"Congratulations on the new position," Rocky stated, not paying any attention to the slight hostility in her voice. He was one of the few people who knew how much this meant to her and how that job security would change her life.
Ava also felt a little bad because she had assumed the worst from him. She was unsure why she was being too touchy about him. The brat had succeeded in making her self-conscious, and she did not appreciate it, but Ava still went ahead to express her gratitude.
An awkward silence ensued until the slight whirl of a car engine approaching interrupted them.
"Will you be leaving with me?"
"No, Rocky. I’ll be staying here for a while."
"If there is nothing else, then I’ll be leaving."
Ava shook his hand off of her and turned to leave.
"D- did you listen to the audio file I sent?"
"It’s okay... if you did not. I already suspected that you might not...." He said, trying to hide the disappointment in him, especially when the degrading words spoken by Josh rang through him once again.
He lowered his head so that Ava would not see the emotions dancing in his eyes. However, Ava knew Rocky like the back of her hand, even as she denied it herself. They had spent so much time together informally over the years so much that she could read him like a book.
"I did not send you that audio to score points with you, Ava. I genuinely care for you, and I do not want any asshole to play around with you. I meant no harm in sending this to you. I only have your best interests at heart. However, the final decision rests on you."
Ava was struck immobile. She did want to either deny or admit that she had deleted the file. She could not bear to see him disappointed in that for some reason.
So, she rather asked,
Rocky studied her for a moment, understanding that she wanted to change the topic and then responded, "It’s okay."
He held her gaze for a while, and then,
"See you later, Ava. I can’t let the driver wait too long."
He attempted to smile, but failing miserably, he turned and quickly boarded the car, never looking back.
Ava stood looking thoughtfully at the back of the retreating car for a while. The slight breeze rippled past her, making her slightly chill, but she was so lost in thoughts that she did not even notice.
Her eyes took a faraway look as she thought of the audio that she had deleted, as well as Rocky’s reasoning.
’I am usually good at giving Shelby advice regarding relationships. Why am I so lost in this, unsure of the step I want to take?’
She stood out there for quite a long while before she picked up the phone and dialled Josh’s number....
A little later, Albert pulled up at the Wendover mansion. Sensing the mood of the passenger in the car, Albert had only put on some soothing music throughout the ride back with him.
The solemn demeanour of the young man in the back reminded Albert slightly of when he had transported Shelby to the Thornston estate.
Many people did not believe in karma, but Albert did. He still remembered that night so vividly, as if he was just reliving them. It was that disgusting look that the young mistress’s father had on her that he could not shake out of his head. It’s good that his crimes caught up with him in the way it had. Who would have believed that he had been not just a drug user but a dealer as well?
’I hope that this handsome young man, being his son, is able to come out of the scandal unscathed.’ Albert thought, as he pulled the car to a stop.
Albert waited until Rocky entered the brightly lit mansion before he left. Even from where he had been parked, he could hear the faint hysterics of a woman coming from there.
Sighing, Albert started his drive back.
Albert had been Ian’s exclusive driver some time back, but within a few hours, he had driven strangers as well.
’Maybe it’s because they are related to the young mistress?’
As soon as Rocky entered the mansion, he heard his mother’s loud sobs and the workers who looked helpless.
"TG that you are here, young master Rocky. We really did not know what else to do with Madam Clara!" Angela, Clara’s personal maid, met Rocky at the door.
"What’s going on? How is she?"
Rocky asked, looking at her dishevelled appearance.
"She just woke up! We thought she would have slept longer, but she woke not long ago and has been screaming out since."
Rocky run his hand through his short blond hair. One would say that Clara had strong genes. Both her children were just like her. The only exception was that Rocky was as tall as his father and had James’ overall build as well.
Rocky could feel a pressure start to build up in his head. His only thought was: ’Is she the child, or am I the child?’
Rocky loved his mother, but sometimes, just sometimes, he wished that Clara would not act with that naïve indifference like she was helpless to the world. In just one day, Rocky had experienced quite a bit, and he would have loved to have his mother there for him and not the other way around.
Rocky started asking and then realized that he could trace her with the sobbing sounds.
He started up the stairs before he took in all the clutter left behind by the police. He shook his head and then turned back towards Angela.
His father’s fate was uncertain, but Rocky knew that it would take a big miracle for him to be released based on the information from Detective Leon and also from Ian.
’I should learn to take charge now.’
His eyes took on a cold glint that even the workers who had become familiar with him over the years took a step back from. They could see something change in him as he stood on top of the second step.
"Why is the place still after the police left?"
"Please do not let me come down to meet it this way."
He stated and then continued his ascent. His words had been crypt and straight to the point, leaving a slight shiver down their spines. They exchanged a few looks and sprang into action.
This was a new Rocky. One they had not met before, and they knew with all certainty that this was one they did not want to cross!
Rocky opened the door to his parent’s room only to see Clara in her nightwear, half seated and half-lying on the floor, sobbing.
Her makeup had not been taken off, so all the crying had smudged it, and she was so unlike her usual self.
Rocky walked in stepping over the discarded clothes and other clutter that Clara had made in her hysterics.
Rocky sat on his parents’ bed and then looked at his mother quietly.
Clara stopped crying and started hiccupping. In the past, Rocky would have come to comfort her if he had seen her that way, but what was with that indifferent face?
"W-here di-d y-ou go? Wh-at of y-our f-ather?"
"I told you that the lawyer will handle Dad’s case. Why do you still ask me about it, mum?"
"B-ut you l-et them take ev-erything away. What w-ill we d-o from n-ow on?"
Rocky ruffled his hands through his hair again and then replied,
"I went to see how Shelby was doing-"
Clara crawled up and clamped on Rocky’s thighs.
"Can they help? Wi-ll Shelby’s new fam-ily help?"
Clara flinched back at the tone.
"Are you really that ignorant? Why do you do that? Are you really blind to everything that has been going on to your own daughter? Why would you want to ask sis to help dad out-"
"He’s her father and he got such a good marriage for her. Shouldn’t she help when he is in trouble?"
All the stutter went missing from Clara’s voice. She really was baffled and did not understand Rocky’s reasoning one bit!
"Ha- ha- hahahaha..." Rocky pushed his mother away from him to her surprise.
"You really have no idea what is happening here, do you? Your beloved husband sold your only daughter for money! He tried to- OMG! Don’t tell me that you want me to say these words. He detests your daughter, and all you can think of is him! What is wrong with you, mum?!"
He reached for the contract in his pockets, knowing perfectly well that Clara might not understand the words, but he was very adamant about letting her in. However, Rocky was in for a surprise at his mother’s next words.
"Nothing happened to Shelby! My daughter is still very much okay and way better off now. Isn’t she? Whatever James did to secure her that marriage was in her own best interest, and it worked out in the end... didn’t it? I trust James in this!" Clara whispered, adding, ".... Besides, that is not the issue at hand!"
Rocky gaped! It was as if a bolt of lightning had been passed through him.
He shrunk back from an automatic recoil. His disbelief was astounding!
’Did mum really just say that? I heard that wrong, right? Or am I dreaming?’
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