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2024-10-29 19:42:56As the weeks went by, Conor found himself eager to head to the GrizzlHut each day. Cara’s smile was so much more infectious and welcoming than the nagging he received at home from Jessica, or the outright abuse his mother-in-law, Cynthia Cochan, rained down on him.
Cynthia seemed to think that Conor owed the family such a debt that he was now a family slave. She loved to order him around even in their apartment.
Work at Grizlhut was definitely a welcome escape!
One day, Cara and Conor were both scheduled to be off by 4 p.m.
“Got any plans this afternoon?” Conor asked.
“Yes, actually. Matter of fact… you should come. I think it would be right up your alley.”
“What is it?”
“You’ll just have to wait and see.
At the end of the shift, Cara had Conor ride with her, and they drove to a run-down part of town. Kids were playing basketball in the street, and jumping rope.
“What is this place?”
“It’s what’s left of the Jinstain Community Center. The Temple of Celia funded it up until about three or four years ago. Since then, it has gone downhill fast. They were never able to give it much, but it had been enough to give these kids a place to go.”
“What happened?”
“Well, after the attack at the temple, I don’t think there was anyone left who cared enough to make sure it was included in the budgeting.” Cara sighed.
A man in his mid-fifties walked out of the center just then, “Cara, dear! You came to visit!”
“Johnathan!” she rushed up and hugged the elder man. “Conor, meet Johnathan. He has been keeping this place running as best he can.”
“Celia be praised, young Conor, is that you?”
Conor stepped forward and shook the man's hand. “I …ummm, I dimly remember you, but it has been a while.”
“Yes, young man, likely ten years since I last saw you. Your mother was a gem, and we all mourn her loss.”
Cara looked between them, surprised, “you two know each other?!”
“I served at the temple with Conor’s mother. She was a blessed soul, and a beloved follower of Celia. She touched many lives.” Johnathan beamed at both of them, as if cherishing the memory of better days now long past.
Cara and Johnathan showed Conor around the center. Johnathan looked over at Conor as he explained, “We have many needs, but we make do with what we have. From time to time, one of our kids returns, wanting to help in some small way. May Celia bless them.”
Conor thought carefully before saying,. “If there is anything I can do to help, please don’t hesitate. Although I don’t even know where I could begin.”
On hearing this, Johnathan nodded approvingly, “That’s kind of you. No need to worry. Just be open to Celia’s voice and willing to heed her call when the time comes. That is all any of us can do.”
After giving Conor an encouraging pat on the back, Johnathan said, “Well, I must get back to my tasks, but please, feel free to come by any time, I know the kids would love to see you, Cara. Celia’s watch over you both.”
After Johnathan walked back to his office, Cara tugged on his arm. “Come on. Let me introduce you to a few of the kids.
Care led him to a group of youngsters around age five to ten. “Everyone, this is my friend, Mr. Conor.”
“Hi, Mr. Conor!” chorused the kids as they went back to drawing on the ground with chalk.
Conor watched in fascination as they made use of even the tiniest scraps of chalk to create their masterpieces.
One of the older girls came over and hugged Cara and peaked at Conor, “Miss Cara, are you and him dating?”
Conor coughed in embarrassment as Cara turned red, “No Emma, we are not dating. We work together. That is all.”
One of the younger ones never even lifted her head from her drawing as she casually said, “Miss Cara is not Eibhlin.”
Conor looked quizically at Cara, but she just shrugged. “Hannah says some random things. Sometimes I am not sure she is still speaking the common tongue.”
Conor frowned and glanced back at the young girl. She seems like any other kid he had seen. “Are her parents immigrants? She doesn't look like she is from Serret or one of the distant kingdoms.”
“Several of the kids here are from all over but as far as I know her family has always been local. Her mom works in one of the Benedict factories. I don't know much more than that.” Cara explained.
Conor watched the kids draw for a while longer while deep in contemplation. Here, these kids made the best of life. They might have little in the way of comforts but they still found reason to smile, play, and make friends. Conor was amazed at how content they were with this simple life while he stressed and struggled to pay rent and bills all the while trying to improve a broken relationship.
He wondered if this simple happiness was something he could help foster and take part in himself.
Cara snapped him out of his thoughts with a tap on his shoulder, “You really should see this!”
She led him to the far side of the gymnasium where a group of early teens had two long ropes and were doing a fun double dutch challenge. Two of the teens were skipping at a dizzying speed as the ropes swirled around them.
Cara suddenly grinned and ran over to the kids and jumped in the middle, the double ropes spinning around all three of them. She and the kids laughed as they danced over the ropes until one finally tripped Cara.
She laughed good-naturedly and stepped out of the ropes so the kids could continue playing.
