Little Rose – Chapter 4 – After 6 Years

I sat into a regular routine of finding jobs and going out for long walk along the ocean with Barry. One day, on father insistence, I went out with father to a café. I caught a glimpse of a familiar figure and laughter. “Angela”. I said the name under my breath and froze. But father heard me and quickly turn to look at the young lady who was serving coffee to a customer with a radiant smile on her face. I wanted to run towards to Angela and hug her. My eyes were moist with tears and when I started moving towards Angela, father grabbed hold of my hand and shook his head. I was shocked. He pulled me over to one side and said, “Not now, my child. You are not ready yet. I know your heart”. With this, father walked me back to the car and asked Mr. Brown to get us two regular cups of Latino Coffee, with no sugar syrup. I opened my mouth to speak but father patted my hand and said, “Later, Daffodil. At home in our private space, okay?” I was too emotional to say anything but gently nod my head.

When we reached home, father gave strict instructions to Mr. Brown and Mrs. Smith, the housekeeper to make sure that father and daughter were left alone, strictly no interruption. By now I was sobbing heavily and hyperventilating at the same time. Father sat quietly on the chair and after my whimpering has ended, I asked softly, “Father, guide me please. What am I to do?” “She was the last person to see me off. She told me her heart felt something might happened?” I started sniveling again. “Father, she knows me. I am Rose, her roommate and sister ”. After a long pause, father spoke up. “Daffodil, look at me, my child. You are no longer Rose. You are Daffodil, my daughter and Angela does not know any Daffodil. Control your heart and come to your senses, my child. Despite staying in London for five years, Tom told me you still get nightmares whenever it rains heavily and he and Mary had to sedate you. What you went through at that young age of eighteen was too much for you to handle. I am not stopping you, my child. In fact I want you to heal. Heal yourself, Daffodil. Go regularly to the café where Angela works and make friend with her first. Get to know her again as Daffodil. If by befriending Angela makes you feel good about yourself, go to the café. Make peace within yourself first, don’t be distressed and destroy yourself. Do you understand what I am saying, Daffodil?” And another thing, “bring your old man along. I have been alone,” father said laughing in his melodious laughter. “May be I may meet someone there too.” I laughed at father and gave him a big hug. “Father, you and Tom are sent by God and Sister Cathy to look after me and I kissed him on his cheek. “Let’s go tomorrow, okay?” I said to father.

The café as usual was busy. I was excited and nervous at the same time. My eyes kept searching for Angela. “Where is she?” “Where is she?” I kept repeating these words in my mind. Father patted my hand gently and smiled knowingly at me and gesture me to look at my right. There was Angela. She was walking towards us to serve us our order. All I could hear was the pounding of my own heart. As Angela approached, she greeted father and me sweetly. As usual, Angela, the silly goose smiles sweetly at dad only and I in return, smile sweetly at Angela. “Angela, I said, pointing at her name tag. On seeing me pointing at her nametag, Angela burst out laughing. “Father and daughter?” Angela asked. “New people to this area?” Both father and me nodded our head. Father mentioned the rustic old town name and I mentioned London. I caught the surprise in Angela’s voice when she said, “different town and a different country and how come?” “Secret”. Both father and I said the word simultaneously. Angela was quick to befriend me. Going to the café became a norm for me as I was always looking forward for a Latino Coffee. Sometimes I would go to the café alone with Mr. Brown, sometimes with Barry and sometime I would force and dragged father along with me when he was not busy.

