Meanwhile, Anna walked speedily, almost running once she was out of Evelyn's sight and earshot. Her feelings that she had only managed to surprise while standing before her mother threatened to consume her whole and all she wanted was to be alone. Get to her room and lock herself inside. And that was exactly what she did. She leaned against the door after locking it, her back sliding slowly downward until she was seated on the cold floor. Tears poured out as the memories of the past resurfaced like a storm.
Five years.
That's how long she missed. Never had any connection with them. Not even a word. She didn't even know what her daughter looked like until today thanks to her mother. Now all she had to do was imagine herself as a five-year-old little girl but with dark hair. She pulled the shoes off her feet as she ran towards the closet. Inside it was a hidden cabinet where a single locket was placed and she picked it up. A photo of the two most precious people in her life was inside. A baby and a young man full of smiles. Anna could still remember exactly how bright his smile was and wondered if he was still the same. Or did her disappearance change him? Did raising a child alone change him?
"I am so sorry," she said i na whisper, and once again sitting on the floor. The dim lights of the closet room did very little to provide comfort and the cold floor, she found soothing. It kept the pain alive and that was what she wanted. She didn't want to grow comfortable and forget.
After spending minutes inside the walk-in closet Anna came out with newfound resolve. It was time she did something. She couldn't cut off all connections like that. Not anymore. She was no longer that twenty-year-old girl from back then. That person feared her mother and lacked the power or means to act on her own. But the Anna of now was different. It has been almost six years now since she took over the family business, even though her mother played behind the scenes, she had her own connections now.
She looked around the room for her bag and found it placed on the bed and went to get the phone from inside of it. Once out she dialed a series of numbers and heard it ring.
"My lady," a female voice came from the other side of the line.
"I need you to do something for me, Willow," she began, taking a deep breath and then continued. "You will go to Empire City and look into someone for me. He won't be hard to find but you must be careful."
"Of course. Who am I looking into?" Willow asked, sounding excited for some reason.
"Lloyd Reigns. I want to know everything about him. And if possible, his friends too. And also, I need to know beforehand if there is any valid reason to get me to Empire City," Anna said. She could have just stated her reason but she ought to be careful.
"Yes ma'am, I will get to it right away," Willow said and Anna hummed a reply before disconnecting the call.
"One way or another, I will go back there," Anna muttered to herself before putting the phone away.
***
At Empire City,
The bubbly and lively form of a little girl ran through the door of the villa shouting "Daddy," with almost every step that she took. She tripped and missed a foot but a hand held her from behind and only let go when she was stable on her feet again.
"You will fall if you keep running around like that," her father's voice came from the room at the side and she stopped smiling adorably at him but her hands remained hidden behind her back.
"Pearl was careful," she said, her voice soft and soothing to his ears but he shook his head knowing what she was trying to do. She does this each time he gets angry with her.
"Now tell me, why are you so happy today," he said, squatting to her level. He ruffled her hair before the sound of approaching footsteps drew his attention but he didn't stand up.
"Look, Daddy" she pulled her hand forward. "Godmother gave this to me. She said I could call whenever I want."
Lloyd looked at the phone in her hand. He sighed knowing he should have expected it.
"I have your phone number now, I can always call you too. She pressed the power button to show him the number as evidence as if he didn't believe her. "See," putting the phone so close to his eyes to make sure that he saw it. "There's also Godmother's number, Godfather's, Aunt Dia, and Uncle Kiel, too."
"Did you thank your Godmother?" Lloyd asked and she bobbed her head.
"Good girl," he praised while she beamed. "Why don't you give me and your uncle Kiel a moment, I'll be with you soon," he requested. She turned and found Ezekiel leaning against the wall just watching them.
"Okay, but first…" she made a hand gesture for him to come closer. When he did, she kissed his cheek before running off. "I'll show my new phone to grandmother," she yells as she goes.
Lloyd chuckled and stood up. He strained his back before meeting Ezekiel's gaze. "Thank you for bringing her back."
Ezekiel merely nodded but his gaze remained fixated on Lloyd.
"What's with the phone? It wasn't needed, you know?" Lloyd sighed as he started toward the living room and Ezekiel followed him.
"Exactly what she said, so she can call. Melody and Damian didn't mind. I don't see a problem with it either," Ezekiel shrugged. "But are you alright?"
Lloyd frowned at the question. Was he so petty that he wouldn't be alright because of a smartphone? "Why wouldn't I be?"
"I am not talking about the phone, Lloyd. I am talking about you. Evelyn? You met her didn't you?"