Finically
Thomas stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of his office, glass in hand, watching the city below. The lights of the buildings reflected in the darkened streets, their faint hum of traffic a constant rhythm beneath the silence in the room. It had been a long day, and as usual, the world outside seemed to move on, oblivious to the decisions being made inside these walls.
Behind him, his assistant, Mr. Cole, quietly worked through a stack of papers, the soft rustling of the documents the only noise in the otherwise still office. The work was always there, piling up, waiting to be dealt with. But in moments like this, when the weight of it all was pressing on him, it was harder to focus on the routine.
"Done?" Thomas asked, his voice low as he glanced briefly over his shoulder.
"Yes, sir," Mr. Cole answered, his tone as efficient as ever. "Everything's been handled."
Thomas gave a small nod, his gaze returning to the view. The city, with all its lights and noise, felt so distant from the quiet space he inhabited right now. He sighed, taking a slow sip from his glass.
The buzz of his phone cut through the momentary stillness. He glanced at the screen.
Mrs willison .
His hand stilled, his fingers hovering for a brief second before he answered. It had been years since they'd spoken directly, and he hadn't expected her to reach out now, of all times since Daisy returned yesterday .
"Hello?"
"Thomas," Lucy's voice came through clearly, sharp but not unkind. "You finally pick up."
Her words were laced with an edge, but there was no real malice behind them. It was a statement, more than a question. A soft reminder of the distance, both literal and emotional, that had grown between them since Henry's death.
"I didn't mean to leave things like this," Thomas said, his tone neutral but measured. "There's been a lot to handle."
"I understand," Lucy replied, though her voice softened. "But it's been three years. I… I thought you might have at least reached out to keep me updated about my daughter ."
Her voice faltered for a second, but she quickly regained her composure. Thomas didn't say anything. He wasn't sure what to say. Her sudden call was unexpected. They had work to do, and that's how it had always been with them — duty first, everything else second.
"I won't keep you," Lucy continued. "I just needed to know some little thing."
There was a brief pause before she spoke again, the tension in the silence heavy.
"How has Daisy been doing?" Her voice was softer now, tinged with something that wasn't anger or frustration — something closer to concern.
Thomas didn't respond right away. It wasn't that he didn't have an answer; it was that there was nothing to say that would make this conversation easier. He took another sip from his glass, not wanting to speak too quickly.
"She's… adjusting," Thomas said after a long beat, his voice steady. "She's been learning how to handle the business."
He didn't mention the strain. The distance between them. The quiet moments when Daisy seemed to retreat into herself, not speaking as much, not letting her guard down. He didn't need to say any of that.
"I know," Lucy said, her voice almost as if she were talking to herself. "I'm not asking about that. I know she's been busy. I meant… how has she been? When she was with you, when you were taking care of things for Henry, what was she like?What went on?"
Thomas could sense the subtle shift in her tone. It wasn't about business anymore. It wasn't even about the company. It was about Daisy. Lucy's daughter, who had always been kept at a distance from the harsh realities of the world they operated in.
"She's been focused," Thomas answered, keeping it vague. "Determined."
There was another pause, and Thomas could almost feel Lucy processing his words, weighing them against her own thoughts.
"I just…" Lucy's voice softened, a tinge of something she wasn't ready to fully express. "She's different. I noticed it when she returned. There's a distance in her I didn't see before. It's like she's not fully there, you know?"
Thomas wasn't surprised. Daisy's return to the business had been anything but smooth. But this was the first time Lucy had acknowledged it, and it made something inside Thomas shift.
"I know what you mean," Thomas said, his voice remaining neutral. "She's had a lot to take on. But she's handling it in her own way."
Lucy seemed to contemplate this for a moment, before speaking again, her voice quieter this time. "I just want to know she's okay. I want to know she's not… I don't know, overwhelmed. I can't be there for her the way I should be. I don't even know how to reach her anymore."
Thomas didn't respond immediately. He knew that Lucy's relationship with Daisy now feels been strained.
"She'll find her way," Thomas said finally. "She always does. She's stronger than you think."
The words hung in the air for a moment. Lucy didn't reply right away, and Thomas didn't press her. It wasn't his place to tell her how to handle her daughter. He was simply a bystander in this situation, just as he had been for the past few years.
"I'm sorry," Lucy said softly, her voice betraying a hint of vulnerability. "I shouldn't have called like this. I don't mean to put all of this on you."
"No need to apologize," Thomas replied, his tone still professional. "It's not a problem. You can always reach out if you need to."
The words were true, but they didn't mean much. Lucy wasn't going to rely on him for emotional support. She never had. Their relationship, like everything else, had always been about business. It had to be.
"I just wanted to know, Thomas," she said quietly. "I just wanted to know if she was okay."
Thomas's hand tightened around the glass for a moment before he spoke again, his voice steady. "She is. She's just… focused."
Another pause. Then, a faint sigh from Lucy. It wasn't much, but Thomas knew it was all she needed to hear for now.
"I'll let you go," Lucy said after a moment, her tone returning to its usual composure. "I appreciate it. And Thomas… thank you for answering."
Thomas didn't say anything for a moment, simply letting the words settle between them. Then, he replied with his usual professionalism.
"Of course, Lucy. Take care."
The call ending with a soft beep . For a moment, the office felt quieter, emptier. The city outside continued its restless motion, indifferent to the conversations happening behind the walls.
Thomas placed the phone back on his desk and turned his gaze back to the window. Lucy's call had left something lingering in the air, something he couldn't shake. But it was nothing that needed attention. He had his duties. And so did Daisy. Whatever was happening, whatever had changed, they'd all have to handle it in their own way.
"Go get me the files" Thomas said to his assistant after letting out a long sigh.
" Yes sure" Mr Cole responded with a light bow and left.