CHAPTER FOUR

<p>FINDING SOLACE IN HER<br/>Rhida couldn't help but feel a wave of sadness wash over her as she thought about the necklace. It had been a cherished item, a keepsake from her mother that held so much sentimental value. It was one of the few physical reminders she had of her mother, who had passed away when Rhida was just a child.<br/><br/>As she lay on the bed, Rhida closed her eyes and tried to remember the last time she had seen the necklace. It was the morning of that day when she handed the small box to some strange men. She had believed it will be safe in the box but it turned out to be the opposite. Now, it's nowhere to be found.<br/><br/>Rhida's heart sank deeper as she replayed the events in her mind. She recalled calling out to them and running after them. But it was futile. They had already disappeared. It felt like another loss in her already painful journey.<br/><br/>Tears welled up in Rhida's eyes as she slowly sat up on the bed. She reached for her mother's picture, framed on the nightstand, desperately seeking solace in the memories it held. Her mother's gentle smile stared back at her, a reminder of the love and warmth she had once provided.<br/><br/>As she held onto the photograph, Rhida made a promise to herself. She wouldn't let the loss of the necklace define her or overshadow her mother's memory. She would honor her mother's legacy by finding strength and resilience in this difficult moment. She will make sure to find it back. She thought. But where? She thought again, she didn't even know the man not to talk to that man... Who owns the handkerchief... The only thing that can help her remember the face of the man was taken away from her. She sighed and rolled to the other side of the bed and remember that today was her friend, Anne's son's surgery. <br/>She wiped her tears and sit up then she quickly rushed to the bathroom. <br/><br/>Donald enters his boss's office and saw him staring at a necklace <br/>" Who..." Donald started and stopped as if he has said a lot of words <br/>" You didn't know? " Iver asked and Donald looked at his boss, he doesn't sound angry again, maybe he have decided to forgive him. <br/>" No," Donald said and Iver looked at him <br/>" Did you not open it?" <br/>" What?" <br/>" The box when you collected it from her" <br/>" Her... Her? " Donald trembled, his boss must have found out <br/>" Boss, I... " Then the phone vibrates and Donald removed it from his pocket, seeing the person, he twisted his face and looked at his boss <br/>" The call is for you sir," He said, it was from his grandfather, the chairman. Donald was worried, he knew the call was not going to end well, knowing what the old man will talk about. <br/><br/>Against his wishes, but he also knew that he had no choice but to obey. With a deep sigh, Iver reluctantly picked up the call and listened attentively to his grandfather's voice on the other end of the line. Donald watched his expression closely, trying to gauge the nature of the conversation. His boss's face grow sad, and Donald felt a cold tension raised in the office as he witnessed this change in his boss's demeanor. Perhaps this call was as dire as he had initially expected. His boss nodded most of the time, and he even managed a faint smile as he engaged in a conversation with his grandfather. He wasn't happy about the conversation but he doesn't want to disappoint his grandfather and he tried so hard to make sure his voice was gentle as much as it was, though he was having a hard time during that. <br/><br/>As the call concluded, Iver thanked his grandfather and hung up the phone. Donald couldn't help but ask, "What did he say? Are you alright?"<br/><br/>Iver looked at Donald, his expression a mix of sadness and anger. "My grandfather wanted me to join the family dinner," He said, sadness clearly in his voice. His face was cold and emotionless. <br/>This was the time he don't want the mistakes of anyone, he will do something bad to the person as if pouring all his anger on the person. <br/><br/>Donald looked at his poor boss sadly. He had been concerned about his boss's well-being, but hearing that his grandfather invited him to a family dinner was like opening up his old wounds<br/><br/>"I will tell Dave to clear your schedule for the evening," Donald said as he realized the silence<br/><br/>Iver nodded, a glimmer of gratitude in his eyes. And he left. <br/><br/>As the evening approached, Donald noticed a sense of anticipation in the air. The usual tension within the house seemed to have arisen replaced by a faint excitement. He could hear his boss's mother and siblings in the next room, preparing for the family dinner.