Memories

Sensing their shock, she eased herself down onto a nearby chair and, in a softer tone, demanded an explanation.

"Can someone tell me what's going on here?" she asked, her tone less confrontational than before. As she spoke, she walked over to the fridge, retrieving a bottle of water.

Anderson,visibly taken aback by her presence, was the first to respond, his voice betraying a mixture of relief and apprehension . "Sorry, ma'am," he began, his voice laden with genuine concern. "I was really worried about you yesterday. I called several times, but you didn't pick up, so I came home and informed the butler about what happened. We decided to wait here until you woke up."

Mrs. Cody poured herself a glass of water, observing the butler nodding in agreement to Anderson's explanation. She raised an eyebrow at them. "So, you decided to turn the kitchen into a discussion area?" she remarked, her curiosity evident.

"No, ma'am," the butler chimed in. "We simply thought of preparing something simple for you because the chef mentioned you hadn't eaten last night."

Mrs. Cody fixed her piercing gaze on Anderson, her scrutiny unwavering. "And who authorized you, Anderson?" she queried.

With a nod of understanding, Mrs Cody Issued instructions, "We'll be heading to Silvervale by 7 am this morning," she declared, her tone firm. "Book flights for both of us, arrange accommodation, and make car arrangements. I trust you know the details." With that, she turned away, heading towards the stairs. "Anderson," she called over her shoulder, "make sure to contact the team you dispatched to find updates on Andy."

"Yes, ma'am," Anderson replied promptly, his tone tinged with deference as he acknowledged her directive.

As Mrs. Cody ascended the stairs, the butler turned to Anderson, a knowing look in his eyes. "I told you she wouldn't appreciate this," he murmured. "Sometimes I forget that I'm dealing with Mrs. Cody. Even the death of her son won't allow her to show weakness."

"Right," Anderson muttered, a sense of resignation and regret in his tone. "I have other tasks to attend to. Goodbye." With that, he exited the kitchen, leaving the butler to ponder the complexities of their formidable employer.

As Mrs. Cody ascended the stairs, each step seemed to echo the weight of her memories. The soft glow of the study beckoned her, offering a sanctuary where she could retreat into the past for a moment of solace. With the bottle of water clutched tightly in her hand, she entered the room and settled into the familiar embrace of her favorite chair, her mind drifting back to a time long past, to memories of her son's childhood before the separation from his father, his laughter echoing through the halls of their home.

Mrs. Cody allowed herself a moment of retrospection, her thoughts consumed by images of young John and his father in the garden. She remembered the scene vividly, the father seated, absorbed in a book, and young John, full of innocence, chasing after a butterfly. She could hear her son's voice filled with excitement, as he bounded towards his father, a delicate butterfly cupped gently in his small hands.

"Dad, Dad! I caught the butterfly," she could almost hear the young voice ringing out in the cool evening air. "I want to put it in a cage and see how beautiful it will grow."

But the father's gentle response echoed in her mind, his words filled with wisdom and compassion. "No, son," he had said. "Beautiful things shouldn't be hidden from the world. Let the butterfly free, and it will come back next time."

The memory of her son's earnest plea tugged at her heartstrings as she recalled his disappointment. "But Dad, I want to see it every day," he insisted, his innocence shining through.

"You can always see more in the garden every day," the father replied tenderly. "If you cage it, it will get tired and die. Do you want it to die?"

Mrs. Cody's eyes welled with tears as she blinked them away, her gaze fixed on a distant point in the room. She took a deep breath, steeling herself against the flood of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her.

Picking up the files that Anderson had brought, Mrs. Cody buried herself in her work, the weight of responsibility grounding her in the present moment. But her solitude was interrupted by a soft tap on the office door, and a maid's voice broke through her reverie.

"Yes?" Mrs. Cody replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil within.

"Ma'am, it's 6:15 am," the maid informed her.

Mrs. Cody acknowledged the maid's words with a quiet hum of acknowledgment and rose from her seat. With a sense of purpose, she made her way to her room to prepare for the journey ahead, her thoughts still lingering on the memories of her son.

Encountering the butler on her way, Mrs. Cody wasted no time in ensuring that everything was in order. "Is everything ready?" she inquired, her tone brisk and efficient.

"Yes, ma'am," the butler replied promptly.

"Okay, put these files in the bag," Mrs. Cody instructed, handing him the documents.

With a nod of understanding, the butler set about his task as Mrs. Cody disappeared into her room. Forty minutes later, she emerged dressed in a black suit and jacket, her demeanor composed and determined.

Together with the butler, Mrs. Cody made her way downstairs, her mind already focused on the journey ahead. With a final glance around the familiar surroundings of her home, she headed out, ready to face whatever challenges awaited her in Silvervale.

Mrs. Cody's driver pulled up to the airport terminal, she could feel the anticipation building within her. The hustle and bustle of the airport greeted her as she stepped out of the vehicle, the familiar sounds of luggage being wheeled and announcements echoing through the cavernous halls.

Anderson was already at her side, his expression focused as they made their way towards the check-in counters. Her steps echo with the confidence of someone accustomed to navigating the complexities of air travel.

At the check-in counter, they efficiently presented their identification and boarding passes, the process smooth and streamlined. their movements swift as they processed their information and issued their boarding passes.

With their luggage checked in and boarding passes in hand, they made their way through security, the familiar routine of removing belts and shoes second nature to them both. Despite the crowds and the chaos of the airport.

With the scent of coffee and anticipation. They made their way to their gate, the electronic display overhead indicating that their flight to Silvervale delayed.

When their boarding was announced Mrs. Cody paused briefly to make a call to Andy, ensuring that he was aware of their impending journey to Silvervale. With the details confirmed, she joined the queue to board her flight.