Chapter 16
995 Words
The atmosphere inside Fletcher Mansion was unusually quiet that evening.
Downstairs, the servants prepared dinner as usual, while upstairs, Asia sat cross-legged on the floor beside an open suitcase.
Neatly folded clothes filled one side and a few books occupied the other.
She worked quietly, carefully arranging everything she would need for the weekend.
Her phone buzzed beside her, it was a message from her grandmother.
Drive safely tomorrow. I've already told the kitchen to prepare all your favorites.
Asia laughed softly.
That sounded exactly like her grandmother.
The old woman always believed food could solve almost anything.
Her smile lingered for a few moments before she placed the phone aside and continued packing.
A short while later, she heard the sound of a car pulling into the driveway.
It was Kelvin.
Downstairs, Kelvin entered the house, loosening his tie as he handed his briefcase to one of the servants.
His day had been long and by the time he reached the dining room, all he wanted was dinner and silence.
The housekeeper approached.
"Good evening, sir."
Kelvin nodded.
"And Where's Asia?"
"Madam is upstairs packing."
Kelvin paused.
"Packing?"
"Yes, sir."
The woman smiled.
"She's visiting her grandmother tomorrow."
"Oh."
The housekeeper almost expected him to ask something else but he didn't.
Instead, he poured himself a glass of water and headed down the dining table for food.
A few moments later, however, he remembered the file he had left in the study beside their bedroom.
With a quiet sigh, he headed upstairs.
When he pushed open the bedroom door, he immediately noticed the suitcase.
Then his eyes landed on the stack of documents resting beside it.
A familiar logo stared back at him.
Glanton Industries.
His mind instantly returned to the conference that held few days ago.
The memory still felt oddly out of place.
Kelvin picked up one of the folders.
"Since when do you work for Glanton Industries?"
Asia didn't look up.
She simply folded another dress and placed it inside her suitcase.
"Recently."
Kelvin frowned.
"Recently?"
"Yes."
"You resigned from Fletcher Group."
This time, she looked up.
"Yes I did."
Kelvin stared at her.
"And You never discussed it with me."
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"I submitted my resignation weeks ago."
"You should have spoken to me first."
Asia lowered her gaze and continued packing.
"Would it have changed anything?"
After a moment, he said, "I wasn't aware you intended to leave."
Asia let out a quiet breath.
"You still aren’t aware of a lot of things, Kelvin."
Kelvin frowned.
"As far as I'm concerned, you're overreacting."
Asia didn't respond.
"If this is because Jane became Executive Director, then dragging this out is unnecessary."
Still no reaction from Asia.
"You've always been emotional when it comes to work."
The zipper of the suitcase slid closed as Asia slowly stood.
Not a single trace of emotion crossed her face as she placed her suitcase upright.
"I think Rachel's father gave you that position because of your connections."Kelvin gestured toward the Glanton files.
"I understand you're upset, but eventually you'll calm down."
Asia simply watched him.
"When you're done with this act," Kelvin continued, "you can come back."
Asia blinked.
"Come back?"
"To Fletcher Group."
His tone remained casual as though he were offering her a favor.
"If you don't want your old position, I'll arrange another one."
The words echoed in her mind.
The position she had spent years earning had been handed away without hesitation.
Now he was offering her another one.
As though her career were a gift he could casually hand out whenever he pleased.
For a brief moment, she simply looked at him.
Then she smiled.
"There would be no need."
Before he could say anything else, Asia picked up her suitcase and moved it closer to the door.
"I'm leaving tomorrow."
Kelvin glanced at it.
"Your grandmother's?"
"Yes."
He nodded.
"I'm travelling too."
Asia already knew and there was no need to ask who he was travelling with.
The answer was obvious.
Neither of them mentioned Jane's name.
Neither of them cared enough to.
For several seconds, silence filled the room.
Not awkward.
Not hostile.
Simply empty.
Two people standing in the same space.
Living completely separate lives.
Eventually, Kelvin picked up his file.
"I'll be gone for a few days."
Asia nodded.
"Have a safe trip."
"You too."
Kelvin left the room without looking back.
Asia listened to the sound of the door closing behind him.
Then she released a slow breath and headed into the shower to freshen up for bed.
The next morning, Asia left before sunrise.
The city gradually disappeared behind her as she drove toward her grandmother's estate with every passing mile, she felt lighter.
By the time she arrived, the gates were already open.
A familiar warmth settled inside her chest.Before she could even step fully out of the car, the front door burst open.
"Asia!"
Her grandmother hurried down the front steps with surprising speed for someone her age.
Asia laughed.
"Grandma."
The older woman wrapped her in a fierce hug.
"My precious girl."
For several moments, she simply held her.Then she pulled back and examined her face carefully.
Immediately, her expression changed.
"You've lost weight."
Asia groaned.
"Grandma."
"But You have."The older woman frowned.
"And don't think I can't tell."
Despite herself, Asia laughed.
Her grandmother slipped an arm through hers.
"Come inside."
The older woman smiled.
"You have an entire weekend of being spoiled ahead of you."
That evening, after dinner, the family gathered in the garden beneath strings of warm lights as Laughter filled the air.
For the first time in weeks, Asia felt peaceful.
Then her grandmother turned toward her.A thoughtful expression crossed her face.
"Asia."
"Mm?"
The older woman patted her hand.
"Have you gone to see your mother recently?"
The smile on Asia's face slowly disappeared.
And just like that, an entirely different set of memories began stirring beneath the surface.
- Writer
