Rubbing her teary eyes, Lariette took a deep breath before slowly exhaling, trying to calm herself down. She refused to let the unpleasant mories of the past taint her daily joy.
Her maternal grandmother left this rmaid’s Heart for her as a token of her love but, the first ti she would use it was in her sche of revenge.
Lariette returned the necklace to the box, a sad smile playing on her lips. She carefully closed the lid before looking at Chairman Delaney.
"I’m being petty, Grandpa. I’m taking back what’s rightfully mine just because I want to return what I felt before to them."
Lariette knew Chairman Delaney might be upset with her choice but, she wouldn’t back down. She had done so countless tis already in the past ten years by bending over backward in following her family’s nonsensical and biased demands.
Including what Stephanie herself had done to her.
’...I still can’t forget everything.’
During high school, Stephanie spread the rumors of Lariette always going out with the much older, rich man. The other students, especially the boys always degraded her.
"You’re quite pretty. How much for one night?"
"Lariette, wanna join us? We’ll make you feel better than those slly old n."
"Hahaha! Why are you so mad? Clinging to your last dignity, huh?"
Lariette wanted to fight against them but, she was too cowardly. She also didn’t dare ask for Chairman Delaney’s help, knowing it would incite an internal war with her parents.
Despite thinking how stupid she was, Lariette still chose to endure the bullying.
Also, more often than not, Stephanie took Lariette’s belongings without even asking her. The forr also had the audacity to throw things out.
One incident broke Lariette’s heart. Stephanie threw the collection of handkerchiefs embroidered by Mrs. Evans.
"You cry like a fool. They’re so slly. I’m helping you to discard that trash. Can’t you be grateful?"
Lariette broke down but, there was nothing she could do. She tried looking for the handkerchiefs back yet, Samantha harshly berated her for it.
"Don’t make trouble! Go buy new ones if you need them!"
No one cared how sentintal the old handkerchiefs were to her. No one scolded Stephanie for touching her belongings in the first place.
No one.
Pursing her lips, Lariette lightly shook her head. She didn’t want to rember the painful mories.
"Lari, do what you want to do."
Understanding the aning behind Lariette’s words, Chairman Delaney nodded once, hoping to reassure her. He reached for her back, giving it a gentle pat.
Lariette finally claid her ownership over the rmaid’s Heart after a decade. She also was aware the motive behind her action was not entirely pure.
Yet, Chairman Delaney didn’t mind.
"Lari, I haven’t told you this story about your grandmother. She could be petty too, you know?""
Chairman Delaney parted his lips, nostalgia imbued his voice as he recalled the particular mory. The light in his eyes brightened beyond the previous unshed tears.
Blinking, Lariette quietly anticipated the rest of Chairman Delaney’s story. Ruediger stayed quiet, also silently listened to the elderly man’s voice resonating in the hidden alcove.
"One of my cousins kept claiming your grandmother didn’t suit the rmaid’s Tears. She often made snide remarks to your grandmother. As you know, my Lottie ca from an ordinary background."
Lariette nodded without a word. She still rembered that piece of information about Madam Delaney.
Her grandmother was a hardworking lady in the field of finance when the era expected won to have no further education and only focus on being housewives.
Wanting to change her life for the better, she resisted without fail whenever her parents pressured her to stop working and start looking for a husband.
The Delaney spouses crossed paths one day when Chairman Delaney was still a common staff, training for the heirship. They worked together on a project.
Madam Delaney’s intelligence and gracefulness made Chairman Delaney infatuated. He began pursuing her but, the journey wasn’t easy.
After a long period of courtship, Madam Delaney finally accepted Chairman Delaney’s proposal. They were dubbed as the power couple of Delaney Industries as both working harder for the success of the company.
"On my cousin’s birthday banquet, your grandmother wore a complete set of rmaid’s Tears. She rarely wore them actually but, she said it was better to flaunt the diamonds since my cousin was so envious of her."
"...Grandma did what? She flaunted... the diamonds?"
Her grandmother who she often heard carrying herself with dignity?
Really?
Surprised, Lariette’s mouth gaped slightly. Her grandfather’s story was narrated simply but, she could imagine how the said cousin felt when her grandmother pulled up such a stunt.
"Yes, my dear. Your grandmother did that."
Chairman Delaney chuckled, amused upon reminiscing the mory. His voice was full of love toward the wife who had departed this world for so long.
Under Lariette’s curious eyes, Chairman Delaney continued.
"My lovely Lottie was a strong lady. She wouldn’t bother herself with petty insults but, she also wouldn’t let people trample on her head easily. She knew when and how to strike."
"...wow."
Lariette unconsciously clasped the fabric of her skirt, amazed by the story of her deceased grandfather told by her grandfather. The guilt that stemd from her selfish desire for petty revenge slowly dissipated.
The look in Chairman Delaney’s eyes softened further. He reached for both of Lariette’s hands, letting his wrinkly skin graze his granddaughter’s soft one.
"This old man here knew what you’ve endured all this ti, Lari. You might think your action is petty but, I knew your heart, my dear. You finally stood up for yourself."
Chairman Delaney regretted not taking more active actions before but, he was aware there was no use lanting his incompetence. Thus, he seized this chance to give Lariette more solid support—despite her granddaughter going against her own family.
Fresh tears pricked Lariette’s eyes. Leaning forward, she brought Chairman Delaney’s frail figure in her arms. Her voice ladened with sobs as she repeatedly thanked the elderly man.
"Thank you, Grandpa... I won’t let myself be bullied... by them again. Thank you so much. Also... thank you for worrying and... caring for all this ti..."
"You’ll always be my granddaughter, Lari," Chairman Delaney laughed faintly. He stroked Lariette’s back, silently wishing for the best for his granddaughter, "Please rember that you can always count on ."
Lariette nodded slightly, answering with firmness in her voice, "Yes, I will."
Ruediger, ever the quiet spectator, smilingly watched the delicate and touching mont that enveloped Lariette and Chairman Delaney. He didn’t foresee listening to an old tale about the diamond and also the deceased Madam Delaney.
Hopefully, Lariette would feel better after getting the reassurance she needed from her beloved grandfather.
"I can bring it for you, Lari. Just in case you’re afraid of it going missing."
"Oh! Please do! Thank you, Grandpa."
Chairman Delaney suggested after releasing Lariette from the embrace. His granddaughter quickly nodded, happy with the suggestion.
rmaid’s Tears worthed more than tens of millions. Lariette shuddered as she imagined losing the entire box because she had no proper security asures as how her grandfather did.
Thus, Lariette returned the carved box to Chairman Delaney, knowing she would get it back on the island.
"Is there anything else you need, Lari?" asked Chairman Delaney as they walked out of the hidden alcove, back to the ho office area, "Just say it."
A slight frown erged on Lariette’s forehead upon hearing Chairman Delaney’s question. The change on her face was quickly noticed by both the elderly man and Ruediger.
"What is it, my dear?"
Lariette exhaled a sigh. Staring at Chairman Delaney, she said, "Actually, I’m worried about sothing."
Chairman Delaney arched his brows, urging Lariette to speak while Ruediger kept his ears open, unwilling to miss anything.
Reviews
All reviews (0)