“I don't know you could jump rope like that!” Conor exclaimed.
“When you hang around these kids, you pick up a thing or two. What to give it a try?”
“I would fall flat on my face,” Conor said seriously.
“Well, maybe next time they will coax you to join them.”
“Perhaps.” Conor watched the kids play for a while longer, their simple joy infectious to all around them. He was sad to have to leave but vowed to return and do what he could to help this place.
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Rejected Billionaire Chapter 12丨Meeting at Dreadnaught Law
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Rejected Billionaire Chapter 13丨New Suit, New Style
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Rejected Billionaire Chapter 14丨A Cut Above the Rest
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Rejected Billionaire Chapter 15丨New Beginnings
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Rejected Billionaire Chapter 16丨Escaping the Monsters
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Rejected Billionaire Chapter 17丨Monster-in-law (Jessica's POV)
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Rejected Billionaire Chapter 18丨Rent is DUE!
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- Rejected Billionaire
S3 Chapter 22: Train rides
Monday morning broke with a cool spring breeze showing the last vestiges of winter before summer’s heat. Conor tossed his suitcase into the back of the SUV and hopped into the passenger seat.Parker drove them to Kerrigan’s house, pausing briefly to acknowledge the gate guard. Conor recognized him as one of Colonel Eli’s men he had seen around Vokrizin.“Jamison is a good man. He will make sure nothing happens to Miss Lokir’s house while you all are away,” Parker said.Conor just nodded.They pulled up to Kerrigan’s house and Parker honked twice.Conor jumped out when he saw the four ladies exit with several bags each. He and Parker quickly moved to help and filled the back of the SUV with bags, nearly completely blocking any hope of looking out the back window.“Guess you are moving out. No plans to return?” Conor asked.Kerrigan replied smoothly, “I am sure I will be back. This isn’t a fraction of what is in that house.”Parker closed the trunk and addressed everyone, “The Colonel do
- Rejected Billionaire
S3 Chapter 21: Kelan
Targu Province. Saturday night “A toast! To our good brother Kelan, for without him, many of us would still be scrapping the bottom of the barrel here in Velyki!” declared Darren Krellis. “Here, here!” chorused the room. "My family thanks you for letting us take over this place and turn it into the exclusive club Velykie can be proud of!" Darren declared. Kelan Benedict stood and saluted the room with his wine glass and took a swig. “Brothers and lovely guests,” he began, eyeing the ladies around the room dressed in tight-fitting evening gowns. “Tonight, I thank you for this gracious meal. Hopefully, the future will bring mutual benefit as the Benedict family begins its absorption of Velyki and then Targu!” There was a round of cheers and Kelan slumped back into his seat, wrapping his arm around Clarise, a tall attractive blonde dressed in a red dress that did wonders for her figure. “Brother Kelan,” came a grading voice beside him as someone sat down on the couch. Kelan took h
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S3 Chapter 20 : Visiting the Spice Emporium
“That was crazy,” Conor said as they headed across the street. Kerrigan slipped up beside him, slipping her hand into his, “I get the feeling that our lives will always attract crazy.” Conor sighed, “It does seem that way. Let’s see how Mr. Arroz is doing.” Conor gave Kerrigan’s hand a gentle squeeze as they crossed the street and stepped into the spice shop. A small bell sounded as they walked in. “Be right up!” came the bellow from the back room. Conor pointed to the glass case that protected the world from the hottest spice known, Abrasax’s wrath. “Now, any idea how we can get Kelan and perhaps Nyman to swallow that whole jar?” Kerrigan giggled, “I have a few I would like to feed it to. Think Mr. Arroz will part with the whole jar?” “Depends if he thinks he can replace it,” Conor said as Faolon brushed past him. “Hey, Faolan! Sit! PRALL!” Faolan came back and sat at his feet. Kerrigan looked up at him, “She just wants to sniff. This whole place is full of new smells.” “I k
- Rejected Billionaire
S3 Ch19: Entitlement
Conor and Kerrigan rode in companionable silence for most of the trip back to town, content to rest from the day’s climbing. They sat, each leaning against opposing car windows, but their legs met, touching from knee to heel. Conor felt their fingers brush and gently laced his with hers, enjoying how her hand fit so perfectly with his.It was near dinner time when they finally turned onto the street near the Spice Emporium. As Parker pulled into a parking space at the far end of the street, Conor noticed the Grizlehut. It had been a long time since he had thought about his old job. While his condominium home was at the far end of the street, he never come down this way anymore. Too often, Parker would be waiting for him, and they would simply drive the other direction to get to Vokrizin.Conor reached for the door and realized Kerrigan was completely passed out against her window. He leaned over and gently shook her shoulder. As she came awake, Conor saw a flash of panic cross her face
