They returned after lunch, and Arianne went back to her own desk to take a short nap. There was nothing much to do this afternoon, so she was considering visiting Helen. However, she was reluctant to run into Aery again. She was conflicted.
Suddenly, she heard a noise in front of her. She opened her eyes to find that Robin had given her a glass of hot water. She smiled. “Thank you, I can do this on my own next time. You don’t have to go through the trouble.”
Robin nodded shyly and went back to her office desk.
“Hey Robin, managed to claw your way into some VIP?” Someone taunted. “You don’t have to pay us any attention now, do you? She’s Mrs. Tremont, who knows how long she’ll stay here? Maybe she’ll go back and live out her days as a rich man’s wife tomorrow. What will you do then?”
“Can’t you be nice?” Robin replied with a lowered voice. “I’m just here to learn, not to play nursemaid with you. You haven’t taught me a thing aside from ordering me around. I’ve been in this company for a long time, and they still won’t hire me. I’m not going to take your orders anymore. Even if Arianne won’t be staying here for too long, I will stay with her until the day she leaves.”
The chatter in her ear prevented her from falling asleep. “Is it so hard to be more self-aware during lunch break and keep your voices down?” Arianne snapped icily. “When I leave is none of your concern. I’ve signed a contract for a year, so I’ll be staying for at least a year. Who told you that an intern could be used for odd jobs? Where did this come from?”
The office immediately went silent. No one dared to say another word.
Arianne shook her head. “I came after work. Uh… If you’re leaving, where will you go? I’m not implying anything, I’m just curious.”
Helen leaned against the wall by the window, paused, and said, “Probably Canada. I’m not sure yet. Regardless, I hope we can keep in touch. I’d like us to live peacefully as a family, but I know that it’s not possible. You might be able to accept me, but I don’t think you can accept Aery. Aery is my daughter too. I can’t cut her off completely, and I don’t deserve to have you call me ‘mother’. Whatever it is, I hope that you and Mark will live happily together. Your family of three is doing very well. I can relax.”
Arianne paused in silence, then said, “It’s a long way away from Jean Kinsey’s release from prison. You don’t have to leave so soon. I’m usually at home during the weekend. Smore… wants to see his grandma. You can visit us as often as you like once you’re feeling better.”
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