Chapter six

Chapter six

Reclaiming Perfection

I sat in the car, feeling nervous. My friend Rodney was driving us to the airport.

"I can't believe it," I said. "My grandpa left me his whole company!"

Rodney smiled. "You're the best person for the job, Clara."

I wasn't so sure. I looked at my daughter, Velma, playing on her iPad. I thought about her dad, Mike. He hurt me bad five years ago. Now I might have to see him again.

"Mom, are you okay?" Velma asked.

I tried to smile. "Yes, sweetie. Everything's fine."

"Is this a vacation?" she asked, looking excited.

"Yes," I lied. "Just a short trip."

We got to the airport. Rodney helped us with our bags.

"Are you sure you don't want me to come?" he asked.

I shook my head. "No, we'll be fine. We'll be back soon."

Velma hugged Rodney tight. "I'll miss you!"

"I'll miss you too, princess," he said. "Be good for your mom, okay?"

We said goodbye and got on the plane. As we took off, I felt scared. I didn't want to go back to Los Angeles. Too many bad memories.

When we landed, I felt even worse. As we drove to our apartment, I thought I saw Mike in another car. My heart started beating fast.

"It can't be him," I thought. "I'm just nervous."

We got to our apartment. Velma loved it.

"Wow, Mom! It's so big!" she said.

I smiled, but I still felt worried. I called Mr. Page, my grandpa's lawyer.

"Hello, Mr. Page? We're here. Can we meet?"

We met at a coffee shop. Mr. Page looked serious.

"Clara, I have bad news," he said. "Someone's been stealing money from the company."

I felt angry. "Who would do that?"

Mr. Page shook his head. "We don't know yet. But your grandpa knew about it. He wanted you to fix it."

He gave me a letter from my grandpa. I started to cry when I read it.

"He trusted you, Clara," Mr. Page said. "He knew you could save the company."

I felt scared. "I can't do this," I said. "I have my own life now."

Mr. Page looked sad. "I understand. But the company needs you. Your grandpa believed in you."

I stood up. "I'm sorry, but no. I can't do it."

Mr. Page sighed. "There's a family meeting tomorrow. Please think about coming."

I left feeling upset. I didn't want to see my family again. They hurt me too much.

That night, I couldn't sleep. I kept thinking about my grandpa's letter. He trusted me. But could I really help?

In the morning, I woke up early. I looked at Velma, still sleeping. She looked so peaceful.

"What should I do?" I whispered.

Then I remembered all the times my grandpa helped me. He always believed in me, even when no one else did.

I made up my mind. I woke up Velma.

"Sweetie, we need to go somewhere," I said.

"Where, Mom?" she asked, rubbing her eyes.

"To your great-grandpa's house," I said. "We have some people to see."

We got dressed and took a taxi. As we drove, I felt scared but also excited.

"What if Mike is there?" I thought. "What if Lucy tries to hurt us?"

But then I looked at Velma. She was strong and brave, just like me. We could do this.

We got to the big house. It looked just like I remembered.

"Wow," Velma said. "It's like a castle!"

I took a deep breath. "Ready, sweetie?"

She nodded. We walked to the door.

I was about to knock when the door opened. It was Lucy.

"Well, well," she said. "Look who's back."

I felt angry, but I tried to stay calm. "Hello, Lucy. We're here for the meeting."

Lucy looked at Velma. Her eyes got big. "Is this...?"

"My daughter," I said. "Let us in, please."

Lucy stepped back. We walked into the big room. Everyone was there - Mr. Page, my aunts and uncles, and... Mike.

He looked older, but still handsome. When he saw me, he stood up fast.

"Clara?" he said. He sounded surprised and happy.

I ignored him. "Let's start the meeting," I said.

Mr. Page smiled. "I'm glad you came, Clara. Please, sit down."

We all sat at the big table. I held Velma's hand tight.

"As you all know," Mr. Page said, "someone has been stealing money from the company. We need to find out who and stop them."

Everyone started talking at once. They all looked angry and scared.

"It wasn't me!"

"Who would do this?"

"We'll lose everything!"

I listened, feeling more sure of myself. These people didn't know how to fix things. But maybe I did.

"Quiet, please," I said. Everyone stopped talking.

"I know I've been gone a long time," I said. "But I'm back now. And I'm going to fix this."

Lucy laughed. "You? You ran away five years ago. What makes you think you can help now?"

I stood up. "Because my grandpa trusted me. He knew I could do it. And I will."

Mike stood up too. "I believe in you, Clara," he said.

I looked at him, surprised. But I couldn't think about that now.

"First," I said, "we need to look at all the money records. Who's been in charge of that?"

My aunt Sarah raised her hand. "I have," she said. She looked nervous.

"Okay," I said. "Let's start there. Can you show me everything?"

For the next few hours, we looked at all the papers. It was boring, but I knew it was important.

Velma was so good. She sat quietly, drawing pictures.

Finally, I saw something strange. "Wait," I said. "Look at this."

