Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Adalyn
He looked at me like I was crazy, and I didn’t blame him. But he wanted to know the story.
“Oh, and another thing, while I was in the midst of a minor breakdown yesterday, a psychiatrist accused me of trying to kill myself.”
“You didn’t tell him that story, did you?”
“Hell no. If I did, you’d be visiting me in the psych ward. You don’t believe me, Harrison, do you?”
“I honestly don’t know what to believe. Where’s the ring now?”
“In my purse.”
“Can I see it?”
“Really? Why?”
“Because Adalyn, I need verification that you’re not making all this up.”
I let out a laugh. “You do think I’m crazy. Fine. Hand me my purse over there, and I’ll show you the ring, but don’t blame me if bad luck follows you.”
He rolled his eyes as he got up and grabbed my purse. Reaching into it, I pulled out the ring and held it up. Suddenly, the color drained from his face as a shock swept over him.
“Are you okay?”
“That’s the ring you found?”
“Yes.”
He grabbed it from my hand, read the inscription, and then looked at me.
“This is my grandmother’s ring. My grandfather gave it to her on their fortieth wedding anniversary when they renewed their wedding vows. My grandmother’s name is Mary.”
My heart started racing, and the air around me was constricting.
“Are you sure?”
He pulled his phone from his pocket and made a call.
“Athena, get to the hospital immediately. I’ll tell you when you get here.”
“Harrison, I have no words right now. Please tell me Mary is alive.”
“Yes. She lives in a high-end retirement home on Park Avenue.”
“I brought my hands up to my mouth as tears started to form in my eyes. I couldn’t believe this.
He took a seat in the chair and stared at the ring.
“It devastated her when she lost it. They were on vacation, and she didn’t know how or when it happened. All she knew was when she looked down at her hand, the ring was missing. Shortly after they got back, my grandfather was going to have another one made for her, but before he could do it, he passed away. My God, Adalyn. I can’t believe this. What makes you think it’s the ring that brought you the bad luck besides the fact that it all started happening after you found it?”
“Since my apartment building burned down, I’m staying with my best friend Carly and her husband Daniel. His Grandma Lori was over for dinner one night, and she was admiring my ring. When I told her I found it, she said I needed to get rid of it immediately. She said that the ring was a symbol of true love and that it was given to Mary by her soulmate to seal that love forever. She said it wasn’t meant to be worn by anyone else.”
“I see.”
“What is going on?” Athena asked with concern as she came running into my room.
Harrison sat her down and explained everything. She looked at me as tears filled her eyes.
“I can’t believe this. I can’t believe you found our grandmother’s ring after all these years. I’m so sorry for everything you went through while it was in your possession.” She hugged me.
“It’s okay. I’m just happy I finally found Mary. Can you make sure she gets it?” I asked.
“Absolutely not!” Athena spoke. “You’re giving our grandmother her ring back. You found it and traveled all the way here, hoping to find her. It’s your right to make sure she knows you’re the one who found it.”
“As soon as you get out of here, we’ll take you to her,” Harrison said.
“Is there any way you can push them to discharge me now?” I smiled at Athena.
“Of course.” She grinned. “Leave it to me.”
“Can you do me a favor, Harrison?”
“What is it?”
“Please never tell your grandmother how much bad luck her ring brought me.”
“I won’t. I promise.”
I was discharged from the hospital with a soft cast walking boot because of the hairline fracture that showed up on my x-rays. As Harrison and I were sitting in the back of his limo with Athena following behind, it occurred to me that I didn’t even know his last name.
“I don’t even know your last name,” I spoke.
“It’s Grant. Harrison Grant.”
“And what do you do for a living that allows you to drive around in this fancy limo?” I smirked.
“Athena and I run the family business.”
“Which is?” I asked with an arch in my brow.
“Infinity Luxury Hotels.”
“Oh. Wow. So, you’re like a Hilton.”
“I guess you could say that.” His brows furrowed. “Except our hotels are way more elegant. Which hotel are you staying at?”
I cleared my throat before giving him my embarrassing answer.
“The Holiday Inn.”
“Oh. I see.” The corners of his mouth slightly curved upward.
“It’s all I can afford. Well, I thought I was getting a deal, and then they screwed me. I’m totally leaving them a bad review.”
He let out a chuckle.
The limo pulled to the curb of a fancy high-rise building on Park Avenue. Harrison climbed out first and graciously held his hand out to help me. I took a little bit of a tumble, for I wasn’t used to the boot yet, and he caught me.
“You really need to be more careful.”
“Thank goodness for your quick reflexes.” I smirked.
Athena pulled up, and the three of us walked into the building and took the elevator up to the tenth floor.
“This is a retirement home?” I looked around.
“Yes. A very expensive and classy retirement home,” Athena spoke.
“Only the elite stay here,” Harrison chimed in.
“Maybe we should have called first,” I said. “What if she’s not in?”
“She’s in,” Athena said as she knocked on the door. “Grandmother, we need to speak to you.”
A few seconds later, an older woman with a stylish silver bob opened the door.
“Athena. Harrison. What are you doing here, and why didn’t you call first?”
“Why are you still in your robe?” Athena asked.
“Whatever it is, my darling grandchildren, it can wait until later. I’m a little busy right now. And who is this?” She glanced at me.
“Busy doing what?” Harrison asked.
“Grandmother, this is Adalyn Banks, and she needs to speak to you. It’s very important.”
“Mary, darling, who’s at—Oh,” Mr. Clayton spoke as he approached the door shirtless and in a pair of silk pajama bottoms.
“Oh, for God's sake,” Harrison sighed.
“Way to go, Grandmother,” Athena smiled as she pushed her way past Mary. “It’s nice to see you, Mr. Clayton, but we need to speak to our grandmother in private. So, gather your clothes and move along. She’ll call you later.”
As soon as Mr. Clayton left, Harrison looked over at his grandmother.
“Care to explain that?”
“I don’t have to explain anything to you. I’m an eighty-five-year-old woman, and I can do what I please. Now, would you like to explain why you’re here? And darling, what happened to you?” she asked as she looked down at my walking boot.
“Oh, this?—”
“Oncoming traffic almost killed her, and Harrison ran into the street and pushed her out of the way. Unfortunately, she still ended up getting hurt,” Athena spoke.
“Why, Harrison, what a noble thing you did,” Mary smiled.
“Can we please get on with this? I have to get to the office. The company will not run itself,” he spoke with irritation.
“Have a seat.” She gestured. “Athena, would you be a dear and make us some tea?”
“Coming right up.”