One day, as I was about to leave the café, Angela came over and gave me a quick hug and move away. I was too stunned and froze. Quickly looking at me with an apologetic look, Angela was quick to say, “Your eyes, voice and mannerism reminded me of someone, so much so that I could not resist myself but to hug you”. I nodded my head and gave her a lopsided smile. I wanted to walk away and cry in seclusion. Here was my friend who recognizes my eyes, voice and mannerism but not my face. I said a quick good bye to Angela and asked Mr. Brown to drive me to the seaside. Once all alone by myself, I sat down and cried my heart out loudly. I do not know how long I sat at the seaside until Mr. Brown came over and told me in his serious voice, “Sir is looking for you, Miss Watsons.” Dear Mr. Brown always cheering me with his serious voice. When I reached home, I meet father in the study and there was an envelope in his hand. On seeing my tear stained eyes, father was quick to ask me if I was okay. I told father what had happened at the café. He was very quiet and asked me if I wanted to continue to see Angela at the café? I nodded my head. Father smiles and stopped me from leaving the room. “Daffodil, there is an interview letter for you”. “Oh! Father. Thank you. That’s the job that I was very much awaiting for”, I said to father.

Few days later, father drove me to the interview place for he needed the car for his personal appointment. He was meeting up with an old university buddy, a professor and a renowned psychologist. When I arrived at the interview-waiting lounge, I started to have an uneasy feeling about the new job for unknown reasons. The interview went well and I was told that I would be notified if I were shortlisted. As I was leaving the interview room, I thought I saw a familiar glimpse of two people from the corner of my eyes. Keith and Bob. I would have recognized them from anywhere. I was feeling dizzy and nauseated. Oh! God. Please not now. Not him. Not Keith and Not Bob. Time froze for me until a gentle female voice asked me if I was all right? “You are looking so pale”, she said. Are you sure you are all right”, she asked again. I murmured a quick yes and give her a smile and walked towards the elevator. With shaking hands, I searched for my phone and quickly dial father’s number. There was no answer from father’s phone. I was feeling sick deep in my stomach. I felt hot flushes on my face. Images of my battered body came to my mind. I was trembling very badly. I tried calling father again but still there was no answer. I quickly hailed a taxi as my legs were wobbling and asked the driver to hurry up.

Upon reaching home, I vomited and collapsed in Mrs. Smith’s arm as she opened the door for me. I was shaking badly and the next thing I knew, I fainted. I was very hot. I was fighting against my assailants in my dream. I was crying and whimpering in my sleep, asking God to forgive me for loving Keith and to forgive me for all my sins. I was back in the orphanage, calling for Mother Superior and Sister Cathy, my angelic mother. I was in a delirious state. I opened my eyes and lashed out at my imagery assailants standing in front of me. In the far end of my mind, I heard father’s voice too. I tried to grab father’s hands. “Father, father, please save me, I cried out loudly. They are going to kill me, father. Please save me father. I cannot die in an unmarked grave. Please save me father, please…father, father…. please save me.” The next words I heard was someone saying to pin me down so that I could be given my tranquilizer injection and fever medication. I slept for the next five days, drenched in my own sweat and bad nightmares.

When I woke up next, father was siting in his favourite chair and Mrs. Smith was drawing the curtains aside. Upon seeing father, I gave him a genuine smile. “Father, I said with such a relief and tried to sit up in the bed. Mrs. Smith excused herself out. Father upon seeing me struggling, came forward and sat on my bed, looking very worried. “Daffodil, I nearly lost you again. What happened? Do you want to talk about it after breakfast, my child? I grabbed father’s hands and blurted out that I saw Keith and Bob at the interview place. Father was surprised and asked if I was very sure about it. I kept nodding my head and with tears rolling down my cheeks, I told father that Keith’s picture is so deeply engraved and embedded in my heart and that I could recognize him and his scent. Hugging father and sobbing loudly, I confessed to father that Keith was still in my heart and that I love him even six years had passed. No other one man could replace him in my heart. “What am I going to do, father?”

“Daffodil my child, let us eat our breakfast and will talk after a full stomach. You, my dear has not eaten for the past five days. I cannot see my daughter being starved. “Barry. Barry boy, come here. Daffodil is awake.” There was a barked and Barry jumped on my bed and laid his head on my lap, nudging my hand with his wet nose to pat and stroke his head.

