CEO Herbert?"
He looked up from the file he was reading.
"Co in, Alicia."
I smiled and walked forward.
"Is there anything you need, sir?"
He narrowed his eyes playfully.
"It’s just the two of us here."
I imdiately understood.
A small smile appeared on my face.
"Alright, Uncle Herbert."
His expression softened instantly.
That was more like it.
When we were alone, he hated formal titles.
"How is the clothing project progressing?"
"Everything is going smoothly."
He nodded.
"And the testing results?"
"It was successful."
I took a seat across from him.
"We’ve received positive feedback overall."
"The only issue is market confidence."
"Since we’re a new brand, many retailers are hesitant to place large orders."
"But we’re already working on solutions."
A look of approval crossed his face.
"I expected as much."
Then he smiled.
"I trust you, Alicia."
"You’re the one leading this project."
"If anyone can make it succeed, it’s you."
A warm feeling settled in my chest.
"Thank you, Uncle."
He closed the file in front of him.
"That’s all I wanted to know."
He stood up and reached for his jacket.
"I have a business dinner to attend tonight."
"So I won’t be joining everyone for dinner."
I nodded.
"Alright, Uncle Herbert."
"Drive safely."
"I will."
With that, I left the office and headed ho.
By the ti I returned to the mansion, the sun was already beginning to set.
The golden light stretched across the fields surrounding Rosewood, painting everything in warm shades of orange and gold.
I parked the car and stepped out.
Before I could even close the door, the front door burst open.
"Mummy!"
A tiny figure ca running toward at full speed.
I barely had ti to react before Aimy crashed into my legs.
I laughed and bent down to catch her.
"Careful."
"You almost knocked over."
Aimy wrapped her little arms around my neck.
"You ca back late."
I smiled helplessly.
"I had work."
"You always have work."
The accusation in her tiny voice made laugh.
"Oh really?"
"Then who buys all your chocolates?"
Aimy imdiately looked away.
"I don’t know."
I narrowed my eyes.
"You don’t know?"
She shook her head seriously.
"No."
I couldn’t help laughing.
This little girl was becoming smarter every day.
I carried her into my arms and walked toward the house.
The sll of dinner imdiately greeted .
Aunt Margaret appeared from the dining room.
"Welco ho."
"Thank you, Aunt."
She smiled before looking at the child in my arms.
"Did she bother you today?"
"Grandma!"
Aimy protested imdiately.
"I was good."
Aunt Margaret folded her arms.
"Should I tell your mother how you hid your vegetables under the table?"
Aimy gasped dramatically.
I burst into laughter.
"You did what?"
"It wasn’t ."
"Then who was it?"
Aimy pointed at the family dog sleeping nearby.
"Max."
The dog didn’t even bother opening his eyes.
Aunt Margaret and I exchanged looks.
Then both of us started laughing.
Aimy pouted.
"Why are you laughing?"
I kissed her cheek.
"Because you’re adorable."
That finally made her smile.
Anna arrived shortly after with Aunt Veronica carrying several shopping bags.
The mont Aimy saw them, her eyes lit up.
"Aunt Anna!"
Anna imdiately crouched down.
"I brought sothing."
Aimy gasped.
"You did?"
Anna pulled out a small stuffed rabbit.
Aimy squealed so loudly that I covered my ears.
"Anna."
I narrowed my eyes.
"Tell that isn’t another toy."
"It absolutely is."
"Anna."
"What?"
"You already spoil her enough."
Anna imdiately carried Aimy.
"My niece deserves the world."
Aimy nodded seriously.
"The whole world."
I stared at both of them.
Neither looked guilty.
Not even a little.
Hopeless.
The two of them were completely hopeless.
"Is your Aunt Anna the only person you know?" Aunt Veronica asked, trying to keep a stern expression on her face.
Aimy blinked her big blue eyes before imdiately stretching her little arms toward her.
The older woman instantly lted.
A smile spread across Aunt Veronica’s face as she scooped Aimy into her arms.
"That’s my girl."
Aimy giggled happily and wrapped her tiny arms around her neck.
The family made their way toward the dining table together.
anwhile, Anna dramatically held her stomach.
"I’m starving."
Then she paused and glanced around the dining room.
"Wait... where’s Dad?"
She looked at Aunt Margaret questioningly.
"He has a eting with the farrs tonight," Aunt Margaret replied as she took her seat.
Anna frowned slightly.
"When will he be back?"
"He didn’t say."
Aunt Margaret shook her head.
"But he won’t be joining us for dinner."
"Alright then."
Anna nodded and imdiately sat down.
"More food for ."
Aunt Veronica rolled her eyes.
"Sotis I wonder if all you think about is food."
Anna grabbed a bread roll from the basket and grinned.
"Thinking about food is what keeps alive."
Everyone burst out laughing.
Dinner was filled with laughter.
Most of it ca from Aimy.
She talked about everything.
The butterfly she saw in the garden.
The flower she picked.
The cartoon she watched.
The cookie she secretly stole before lunch.
Every little thing sounded like the most important event in the world.
And sohow everyone listened seriously.
After dinner, Aunt Margaret headed upstairs to rest.
While Anna went upstairs to put Aimy to bed.
I stayed behind to help Aunt Veronica wash the dishes.
The kitchen was quiet, filled only with the sound of running water and clinking plates.
"Is Aimy asleep already?" Aunt Veronica asked when I walked in.
I shook my head and picked up a towel to dry the dishes.
"Anna is putting her to bed."
A smile imdiately appeared on her face.
"Those two."
"Always inseparable," I said with a small laugh.
Aunt Veronica nodded in agreent.
Then, after a mont of silence, she asked,
"How are you coping with work lately?"
"It’s alright, Aunt."
I continued drying the dishes before placing them neatly on the counter.
She turned to study for a mont.
There was sothing gentle in her gaze.
Sothing almost nostalgic.
"Your mother would be very proud to see the woman you’ve beco."
My movents paused briefly.
A warm feeling spread through my chest.
I smiled faintly.
"I’m sure she’s looking over us even now.
Aunt Veronica smiled and nodded.
"She is."
For a mont, neither of us spoke.
The comfortable silence settled between us.
Then she sighed softly.
"I just hope we can make up for all the ti we spent apart."
I imdiately understood what she ant.
After my mother’s death, life had taken everyone in different directions.
There were years we barely saw one another.
Years that could never be returned.
But sohow, after everything that had happened, we had found our way back to each other.
I didn’t press further.
So things didn’t need to be said aloud.
The fact that we were together now was enough.
After finishing the dishes, Aunt Veronica wished goodnight and headed to her room.
I cleaned my hands, turned off the kitchen lights, and made my way upstairs.
A smile unconsciously ford on my face as I headed toward Aimy’s room.
Knowing Anna, there was a high chance neither of them was asleep yet.
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