章節 12: Normalizing

Cora practically skipped out of the Tower building and headed in the direction of her bank branch. She would have to feed money into her account at the ATM since it was Sunday but that was okay. When she reached the bank, she put half of the money in the bank so she would have what she needed for the next two weeks.

Her phone pinged with a notification and after reading it she smiled. Having anyone to talk to about the crazy change in her fortune would be nice. Though she knew that this person would probably be a downer. Cora really just wanted to be around someone to remind herself that this was reality. She had seriously mixed feelings about this person but since she had no one else, he would have to do.

Having gone to the bank, Cora went in search of a good quality clothing shop that would carry business casual clothes. It was Sunday but something was bound to be open. She also wanted to buy a bathing suit because her paperwork said she had access to the roof pool and Cora loved to swim.

In high school she was on the swim team. She had been decent enough to qualify often but any chance she had of swimming in college had died with her mother when she had missed the most important swim meet during her mother's funeral.

There were three major stores that Cora was headed to, and she hoped she would be able to get everything she needed today. She bypassed the shoe store noting that it was open and walked two stores down grateful to see that the clothing boutique was open. Cora spent an hour inside picking up three dresses, one of which was dressier and suitable for going to a business dinner.

She also picked up four pairs of slacks, one skirt, six blouses of different styles, a couple of undergarments, one business dress jacket, and a swimsuit. She also found a nice leather computer bag with a nice pocket with dividers that she put on the work card. Once everything was folded and placed into two bags, Cora paid and headed to the shoe store.

At the shoe store Cora picked up a pair of low-heeled boots and a pair of black heels. She headed to the last store and picked up several new sets of underwear and bras. Everything she owned right now was so dingy and old that it really was necessary. She grabbed two basic tank nightgowns, shorts with camisole sleep set, and paid needing to head to the restaurant to meet her sometimes fiancé.

Cora now had her hands full, and her bags were starting to get heavy but at least she was only less than three blocks from the tower. She would make it fine after lunch. Cora was finished shopping, and she had picked up everything she needed for now that wasn't coming with her household order this evening.

She pushed into the stir fry restaurant and spotted Jared Duluth. Seeing how overburdened she was he jumped up from the table and hurried over, taking a couple bags from Cora. Once they had both set down the bags they were holding in the extra chairs at their table Jared turned to Cora.

"Sweetheart, what is going on with you?" Jared kissed both of her cheeks then helped her into her seat before sitting back down. "Oh, I ordered your favorite so we wouldn't have to wait so long."

Cora smirked at him shaking her head. That was Jared, accidentally presumptuous. Perpetually impatient and often entitled to the point of being offensive. That being said, he was also a nice guy that had been kind to her. Sure, he had agreed to break off their engagement since his parents had given him no choice, but he hadn't just abandoned her like everyone else. He was the one person that consistently made sure she was alive. Jared made sure she wasn't starving and still treated her like her existence mattered.

When he ordered food for her without her consent, she remembered the times that Jared paid for her phone so she would be able to call him in case of an emergency. She remembered when there was a riot at the camp, and she was so scared that he came and picked her up and they drove around town all night until it was light out and the riot was over. He couldn't take her in because his parents had forbidden him from being affiliated with her, but he still did what he could. Jared was an asshole but with a heart of gold, as far as she was concerned.

Jared snapped his fingers at Cora. "Honey, what is going on? What has changed so drastically? Did you rob a bank, what?"

Cora laughed coming back to the present and taking a sip of the white wine that had been set in front of her. "I got a really great job with great pay, benefits, an apartment, even a car."

"Umm, how?" Jared looked at Cora disbelieving.

"You are so insulting. I got a job at that club, and they pulled my work history, saw that I was overqualified and gave me a job I was qualified for. They had a position open. Atlas doesn't give a shit about my last name. They care that the job gets done." Cora explained as patiently as she was able.

"What's the job?" Jared asked suspiciously.

"The same as I had at Duluth, an Executive Assistant to two of the higher ups at the company." Cora told him, raising an eyebrow waiting for the next question.

Jared grinned at her, "This is for real? You're finally making your comeback."

"Yes, I signed all the documents this morning. Got my signing bonus. All that, are you happy for me or what?" Cora prodded him knowing he was about to go one way or the other.

"I'm ecstatic, Cora. I am so happy for you. I've been so worried and not able to do anything." Jared shook his head trying to dispel the thoughts.

"Where is your apartment?" Jared asked like he suddenly remembered.

"At the tower. The giant black one a few blocks up. Do you know why the tower is black?" Cora asked, remembering how curious it made her.

Jared stared at Cora with a look she didn't quite understand. "The glass is tinted heavily. The same way they tint car windows. What floor are you on?"

"The 27th." Cora said absently noting their food was coming out. Jared had been watching the server too but Cora was concerned when his head snapped toward her in surprise and was full of alarm before he wiped his expression to something milder.