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It was the thump-ing that called Miriam’s attention away from the budget that she was currently balancing.
"May I help you, sir?” She asked, pulling her glasses down her nose. The man in front of her had a steel crutch that he had a white-knuckled grip on. His brown hair was neatly parted, his pants and shirt neatly pressed, with a tie tucked into his sweater vest. He had removed his hat before stepping in, and was holding it in his hand.
"Uhh… I was hoping you could give this to Ms. Carter, ma’am," the man stated nervously, lightly placing a single red rose on the front desk.
Miriam sighed, grabbing a sheet of paper from her stack for notes.
"Whom should I say is sending this?"
"Daniel… Daniel Sousa."
"And, where do you work, Mr. Sousa?"
"I’m a secretary at Peters & Blake."
Miriam managed to keep the impression from her face. Peters & Blake was one of the most powerful law firms in the city.
"Oh? And how did you meet, Ms. Carter?"
"There’s a diner near Peters & Blake that she and I both have lunch at. One day we struck up a conversation over the novel she was reading; Ulysses, and I’ve always been a fan of Joyce.”
"Would you like to add a return address?"
"Oh, yes of course! I’ve been staying at the Rothchild for a year now, room C7."
Miriam once again had to fight back a look of awe. The Rothchild was the elder brother to the Griffith; it was the model Miriam had tried to follow, but with women instead of men.
"May I inquire as to what happened to your leg, Mr. Sousa?"
"I’m not sure it’s the best subject for pleasant company, ma’am…"
Miriam gave a sharp nod, finishing the note with a flourish. “I assure you, Ms. Carter will receive your gift.”
"Thank you very much, ma’am," Daniel said, giving a bright smile. Giving Miriam a final nod, he turned and started moving towards the exit.
"Excellent choice, Ms. Carter…" Miriam murmured as she started the ascent of the stairs.