018 The Choice Is Made!

"I'm going to have to think about it a bit more," Eden said, "And all of them have leases open for six months and up,"

Mr. Green nodded.

"That's correct, yes," Mr. Green said as they started walking out of the unit and back to the hallway where they came from.

The three silently hopped back into the elevator as Eden thought deeply about her choice. The first building was definitely not for her so, that only left the second building by Kairos homes and the Zenith, which they currently stood in.

Both buildings had pros and cons but Eden decided she liked the cozy feel the historical building provided. Plus her Godmother had lived there in her youth. Despite its age, it seemed to be a place for new beginnings.

"I think I want to go with the Kairos building," Eden said, "I'll pay the lease for six months and move in as soon as I can,"

"Oh, wonderful!" Rose squealed, leaping unto Eden and hugging the life out of her. Eden laughed in glee feeling a weight lift from her shoulders.

Finding the house had truly been the hardest part, after seeing six buildings in total. Including one that just so happened to be a chicken coop, she was finally happy, so happy she could cry.

"I'm finally going to be free of that house," She said quietly. Eden pressed her back against the elevator, leaning on it to take some of the stress off her tired body. A hot bath was in order when she returned to the Marshall Estate.

"And it's about time, I've always known since Elise died, that house was no good for you. You're father is...well he's a troubled man," Rose said.

Eden's gaze fell to the floor, staring at the work boots she had worn out. Rose was right. There was nothing she could do about her father or sister's behavior, she could only take care of herself for the rest of her life.

"If I may interject," Mr. Green said, pushing up his glasses as he spoke. "You already know one can outgrow a place, but one can outgrow people too, not everyone wants to see you succeed and often times it is those who are supposed to be closest to us,"

"Yeah," Eden replied, she soaked in the older man's words of wisdom.

Her father and sister were her only known family and they were also the ones who had treated her the worst.

"I've definitely outgrown them," Eden with a solemn smile. "It's not easy to just shrug off family, but they would drop me in a heartbeat if they needed to,"

"You have to love yourself enough to know that you don't deserve that," Mr. Green said.

"Sounds like you're speaking from experience Green," Rose said.

"I built Green Acres with the sweat of my brow, Rose. I know what it's like to lack the support of family,"

"How did you do it?" Eden asked, after all, she was trying to build a company of her own, any advice would be good advice for her.

"Like everyone who started before I started small. I didn't always have access to clients like Rose. It was only after I built up somewhat of a reputation and got some resounding testimonials that other people started coming, I helped Rose find her first house you know?" Mr. Green said with a chuckle. Eden loved the sound of the pride in his tone.

That was the voice of someone proud of the work they had accomplished so far.

Could her father say the same? Could her sister say the same?

"How did you build your name,"

"By doing good work,"

The elevator opened with a ding, allowing the three of them to step out and head out towards the exit. Ty waved to Eden on the way out, she responded but didn't have enough time to get his number.

She checked her phone again, seeing no calls from Daniel despite it now reaching evening.

"I hope Ben was able to take a break and rest in the office," Eden said, feeling guilty. It couldn't be easy waiting for her to return.

They piled into Mr. Green's car and began heading back to the office to get started on the paperwork for the lease.

----------

Green Acres lights were on by the time they returned. The entire office was lit up by exterior lights set to activate for security and aesthetic purposes.

"The office looks so beautiful at night," Rose said realizing she had never stayed at Green Acres so late in the day.

The sky was a dark pink shade mixed with navy blue and orange for a beautiful sunset that caught Eden's eye.

"Wow," she gasped. When was the last time she had seen a sunset, so busy hiding from the world and all the people in it, she missed some of nature's truest beauty.

"Lovely isn't it?" Rose said.

Eden nodded.

"Come on ladies, we've got some papers to read," Mr. Green reminded.

----------

"Miss Eden, were you able to find a good apartment?" Ben asked the moment he laid his eyes upon his charge. In his eyes the girl was exhausted, almost swaying on her feet from all the walking she had done that day.

"Yeah, it's a good one. Rose used to live at that building too," Eden told him.

The chauffeur seemed genuinely happy for her, clapping joyously at the news that she had found a safe place to live. He knew leaving her in Rose's hands was a good idea.

"Wonderful news, I suppose you'll need to start packing up right away," He said sadly, some how he was able to give her a bright but tragic smile. "Gertrude, William, the others and I will miss you dearly, Miss Eden,"

"I'll miss you all too," Eden whispered, tears stung her eyes, forcing her to lift her coat's sleeves to wipe her eyes. "I'll miss you all so much," she sniffled.

Ben still had a sad smile on his face, as if he was watching his child grow up. In a way he was. Eden had been raised by the staff of the Marshall Estate rather than her own father.

They had been there for her birthdays, first days and last days of school, graduations, and more.

"Thank you for your service, Ben,"