I showed Mr. Page. His eyes got big. "Oh my," he said.

"What is it?" everyone asked.

I took a deep breath. "I think I know who's been stealing the money."

Everyone leaned in close. "Who?" they asked.

I looked around the room. My eyes stopped on one person.

"It's you," I said. "Isn't it, Uncle John?"

Uncle John's face turned white. He stood up fast, knocking over his chair.

"You don't know what you're talking about!" he yelled.

But I could see in his eyes. He was scared.

"The numbers don't lie," I said. "You've been taking money for years."

Uncle John looked around the room. Then he ran for the door.

But Mike was faster. He caught Uncle John before he could leave.

"Let me go!" Uncle John yelled. "You can't prove anything!"

But we could. Mr. Page called the police. They came and took Uncle John away.

Everyone was quiet for a long time. Then my aunt Mary spoke.

"Clara," she said, "how did you figure it out so fast?"

I shrugged. "I've been running my own company for years. I know how to look for problems."

Lucy looked mad. "So what now? You're going to take over everything?"

I thought for a minute. "No," I said. "I have my own life. But I'll help fix things here. We can work together."

Mike stepped closer to me. "Clara," he said softly. "Can we talk? Please?"

I looked at him. Part of me wanted to say no. But another part...

"Okay," I said. "But not now. Later."

He nodded, looking happy.

We spent the rest of the day making plans. It would take time, but we could save the company.

That night, back at our apartment, Velma hugged me tight.

"You were so cool today, Mom!" she said. "Like a superhero!"

I laughed. "Thanks, sweetie. But I'm just doing what's right."

After Velma went to bed, I sat by the window. I thought about everything that happened.

I came here thinking I'd say no to everything. But now... maybe this was where I was supposed to be.

My phone buzzed. It was a text from Mike.

"Can we meet tomorrow? Please? There's so much I need to say."

I stared at the message for a long time. Then I typed back:

"Okay. But just to talk."

As I got ready for bed, I felt... different. Stronger. Like I could face anything.

"Watch out, world," I whispered. "Clara's back."

The next morning, I woke up feeling nervous but excited. Today I'd talk to Mike. And start fixing the company.

Velma was still asleep. I kissed her forehead softly.

"I love you, sweetie," I whispered. "Everything I do is for you."

I made breakfast and packed Velma's bag. We were going to the company office today.

When Velma woke up, she looked happy. "Are we going to see everyone again?"

I nodded. "Yes, but first we need to stop somewhere."

We took a taxi to a small cafe. My heart was beating fast. Mike was already there, waiting.

When he saw us, he stood up. He looked nervous too.

"Clara," he said. "Thank you for coming."

I nodded. "This is Velma," I said. "Your daughter."

Mike's eyes got big. He knelt down to look at Velma.

"Hi Velma," he said softly. "It's nice to meet you."

Velma looked at him, then at me. "Mom? Is this my dad?"

I took a deep breath. "Yes, sweetie. This is your dad."

Mike had tears in his eyes. "I'm so sorry," he said. "To both of you. I was so stupid."

We sat down. Mike told us everything. How he left Lucy. How he regretted hurting me.

"I know I can't fix the past," he said. "But I want to be better. For Velma. And... for you, if you'll let me."

I didn't know what to say. Part of me was still angry. But another part...

"We'll see," I said. "Let's focus on fixing the company first."

Mike nodded. "I understand. Thank you for giving me a chance."

We finished our breakfast and went to the office. Everyone was there, waiting.

"Okay," I said. "Let's get to work."

For the next few weeks, we worked hard. We found all the money Uncle John stole. We made new plans for the company.

It wasn't easy. Some days were really hard. But we kept going.

Velma was amazing. She made friends with everyone at the office. She even helped sometimes, bringing us coffee or snacks.

One night, after a long day, Mike and I were the last ones at the office.

"Clara," he said. "Can I ask you something?"

I nodded, feeling nervous.

"Do you think... maybe... we could try again? Us, I mean."

I looked at him for a long time. I thought about all the hurt, but also all the good times.

"I don't know," I said honestly. "It's not just about us anymore. It's about Velma too."

Mike nodded. "I understand. I just want you to know, I'll wait. As long as it takes."

As we left the office, I felt strange. Happy, but also scared.

Could I trust Mike again? Could we be a family?

I didn't know. But for the first time in years, I felt like anything was possible.

When we got home, Velma was waiting with Rodney. He had come to visit and help.

"Mom!" Velma yelled. "Did you save the company today?"

I laughed. "Not yet, sweetie. But we're getting there."

Rodney looked at me, then at Mike. "Everything okay?" he asked.

I nodded. "Yes. Everything's... different. But good."

That night, as I got ready for bed, I looked in the mirror. I saw someone strong. Someone who could face anything.

"You did it, Clara," I whispered. "You came back and made things better."

I thought about Mike, about the company, about our future. I didn't know what would happen.

But I knew one thing: I was ready for whatever came next.