CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
DREW
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The next day, just before lunch, a huge box is delivered. It’s bright red with a white bow.
“Mommy is it for me?” Zoe bounces up and down.
“Let’s check.” I know it’s not.
If some strange person is sending my daughter gifts, then I have bigger problems. Instead, I know it’s from Drew.
It weighs nothing, so I carry it into the living room and open it.
Inside is miles of white tissue paper. Pulling it out, it goes flying around the place, and Zoe dances about, giggling.
I join in her giggling.
Until I start getting to the bottom of the empty box. “There’s nothing in h—”
Oh!
A little black box is taped to the bottom.
I tug it and it easily comes free.
Inside is a pair of diamond earrings encased in white gold.
I blink, then notice another card.
Forgive me. I miss your sparkling, beautiful eyes. Drew x
“Wow,” I whisper, then remind myself he is a billionaire.
Two days later, a Tiffany & Co diamond encrusted bangle shows up.
Then a bottle of Go?t de Diamants champagne, known to be worth at least seven figures.
The next Monday a box containing the most expensive perfume in the world arrived. I’ve read about it, but holding the apple-shaped bottle in my hand was something else. I immediately locked it in our safe. I could just see Zoe getting her little toddler fingers on it, and the rest would be history.
I hadn’t responded yet to Drew’s gifts.
Watching to see if he gave up and lost interest was my first instinct. He was a man of great means, so while the gifts were outrageous, I knew he could afford it.
I wasn’t interested in his money.
I wanted to see how he behaved.
If he was bold enough to tell me how he feels. If he wanted me enough to take the right steps.
Although I wasn’t hating the gifts, they were fun.
A few days later, Drew shocked me
The delivery man appeared in the elevator beside a tall, rectangular box half his height. “We have an interesting one today, ma’am.”
“Oh.” I step forward. “Is it heavy?”
“A little. I’ll bring it in.” He lifts it and carries it inside a few steps. “See you tomorrow.”
I chuckle, staring at the black-wrapped box and wondering what on earth it could be.
Zoe wanders out, rubbing her eyes as she wakes from her nap. “Momma.”
“Hey beautiful, do you want some milk?” I rub her cheek affectionately.
“Yes, please.”
We wander off to the kitchen, and before I know it, I’m pulling things out to defrost for dinner. It’s almost an hour later when I remember we haven’t opened the gift.
I grab scissors and began to slide open the box.
What in the...
I lift the lid and find a robot lying on its back.
“Ohhhhhhhhh...” Zoe almost explodes with excitement.
“Calm down, calm down.” I laugh, grabbing her.
“Robot, robot, robot, robot!” She dances around the box, clapping.
I have no idea what to do with it, but I cut away the ties and pull it out. The silver robot doesn’t look like any kid’s toy I’ve seen advertised in stores.
Finding a control panel, I push a button and then remove the card that accompanies it. Standing the silver robot on the floor, Zoe moves in front of it and says hello.
I push a green button.
“Hello Zoe.”
“Jesus,” I pull Zoe behind me, taken aback.
It then turns it head to me and says, “Hello, Gemma. Would you like to play?”
“Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.” Zoe peeks through my legs, only half as brave as she sounds.
“My name is Robot. Would you like to rename me?”
“No, your name is Robot.”
“Yes,” I reply.
I push the off button and ignore Zoe’s groans.
It’s time to message Drew.