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For the first time in five years, I felt no resentment towards Christine. In fact, I was grateful for her concern.
"Thank you, Christine," I said, meaning it.
I left the bedroom and headed back downstairs when I was intercepted by a guy whom I had seen around the compound. He motioned for me to follow him, and I did, feeling a sense of unease.
He directed me back into the boss's office, and my heart pounded in my chest. The dimly lit room was filled with the scent of cigar smoke, which lingered in the air. I approached the boss's desk, but this time he motioned for me to sit on the couch just opposite his.
Then, he came around the desk and sat down beside me, his imposing figure towering over me. I felt intimidated by his presence. His deep voice broke the silence, "You okay, Anthony?"
I hesitated before answering, unsure of what to say.
"Yes, I'm fine now," I managed to reply.
The boss's piercing gaze seemed to penetrate my soul as he spoke again.
"Anthony is living a life like this really what would you prefer? Things were much simpler for you before you met Laura. Laura needs a strong man who is willing to control an empire and is ready to face anything that comes with it. It's a dangerous life, Anthony. Some of us can navigate in this world, but not all people can."
I felt a knot forming in my stomach as his words sunk in. Was I really cut out for this kind of life? Did I have what it took to be the man Laura needed me to be?
But then, I thought of Laura and how much I loved her. I knew deep down that I would do anything for her.
"I love Laura, sir. Of that, I'm certain," I said with conviction.
"Then prove it, Anthony," the boss said, his eyes locking onto mine. He stood up, his imposing figure casting a shadow over me, and went back to his seat behind the desk.
"And you don't have to worry about James anymore he added, his tone cold and calculated.
***
As I pulled into my driveway, I saw a familiar figure in the distance. As I got closer, I realized that it was Mrs. Tom, whom I hadn't seen in a while—not since Amanda had gone to stay at the boarding school.
I parked the car and made my way towards her. She smiled as she saw me approaching and walked towards me.
"Mr. Anthony, it's so good to see you!" she exclaimed, a twinkle in her eye.
"It's good to see you too, Mrs. Tom," I replied, returning her smile. "It's been a while."
"It has indeed," she agreed. "And speaking of people we haven't seen in a while, we miss seeing Amanda around here. I didn't realize she was going away."
I sighed, feeling a twinge of guilt for not letting Mrs. Tom know about what was going on.
"Yes, Amanda’s away for a while," I replied. "Her mother and I decided to reconcile, and she's spending some time with her."
Mrs. Tom nodded sympathetically. "I can only imagine how tough that must be for you," she said. "It's never easy to be away from a child."
"You're right," I agreed, feeling a lump form in my throat. "It's tough."
Mrs. Tom gave me a kind smile. "Well, if you speak to Amanda, please give her our best regards," she said. "We all miss her."
"I will," I promised, feeling a sense of gratitude for my kind neighbor. "Thank you, Mrs. Tom."
As I stepped through the front door of my home, I felt a strange sense of emptiness. It was quiet, too quiet. The absence of my daughter's cheerful chatter and Laura's gentle humming made the place feel unfamiliar, even though I had lived there for years.
I took a deep breath and walked further into the living room. The furniture was still in the same place, but everything felt different now that the two most important people in my life were absent.
I slumped down onto the couch, sinking into the soft cushions. I ran my hand over the fabric, feeling the texture beneath my fingers, and closed my eyes. It was a futile attempt to relax, and I knew it.
After a few minutes, I opened my eyes and got up from the couch. I walked towards the kitchen, hoping to find something to eat, but the fridge was almost empty. I took out a bottle of water and drank deeply, feeling the cool liquid soothe my parched throat.
