Halfway through the meeting, Justin and the representatives from Baybrook City voiced differing opinions on the issue of hiring manpower for the rebuilding of Greensborough, and each began to put forth their reasons.
Justin questioned, “Why do we need to outsource the rebuilding works when the townspeople are best suited for the labor?”
“You’ve seen how they practically trampled over one another just to get supplies. We’re talking about a bunch of hillbillies here, and we can’t risk having them stir up trouble when the rebuilding works are underway.”
“Exactly. What if these folks decided to steal building materials from the site?” “The same thing happened at Rushford. Speaking from experience, I think we should outsource the work to a reliable construction company-just to be safe.”
The objections rallied against him made Justin frown, but instead of arguing with them, he said, “Let’s hold off on that idea for the time being until we’ve evaluated the pros and cons.”
All reconstruction works in the disaster zone would begin with the lightest of repairs. Right now, the townspeople were gathered in the east. and pulling in manpower to fix the roofs that had collapsed. Most of them were putting their backs to the job, and not a single one looked to be slacking off.
Frankie pointed out helpfully, “These folks are fixing up their own homes, and they’re incentivized to work together instead of pulling each other’s leg.”
One of the Baybrook City representatives. blinked in surprise at this, then suggested, “Let’s take a look over there, then.”
Frankie fell in step next to Justin to seek confirmation. “President Burton?” “I’m fine with it.” Justin glanced at the time. “Pretty sure we can wrap things up here by the end of the day.”
“That soon? Didn’t you say this will last till tomorrow evening at the very least?” “I made some adjustments. The foundation has agreed to top up the funds required for the rebuilding.”
“Huh. I guess money is king after all,” Frankie muttered. Then, he suddenly thought of something, and he couldn’t resist speculating, “You didn’t make the adjustments so you could go back to Riverdale with Rachel, did you, President Burton?”
Much to his astonishment, Justin hummed in response, readily admitting to the fact. Frankie’s eyes nearly bugged out of his head. “Aren’t you worried that someone might blow the whistle on your jobbery, sir?”
“You’re the only one who knows about this,” Justin said as he eyed his assistant coolly, raising a brow. “Besides, I’m the one who’s funding the sponsorship; the foundation is just a cover. You’re welcome to blow the whistle on me if you’d like.”
A shudder went through Frankie. “I was only joking, President Burton.” It wasn’t really considered jobbery anyway, seeing as the funds were taken out from the foundation for the sake of rebuilding disaster-stricken Greensborough.
The issue of manpower was settled after the attendants of the meeting had gone around assessing the townspeople’s progress. As such, Justin wasted no time when heading back to the house where Rachel was.
The expansive backyard of the community hall was quiet. A path leading up to the house had been cleared, paved with a huge pile of snow on either side. Justin hurried up to the front step, and when he lifted the tarp that fell over the entryway, he caught the scent of food coming from inside the house.
He was just about to say something when he saw Rachel by the stove, asleep with her apron on as she lay slumped against the side of the bed. He let the tarp fall soundlessly over the entryway to block out the slightest breeze, then tiptoed over to the table across the bed. There was food laid out on the table, but he paid no attention to the spread and decided to watch Rachel sleep instead.
He found himself thinking that it was a good thing that she came to Greensborough. She never got to take time off for herself back in Riverdale, and she was constantly surrounded by problems she needed to solve. On top of having to care for two small children, she had to uncover the truth of her grandmother and Hans’ murder; demand justice for her mother; bring Hudson Pharmaceuticals back on track, and take care of her ‘siblings’.
Justin was still feeling sorry for her when he accidentally swept one of the forks off the table. It fell to the floor with a metallic clang that broke the silence in the room.
Rachel snapped awake at once, and she immediately locked eyes with Justin from across the room. Groggily, she asked, “What are you doing here? I thought you were at the meeting.”
“I only just got here,” he answered quietly. “You should’ve woken me up,’ she complained. “How did I even fall asleep?”
“It’s fine. You should get more sleep if you’re tired.” She yawned. “It’s pretty comfy here by the stove, she admitted. “I dozed off as soon as it got warm. Has the food gone cold? I can heat it up for you if you’d like.”
