75
-Lucy Silvers-
A stressed Rhys just kept pacing back and forth the room, hand raking through his already ruffled hair millions of times.
He kept on muttering cuss words.
While all I did was stare at him.
At this rate, he might possibly hurt himself from the stress.
Another cuss word. “How could she do this? How on earth did she attempt murder three times? Three times!”
He stopped by the wall like the figure was unbelievable.
Even I couldn't believe she'd do so. I didn't think she could try killing someone once, not to talk to thrice.
In frustration, he gave the poor wall a hard punch that would probably lead to bleeding on his knuckles.
Either way, I sat on the bed, unmoving.
That probably caught his attention, because he turned to me like he thought I was losing it, when in fact, he was the insane looking one.
“Why aren't you taking this seriously?” His forehead creased. “Were you in this with her?”
That made me scoff. “What should I do? Should I roll on the floor, crying and pleading for anyone to find June.”
From his gaze, it was obvious he thought I was getting traumatized from losing my only child.
But that wasn't the case.
Yes, it hurt to think she was gone, but not the way he probably thought.
“You know, I knew this was coming, Rhys,” This was obviously going to be a serious conversation, so I straightened, keeping my voice calm, “I'd told you that day to talk to her, but what did you tell her, she should always want to get whatever she wishes.”
Even thinking about how stupid he was made me snort. “I knew from that day that I'd lost her and so nothing's new now.”
That was true.
Because, after that day and more of crying in Jayla’s hands, I came to the realization that I'd not only never become a grandma, but I'd lost my daughter.
And so now was just like a confirmation.
“So what will happen to the Silvers?” He continued his pacing.
I eyed him in disgust, resisting the urge to scoff again.
He'd just lost his daughter and what he could think about was the company.
That stupid damn company.
What was his problem?
“June is the only successor from us.” He sounded so stressed. “I have no niece or nephew or anyone trustworthy enough to take over the company.”
I offered no reply. Not that I had anything to say that wouldn't send up in us arguing and possibly a stomping-out-of-the-room-in-anger type of fight.
“The company's been the Silvers’ for over seventy years now, and June is nowhere to be found to take over it.”
“Even if she's found, she can't do that.” I had to reason with him. “She's either going to jail or a mental asylum.”
He ran his hand through his hair again, exhaling deeply. “Is this how the company's success will flop? I'd work for the company till I die? And then there'd be no one to take over and it's over.”
Seriously, will this moron fuck off with his fucking company.
His daughter was literally missing, and insane, but all he can think about is a company.
I wanted to shout that to him, but knew it would be best for everyone if I stayed quiet.
This was the time we needed each other and fighting would do no one any good.
“We have no one to give it to Lucy. No one.” He had begun sweating so much, bus face was soaked, though the air condition was perfectly set.
It only made me worry about his health.
If he kept on like this, then who knows what could happen.
God forbids it that he ends up collapsing somewhere out of weakness from the stress.
“June's not in a condition to take over the company so that means I'll work in the company till I die and that'll be it. No one to take over.”
See, even more worrying because he didn't look like he noticed he'd already said that just a few minutes ago.
“Can you just stop pacing around the room?” The annoyance in my tone was not hidden.
Thankfully, he complied, landing on the bed.
“How could she do this to us?” For a split second, I thought he was going to cry but he didn't.
“It's partly our fault, you know.”
He turned to me, holding my gaze and I saw it all.
The hurt. The pain. The fear. The worry.
That got aaaato me.
“Because we didn't train her well?” He asked, sounding really out of energy.
“No, she's such a sweet girl. She's always been a sweet girl till…” I held a blank expression, hoping he'd complete my sentence.
“Till?” It looked like he was searching my eyes for the answer.
“Till we arranged her marriage with Don for the company's stock.” It came out so low and calm, I had to sigh afterwards.
He looked like he was giving it a lot of thoughts before he looked away. “You're right, but what's that gonna do? It wouldn't bring a successor to the company.”
I shifted closer to him, placing my hand on his shoulder as a way of comfort. “Yeah but don't you think we should just calm down.”
“Calm down?” He huffed. “Yeah right.”
But I was right.
June was gone and we couldn't do a thing about it, we could only accept our fate and try to find happiness.
That was why the fact he was stressing himself only made me worried.
He was all I had left and losing him would mean losing my whole world.
So, hoping to calm him a little, I decided to do what I hadn't done in years.
I wrapped him in my arms, saying the words I hadn't said for so many years, and imagined many more years without saying them. “I love you Rhys.”
“Huh?” He seemed taken back in surprise, but soon he recovered, wrapping his arms around my back. “Well, I guess I love you too.”
Playfully, I smacked his back, but didn't pull apart. “Just enjoy it while it lasts, you bozo.”
He chuckled softly, pulling me further towards him.
“I'm sure something good will happen.”
His shoulders visibly relaxed at the words. Like he actually believed them.
“Thank you.” And before I knew it, he lowered his head, crashing his lips against mine.
Oh.
My eyes shut as I kissed him back.
I apologize if this book is going at a slow pace, but I promise that things would be going at the right pace after this chapter.