We ate breakfast in silence and after Mrs. Smith had cleared the coffee table, father got up, walked over to the window and pushed it opened. Taking a deep breath, father said “Daffodil my child, in fact I wanted you to see my psychologist friend but I am afraid, I can’t allow it now. I fear for you and your identity. Someone might reveal you and put you in danger again. Do you want to go back to London? The kids are missing you and Tom and Mary would love to have you again in their life. What say you, Daffodil?” I looked at father with a bewildered look. Father was very quite for a long time. He turned back to look at me, walked towards his desk and sat on his chair.

“Daffodil, only you know what you are going through. You have been dragged to hell and back to live. You are given a second chance to live, with a new face and a new name. I cannot watch you going through so much of torture and reliving your nightmares. It hurts me so much, my child. I want to protect you forever. No one knows you as the young eighteen years Rose from the orphanage. You are known as my daughter, daughter of an eccentric doctor who doesn’t care for the world.” A pause and father asked, “Where is the wild girl with big dreams? I do see glimpses of wild streak in you at times. Many a times I caught you stroking your tattoo on your upper left chest. Even though the alphabet ‘K’ is slightly distorted by the acid, I see you stroking it with so much of love. And I know whenever you are at it it’s those times when you are always thinking of Keith with fond and loving memories. There is always a smile on your face and it lightens me up to see my daughter being very happy.

“You have been with your brother and me for the last six years, Daffodil. You are not allowing yourself to heal. You are hiding behind the fact that people might recognize you and harm you again. For all you know, Rose may be dead for Keith, Bob and Angela. Keith may even be married with kids and living a happy family life. There was a pin dropped silence for a moment and father continued, “You are an educated woman, Daffodil. Conquer your fear and live your life to the fullest. You got a father and a brother beside you. You got a whole family. Face Keith and Bob exactly the way you face Angela. You are a new face to them. Challenge yourself and never fear the unknown, Daffodil. Otherwise, pack your things and both of us can move to London. I have not seen Tom, Mary and the kids for ages. Let me know your answer”. Having said this, father cupped my face in hands and said solemnly, “your interview was successful and you got the job. Your acceptance letter is on my table and the ball is in your court, Daffodil. You got the whole day to think and I want an answer from you in the evening, my child”. Father than kissed my forehead and left me alone. I heard father footsteps fading away and the opening and closing of my door behind me.

I sat numb on the big sofa chair. Father may be right. Keith may be married with kids. It has been six years. Angela did not recognize me. I made many new friends in London. I even visited my angelic mother’s grave in secrecy with father. I visited the orphanage a few times with father. I saw and talked to all the nuns I know and they did not recognize me. Upon my insistent, father also brought me to the café, where I first met Keith. No one from the café recognizes me. Even the lady manager came over to have a small chat with father. Also no one notice me when I visited the old house I used to share with Angela. The landlady was keen to offer father and me a rental too but the presence of Mr. Brown scared her off. Father was right. It was my fear that was hindering me and not allowing me to move forward.

With this thought in my mind, I picked up my phone and dial the number on the interview letter, telling the receptionist that I am taking the offer and will see her in the office the following Monday. Father was nowhere to be seen. I was bored and I decided to call Tom and Mary. Tom was very happy to hear my voice. Mary insisted that I come back and stay with them for the lovely kids got lots of stories to tell me. I was still talking to Tom when father walked in. I passed the phone to father and after a short conversation with Tom, father hang up the line. I hugged father from the back. “Father, I love you. I thought over what you have said and you are right. I need to face my fear and be confident. I have called the company and told the receptionist that I accepted their offer. Father patted my hands and said, “Daffodil my child, remember you are Daffodil. In any awkward situation, take a few deep breaths and calmly tell yourself that you are Daffodil Watsons and your father is Professor Charles Watsons. I nod my head and hug him tighter.

