Olivia heaved a frustrated sigh. Forget her temper, even her blood pressure was getting out of control.
"Is there anything more I can do to help?" A concerned voice broke her reverie. "You've been buried in too much work lately. Please get some rest. I can handle the miscellaneous work for you."
She turned to face Carlos, her long-time assistant. "Please. I want you to settle this bloody mess as soon as possible." She dismissed Carlos's frown at her choice of her words.
"I will do it as soon as possible, miss."
"Good. I dislike being associated with a disgusting rumor. And have my schedule cleared for today."
"Yes, Miss Olivia."
They were on their way back from another meeting for the day. Carlos looked up from his planner to openly stare at her, as she closed her eyes and rested her head against the headrest. Even with obvious strain and stress, she still managed to look effortlessly regal.
Like others, he couldn't help but to idolize her despite all knowing her flaws. Carlos deep loyalty and infatuation over her stemmed from his long years of serving her, and from his infinitely deep gratitude towards her. He was in her debt, so much that if she asked for him to lay his life down, he would probably not hesitate to do so if situation calls for it.
After clearing her schedule for the day and rescheduling it for a later date, he called her lawyers and instructed them to have everything cleared by midnight. It had been a few days since the event took place, so Carlos very subtly but noticeably word his warning for them. While he was instilling the dread for not meeting the demand into her lawyer, he instructed the driver to take them to his Mistress's family house. She only ever cleared her schedule for them after all.
Two hours later, the car slowed down to a stop in front of a house fit to be called mansion that told it's own story from all the marks visible on its body.
"Miss Olivia, we've arrived." He gently called her. She stirred but show no intention of waking up. When his next attempts failed, he simply exited the car and instructed the driver to wait until she woke up.
Half an hour later, just as Carlos came back to wake her up again, Olivia opened her eyes. "I have asked for your bath to be prepared, miss. And looks like tea will be served shorty after."
Olivia lazily opened her eyes to take Carlos extended hand. She stepped out of the car and took a moment to get her bearing before walking into the house. Carlos trailed obediently behind her.
The first thing she did was head to her mother's room. It was situated on the ground floor, facing the back garden. Knocking twice, she made her entrance only to see no one inside the room. Scanning around she noticed the twin door leading to the garden slightly ajar.
"Tell Cook to serve it in the garden," Olivia said as she headed out to search for her mother, the thought of the alluring bath forgotten. She could distinctly hear Carlos's reply from far behind as she continued her stride.
Outside in the garden, she was immediately greeted with the smell of various flowers. Inhaling deeply once, she took her time strolling in the garden with a definite direction in mind.
Just as she had envisioned, at the heart of the garden where a lovely gazebo stood, her family members were sitting in tranquility. She took the few strides left to reach them. "Hello mother, father. Ophelia." She went and kissed her mother's cheek. "How have you guys been?"
Her mother, Azalea turned and greeted her with a bright smile. "Olivia! What a surprise, dear. We have been great. How about you sweetheart?"
Olivia kissed her mother once again before lovingly took his father's hand and kissed his forehead. She took a seat next to Ophelia after a brief hug. "I'm good. But things haven't been as smooth as I'd prefer it to be."
Azalea frowned. She eyed her younger daughter carefully and noticed traces of her carefully hidden tension. "Don't worry too much, dear. Most thing will be fine if you have eyes on it," she smiled knowingly while trying to assure her.
Olivia returned the smile. She turned to her sister and took her hand in hers. "How have you been, sister?"
"I'm fine. The smells is starting to change and I was beginning to worry you might miss the flowers blooming you know?" Ophelia complained. Olivia laughed at her sister's seriousness.
Ophelia lifted her other hands to land it clumsily on Olivia's cheek. "You're working too hard, Liv. Come home more. You know you need the rest."
Olivia suppressed a flinch. "Sorry. Things were a bit hectic lately," she mumbled her excuse.
Of course that was not exactly true. Olivia Queneviere was not one to let things go out of hand.
That was simply unthinkable.
Even the most recent scandal she was placed into was already halfway resolved and if nothing went wrong, it would be settled in a day or two. She just needed the distance, but the more she tried, the more she felt called to return. Her family was her cure, as they were her poison. To see her family daily would destroy her, just like how they were; torn and destroyed, a remnant of their former self.
Olivia smiled as she watched her mother chirped happily to her father, describing how Olivia was finally home after so long. He was better than years ago, yet nowhere near the man he was before. At least, he had began showing traces of his smile and much more lately.
"Olivia," Ophelia forced her attention to her.
"Yes?"
"You're overthinking again. None of this is anyone's fault. Blaming yourself won't bring back what had been lost. You need to let it go." Her sister stated for the millionth time.
Olivia simply smiled melancholically. Her beautiful and kindhearted sister's unfocused gaze, once a mirror of her strong stare, bore hole on her face. Seeing Ophelia's condition would always forcibly reminded her of the past. She could lie to herself as much as she wanted, but sitting in front of Ophelia left her with nowhere to run from the truth that her sister was blind.
She squeezed her eyes shut before she found her resolve to reply.
"I'd already laid the case to rest. You don't have to worry," she said, faking a note of teasing.
Ophelia giggled. "I'll hold to that for now Liv, but know that I'm not convinced."
Olivia laughed. "Always the one and only I couldn't swindle out of."
Ophelia clicked her tongue a few time and jokingly said, "Never with me, young lady."
They continued talking to each other, and every now and then, they would hear small laughter coming from their mother.
Sitting at the summerhouse, witnessing their interactions with each other forced Olivia to face the reality and stopped fantasizing of the past.
That's fine. She convinced herself.
It's alright. She chanted.
She would held on to whatever she could grasp at the time being, holding tight to it, and make sure not to let it out of sight, much less away from her grip.