DETACHED

Chapter 20: What Lies ahead

A few minutes later, Xavier stood outside the Chairman's office. He knocked once.

"Come in," Sebastian called.

Xavier opened the door and stepped inside. Sebastian immediately rose from behind his desk, supporting himself with his walking stick. He wore a dark, well-tailored suit that fit his tall frame perfectly. Despite the years, he still carried himself with quiet elegance, his sharp features making it easy to see where Xavier had inherited his looks. Perhaps the good genes had simply been passed down. A smile slowly spread across Sebastian's usually composed face.

"It's good to see you, son," he said.

"It's good to see you too, Dad," Xavier replied.

Sebastian didn't say anything else. He simply walked toward his son and pulled him into a tight embrace. Xavier stood still for a moment before returning the hug. Sebastian had missed him. He would never say it, but the way he held onto his son said enough.

A few moments later, Uncle Mark entered carrying a tray of freshly brewed coffee. He placed it on the table before smiling warmly. "It's good to have you back, Xavier," he said.

"It's good to see you again, Uncle Mark," Xavier replied. Xavier picked up his cup and took a sip before looking at him. "What about Emilia? Is she still around?"

"Yes, she is," Uncle Mark replied casually as he took a seat beside Sebastian. "I'm sure you missed her cooking."

"Yes, I did..."

Before Xavier could finish, Sebastian interrupted. "You couldn't even ask me how I was doing. Instead, the first person you ask about is Emilia. So you love her more than your own father?"

Sebastian lightly tapped Xavier's leg with his walking stick."Ouch, Dad! That hurts," Xavier complained, rubbing the spot.

Sebastian looked satisfied.

Xavier took another sip of his coffee before adding casually, "But I still missed her more than you. I didn't miss you."

Sebastian stared at him. "You ungrateful child!"

Uncle Mark burst into laughter. For the first time in a long while, the office felt less like the Chairman's office and more like a family room. He was happy. After all these years, the two men were finally sitting together, teasing each other like they had never been apart.

Once everyone had settled, Sebastian picked up his coffee. "I've already heard what happened on the fourth floor," he said.

"I assumed you had," Xavier replied.

"I don't disagree with your decision," Sebastian said, taking another sip before looking directly at his son. "But I do have one complaint."

Xavier waited.

"You arrived in Germany. You came to headquarters. You inspected four floors. You fired a department manager, and you didn't even tell me you were on your way. You could have called. You could have told me you had arrived. You didn't even give me the chance to prepare something for you. And after all that, you decided not to greet your father."

Xavier couldn't help smiling. "I thought business came first."

"Not before family," Sebastian replied."I'll remember that."

"I hope so."

A brief silence settled over the room before Sebastian leaned back. "Have you decided where you'll be staying?"

"I have. I won't be staying at the estate."Sebastian raised an eyebrow.

"I've arranged for my secretary to stay there temporarily, but I'll need to find her proper accommodation."

"I'll arrange that immediately," Sebastian replied.

He paused before adding, "I thought you would stay at the estate, at least for a while. That way..."

"No, Dad," Xavier interrupted. "If I have to work properly, I'd rather have my own place."

Sebastian frowned. He knew that tone. Once Xavier made up his mind, there was very little anyone could do to change it.

"And Emilia?" Uncle Mark asked.

"She'll help stock the house with food while I'm busy," Xavier replied. He glanced toward Sebastian. "And I'd rather have her around the old man."

Sebastian stared at him. "The old man?"

"Yes," Xavier said with a faint smile. "So you won't be alone."

Sebastian studied his son for a moment before shaking his head. "You've certainly changed.""Maybe," Xavier replied. "But some things haven't."

Sebastian's expression softened. "If that's what you want..."

He glanced at Uncle Mark.

"It'll be arranged."

Somewhere in the bustling city of Lumenstadt. A small bar was crowded, its warm lights reflecting off the bottles behind the counter as music played softly in the background. Amara sat with Lila, Zoe, Jenna, and Daniel around a corner table, surrounded by empty glasses and half-finished plates of food.

Lila lifted her glass.

"One more round!"

Zoe immediately cheered.

"Yes!" Jenna laughed, though she was already struggling to keep her head straight. Daniel leaned back in his chair, his face flushed from the alcohol.

"Maybe we should slow down," he suggested.

Everyone looked at him.

"You've been saying that for the last hour," Jenna replied before bursting into laughter.

Amara shook her head, smiling as she took another sip from her glass.She could hold her alcohol better than all of them.

Much better.

But even she knew when to stop.

Lila suddenly pushed herself to her feet.

"Round two!" she shouted.