Since I was available and free the next few days, I went over to the café with Barry. On seeing me, Angela came forward and asked about dad and me. I told Angela that father was okay and I was missing London and a bit under the weather. With this, Angela took my ordered and left me with Barry. While I was talking affectionately to Barry, two gentlemen came in. My heart dropped. It was Keith and Bob. I kept talking to Barry as they walked pass me. I slowly inhaled, exhaled and mentally told myself, that I am Daffodil Watsons. This time, my coffee was brought over by a young boy. “Sorry, he said. “Angela got very old two regular customers she must serve personally.” I nodded and started to sip my coffee. I offered Barry a doggy treat, which he chewed happily. When I finished my coffee, I got up to leave and almost collided into Bob. I muttered a short apology and left the café with Barry. I heard Angela scolding Bob for his carelessness, which he just brushed off. As for Keith, there were no words from him. He remained silent and distant.

A day later, I went back to the café with father. We sat silently, across each other, savouring our coffee with short cookie biscuits. There was no sign of them. Earlier I told father about what had happened and he insisted on coming with me the café. Angela came forward and asked if I was interested in going out for a dinner date with her. I looked at father and Angela burst out laughing and said, “Professor Watsons, does your grown up daughter still need your permission?” I gently hit Angela on her hand. I told her if she continues, I will not go on a dinner date with her. With the dinner date settle, father and myself decided to walk home. Poor Mr. Brown had to drive the car back home alone.

It was a Monday and my first day at work. As I was preparing to leave, father walked in and said, “Daffodil my child, Mr. Brown will drop you off at work. “Father, how can you? I am a grown woman”. Well no one can win an argument with father. Mr. Brown dropped me right in front of the building. I was so embarrassed that people might see me and quickly asked Mr. Brown to drive off. As I was entering into the building, I heard someone saying, “There’s Bob and where is the other guy?” I kept walking and stopped in front of the elevator when I heard Bob’s voice asking me from behind, “Hey, you are new here, right?” I turned around and saw a look of surprise on Bob’s face. I panic too but I calm myself down. Bob continued and said, “ Ah…the lady with the dog from the café. Do you need your driver to drop you off?” I ignored his questions and introduce myself to him. “Daffodil Watsons” he said, nodding his head. “Good luck to you with your boss. That fellow is a tough nut to crack. You are the sixth person to be employed and I will wait to see how long you will last with him”. When the lift door opened on the seventh floor, Bob exited and again with a grin bid me “good luck”.

I was getting worried and at the same time trying to gain my confidence back. I was not recognized at all. I have passed the test of not being recognized. Bob did not even bother to have a second glance at me. Even though there were butterflies in my tummy, I was extremely nervous, my hands were shaking and palms were sweaty. When the elevator door opened on my level, I stepped out nervously. As I turned to the left, there was loud shouting coming from one of the room. My heart sank. That was Keith’s voice and he was shouting on top of his voice and throwing things around. There was another elderly male voice. Keith was threatening the other guy to leave him alone or he will go back to France to handle the business there and never to be seen again. I was standing outside the corridor, very nervous and shaken. I kept reminding myself that I was Daffodil Watsons and no one has recognized me for the last six years and few hours ago. I walked doggedly toward the glass door and pushed it opened. I was greeted by pin dropped silence.

The receptionist was adjusting her spectacle and the rest of the staff had their head down but occasionally looked worriedly at each other. While waiting for someone to acknowledge me, one of the wooden door burst opened. An elderly man and a middle-aged man walked out from the room and out through the glass door. I heard the old man mumbling as he passed by me, “The disease has not been cured for there are still sign of aggressive behaviour and anger.” The wooden door was slammed shut with so much force that I could literally feel the tremor from where I stood.

After a couple of minutes, the receptionist gave me a weak smile and said, “I am sorry that you to witness such an unfortunate incident on your first day here”, pointing her finger to the wooden door. She quickly introduced herself to me. Other staff members introduced themselves to me in a very sober and quiet manner, all weary of what may transpire next. I was lost and remain standing in front of the receptionist desk. After an awkward silence, I asked if it was safe to introduce me or should I come back later. The receptionist pulled me into the staff waiting room and was quick to apologize. She told me to wait in the staff room and will introduce me to the boss when things have cooled down.