Justin shook his head. “There’s no need for that. It still tastes great.” With that, he took up his utensils and dug hungrily into the meal, savoring the meatballs with fervor.
“Slow down,” she reminded, pouring out a cup of hot tea and setting it down next to him. While he was devouring his food, she added softly, “I figured you’d be missing home cooked food, and there was nothing for me to do here anyway. What would you like to have tomorrow? I’ll be your personal chef for as long as we’re stuck here.”
Upon hearing this, Justin instantly regretted that he had wrapped things up here sooner than planned. As reluctant as he was, he swallowed the food and said nonetheless, “We can leave for Riverdale tomorrow.”
Rachel froze. “What? That’s quicker than expected. Frankie told me there were still a ton: of things you guys needed to sort out.”
“We sorted it out a lot sooner than planned.” “Really? That’s great, I suppose. I’m not a fan of the freezing weather, to be honest with you, and I don’t think you’d last here any longer than I would, seeing as we’re used to the warmer climate down south.”
She paused and added as an afterthought, “By the way, Jolly told me that Ria will be coming back soon, and with New Year’s around the corner, we’ll have a lot of work on our hands when we get back to Riverdale.”
Justin’s gaze darkened at the mention of New Year’s, and the air in the room grew colder despite the roaring stove in the corner. He wordlessly ate his dinner, and that was when Rachel realized she might have had a foot-in- mouth moment. She couldn’t believe she was so thoughtless.
The Burton Family had been through a lot this year; Arthur and Jason’s passing were but two of the darkest moments that marked Justin’s year, and now that Gloria was getting married, the family was shrinking even more. With no relatives around him, Rachel couldn’t imagine how lonely the holidays would be for Justin. He would have no reason to celebrate.
“Ria’s wedding gown has arrived, apparently,” Justin suddenly spoke up, breaking the grim. tension. ‘Frankie told me about it this morning: they had it sent to the summer villa.”
“Really?” Grateful for the change of subject, Rachel beamed. “That’s such a relief. I was worried that it might not arrive in time for the wedding. You know how international logistics are.”
“The wedding may be simple, but the guest list is overwhelming. Ria sent out invites to almost everyone in her orchestra.”
“Victor’s elementary school teacher will be there as well,” Rachel reminded. Just like that, they kept up the conversation about the wedding until nightfall came.
“Goodness, it’s already 10.00 PM,” Rachel observed as she noted the time on her watch. “I should get going. You look like you could use some rest.”
That much was true. Justin looked absolutely exhausted as he rose from his seat, gripping the edge of the stove to steady himself. “I’ll walk you home.”
“No, it’s fine. I can-Justin!” She gasped when he suddenly fell backward onto the floor. It all happened so fast she couldn’t even react in time to catch him.
It was already late at night by the time the paramedics arrived. One of the nurses put him on an IV and adjusted the speed of the transfusion, then said, ‘He’s down with a fever, but he’ll be fine after two rounds of IV. All you have to do is replace this bottle with the second one after it runs out. Do you know how to do it yourself?”
“Yes,” Rachel said. “Thank you for coming.”
“No problem.” Having seen the paramedics out the door, Rachel sat down next to the bed. Presently, Justin had yet to regain consciousness, and his skin felt hot to the touch. I can’t believe he could do all that work today while he was running a high fever and still holding up a conversation during dinner.
“Miss Hudson.” Frankie returned after sending the paramedics off and sighed ruefully at the sight of Justin’s sleeping form on the bed. “I thought he looked a little pale earlier. I should have known he was sick.”
“Don’t be too hard on yourself. If anything, he probably knew he was sick right from the beginning but kept it from you,’ Rachel comforted. Her brows furrowed as she said angrily, “He’s always been this way. He keeps everything to himself and carries the world on his shoulders. Doesn’t he ever get tired of it?”
If she hadn’t come to Greensborough today, he would have collapsed in the house without anyone to call the paramedics at first instance. He could have ended up in worse shape.
Frankie handed her a cup of tea and remarked thoughtfully, “You know, Miss Hudson, I don’t think he’s tired at all, not while you’re here anyway. Honestly, I’m pretty happy for him.”
