"Don't worry, sir. I've already taken care of things with Miss Claire."
"Alright."
"May, please prepare my bedroom for Claire. She shouldn’t be staying in the storage room any longer."
May paused momentarily on the other end of the line, then responded cheerfully, "Sure thing, sir. I'll get right on it. Miss Claire has been through a lot lately; she deserves a better place to stay."
Ethan acknowledged with a soft "Alright" before ending the call.
He was her elder brother, and despite her sometimes immature behavior, the bond of family was unbreakable.
Surely Claire would feel his concern now, wouldn't she?
Ethan could already picture Claire's surprised and touched expression when she moved into his room. A warm feeling surged through him, and he couldn't help but look forward to her reaction upon returning home. He even found himself hoping that, once her mood improved, she might resume bringing him lunch at the office, just like old times.
A faint smile crept across his face, and the shadows that had clouded his expression began to lift.
Finally, the end of the workday arrived. Employees clocked out, their footsteps and conversations gradually fading in the hallway.
Quinn knocked softly before entering, placing a file on Ethan's desk. "Mr. Harper, it's the end of the day. Aren't you going to have dinner?"
Ethan's smile was subtle, yet content. "My sister's bringing me dinner soon."
"Having a sister to spoil you sounds wonderful. I wish I had that kind of luck," Quinn teased lightly before leaving.
Ethan's grin nearly stretched from ear to ear.
As time ticked by and the start of the next workday approached, employees began clocking back in, yet there was still no sign of Claire.
What if something had happened to her on the way?
Ethan quickly grabbed his phone and dialed the number for home.
The phone rang several times before May answered. Ethan wasted no time, "May, how long ago did Claire leave the house?"
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom