Delilah paced inside her apartment as she relayed the entire day to Dalphina. Every single minute of her day, including her elevator incident.
“What? You just ran. Are you crazy? He sounded like a prince, whispering sweet words to you.”
Delilah rolled her eyes. “Yeah, and he also could’ve been an ax murderer in disguise. I tell you that my grandmother left everything to me in her will, effectively making me the most hated person in my family, and you zoom right to the part about the guy.”
“Well, come on. I knew your grandmother would do right by you. That’s no surprise. But you were actually flirting with a guy. Puh-lease, that is a surprise. You’re always so shy, so reserved. And you ruined everything by running away. You could’ve gotten a hot date out of that. And now you’re rich. You have the money to splurge on outrageous outfits so you can dress like a queen on your date.”
“I was nervous about the meeting, to hear what she wrote in her will. I had hoped she would give me her tea collection because I have such wonderful memories with her, but I never expected her to forget about everyone else and leave it all to me. I’m still in shock.”
Dalphina stood up from the couch and placed a tender hand on Delilah’s shoulder to stop her from pacing. “Your grandmother loved you. If your parents were still alive, she probably would’ve added them because they were beautiful people. But everyone else in your family always used and abused that woman. She knew that. She saw how thoughtful and sincere you were. I had no doubt she would take care of you when she passed away. And seriously, quit dodging about this guy. Aren’t you a little sad you ran away?”
Delilah bit her lip as she pondered that question. “Maybe.”
“Ha!”
“But it would’ve never worked out. He was ten leagues over me. And—”
“Not anymore. You’re a freakin’ millionaire now. You’re in everyone’s league. But seriously, you always were. Stop letting those nasty freaks get in your head. Who’s the one laughing now? You are. Maybe they will rethink the way they treated your grandmother. Perhaps if they would’ve been a little nicer, they would’ve gotten something from her. It’s their fault. Let’s go celebrate.”
Delilah’s mouth dropped open. “I can’t celebrate my grandmother passing away and leaving me her entire estate.”
Dalphina waved her hand carelessly as she bee-lined it towards Delilah’s bedroom. “Girl, I meant let’s celebrate about you flirting with a guy. You’re capable of it. This is great. Let’s hit the town and flirt some more.”
Delilah laughed as she followed her. “I’m pretty sure that was a one-time occurrence. I think it was Duncan and the circumstances surrounding us. I will not be cracking open my shell tonight.”
“Just appease me for once, please. We’re going out.”
Delilah sighed in defeat, knowing she would never get her way when Dalphina got something in her head.
♡
She would never listen to Dalphina again. Never again. Not only did she have a small headache from drinking last night, but she had endured repeated torture that happened anytime she came across one of her cousins.
Of course, her and Dalphina had to choose the one nightclub her cousins Suzy and Rosy were at. Two of her cousins that were the most ruthless.
They had zeroed in on her right away. And it wasn’t hard, especially when they saw her long braid hanging down her back. Of course, in good fashion like they always did, they yanked on her braid in greeting.
“Well, if it isn’t, Little Miss Precious.”
That was the only nice thing they said to her. Which wasn’t very nice, in her opinion. Not the way they said it in their loud, nasally voices with disgust.
They teased her, mocked her, even one time threatened her. Delilah hadn’t been positive if it was an honest-to-goodness threat, but it sure felt like one.
“All that money. Whatever will you do with yourself? I wonder where that money would go if you suddenly vanished.”
Delilah had no clue. It’s not like the money sat in her bank account already. It wasn’t that simple. But she knew she had to take care of that little problem first thing this morning. Which meant she needed to venture up the horrendous high-rise once again. She needed to speak to Mr. Boston about the terms of the will more thoroughly.
What if something did suddenly happen to her? She needed to create her own will. And she knew exactly who she would choose as her beneficiary. Her best friend, Dalphina. No way would any of her treacherous family members, especially her two nasty cousins, ever get a dime of her grandmother’s money.
The only thing to keep her sane as she rode up the elevator was the thought of Duncan. He had wiped away her fears last time she was here. With his simple smile and bright blue eyes. With his kind words and whispering tone.