I sat very quietly on the sofa, clasping my shanking hands together. During my courtship with Keith, I have never seen this sight of Keith before. My mind was running wild with lots of thoughts. What has happen to Keith after he was hit on the head and torn apart from me? Physically and appearance wise he was the same Keith with whom I had fallen in love with. Where was Keith all the while I was going through so much of torment? Did Keith not look or search for me for these years? Was he married with kids? What has he been doing all these years? I remembered father searching for Keith and Bob but nothing much surfaced. What was his relationship with the old man (which I presumed must be Keith’s dad)? Would Keith recognize his little Rose? What would I do now since I am here already? My heart was beating loudly in my ears. The pin drop silence in the room was getting on my nerves and making it worst. I started doing deep breathing exercises to calm myself down. I assured myself that no one knows me. I was Daffodil Watsons not the naïve eighteen years old Rose whom Keith had loved. I am sure he must have a new love interest in his life now, despite his behaviour.

I don’t know how long I sat there. It must be couple of hours. I dare not move, afraid to make any noise. Deep in my own thoughts, I was unaware I was caressing my tattoo above my upper left chest nor did not I hear the staff room door opening until the secretary voice startled me. She flashes a smile at me and said, “Sorry to startle you. He is ready to meet you now. Go slow and good luck”. My heart sank further. What does she mean by that? I waited outside Keith’s room while the secretary announces my presence. A few seconds later, she opened the door and held it ajar for me to enter. The moment I entered into Keith’s office, the door gently shut behind me. Keith was looking out through the window with his back towards me. I stood quietly, watching Keith’s back. How I missed his warm back and remembered always embracing him from behind and telling him that I love his warm back for it gave me comfort. My eyes were beginning to tears. I quickly put my head down and swallow my silent cry with a gulp. Then I heard Keith addressing me “Daffodil Watsons”? I looked up. I nodded my head, as I could not utter any words. He was staring at me with his beautiful eyes. They were as beautiful as before but listless with no luster in them.

I stood in front of Keith with an awkward silence. He gesture me to sit down and walked around his desk to sit on his chair. I quickly sank into the sofa. My legs were shaking and I pray that they were not visible to Keith. Keith was in own thoughts and I looked around his office. Something caught my attention on the wall. It was a drawing of a rose flower entwined with the alphabet “K” sketch in hand and framed in bright Burmese Rosewood. I took a few deep breaths. This was the image of the tattoo, which both Keith and myself had tattooed on our chest. I immediately knew that Keith did the sketch for he had always love manuscript and drawing. I was starting intensely at the picture that was hung behind Keith.

I was brought back to reality by Keith’s words, which shocked me. “Miss Watsons, you are someone whom I was not expecting. I have no intention of hiring you or anyone. God. I don’t know. You are the fifth or sixth person who has been hired to work with me. None has been able to withstand my temper and last more than a month. You have witnessed my temper and if you are wise enough, you would leave by your own. He kept talking but my mind could not register anything after these words. They were spoken with so much of bitterness and anger. I was stunned and could only stared at him. “Did you not hear what I have been saying”? These words bought me back to the real world. I realized that Keith was looking at me, waiting for me to response.

Swallowing a few times and mustering my courage, I spoke the first words that came to my mind. “Give me a chance. I would do everything in my power not to upset or anger you. I promise to stay out of your sight and only come into your office whenever I am needed.” These were the exact words that Keith said to me when I was studying for my examination while I was in the college. I continued, “Give me a chance to proof myself before firing me on my first day here.” I saw Keith looking at me with a startle look on his face. He stare was so intense. I was so nervous and as it was my new habit, I nervously tucked my hair behind my right ear. Keith got up from his chair and started walking towards me. I sat, rooted to the sofa. When he was about a few feet away from me, he gave a snort and said irritably “Say whatever you want to say. Stay out of my sight, do not touch anything in my office and the moment my temper triggers, you will be the first to leave, understand?” With these words, he opened his office door, called for the receptionist, mumble something about showing me my room and left the office in hurried steps.

