as if trying to grab Mr. Henderson's attention- it still being on me. "Sir, we just summoned security to remove these two off the property," oh boy, was his voice shaky. I bet he already knew this wouldn't go over well, again confirmed by the terrible expression Mr. Henderson then gave him.
"I beg your pardon. Did you just say you called security on one of MY personal guests?" First man's back arched in fear. "F-Forgive us, sir. W-We didn't know this…. er, she was an acquaintance of yours." Third guy lowered his clipboard a little, coming in to defend his friend's side timorously. "Sir, it was I who summoned security. That man assaulted James," third guy pointed to a still shell-shocked Loid. Loid hadn't moved since the arrival of Mr. Henderson, instead merely standing there with his mouth agape. I'd never seen him look so stunned before, which is saying something.
Mr. Henderson glanced from my husband over to the unconscious man lying on the floor. He hummed a bit, lowering his head in a thoughtful fashion. "I see. And why did Mr. Forger lash out at James so aggressively?" The two men blinked in shock at this question. "Sir! He attacked a board member! No excuse could possible be so…" "What happened, Mrs. Forger?" Deciding to ignore the other two guys now, Mr. Henderson interrupted him by turning to face me again. Both my mouth and eyes opened in surprise, as did the interviewers'. First guy's finger twitched in obvious annoyance at this. "You're asking her?! A gutter whore?!"
Oh man, was that the WRONG thing to say. I'd never seen Mr. Henderson glare as someone so hatefully before. He even spun his feet so to counter the now trembling and regretful man directly. "What did you just call her?" "U-Uhhhhhhh….." First man's face went pale and his lips were unable to form a coherent sentence. Mr. Henderson took a deadly step in his direction, glaring even more intensely. "The founder and president of this club just asked you a question, Wilkes! You dare to SUGGEST such a thing about one of my friends?! I don't think you know who this woman is! It seems like you are the confused one here, proving all the more that I left the interview process in the wrong hands. I am disgusted at your total lack of decorum and elegance! If you had any class or breeding whatsoever, you would see plain as day that the Forgers are just the kind of personale this club caters to. Or should cater to," Mr. Henderson paused here to breathe, and we all continued to stare at him bewildered, especially all the men in the room. Mr. Henderson cleared his throat and closed his eyes for a minute before breaking the silence again. His eyes scrolled back my way, much gentler now.
"I'll tell you who Yor Forger is. She is a pure, honest soul who understands and empathizes with the pain and toil of others. I discovered this back at the castle…. where she showed great admiration for a forgotten, run-down chapel… because she knew all the blood and sweat it took to construct it." "Mr. Henderson!" I gasped and he smiled. His thin, frail hand reached over to take hold of mine again. "Mrs. Forger is kindness personified. We saw so little of each other, yet it enough for me to determine her true colours. She is always thinking of others and does what is in their best interest, and she appreciates the sacrifices of fellow human beings. She's shown me that this generation is not a lost cause, that there are still some good, truly elegant people out there in this god-forsaken world. You showed that to me, Mrs. Forger…. Just like the kindness I heard you showed Miss Bates at the conservatory." "Mr. Henderson….." My eyes widened, surprised that he'd heard about that run-in with the secret service.
The two men appeared as if you'd just slapped them square in the face with a dead fish, but it was clear that Mr. Henderson was done with them. He was only looking at me now, still grasping my hand softly in his. His face relaxed slightly, as did his posture. "So, you and Mr. Forger want to join the Garden of Eden club, then? Well, as the president of this establishment, I am more than happy to admit you both, my dear." My heart couldn't have leaped any higher. This was like being given the key to the candy shop as a child. "Oh, Mr. Henderson! Would you really?!" Both my hands were now clasping onto his. He chuckled, nodding his head with serenity. "Consider it done. You'll bring some much-needed light into this gloomy place." "Oh, Mr. Henderson! Thank you, sir! Thank you so much!" Tears were now streaming down my cheeks. I spun my head around to a speechless Loid, who was still wearing the same expression when Mr. Henderson entered the scene.
"Isn't this wonderful, Loid?! Aren't you thankful to Mr. Henderson?!" My husband flinched, suddenly crashing back to reality and blinking wildly. His whole body flinched as his eyes rapidly moved to Mr. Henderson. "U-Uh, yes! Of course! Thank you, sir! My wife and I are tremendously grateful for your generosity." Mr. Henderson grinned over at him kindly. "It is my pleasure, young man. I just hope you remember this is all in account of your better half. She IS your better half, Mr. Forger," Mr. Henderson told him with an air of stoicness and sincerity. Loid didn't reply but merely gazed back at me with large, understanding eyes. Understanding, authentic eyes….
Mr. Henderson then turned back toward me, lifting my hands up a tad. "Now, it is to my understanding that you and Mr. Forger are looking for new accommodations." "E-Er, yes sir. We have to uh… vacate our apartment. B-But I wish not to concern you with that, sir!" I was quick to add on and he shook his head. "It is no concern. In fact, I purpose a solution to your conundrum." "Yes, sir?" His eyes glimmered as he grinned down at me, already expecting me to be astonished by his offer.
"Come live at the castle with me." "Oh, sir!" My eyes enlarged to the size of dinner plates. In truth, this would be like a dream come true for me, but it was too generous! We couldn't except it! It broke my heart in two to shake my head, looking down disappointedly at my feet. "That is so generous, sir, and I am incredibly flattered that you would even extend the invitation to us, but we must refuse it. It would be too much of an imposition, and right after you admitted us to your club too…. It wouldn't be right, sir," I shyly let my eyes drift back up to his. He seemed taken aback for a moment but soon was grinning again. His head gave another tender shake.
"Such elegance… Do not worry, my dear girl; this is not a mere act of charity. The castle has been falling into disrepair because of its lack of use. It would do a lot of good in preserving the estate if more people took residence there, and you are exactly the kind of resident I want occupying those precious Medieval rooms." "Mr. Henderson….." My lips stammered, making him chuckle. His hand reached up to brush some stray hairs off my forehead, staring deeply into my eyes the whole time. "You and your husband are welcomed to stay as long as you please. You may have any chamber you like, and I'll have the East Wing kitchens opened again. I'll leave managing the grounds and interior up to you, Mrs. Forger; I can't think of more trustworthy hands to put them in. While you oversee the castle, Mr. Forger and I shall tend to our occupations in the party. How does that sound?" "H-How does that sound…..? Sir, I can't remember the last time I've been so happy!" More tears streaming down my face. He lowered his head in a soft manner, letting his eyes linger on mine. "I can't imagine you've had a lot of happiness in your past. This party's failed you in so many ways…
Now it's time for me to pick up the slack."