A Relative?

After waiting in the hall for God knows how long, the driver eventually saw Veronica leave her room and descend the stairs elegantly.

'She might appear slovenly when she's home, but she knows how to dress well for an occasion.'

When she reached the bottom of the stairs, the driver asked her, "Where are we off to then? To the Graycastle offices? Or are you meeting Roland elsewhere?"

Veronica hesitated for a moment before replying, "We'll go straight to the Graycastle offices; there's no need to stop off anywhere else."

"Alrighty then, we'll do that."

Just as they were heading out the door, the house phone rang and one of the house staff rushed toward Veronica with it.

"I know you're leaving, but this sounds very important; you should take it," the maid said as she proffered the phone to Veronica.

"Hello? To whom am I speaking?"

"I see, I've heard of your firm; you're quite reputable."

"A family member? You must be mistaken. I have no living relatives; they all died in—"

"You already know? Then how can I have a cousin?"

"A mistress? Excuse me if I find that hard to believe."

"Oh, yes, if you have proof, send it to my attorney's office and I'll have him verify it."

"Of course, if it's true, I'll be more than happy to take her in. But is there truly no other relative she's closer to or would feel more comfortable with? Surely, her mother must have some relatives."

"No, I wasn't calling you 'Shirley', I was— Look, does she really have no one else?"

"Then that's fine, she's like me. I tell you what, bring her to my estate; I'll take care of her regardless. I wouldn't want someone to be in the same situation I was in."

…

After sorting some miscellaneous details, Veronica immediately text Roland to say she couldn't do lunch.

She then set all the staff into action. The house had to be prepared for a young child to stay, a child who had lost her mother; they had to make it as warm and welcoming as possible.

…

'Huh… she suddenly has something else to deal with. That's a bummer,' Roland thought as he read Veronica's text. His stomach grumbled. 'I'll just order something in, I guess. I'm thinking maybe Chinese or Thai food.

'I'll see if Barov wants any as well; he normally likes to join in with getting takeout.'

He got up from his chair and walked out of his office to ask Barov what he wanted.

When he glanced over the workstations, like an emperor looking over his domain, he felt that something was missing, like the room felt somewhat emptier.

Then his eye fell upon an empty chair at an empty desk, Anna's desk.

A lost, lonely feeling surfaced in his heart, giving rise to unexpected emotions.

'Why do I feel like this? She was just an employee. An employee trying to defame my girlfriend; an employee who committed direct insubordination, questioning my judgement and authority!'