I exhaled in relief. Keith was a monster now. The receptionist came in and brought me to my room. It was a beautiful room and I got a beautiful scene outside my window. While I walked around my room, the receptionist told me that my room has a glass partition instead of a wall and it’s shared with the boss. My heart sank. Oh! God. No privacy. I just nod my head and walk around and ask the receptionist to orientate my job scope and duty. After she has done so, she left me alone in my room. From where I sit, Keith could observe what I was doing in my room. It unsettled me but I told myself that I am here to work in this company and not to rekindle my romance and furthermore, Keith does not know me at all. These words were spoken to myself with such heavy heart. I did not see Keith the whole day nor did I care. I got to know about other staff members. They were bunch of nice people who were eager to know more about me. I had my lunch and tea break with them and they wished me luck for working with “the wild beast.” Well, office politics. I got to know more about Keith routine, about his lunch partner (Bob) and his bitter and sour relationship with his dad. True enough, the old man I saw earlier was Keith’s father. Time flew and the next I knew it was time for me to knock off.

I said my goodbye to my colleagues and left the office with the secretary. When I walked out from the building, I saw Mr. Brown there, waiting for me in the car. Giving a sigh of frustration, I said my goodbye to Kim. I sat in the car, reminding myself that I need to have words with father regarding this. It was really frustrating. I know father was protecting me and want me safe.

On reaching home, I quickly rushed into the study room and hugged father tightly, who was sitting at his study desk. Upon seeing my reaction, he patted my back and asked me in a gently voice what has transpired in the office. I brief father about what had happened in the office. I told father about Bob talking to me and remembering me “as the lady with the dog from the café.” I also confided to father about Keith being my immediate boss and he having terrible behavioural problems, his sudden outburst of anger on slightest things that irritate or aggravate him. I informed father about Keith warning me and also seeing his old man briefly in the office, who was responsible for today situation in the office. I laughingly told father that Keith staff called him “the wild beast” behind his back and he has been handling the business in France for the past six years.

I voice my concerned to father about having my office partitioned by a glass panel, where Keith could see me working in my office. Father was listening to me quietly and finally asked me if anyone recognized anything about me. I shook my head and laid my head on his shoulder. “Father, I am his sixth secretary for all five before me did not even last more than a month. I have never seen this side of Keith before. How could he change so much in the past six year, father? He is not the Keith that I know. Father Keith’s eyes are still so beautiful but lack the luster now. I know Keith was knocked on his head before I was pulled apart from his embrace. Should I continue to work him, father,” I asked before silent tears rolled down my cheeks.

Father only hugged me closer to his chest. Finally he said, “Daffodil the choice is yours, my child. I can’t make the decision for you. You badly wanted this job but too bad Keith is your immediate boss. You have to confront your fear and insecurity. Only you can help yourself to heal, my child. Your deepest fear is being recognized and the terrible trauma you have gone through is hindering your success. Another thing my child, is the strange beautiful face that is staring at you everyday whenever you are looking in the mirror. Cupping my face in his hands, father said laughingly while wiping my tears, “I have done a beautiful job on my daughter, but my daughter is still looking else where for her identity.” Father was serious again and said, “Look deep inside yourself, my child. You will find your old self-hidden somewhere in the corner of your heart. Search within yourself for your truth self. It’s going to be a painful journey but take small reliable steps no matter how hard it is. Now you make the decision, Daffodil. It won’t happen automatically. You will have to rise up, keep moving and get the best of your new life. No matter what decision you make, you have your father and your brother support. Do you understand, my child?” All I could do was nod my head and bury my head deeper into father’s chest. I was interrupted from crying further by Barry’s barking loudly at me. “Barry boy, you are jealous right? Has Daffodil been ignoring you and not loving you, boy? With these words, Barry barks even louder as if in agreement with father. I quickly bend down and gave Barry a big hug and he started licking my face, neck and nudged my hands with his nose to pat his head and to tickle him behind his ears. Barry started to whine in excitement as if telling me that he too loves me too as much as father.