- Rejected Billionaire
S3 Ch 18: Trust building
He changed his hand position and reached, finding the quickdraw dangling from its anchor. He clipped the rope in and began his attempt to crest the bulge in the rock. As he pivoted, he realized the angle he was moving to would erase any grip he had on that hold. As he thought this, he felt a weightless sensation as he began to fall away from the rock. The rope went taught and jerked him mid-air as Kerrigan was pulled off her feet, flying fifteen feet in the air. She managed to hold the rope in its breaking position but her head was dangerously close to his feet. When he had caught his breath, Conor looked down into Kerrigan’s terrified green eyes. “Fancy meeting you up here. Think we could meet up again, once we are safely on the ground?” Kerrigan gawked at him for a second before smiling, “I suppose I could let you down, but You are at my mercy. I might just have to leave you up here like a pinata.” Conor chuckled as he watched her slowly release tension, lowering herself back dow
- Rejected Billionaire
S3 Ch 17: Rock climbing
“OK, now it's time for you to try. Who is up first?” Conor volunteered. “Fine, Kerrigan, you are on belay. I will back you up and walk you through each step. I want you both to understand, Lead climbing like this places your life in the hands of your partner. If you don’t trust each other and learn not only to communicate but to anticipate each other’s needs, you will fail and likely hurt each other.” Kerrigan looked dubiously at Parker. “Conor is easily 50 pounds heavier than me!” Parker eyed Conor’s muscular but toned form, “You are what? 200 or 210 pounds these days?” “Last I checked, yea, right at 205.” “Should be fine. Kerrigan, you just have to learn to brace yourself correctly. You could go for a ride but if you use the skills I taught you earlier you could even belay me, and I am 230 pounds these days. Climbing is about technique as much as it is about skill. Now, let's get Conor tied in.” Parker tied the end of the climbing rope to Conor’s harness and showed Kerrigan.
- Rejected Billionaire
S3 Ch16:
Conor leaned against the SUV with Parker standing across from him checking through a few bags of gear. “We have three ropes, harnesses for everyone, belay devices, and four full sets of quickdraws. I am also bringing a few crash pads. I don’t plan on you needing to use them but we will put them along the base just in case. Here, try these on.” Parker tossed a pair of strange shoes to him. Conor looked at the shoes that had a sharp curve to the toe and the sole was a flat rubber that followed the arch curve. The tan material seemed to be some sort of soft doeskin or very supple leather. Conor tried to pull the shoe on but his toes cramped and they were shoved into the tight shoes. “Umm, I think these are too small.” Parker walked over and check them. “your heal fits right?” “Yea, but my toes are all curled” “Painfully curled or just uncomfortably curled?” Conor considered before finally replying, “just uncomfortable. My shoes are normally a bit loose.” “Then they fit perfectly.
- Rejected Billionaire
S3 Ch 15: Issues at home
Kerrigan spent the next day walking around the property at her house with Faolan. It had been a while since they had been able to just play, and she took this opportunity to play fetch. Thankfully her right arm still functioned, though being it was her off-hand, it was a bit awkward to throw. She figured this was good training for anything that might injure her dominant arm. Mercifully she had awoken almost entirely pain-free. The pills the Colonel had given her had truly worked wonders overnight and she had to admit, she was looking forward to being able to learn to climb the sheer rock faces near the waterfall tomorrow. The day passed rather uneventfully, and as the sun set Kerrigan found herself curled up on the back porch on one of their outdoor couches, with Faolan warming her feet with her furry mass. Reilynn stepped out a few minutes later with two glasses of wine and handed one to Kerrigan as Gabriella come out behind her. the girls each sank into chairs and leaned back, look
- Rejected Billionaire
S3 Ch 14: Kerrigan's Family revelations
The next morning Kerrigan arrived on the roof of Vokrizin for their daily training session. Colonel Eli strode over to her but before he could start setting her to drills she decided to interject, “I actually wanted to talk to you.” “Oh?” “two things really. First, do you think tomorrow I could take the girls climbing? Perhaps Conor will join us?” The Colonel glanced to where Parker was sparing with Conor, “I don’t see why that should be a problem.” He looked to Reilynn, “You feel confident in training them?” “Yes, sis.” “Fine, I will requisition the gear. What size shoe do you were, Miss Lokir?” “Umm about 23.5 cm.” “Hmm ok. I will make sure to get you and Conor some. Be warned, they will be tight. These are not meant for walking, they are designed for grip. Don’t be surprised if they feel a size or two smaller than is comfortable. What was the other thing?” “I am returning to Dragon Corporation at the end of the week.” “Ah, I see. I will begin redeploying a detail. We still
