Ciara walked into her office, exhausted after a long day of meetings. Even though she was glad that the meeting ended well, and they were able to find a solution to tackle the issues of the new company she anonymously became the CEO, she couldn't help but feel worn out.
Why not? She has gone through a lot in the last few days and needed a long-time rest for herself, but she can't -there are loads of work to be done that she can't possibly ignore else they will keep piling up.
Ciara sat down at her desk, ready to tackle the mountain of paperwork that awaited her. But just as she was about to get started, there was a knock at the door and the door slowly creaked opened afterward.
She looked up hesitantly, surprised to see the figure several feet before her. It was Gerald, standing in the doorway. "Gerald, what's going on?" She asked, her voice rising up. "Why are you here? I thought you'd left for the day."
Gerald shrugged his shoulders lightly as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other afterward, the expression on his face was as the other days -stoic and blank, giving no hint of whatever emotion he might be feeling or whatever thing was going through his mind.
"Come in..."Ciara offered, not liking the idea of her office being opened and standing in the doorway. "-and have your seat. I see no reason for you to keep standing there with no intention of moving an inch."
Gerald breathed out slowly as he moved away from the doorway, banging the door softly behind him. "I knew you were going to say that." He uttered in a dry tone, and he strutted towards Ciara's desk to take one of the seats before it. "I see you are done with the board meeting."
Ciara nodded her head in affirmation before speaking. "Yes, just a couple of whiles ago. You wanted to see me?" She asked, trying to sound positive.
"Yes, ma'am..."He said, his voice grave. "There has been some developments regarding your uncles, and I think you and your brother should know about it."
Cara would have felt a knot forming in her stomach if it were to be years back, but at the moment; she did not. "What kind of developments?" She questioned, already anticipating the answer. She knew what his response will be, but she still wants to hear it from him.
"They've turned themselves in to the police, ma'am, just as Dwayne had ordered them to." Gerald said, looking solemn. "Apparently, they've confessed to being involved in your parents' death. I escorted them and made sure they did as told; I was surprised they did without causing any fuss about it."
Cara wasn't expecting Gerald's positive reply, though; with her uncle's ego, she had thought they wouldn't agree to do such a thing and would have been adamant about protecting their identity against the public's critics.
"They did...？" Her voice was enough to say it all. "I can't believe they did it, though; I mean, they aren't the types of persons to give in that easily -most especially, if it's not in their favour."
Gerald shook his head, looking as bewildered as she felt. "I can't begin to understand it either, ma'am." He said with a small sigh, rubbing his temple lightly.
"There's no need to discuss this further right now, Gerald." Ciara enunciated, trying to sound more composed than she felt. "You can go home since there's nothing left for you to do again, the day is almost gone."
"I know, ma'am." Gerald kept his reply plain and simple. "I intended to leave anytime soon
-and you, when are you closing for the day?"
"Soon. I'll end everything I'm doing soon enough." She told him in response. "I need to go pick up Herzl from Dwayne's home this evening. Everything is cleared already, he needs to come back home with me..."
"Of course, ma'am." Gerald said with a quick nod, his voice full of concern. "Just let me know if you need anything, okay?"
Ciara nodded, trying to maintain her composure. "I will. Thank you, Gerald." She let out a small smile as she watched him leave her office afterward.
Ciara's smile left her lips immediately Gerald was out of sight, a sigh escaping her lips in place of the smile as she felt suddenly drained out. She tried clearing the thoughts off her head, but it wasn't working -she did not understand why she kept feeling downcast when danger was clearly out of sight.
What was she going to tell Herzl about his granduncle when he asked about them some other time later? How could she explain this to him? That her uncles turn themselves in to the police because they were murderers?
She was sure that won't happen, Herzl hadn't gotten used to them enough to ask after them. This was enough to keep her at ease, at least.
******
Ciara sat lazily in her chair, unable to fathom whosoever would be desperate to see her out of the blues. As the woman walked in behind Laura, the streak of tears still on her face.
Ciara's jaw dropped, and she stood up from her chair, her reflex kicking in. The shock Ciara had on her face was clear, and she did not try to hide it.
"A -aunt Elsie...？" The words came out effortlessly from her throat, her lips slightly parted. "Is this really you?"
"Sure, Cici. Who else if not me?" The woman, whose name turned out to be Elsie, enunciated in reply, breathing out quiet laughter and looked far from someone who just cried few moments ago; except for the dried trail of tears on her face.
Laura, seeing that they were both acquainted with each other, she left the office quickly and quietly without her being noticed by any of them.
"I did not expect to see you, aunt Elsie." Ciara said, feeling a mix of emotions coursing through her. Relief, disbelief, and bewilderment all mixed in a confusing jumble. "I didn't know you were back in town."
Elsie nodded, looking dazed. "I just got back a few days ago..."She said, her voice soft. "I had to return to the States when I heard about Kent's deteriorating health, but now...I'm still in shock and I can't get over the news of his death."
Ciara swallowed hard, unsure of what to say next. How could she talk to her aunt after everything that had happened?
"I'm sorry, aunt Elsie." Ciara sighed, unsure of the best words suited for a situation like this. "I should have come to you as soon as I heard the news about his death, but I couldn't create time for myself-work is overwhelming these days."
Aunt Elsie offered her a faint smile. "I know..."She nodded slowly, her smile still on her face. "It must have been hard on you to look after all of these wealths after your parents' death -I wouldn't dare lay a blame on you, Cici."
Ciara couldn't help but smile brightly. Aunt Elsie hasn't changed a bit, she's still the same as she has known her for ages -always cheerful and soft with words. This has been Aunt Elsie's charm, which no one couldn't help but fall for, including the new self of Ciara.