Too Many Secrets

Joan opened the door and stepped inside, letting it close quietly behind her. She hung her coat and moved into the living room, where her parents were curled on the couch—her mother resting peacefully on her father’s lap, his fingers absentmindedly stroking her hair.

“Hey, Mum, hey, Dad,” she greeted them.

“Shh… Your mum is sleeping,” he whispered, placing his index finger on his lips.

“Sorry,” Joan whispered back and entered her room.

She sighed as she collapsed on her bed. It wasn’t as soft and comfy as the one she was used to, but it’s something she can cozy up in after a hectic day at work. Like today.

Joan closed her eyes and sighed, thinking of all that went wrong today. The text. The rude customer. Camila’s stress over her mother’s case.

It was all taking a huge toll on her, and she needed a release. Some good news. Something that would make all these bad things feel like nothing.

She quickly freshened up and entered the living room again. Her father was now alone reading a document with his reading glasses on.

“Had to take your mum in so she can be comfortable,” he said, removing his glasses and placing them on the small table beside him.

He closed the document and patted the space beside him for her to sit.

“She needs the rest.” Joan sighed. “She’s doing so much.”

“I know. I know,” he nodded. “That’s why I am trying to figure out a way to buy back Anderson Co.”

“Would it work?” she asked, looking defeated.

“If we continue trying, I believe,” he shrugged.

Joan sighed. “I heard Mum’s facing some opposition in her new business.”

Gary heaved in. “That’s just business, my dear. Some new business wanting to prove your business hasn’t been doing a good job for years because they have some sort of technology that makes your style look frail.” He shook his head.

“How’s she taking it?”

Gary smiled.

“Let’s just say, you and your mother have the same resilient spirit.” Gary pinched her cheek.

They stayed quiet for a moment.

“Remember when Mum became the talk of the town in our old place?” she asked with a smile.

Gary chuckled.

“She noticed what some of the women in the community were doing to sabotage the benefits gotten from one of those charity events she hosted for a school,” Joan said between laughs.

They both laughed in reminiscence.

“She made all of them go on live TV to report their shameful acts and apologize to the innocent children and the entire community,” she concluded.

“Watching how she passionately pursued it till everything was right made me remember one of her many qualities that drew me closer to her.” He turned to her. “It’s one of the reasons why I fell for her.” He said above a whisper. “Her passion. Her drive. Makes her a million times sexier,” he grinned, and Joan groaned.

“Oh Dad, don’t share that with me,” she chuckled.

“What? Your mother is sexy.”

“Just don’t emphasize it,” she chuckled.

They stayed quiet again.

“Those were good times,” he said, and she nodded in agreement.

“How did the meeting go?” she asked, looking at her dad’s worry-stricken face. “The loan wasn’t approved?”

Gary opened his mouth to say something but stopped himself when he remembered the text message he got after the meeting.

He sighed in defeat and buried his face in his palms.

“Everything seems to be falling apart,” he whispered.

“But it isn’t.”

“Mr. Newman noticed some… some issue with the reports aside from the company’s financial status decline.”

Joan frowned. “What issue?” Her mind went to the picture she received, and it quickened her heart rate as she sat expecting an answer from her dad.

Gary paused for a minute. “We couldn’t get into it because Darken burst in with his usual nonchalant attitude.”

Joan groaned and stomped her feet on the floor.

“I swear, if I see that stupid, one-eyed circus monkey one more time, I’m gonna—”

“Hey dear, no. Don’t let him work you up. He’s not worth your strength,” he calmed her down. “What we need to do now is figure out the real issue,” he gulped, feeling the weight of what he knew heave on him. “Then we can know the right step to take.”

“I never wanted you and Mum to worry about getting Anderson Co. back. It’s a promise I made to myself and plan on keeping. I will get back Anderson Co., I don’t know how it would happen, but I will figure something out. Anything. I’m not going to let someone take what is rightfully ours again. I’m not,” she shook her head.

Gary forced a smile.

“This is my battle, let me face it.”

“Dad, but I—”

“No, I want to handle this on my own. It’s my mess, and I will clean it up,” he sighed. “I never meant for this to affect you in any way,” he told her.

“What do you mean, Dad? What mess are you talking about? Is there something you’re not telling me?” she asked with a frown.

Gary opened his mouth, then closed it. His fingers trembled slightly as he reached for his glasses, not to wear them—but to avoid her eyes.

“I—”

“It’s almost midnight, you two.” Flora’s groggy voice interrupted them. “Joan, dear, go to bed. You have a long day tomorrow.”

Joan and Gary exchanged looks, then she stood up and walked to her mother, giving her a warm hug and walking back to her room.

“You, come to bed.” She pointed to Gary, who stood and walked behind her to their room. “You should stop boring her with all these business talks and let her find the path she truly wants to function in,” Flora said when they sat on their bed.

“I’m sorry I woke you up.” Gary leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Come, let’s rest for the night.” He pulled her closer when he lay on the bed.

“All will be good,” Flora whispered.

Gary hummed in response, but he couldn’t hold on to it. His mind flashed to the message again and the possibility of a third party involved in this battle.