(Chapter 38) A Darkness Within

Veronica and Mrs. Tuhs talked about her birth and pregnancy, then about some clothing and other things...

Astrid clearly couldn't keep up during the conversations about fashion and makeup, Veronica was inwardly quite surprised as Astrid went silent for a long period of time.

Astrid then felt that same pain within her stomach and stopped drinking her tea. She then put her cup down and looked down on her phone momentarily.

Astrid then stood up and quietly left them to talk, as she went outside to the garden to think...

Veronica watched with a worried look on her face. "I know Ver... But she wouldn't be able to survive in those damn socialite parties and whatnot. But she seems to enjoy being low-key." Mrs. Tuhs didn't seem to be that worried about her daughter not being able to keep up in conversations.

Veronica sighed with acceptance. "I know, but I can't help but worry. I didn't believe you when you said she struggles to express herself. But now I understand what you mean." Veronica and Mrs. Tuhs came from the same background, if they were anything like Astrid when they were her age, they would be eaten alive.

Mrs. Tuhs sighed, "Ver, she currently controls 30% of Hanxi." Veronica's eyes widened as her words.

"What? Howard gave his shares to her already?" She asked in wonder, it was obvious that Mr. Tuhs loved his daughter. But he had put her daughter in a risky position to give her shares? That didn't sound right.

Mrs. Tuhs shook her head and smiled wryly. "Ver, like you know, I don't influence Howard in terms of business. He is exceptionally talented." Mrs. Tuhs with admiration of her husband.

Her face then suddenly turned serious. "When I hear my husband come home and explain that Astrid had constructed business plans that could grow Hanxi by 10 times within 5 years, of course we would act." Mrs. Tuhs was proud of her daughter... But.

Veronica was shocked, despite Hanxi being connected to governments Mr. Tuhs had never abused that connection. Instead, growing the company by his own skills.

"Astrid did?" She was both excited... But then she had a similar expression that to Mrs. Tuhs.

"Yeah, we both transferred some of our shares to her, also some properties. She has displayed intelligence of being a genius in school as well." Mrs. Tuhs spoke with a sad smile...

Veronica's expression turned to worry. "Ver, she is so intelligent. There is no way she hadn't figured at least something out. Her staying low-profile will be the best outcome for her." Mrs. Tuhs spoke with a heavy heart.

Veronica's expression shifted hearing her cousin. 'If Astrid really did figure some of it out then...'

"I know she doesn't care for fame or any of the sort, but she is destined for great things. It will only be a matter of time." Mrs. Tuhs then looked down at Anya.

Veronica seemed to understand Mrs. Tuhs' thoughts. "Siccily, it will be unfair."

Mrs. Tuhs then smiled sadly. "I know it is. I know." Mrs. Tuhs was clearly regretting some of her thoughts.

Veronica sighed, she and Mrs. Tuhs wished Astrid would live well. And they would do their best to ensure that in the future...

.......

Astrid sat in the garden with her eyes closed, during the summer she had sat outside for long periods. She enjoyed listening to the birds, the wind. And looking at nature.

She then looked down at her phone and her eyes glazed. She slowly tapped the side of the bench, as she sat brooding.

Maybe Mrs. Tuhs and Veronica didn't know, but Astrid had long understood that there was an enemy of her family lurking in the dark. Her illness was too strange to start, then the fact her mother, who obviously was much, much richer than most of the country, was left to reside just with her family. She had left the lights of the camera, she was under a false identity, but when she did go out in public, she garnered respect from people in higher places than hers in retrospect.

Astrid didn't mind being a weapon for her family, she had been shown love, shown a reason to live in this unknown world. She was sharpened and honed in her previous life, even if her parents now wanted to her hide from their enemy. She wouldn't, not now she had been shown such love and affection.

"Young Miss, do you require anything?" Winoa came up and asked, standing behind the bench Astrid sat on.

Astrid's fingers stopped moving rhythmically hearing Winoa. "I would like you to be honest with me, what do you think of me?" Winoa was stunned by Astrid's sudden question.

"W-Well... You're my Young Miss, dare I say, friend. You show kindness despite not having anything to live for in the past." Winoa gave some thoughts.

Indeed, Astrid was extremely kind before. When she recovered she had become colder, apart from her family and only her, Francesca, and sometimes Leone...

"Winoa... I'm not a kind person, I never have been." Astrid mumbled loud enough for Winoa to hear. Her, kind? She was heartless. She was trained to be heartless for all of her previous life.

Winoa didn't say anything, as Astrid started to tap the bench again. "The world is dark Winoa, and I'm hiding the darkest shadows of the world within me." Astrid continued, her voice was emotionless. She didn't seem upset about herself, she knew she wasn't a person that could survive within the light.

Winoa gulped, she understood what Astrid was trying to say... "No matter what, I will follow you." She responded, not only was Astrid someone she grew up with, she was taught to attend to her, but she also was her friend. She watched as Astrid's personality changed, and she had become incredibly intelligent within the blink on an eye. But she still showed her and her family the kindness she knew before.

Astrid lightly chuckled to herself. A looming smile on her face. Winoa was captured by that smile. It was beautiful, but also held darkness within. A darkness that had made Winoa's heart move.

"I see, then I shall teach you the darkness of the world." Astrid then looked back at Winoa. As the shine in her eyes faltered. As darkness encompassed them.

.......

"Mum, Veronica, I'll be going to see dad for a bit." Astrid went back into the living room and told them where she would be going.

Mrs. Tuhs nodded, "Alright, be safe." She didn't ask any questions.

Veronica said bye and gave Astrid another hug, after knowing more about her achievements she didn't say anything else.

Astrid and Winoa was sent to Hanxi by Astrid's driver, while Veronica said her byes to Mrs. Tuhs. As they had spoken what they wanted to say.

"Remember Ver, you're always welcome, make sure to come around sooner rather than later." Mrs. Tuhs gave her cousin a small smile to send her off.

As Veronica went to leave for her car Mrs. Tuhs' expression turned, as she went to sit in the living room, she was joined by Andrea.

Veronica opened the passenger seat of her car and got in. She turned to the driver's side and her eyes held a distinct amount of fear within.

"How was it?" The man in the driver's seat asked, his eyes emanating pressure.

Ver gave a low chuckle, ignoring the man's gaze. "Don't you know better than me?" She replied back with a question.

The man gave a low chuckle. "Indeed, it will only be a matter of time my dear." He caressed Veronica's cheek. Earning him a blisteringly cold look back.

"Oh? You defy me?" The man smiled back, his smile saying so many words to Veronica, she had seen this so. Many. Times.

She immediately turned docile. As the man chuckled and started the car. 'How the great Urzhokovic family has fallen. It will only be a matter of time.' He inwardly thought, as a sinister smile appeared on his face.