Ch 6: It’s not pity Abigail

He did a-okay and laugh, but it wasn't often. Yet around Joseph, he seemed much more relaxed. As for the concern, it was a rare characteristic for him.

Somehow she knew it was a side of him that he only trusted with very few people like her and it was genuine. It made her think of all the articles printed about him over the years and how they seemed like lies, except for the women.

That was to be expected. The man was a magnet for her sex. After a moment of silence he spoke, "I'd like for you to go back to college."

His azure gaze searched her face with an easy seriousness so like him. College? How the man could think so rationally on such a day was beyond her. He may have seemed emotionally collected, but she knew how close he was to her cousin.

"I can'tOwen, there's no money." Didn't he realize that? What he said next made her know that he did. "I'll pay for it." He added without hesitation.

She gaped at him, "I can't possibly accept that. You've already done so much." He held up a hand, "Abigail, I promised Joseph I would look after you when he left. I haven't done a very good job."

"You've done more than anyone could expect." She said with exasperated honesty. It was the truth. Even with his cramped schedule and Alice, his little sister, there was virtually no free time.

He would phone her several times a month to see how she was, but the conversation was always short and sweet and she would always tell him she was fine. What another person would ever do such a thing? Not only that, if things weren't fine, he'd be there in a heartbeat to help and they both knew that.

Joseph's death proved it. He was the CEO of his own company and didn't micromanage, so every minute was essential in his world, and he'd already spent several days with her to arrange things.

"I won't accept any more money from you and before you argue, Joseph wouldn't like charity either."

"It's not a charity and it's money I won't even miss." He countered with a pointed stare.

"I won't accept it either way." Of course, he was right about not missing the money. She was sure he had more than he could spend in this lifetime, but that wasn't the point.

She didn't want to be supported out of pity. He let out a frustrated breath of air and looked away for a moment. She studied his handsome profile and the firm set of his strong jaw.

His nose was straight—perfect, just like the rest of him. Here it comes, she thought when he fixed his determined stare on her again, the cooperate debater and she was right.

"Abigail, go back to college, finish your degree then you could come work for me to pay off what you owe me if it makes you feel better." "W—what?" she stared at him, stunned.

That was unexpected. All kinds of things were going through her mind, but that. She started shaking her head but he continued.

"It would work. You can come and stay with us, so you won't have to worry about rent in the dorms. There's a spare room in the penthouse. You can transfer your courses to the degree program in the city. The college is not far from my apartment. Before you argue, I've already looked into it."

Of course, he did, but when did he have the time, and why? "But Owen, I…" He held up his hand, "What are six months? You need a job. I need a PA.

I'll leave the position open until you are done. I'll fill it with a temp." "I can't take much more pity." She sighed out loud seeing his perfectly sculpted cheekbones color slightly.

That angered him a little. "It's not pity Abigail. You know me better than that. I don't pity anyone, least of all you."

He added with a much firmer tone. Least of all me? What did that mean? "I also need help with Alice. She trusts you. That way whatever guilt you feel about staying with us rent-free is justified."