Scream For me

I get sucked down a rabbit hole of gossip and tabloids about Weston. From whom he’s dated to whom he’s been seen with most recently. I click on a headline that reads: Reclusive Billionaire Weston Vaughn Seen Again with Mystery Blonde. The image is blurry but you can see two grainy figures exiting a restaurant and climbing into the back of the same car. I’m about to exit out of it when I scroll back up to the top and realize this article is only minutes old. I double-checked, and in fact, it has today’s date with a time stamp of 9:04 p. m.

Was his very important dinner that he couldn’t miss a date?

If it was, I have no reason to be upset and I’m not… I don’t think, but he could have just been honest with me about it. I place my phone on the coffee table and lounge back onto the couch, continuing to watch Scooby-Doo.

I almost laugh out loud to myself, realizing that just moments ago I thought Weston Vaughn wanted me when in reality, he was probably just in a good mood after getting laid by a mystery blonde.

“HI, YES, IS MR. VAUGHN IN?”

“Let me check. Just one moment, please.”Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

I tap my fingers nervously on my desk. It’s been two full weeks since I saw him last when I babysat Daisy and he hasn’t responded to either of my texts asking if he’s willing to volunteer at the Crestwood Bake Sale and Silent Auction this coming week.

“Sorry for the wait, Miss. No, he’s not in right now. Can I take a message?”

“Yes, can you tell him that Miss Flowers called regarding my request to have him help out at his daughter’s bake sale and silent auction?”

“Will do, Miss Flowers. Thank you.”

There’s a click and the phone goes dead. “Shit.” I place my phone in my purse just as my class starts filing back into the classroom from lunch. Mr. Fein has been nonstop bugging me about getting Weston to volunteer at the bake sale. I told him that it would probably be a one-in-a-million chance but he insists that if I get him there and the school can brag about it, it will bring in other big shots that will hopefully send their kids to Crestwood.

This isn’t just any bake sale and silent auction. We’re talking high-end art, jewelry, five-star vacations, and trips on private jets. The rich and elite don’t know how to do anything half-assed it seems.

“Miss Flowers?”

Speak of the devil.

“Mr. Fein.” I smile as he motions for me to step out into the hallway.

“Class, let’s settle down into our seats and get ready for our reading circle,” I say before following Mr. Fein.

“Have you been able to get Mr. Vaughn to commit?”

“Not yet,” I say, half nervous he’s going to freak out on me.

“Good. I was hoping that when you speak to him, you could also convince him to put something on the auction block. Perhaps a weekend on his private yacht or maybe a stay at one of his many vacation homes?”

“Private yacht?” I say in disbelief although I don’t know why it surprises me.

“You’re too funny.” Mr. Fein chuckles, not realizing I’m serious. “Okay, confirm with me when you have that nailed down.” He offers up a quick wave, then spins on his heel and chases down another teacher.

“This should be fun,” I mutter to myself as I step back into my classroom to lead our reading hour.

IT’S NOW BEEN two full days since I left the message with Mr. Vaughn’s admin and just over a week since I sent him two text messages. Still no response.

I check the time as I walk to the train after school. It’s not even four yet so he must still be at his office. I pull up his company’s address and plug it into Google Maps. It’s less than a mile so I decide to walk.

The closer I get, the more I realize how unhinged this might seem. I showed up unannounced to a very powerful man’s office, demanding he respond to my texts and calls like a desperate ex. I chew the inside of my cheek nervously as I stop and stare up at the massive mirrored skyscraper. If his goal was intimidation when he bought this building, he nailed it.

“This man showed up announced to your home, gaining access to your building just because he owns it,” I say aloud, attempting to hype myself up. “You can do this.”

“Just do it, lady,” a man says, nearly bumping into me on the sidewalk, “and get outta the way.”

I take his advice and walk into the building, heading toward the elevators.

“Ma’am, excuse me, ma’am. You need to check in.” A security guard chases after me, his keys jangling at his side. “Who are you here to see?”

“Oh, um, Weston Vaughn.”

“And is Mr. Vaughn expecting you?”

“Yup,” I say confidently. He gives me a look that tells me he doesn’t believe me. “You can call him and ask,” I say, praying it works like it does in the movies and he’ll just usher me to where I need to go.

He motions for me to follow him as he walks over to the front desk. He walks behind it, picking up a receiver and pushing a few buttons.

Shit, no such luck.

“Afternoon, sir. Sorry to bother you but I have a-” He looks at me.

“Daphne Flowers.”

“A Miss Flowers here to see you, she says you’re exp-okay, okay, absolutely, sir. Thank you.”

He hangs up the phone and looks up at me. I swallow hard, expecting him to laugh and show me the door but he points toward the elevators. “His office is on the ninetieth floor.”

“Thank you,” I spin around, my heels clicking on the floor as I walk to the elevator.