Unknown to me too, Keith and Bob had been observing me from their secret meeting room on the top floor of the building. Keith was leaning against the glass window panel, looking seriously at Bob. “Bob, said Keith. She is familiar. Did you choose her during the final interview panel? My gut feelings is telling me that I had seen her somewhere but I can’t figure it out where?” Bob, who was looking out of the window, turned to Keith and tapped Keith on his left shoulder. “Look Keith, I was not involved in the final interview panel for choosing a new secretary for you. George was in charge of it. I saw her alighting from the black car and entering into the building. She is the lady with the white Labrador, who was at Angela’s café. I remembering colliding into her and getting a dressing down from Angela. I think that’s why she is familiar to you. You saw her too at the café.”

Keith was quietly listening to Bob. Suddenly he straightens up and said, “Bob, it’s not that. There is something different in her. May be its her eyes, her voice? I don’t know, Bob. The moment she walked into my office with Kim, a voice in my heart told me that I know her. I wanted to shout angrily at her and frighten her but she stood there in front of me with her head down and downcast eyes. When I addressed her she looked up and for a brief seconds, I saw a glimpse of sadness and yearning her eyes. Some protective instinct came over me and instead of shouting at her I spoke with so much of bitterness and anger. She sat on the sofa, without flinching and looking at me with a very lost look in her eyes”. Another thing Bob, she said something that really reminded me of my Rose. It was some words I said to Rose in order to stay near and close to her during her examination days. You remember Bob? I used to drag you along with me to her house and you hated it because of your infatuation for Angela.”

There was an astonished look on Bob’s face. “What words, Keith?” Bob asked in disbelief. Keith gave Bob a lopsided smile and subconsciously caresses his upper right chest where his tattoo was. With a far away look and great fondness in his voice Keith said, “I used to torment Rose and she banned me from the house due her exams were near and she needed to study. I promised Rose to stay out of her sight and not to distract her while she studied. I told Rose I would do everything in my power not to upset or anger her. I told Rose, the love of my heart to give me a chance. These were the words spoken by this lady, which startled me to my core.” Bob was literally staring at Keith with his grey eyes and mouth wide opened. There were tears in Keith’s eyes.

It was the first time Bob had heard Keith talking about Rose after six years. Keith never mention Rose name after her death and also regarding his stay in the mental health institute. Bob was lost for words. He saw so much of yearning in Keith eyes for Rose. For one moment, he was the same Keith Bob knew as a child. Choking on his emotions, Bob swallowed his saliva and quickly engulfed Keith in his embrace. There was pin dropped silence and only the gentle weeping of Keith could be heard.

“I miss her so much brother. I miss her innocence smile and her baby face. She taught me love, the meaning of trust, to believe and to stay true to myself. She was my other half. She still is. I am afraid of loosing her memory. I want her and her memories to stay with me forever. I have got nothing of her to remember her except her birthday and the time we had spent together. She was too young to die a terrible death and many times I blame myself for her tragic death. With these words spoken with so much of love and yearning, Keith gentle weeping turned to sobbing. Bob hugged Keith so tightly and gently tapped Keith back with his right hand, consoling him silently.

After Keith had settled down, Bob gently reminded Keith that Rose will always be in his heart no matter what happen. “Keith, if the new secretary is troubling you, we can always ask George to terminate her service. What say you, brother?” Keith kept numb and after few seconds later he said, “Bob, leave her alone for the time being. Can you get Mike to secretly investigate her background and her family? Tell Mike it is an order from you and to report to you directly. Another thing Bob, Angela was saying she is a regular customer at the café. Get some information from Angela.”

Bob was flabbergasted and was quick to reject by saying, “Angela is going to be mad with me, Keith.” Bob sounded so desperate and displeased. “Can’t we get Mike to do all the work secretly? Please Keith, Bob said.” “Please Bob. Keith said in return. I can’t trust anyone else beside you. I need to know if the old tyrant has planted a spy in my office to report my moves to him. I never trusted him since mom’s death. Just do this favour for me brother. Meantime I will be on my guard with Miss Watsons.” With these words, Keith walked out from the room, followed by Bob, who was grumbling loudly, complaining to Keith that he is always dragged into Keith’s personal affairs.

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