<br/><br/>Donald glanced at his boss, who now wore a determined expression. "Let's go join them," Iver said, his voice filled with sadness and doubt as if he wasn't sure whether to go inside or not<br/><br/>Donald followed his boss silently watching his sad back, he pitied him and he just wished he can heal his wounds. Perhaps this family dinner would allow old wounds to open again and they will always be there to criticize him again. Donald was determined to be there, supporting his boss every step of the way. Even if it means swearing at them. <br/><br/>Undeterred by his family's cold reception, he made his way toward his grandfather, who was sitting near the window. The old man's eyes lit up with warmth and recognition as his grandson approached. With a genuine smile, the young man reached out and gently took his grandfather's hands in his own.<br/><br/>"Grandfather, it's so good to see you," he said with a mix of eagerness and affection. The wrinkles on his grandfather's face seemed to soften as their hands remained intertwined.<br/><br/>The two of them reminisced about old stories and shared laughter, creating a bubble of love and connection that momentarily shielded Iver from the negativity around him. They talked about their shared interests, the memories they cherished, and their plans for the future. <br/>" I know I never made the mistake of passing the company to you. I have never had a problem with the company" The old man had said and Iver smiled <br/>" It's my pleasure old man" Iver <br/>said, rather teasingly<br/><br/>Meanwhile, his mother, seemingly engrossed in her thoughts, continued to work in the kitchen, occasionally stealing glances at her son but deliberately avoiding any direct interaction. Her actions conveyed a sense of coldness and distance that he found difficult to comprehend.<br/><br/>As the young man basked in his grandfather's presence, his three brothers, not known for their kindness, took the opportunity to mock him under their breath. Their words stung, echoing the pain and rejection he had already experienced. <br/>" The bastard is finally home," said his third brother Louis, <br/>" You got no shame, do you? I don't expect you to still come here obediently or are you trying to impress the old man? Or are you scared the old man's heart will be swayed and removes you from the executive director?" His second brother, James said teasingly, and the other brothers laughed. He looked at them, his fourth brother not saying a word but also laughing at him. He knew his first brother will have punched him if only he was here. He was always angry at the fact that he was the executive director instead of him. <br/>He turned away, refusing to let their spiteful remarks overshadow his already broken heart <br/><br/>With strength and composure, he refused to allow the hatred to infect his heart. Instead, he focused on the love and acceptance he received from his grandfather and sought solace in that unwavering bond of kinship.<br/><br/>Amid the derision and rejection, his love for his family endured. He would continue to greet his mother with unwavering respect, even if it seemed to go unnoticed or unappreciated.<br/><br/>At the family dinner, everyone eats silently, Iver knew they were not pleased to eat with him even his mother except his grandfather who keeps smiling at him and keep chatting with them, trying to make them unite but it all to no avail. <br/><br/>When it was night, Iver went to his grandfather's room to say his goodbye before he left the hell-like house. <br/>" Take another car and go home, I need to be somewhere," Iver said. <br/>Donald nodded, he knew his boss need some time alone <br/>He watched his boss's car speed up and disappears into the night darkness before he also left for his house. <br/><br/>Iver arrived in the familiar area and looked up at the familiar house, waiting to see someone he had been waiting for; the only person he knew will ease his sadness. He didn't know why she was the first person to come to his mind when he was sad. After waiting in his car for about fifteen minutes, he saw her rush inside and he smiled, just seeing her face eased his mind and washed away his sorrow. He didn't know she will make him feel this way. <br/>He smiled and picked up his phone, dialed Donald's number <br/>" Hello sir" He could hear Donald's tired voice from the other end <br/>" Find every detail of that girl for me"<br/>" Okay sir," Donald said, and as if gaining something important he shouted back 'huh uh? ' almost blinding Iver's ear <br/>" The woman, the one you planned to be Mrs. Collins, find out every detail about her for me," He said and cut, not giving Donald the chance to talk <br/>He looked in the direction again and saw her outside, the street light all pointed to her face as if it was all for him. He smiled and saw her stop a taxi and left. He wondered where she was going this night. <br/> He didn't know why he keep finding solace in her appearance and why he keeps worrying and eager to see her. <br/>He needs to make her his. No, he will make her his.</p>