Be There for Her

In the Gilen residence, everyone, even Veronica, was running about frantically. They had a young child, who now had no one in the world, coming to stay with them; everything had to be prepared to welcome her as warmly as possible.

They had been told that the girl would brought to the estate late afternoon, so they hadn't had much time to prepare.

Most of their preparations had been brightening up some of the rooms, making the room that the girl would be staying in as cozy as possible, and finding some entertainment that she might enjoy.

Veronica was the one who seemed most anxious, desperate to make things perfect so as to help the young girl as much as possible. Veronica was one of the few people who knew what it was like to lose all of one's family at a young age, which was why she was so eager to help her.

Seeing her worried expression, the staff nearby couldn't help but tear up.

'To take her in, even if she's not your relative… You truly want nothing else but to help the young girl, don't you?'

'Not wanting her to experience the loneliness and sorrow that you experienced, you're trying your hardest.'

'It was hard on you back then, wasn't it? I'm sorry we couldn't do more for you.'

However, the staff quickly snapped out of it and got back to work once Veronica shot a glare at them. She could tell what they were thinking; she wasn't an idiot. She gnashed her teeth, rather annoyed.

'Damn, I thought we'd got past the years of staring at me in pity.

'I know I dealt with their loss poorly, and so, I was often downcast as a child.

'But I won't let this happen to her. She will be upset that she's lost her family; that's a given. Yet I'll make sure that everyone here becomes her family. We'll give her as normal a childhood as we can.'

Determination flashed in Veronica's eyes, and she continued their preparations.

…

Shortly before they were due to arrive, Veronica gave the staff a stern lecture.

"Firstly, if you want to smile at her, then smile. However, do not, I repeat, do not give her a sympathetic or pitying smile. It's infuriating to have everyone around you constantly like that.

"Secondly, asking if she is alright is acceptable, but only in moderation. If anything, discuss between yourselves who will ask at what time. It is exhausting having to answer those questions constantly, especially when the answer is obvious.

"…

"Finally, she'll be feeling awful, like her whole world has collapsed; she'll feel impossibly lonely, like she a single island in the boundless ocean; she'll feel empty inside. Make sure to be sensitive and understanding.

"But don't walk on eggshells around her; she'll be able to tell.

"Most importantly, we are her family now, so whatever happens, we must be there for her."

As Veronica finished her piece, the car pulled up in front of the house.