019 Outgrowth

"Alright here we are," Mr. Green said taking out some documents from his office. He presented Eden with a form to fill which would act as her lease and application. But since there was no waitlist for the building it was largely just for formality.

"So I take it you'd like to pay today?" Mr. Green asked.

Eden nodded, she accepted the form from his hands and read through it before taking a pen off the desk to begin filling out the form and leasing agreement. She wrote in neat straight lines, writing and writing until her hands began shaking.

"Hmm?" Mr. Green soon noticed the sounds of wetness hitting the papers. He watched tear drops land on the document as Eden tried to wipe her eyes before he could notice.

"This must be a tough choice for you," Mr. Green said from his desk.

Eden nodded.

"I keep trying to tell myself it's not a big deal, but like you said people outgrow places and they outgrow people,"

"I didn't mention that it's not easy to leave though did I?" Mr. Green said sympathetically. Eden sniffled.

"You know it's the right thing to do. From what I've heard from Rose, you're going through a rough time with you family," Mr. Green took off his glasses to rub his eyes. "I am aware of who you are Eden Marshall,"

The girl gasped in surprise.

"You do?"

Mr. Green nodded.

"I was there at the retirement party you know, the topic was your rise and how you would save the company, but unfortunately for my associates and I, we were quite disappointed," he said.

"Looks like I wasn't the only one whose dreams were crushed that night huh? I always thought...you know, that everyone loved Lily better, like my dad did,"

Mr. Green shook his head and pointed to his shelf where he kept two mugs. One was a white porcelain mug with intricate designs all over the surface of the porcelain. The other was a blue mug, bigger but just as beautiful.

"I have two mugs over there, both equally beautiful but only one is fully functional so tell me, which mug would you prefer,"

"Did you really just compare me to a cup?" Eden asked.

"It's a metaphor," Mr. Green laughed. "You have substance Eden, you're tangible, and that's what your father needed. I'm only sorry it'll be too late for him by the time he realizes what he's done,"

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"Oh Eden, I'll have to be running along now. I've got a gala to go to," Rose said kissing the girl's rosy cheeks as she spoke.

"Don't worry I've already paid a two year lease on your apartment, consider that my gift to you," Rose said.

"Rose! You did what?"

"Oh I would have bought the thing but Kairos just doesn't want to sell!" She said in disbelief, "You'd think after all these years they'd slacken their grip but no!" she still had her exaggerated mannerisms and all Eden could do was laugh in amusement at her kind Godmother.

Eden hugged the woman tightly, muttering a litany of thanks at what Rose had done to support her. As usual, it was more than her father had ever done for her.

"Oh don't worry about it, I would have paid for three but I think you would want to make that money yourself and I know you're going to do great things my love, great things," Rose said stroking Eden's short hair.

The older woman swiftly turned around, walking to her car with a sway of her hips.

"Tata, I'm running fashionably late you know," Rose said with a wink.

"Have fun," Eden replied.

"Before she left, Mr. Green gave her the keys to her unit so she would be able to move in when she chose to.

"I wish you the best of luck, starting over by yourself will not be easy but it is so worth it," he gave her a gentle smile, already fond of her. "And I am deeply sorry about Anna,"

"Oh water under the bridge," Eden replied. "Thank you for showing me my new home,"

"With any luck, you'll be trying to buy a house soon, in which case remember Green Acres is always here to help you find your dream property," Mr. Green said in a deadpan voice.

"I can only hope you're at the grand opening of my first company,"

"Wouldn't miss it,"

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"You've had quite the day Miss Eden," Ben said shaking his head. "I thought after the chicken coop we would be done with this office but once again, Miss Rose to the rescue,"

"Me too Ben, honestly I don't know what Anna was thinking," Eden said throwing her hands up in annoyance, even now the thought of wasting her morning running around the city angered her. All because Anna had been a shallow human being.

'She wasn't the only one' Eden thought. Her mind flashed back to the girl outside of the elevator when she had visited the Zenith. 'Thank God I'm not going to see her again,'

"I can't wait to take a shower and head straight to bed, you too Ben," Eden said, she looked out the window, watching the buildings roll by as they drove toward the Marshall Estate.

Eden steeled herself, no doubt her father would have words for her when she returned but Eden would hear none of it. She had her own place now and she didn't need his permission to do anything or go anywhere.

"Oh definitely, even now my mind is on the shower waiting for me at my own home. I'm just glad you were able to find suitable accommodation,"

The car pulled into the garage, ending the ride as they had returned to the Marshall Estate. Ben and Eden stepped out of the car with heavy sighs. She patted his back as she walked back into the main area of the house so she could head back to her room.

Waiting for her at the top of the stairs was her father.

Eden groaned, all she wanted to do was head to her room and sleep off the day, but now she had to engage in a verbal sword fight with her father who was still pestering her about Lily.

"Eden we need to talk,"