She lifted her glass triumphantly.

Then her knees gave way.

Zoe caught her halfway, but the two of them nearly collapsed together.

"She's gone," Daniel muttered.

"I'm not gone!" Lila protested weakly.

She tried to raise her glass again.

"Round..."

Her eyes closed.

"...two..."

Her head dropped onto Zoe's shoulder.

Amara burst out laughing.

"That's definitely not happening."

Jenna was already leaning against Daniel, barely keeping her eyes open.

Daniel looked at Amara.

"I think we're the only responsible people left."

Amara looked at him.

"You can barely sit straight."

Daniel considered this for a moment.

"Fair point."

Amara smiled and finished the last of her drink. She had enjoyed herself. For a few hours, she had forgotten deadlines, responsibilities, and everything else waiting for her outside the bar.

But the night was over.

She stood and collected her bag.

"I'll get them home safely," she said.

The lights were still on at Apex engineering and Architects when Amara returned later that night.

The office was almost completely empty. She placed her bag beside her desk, removed her coat, and sat down. There were still drawings waiting for her.

She opened her laptop.

The familiar glow of the screen filled the quiet office as she returned to work. For a while, there was only the sound of her keyboard.Then her phone rang.

Amara glanced at the screen.

Grandma Ruth.

She smiled before answering.

"Hello, Grandma."

"Amara, where are you?" The smile disappeared from her face.

"I'm at the office."

"At this hour?"

Amara glanced at the clock.

"I lost track of time." Grandma Ruth sighed heavily.

"You've been doing that too often lately. You haven't come home properly in days."

"I'm sorry."

"And did you take your medicine?" Amara paused.

"...Yes."

"Don't lie to me." Amara smiled faintly.

"I haven't taken it yet."

"Amara!" Grandma Ruth shouted, panic could be heard in her voice.

"I'll take it now."

"You'd better," Grandma Ruth scolded.

Then come home." Amara looked around the empty office.

"I will." She knew she probably wouldn't. After the call ended, she placed the phone beside her laptop.

For a few moments, she simply stared at the screen. Grandma Ruth had spent years worrying about her. Years making sure she ate. Years making sure she took her medication.Years waking up whenever Amara had nightmares.Years quietly carrying burdens that should never have belonged to her The memories came back without warning. The fear.

The hospital visits. The nights when sleep had been impossible. The moments when Grandma Ruth had held her and promised that everything would be fine, even when neither of them believed it.

Amara swallowed hard. She looked down at her hands. Maybe it was time. Grandma Ruth had spent enough years taking care of her.It was time Amara started taking care of herself.

And perhaps...

It was time she gave Grandma Ruth a chance to rest. She looked around the office.Then she made a quiet decision. She would find her own apartment. Not because she wanted to leave Grandma Ruth behind.

Because she wanted to give her something she had never really had. Peace.

Amara picked up her phone again and opened a list of apartments she had saved earlier.

One day soon, she would move out. But she would never move away from Grandma Ruth.

She would make sure she was comfortable. She would make sure she was cared for.

And she would never forget everything Grandma Ruth had done for her

Amara returned to her work.

Hours passed.

Eventually, exhaustion overcame her. She closed the laptop, rested her head against the back of her chair, and closed her eyes. That night, Amara fell asleep at her desk.

Across the city, Xavier sat alone in his hotel room. His jacket had been discarded over the back of a chair, and his tie hung loosely around his neck. His phone rested against his ear Adrian's voice came through the speaker.

"So let me get this straight."

"You arrived in Germany."

"You walked into headquarters."

"You fired someone on your first day."

"And then your father scolded you for not visiting him first? Xavier leaned back against the sofa.

"That's about right." Adrian burst out laughing.

"I knew it."

"What?"

"Your father hasn't changed." Adrian said

Xavier shook his head.

"Apparently neither have I." Xavier argued

"No," Adrian replied.

"You've definitely changed."

Xavier raised an eyebrow.

"How?"

"You used to think you could solve everything by yourself."

"And now?"

"Now you still think you can solve everything by yourself."

Xavier laughed quietly.

"Thanks for the encouragement."

"I'm serious," Adrian said.

"You'll be fine." Adrian said

Xavier looked toward the window.

The city lights stretched across the darkness outside.

"I don't know about that." Xavier replied

"You'll figure it out," Adrian replied.

"You always do."

Xavier was silent for a moment.

Then a small smile appeared on his face.

"Get some sleep, Adrian."

"You too."

The call ended.

Xavier lowered the phone and stared at the screen for a moment. For the first time since arriving in Germany... He allowed himself to wonder what exactly his father had brought him back to face.