Jonathan's POV
Apartment - Early morning
A new morning always meant a new beginning.
It also meant to look over what happened yesterday and think what you can do to make it better.
Though I'm not a TV guy, but with Veronica I once watched a drama,
The female lead told the male lead who was going bankrupt:
"If today is so bad, you want to d**, fine. Just wait for one day and see. If that day is also bad and you still want to d**, fine but wait another day. Again if the day other day is bad and you want to d**, fine just wait one more day. Just like this, keep on waiting one day after another. One day will come when you'll want to live, when things will fall in place, when you'll be surrounded by the ones who love you. Please wait for that one day."
After Veronica left, it's been nine months.
I'm waiting for that one day.
Even today the city looks the same.
Moving in its own direction.
People going about their own businesses.
Unbothered…
Unaffected by what's going on in someone's life.
I stood by the window, watching the early morning cars heading off to work, the rhythm of people walking off to catch the first bus to reach their offices.
As always steady and predictable.
Unlike some things in my life.
A pause settled in my chest…
But not the one that carried uncertainty or hesitation with it.
This pause carried clarity.
Over the past three years a lot has changed.
Fredrick's moves used to be precise.
They were expected and calculated, in effect.
A slow breath left me.
Now, that was the difference with me.
Before I would have replayed his conversation in my mind over and over again.
I would have analyzed his tone.
I would try to figure out if there was a second-guess in his words.
Now…
I didn't care.
Now I didn't react to his words.
All I did was observe, and observe….
With no emotions towards the Harmon's.
I turned around and went back to the table and ate my breakfast.
After cleaning the apartment, I left for my office.
I had formed a new habit recently,
I would stop by the local park and sit for a few minutes before leaving for work.
I don't know why, but I have been thinking about Janet a lot lately.
She loved the swings.
Coming here made me feel realize how badly she must have felt when she would see other kids with their father's,
The same way now I feel seeing fathers with their kids.
Rollings Designs - Early Morning two hours later
As I walked inside the building my PA followed me.
"Mr. Rollings," he said as he walked beside me.
"You have a meeting with the auditing team this afternoon, and one of our southside raw material clients wants to discuss the new metal they've just received. They say the jewelry made will be lighter than the regular metal."
"Okay," I said walking towards my office.
"And schedule the press briefing," I said as I placed my briefcase on the desk in the hall.
Ever since I began to take Harmon Designs down, I shifted my office in the hall so I could interact with my staff better.
My voice carried evenly through the hall.
It didn't carry any urgency or any tension.
Just a task in hand.
My staff got onto their part of the work the moment I said.
Not out of panic, but out of loyalty for the company and us.
After Veronica's leave, the staff and I have become a family.
We all believed consistency builds confidence…
And right now to deal with Harmon Designs,
Confidence was our biggest weapon.
"Remember to draft the statement in a neutral tone," I said.
"It shouldn't sound like accusations,'
I paused.
"We're not defending anymore,"
A staff member looked up.
"Mr. Rollings, shouldn't we address—"
"No."
I said as I opened the file in front of me.
"From now on we won't react to any noise."
Silence followed.
"We'll maintain our position."
I exhaled as I leaned against my desk.
"Reacting will give them a direction,"
"And we can't do anything that will or can be used as an advantage by Fredrick."
"For now, focus on the performance reports," I continued.
"Keep tabs on our revenue, growth and stability of our name in the market."
"Remember even now the market and clients believe Rollings Designs is because it had Harmon Designs backing it,"
"Whereas it was the opposite."
"Eighty percent of Harmon Designs clients and customers were of Rollings Designs,"
"I gave it to them,"
"Now I'm only taking back what belonged to Rollings Designs."
"We have to show Rollings Designs who made Harmon Designs to what it is today."
"We need facts, numbers, control," I continued.
"This is what the public trusts."
"That's what we'll give them."
I walked across to my chair and took my seat.
I was reviewing a document when my gaze drifted to a photo of Veronica and Janet I had on my desk.
Nine months,
A lot had changed.
Now her name didn't echo in my mind like it used to.
It was still there in my soul,
Present and constant like my heartbeat.
But now it didn't control my responses.
It didn't dictate my decisions.
