The Withered Yet Strong Tree

"Welcome to Grand Palacio," I was greeted by a hotel concierge staff member.

I nodded at him and stepped into the elevator that had just opened.

I headed directly to the Presidential Suite where our team and Rosaria, our client, were staying.

Outside the suite, I took a deep breath before pressing the video doorbell.

"Buzz."

"Hello." I looked at the screen and greeted.

Ed opened the door and nodded at me.

Even though the suite's living room is spacious, I immediately noticed Rosaria. She was sitting in the sala, looking at her laptop on the fancy accent table, while Bert and Elle stood behind her.

I noticed that aside from our team, there were no other bodyguards in the room.

"Checking the place before the person. Is that a habit?" Rosaria looked at me and smiled.

Even though she's in her 50s now, you can still see the beauty and elegance she possesses—definitely someone with noble bearing since birth.

I approached her politely and gently nodded. "Bonjour, Madame," I said with respect. She smiled softly and nodded back. Our greeting was quiet and courteous, showing proper manners without fuss.

"Good. Proper manners. But no apologies?" Rosaria asked, smiling.

Bert looked at me with a wary and nervous smile, while Elle just looked the other way.

"I... I apologize," I said in a low voice.

Rosaria gently laughed and said, "I am just teasing you."

"How long has it been?" she asked.

"Six years. Seven months, Madame," I answered.

It was our last encounter.

She smiled at me and closed her laptop.

She gestured to Bert to go outside.

"Elle, Ed. Let's go," Bert said, then looked at me and nodded.

I nodded back and smiled.

"Six years. It's been a while. How are you?" Rosaria asked after the door closed.

"Just okay. Still working," I responded.

"Let me clarify, this is not a frank or whatever. I am too old for that," she said.

"I understand," I respectfully replied.

"You understand that I am too old now?" she frowned and asked.

I was surprised and was about to explain when she said, "I am joking."

She laughed. "I am happy to see you. This is not a joke, Matt."

"I am glad as well, Madame. How are you?" I smiled and asked.

"Better. Everything is as clear as the brightest day to me right now." She gestured for me to sit beside her.

I obeyed and sat down.

She gently held my hand. "You are Roy now?"

"Yes..." I answered quietly.

"That's a good name, child."

"Are you surprised to see me?" she asked curiously.

"Yes, I did not expect it, Madame," I replied.

She lightly laughed and said, "Good, good. I provided different details to surprise you."

"I have two things for you. A request and some information. Do you like that?" she asked.

"As you wish, Madame. Fulfilling your request is part of our job while you're here," I replied.

"Thank you. Do you believe that I went ahead of schedule?"

"Knowing you, Madame, no," I confidently answered.

"That is nice to hear. The information I will give you is that I also booked the hotel's penthouse."

It shocked me a bit, but I was expecting something within this reason.

"No fun. Seems like you already know what's next," she sighed.

I did not answer.

She tightened her hold on my hand. "Do you hate me?"

"No. I won't ever hate you, Madame," I reassured her.

She looked at me, her smile tinged with sadness.

"You can hate me," she said.

I gently smiled and lightly shook my head. "Don't think about it, Madame."

"And that's what made me sad, you poor child," she remarked with a gentle smile.

"Are you excited to see her?" she asked, still tightly holding my hand.

"I'm... I am not sure," I answered, pondering.

"I see," she said and smiled.

She continued, "Let's see what will happen then."

"Thank you, Madame," I replied.

"Now, for the request. I have a task for you. Complete it before next week. There is a piece of artwork I want you to retrieve. Mon Père coveted it for years but couldn't locate it. I just learned where it is, and coincidentally, it's here in your country."

Mon Père is how she addresses her father, Regis Aristide De Rohan—the Chairman of Providentiel Group. One of the biggest conglomerates in France. He has many connections, and numerous big groups work for him, which is why I didn't think twice about the possibility of our client coming from them.

"I will retrieve it for you, Madame," I said confidently.

I continued, "This is why you went ahead of schedule."

"Good. That's right," she said.

We talked a bit more about the mission. She also handed me a flash drive with the details I needed.

We said our goodbyes, and I was about to exit the room when she said, "Finish it before the week ends. Be there when she arrives."

I smiled and nodded.

Outside the room, I saw Bert and Elle waiting.

"I'm sorry, Roy," Bert said apologetically, scratching his head.

"It's fine. Who would expect that our client is the second most powerful person in Providentiel Group?" I tapped his shoulder and said.

"Do you two know her personally?" Elle frowned and asked.

"Yes, I met her when Bert and I were still mercenaries. Though, I think Roy met her earlier than that," Bert replied.

"Oh, really?" Elle was surprised.

"So, what's next?" she continued, asking with anticipation.

"Where is Ards?" I asked.

Bert handed me a new covert microphone. "At one of the rooms below."

I nodded and turned on the microphone. "Ards, I will leave a flash drive with Bert and get all the details we need from it. We have a task from the Madame."

"What's her request?" Bert asked worriedly.

"Just retrieving a painting. I can handle it, so stay with the Madame. Coordinate with her bodyguards and ensure safety," I told Bert.

"Elle, I need your help with the task," I added, turning to her.

"Of course," Elle responded confidently.

Meanwhile, inside Rosaria's suite...

"Hello, aunt!" Callista greeted via video call.

"How are you, sweetheart?" Rosaria warmly asked.

"I'm fine. I'm excited to meet you!" Callista responded enthusiastically.

"Excited to meet me?" Rosaria teasingly asked.

"Of course! You're my favorite aunt!" Callista responded with a bashful smile.

"I'm your only aunt!" they both lightly laughed.

"So... how is he? Still like a withered tree?" Callista asked curiously.

"He's full of life. He may not show it, but he's living a good life, it seems," Rosaria said.

"That's good... to hear, I guess," Callista replied.

"Sure, it is," Rosaria responded.

After a moment, Rosaria continued, "Sweetheart. I am sorry. Do you hate me?"

"Aunt! What are you talking about? I don't hate you!" Callista hurriedly answered.

"You can hate me. I am at fault as well," Rosaria said with a sad smile.

"No, I won't ever hate you!" Callista reassured her.

"You have the same response as him," Rosaria sighed and said.

"He... He told me to never hate you," Callista admitted.

Rosaria smiled and said, "Even though your tree might be withered, it continues to stand strong."

"Sure, he is," Callista answered, reminiscing about the past.