It was a quiet shift.
A subtle one, but now an absolute one.
Now even after seeing her photo I could go back to my work without any interruptions.
Not distracted or drifting into old memories.
Because now…
Being distracted because I miss them wasn't something I could afford.
Nowadays I would often have a thought in my head:
"She'll come back when she feels she's ready for me."
This thought would often surface,
Unfamiliar but steady.
I no longer hoped for her comeback, as I knew I didn't deserve it.
But if she ever feels she can forgive me, I'm standing there where she left me.
Home.
I got back to my work as the press briefing was important and had to be done in time.
Just then my secretary walked over holding an envelope.
"Mr. Rollings..this just came in for you."
I didn't look up.
"From who?"
"There's no name on it."
I raised my head as that got my attention.
I looked at the envelope as she held it.
It was plain, unmarked.
No official stamp…probably delivered by hand.
No return address…meaning the delivery person knew where to deliver.
"Check it." I said as I placed the pen I was holding in my hand on the desk.
Her eyes shot wide open.
"Mr. Rollings….I think you should read it."
She handed me the piece of paper she removed from the envelope.
I took it and glanced at it first.
No greeting, no explanation.
Just one line and now I understood why she was shocked.
The line read:
She will come back.
My fingers traced the edge of the paper.
No explanation, no name.
"Mr. Rollings?" my secretary asked.
"Do you think—"
"Is it legit or not?"
"Mr. Rollings?" Another staff member asked.
"What's the matter?"
I held the paper up so everyone could read it.
"I know Veronica will come when she's ready to forgive me,"
"But whether this is from someone who supports us or is using my emotions to bait me…"
I paused for a brief moment.
"I won't let anyone use my emotions for them to hurt them anymore."
"Mr. Rollings," my PA said.
"Why don't we hand this over to our private account to check out."
I held the paper out.
"Fine."
My PA took it and left to meet the private I had hired to help me gather information related to taking Harmon Designs down.
I got back to my work, but the letter remained in my mind.
It was too vague..
Too distant…
Yet attached.
It definitely wasn't from her.
Veronica wasn't the type to speak in half-meaning words.
If it was from her she would have written the time she'd be coming back.
Then who?
My mind drifted as I recalled the handwriting.
It was steady,
Not fast.
Whoever wrote it,
Wrote it in control minus emotions.
It wasn't a reassurance,
It wasn't a message.
It was a simple statement.
It means she will come when she wants no matter how much I try.
The only thing I can do is wait.
Honestly at the present even this much is a lot for me.
I have no rights in wanting her back.
If ever a day comes, she can forgive me, I'll be the Jonathan she fell in love with back in College and this time I'll protect her.
I exhaled.
At least one thing was clear, she has made a new life for herself and is…
Safe.
"Set up a separate system."
My PA looked up immediately with pinched eyebrows.
"A separate system?"
"Yes, a system that won't overlap the current one."
A brief pause followed.
"It should have no internal access."
Silence followed.
"It should have legal financial external consultants."
"Legal financial consultants?" He asked, confused.
"Yes and they should have no prior connection with Harmon Designs."
If I was to bring Harmon Designs down to the ground,
Every step matter,
Every connection has to be trustworthy.
One small mistake can become a fatal weakness.
And I had enough of working with systems that can be monitored.
"This system will give us independence over them."
I paused for a brief moment.
"Plus the system will remain confidential as power never announced itself."
"It builds itself quietly and when the time is right…"
"It becomes visible as it has already established itself.
Looking back now,
I realized it was always so clear.
Every delay Imelda made
Every diversion she made between me and Veronica,
They were so obvious.
Every time I thought I made sure Veronica was safe, coincidentally someone or another would trouble her.
Now I realized nothing was accidental.
I exhaled slowly.
I just wasn't aware of the things going around me.
I thought I was protecting her, not knowing I was being mis-guided.
Reason…
I trusted intention over the obvious patterns right before my eyes.
And that was the biggest mistake that made Veronica leave me.
That's why now I've started to notice the patterns, even if they're hidden.
Now words or promises have no value for me.
Now regarding Veronica and Janet, I'll only follow my heart.
Because if I had followed my heart and told Veronica the truth, instead of following my mind, to protect her by hiding her, she wouldn't have left me.
"Mr. Rollings," my secretary called out.
"The security guard says some reporters are at the entrance,"
"They asked if they should send them off, I stopped them."
"Good."
I got up and straightened my tie and coat.
"It's obviously a trap set by Fredrick or Imelda,"
"Pushing them away, will make us the bad guys,"
"We'll face them head on."
My PA walked over.
"Mr. Rollings, let's go."
I nodded with a smile as I was happy to see my staff was on the same track as me.
As I walked out of the door with my PA and secretary beside me, the cameras began to flash.
"Mr. Rollings, any comments regarding the latest charges on Mrs. Rollings?"
I didn't hesitate to answer.
"I've already cleared the matter."
My answer was clean, measured without any loophole to question.
A pause followed.
Seeing no reaction, I continued.
"Rollings Designs will continue to operate as always. We have our loyal suppliers and customers and orders are being processed on time."
I could have elaborated my words, but elaboration would only make them ask more questions.
"Mr. Rollings, are you denying your wife purchased—"
I cut the reporter's words midway.
"I'm only stating facts."
A slight shift of atmosphere took over.
Control was now on my side.
"Rollings Designs will release the performance reports by the end of the quarter."
I paused.
"By then everyone can check for themselves if what I said is misleading or not."
"I think that answers everyone's questions."
"Now, please, this is a private property."
"Next time, please inform me before you intend to block the gate."
Camera's stopped flashing.
The questions concluded
I walked back inside leaving them to wonder what happened.
They came for what, and got what.
As I came back to my desk, my gaze fell on the letter I received.
I picked the paper up and read it again.
The words were simple, and still held the same stillness.
But there was something about the letter…
Something that kept lingering in my mind.
It wasn't an urgency,
It wasn't a confusion.
More of a recognition.
Even though it was a faint one, barely visible, but enough for me to hope on
The small sentence wasn't a promise,
It wasn't a guarantee.
It was a certainty.
Not mine,
But hers, or someone's who knew she would come back one day.
I exhaled slowly.
One thing I was sure of,
The person who wrote this, was someone close to her
Someone who understood this.
Someone who understood her.
But who?
Afterall, there weren't that many people who knew both of us.
I looked at my wristwatch.
I got up and went over to the screen.
"Start moving the phase one Rollings assets out."
I paused for a brief moment.
"Make sure it's not traceable."
My staff didn't question and set to work.
Before they used to hesitate.
Because they knew at times I was wrong, but they never dared to oppose me.
Now they didn't hesitate and followed without any questions.
As now not only were we on the same track but my directions were also clear.
And once clarity settles in, doubt is removed along with its roots.
"How long?"
"It will take around four days." My account staff member said.
"Any sooner?"
"We could merge the assets in groups,"
"Then?"
"Then it should take a day or so."
Silence followed.
"Mr. Rollings?"
"Do it."
I didn't resist.
As I had already delayed being responsible for Veronica and protecting her.
I couldn't afford anymore.
I understand now execution never waits for comfort.
It moves on its own path, and I had already wasted too many years.
Even though I had told the reporters not to come again,
But knowing Fredrick,
He would and will send them again.
He may change his approach or angle,
But his intention will be the same.
To control me.
I exhaled faintly.
But this time he wouldn't get the chance.
Because now I won't react to the pressure he's pinning on me.
I won't allow him to suggest what's right or wrong in my life.
Because now we were no longer on the same boat.
My gaze fell on the letter once again.
It rested on the desk…
Still.
The question…
Same…
Who sent it?
Answer ..
No longer required.
I folded it and placed it carefully in the drawer beside me.
Not that it was a clue, nor that it was a hope I could see now and then.
But it was a confirmation.
Silence fell in the hall.
A quiet, controlled one.
One that I controlled.
My gaze lifted.
"Proceed with the suppliers we gave Harmon Designs,"
"Time to bring them down."
Now if there was anything I was certain of,
Was I will take back everything Harmon Designs took from me
There was no doubt or conflict regarding this in my mind.
This time I won't be pulled into anyone's strategy.
Now I was building my own strategies.
Now every move I made was my own and for protecting Veronica and Janet.