Chapter 251: The same color as my eyes!
After breakfast, Anna and I left for the office. Aunt Veronica had already left earlier because she had a meeting at the company.
Anna decided to drive today while I sat in the passenger seat, my mind completely occupied by the proposal.
"Alicia?"
Anna’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
I turned slightly.
"Mm?"
"What are you thinking about? I asked if you’re alright."
The usual teasing tone in her voice was gone.
"You’ve been quiet since breakfast."
The concern on her face was unmistakable.
"I’m fine," I lied, forcing a smile.
"Just a bit stressed."
She glanced at me, clearly unconvinced, but didn’t press further.
"Then you should take a few days off and rest."
"It’s okay. Don’t worry about me."
I turned my attention back to the window.
The rest of the drive was unusually quiet.
Even Anna seemed to realize I didn’t want to talk because she didn’t bring up any of her usual banter.
When we arrived at the company, we headed straight to our respective offices.
Before leaving, Anna pointed a warning finger at me.
"If you start feeling worse, call me immediately and I’ll drive you back to the mansion."
I nodded just to reassure her.
The last thing I wanted was to return to the mansion.
I knew very well that if I stayed idle, I’d start overthinking again.
I returned to my office and began organizing everything related to the proposal.
By the time I finished, I gathered the documents and made my way to the president’s office.
It wasn’t unusual.
Whenever I handled a major project, I always had to present it to the president before it could move forward.
But this time felt different.
Usually, presentations were done with the entire team present.
Today, however, President Evan had specifically requested that I present it alone since I was the one who had originally proposed the partnership.
When I arrived, the secretary’s desk was empty.
Taking a deep breath, I walked to the door and knocked.
"Come in."
The familiar cold voice answered.
I pushed the door open.
"President Evan?"
He looked up from the file he was reading.
The sharpness in his expression noticeably softened.
"Director Alicia."
He gestured toward the chair across from him.
"Have a seat."
I walked over and sat down before placing the proposal file on the desk.
"Good day, President Evan."
He nodded.
"What would you like to drink? Coffee?"
The question caught me slightly off guard.
Still, I quickly recovered.
"Coffee is fine."
Without another word, he pressed the intercom.
A brief instruction was given before he released the button.
A few moments later, there was another knock on the door.
His assistant entered carrying a tray.
After placing the coffee neatly in front of me, he quietly left the office.
The door clicked shut behind him.
I slid a copy of the proposal across the desk.
President Evan picked it up while I opened my own copy.
He began reading through the pages carefully as I started explaining each section.
The office gradually fell into a professional silence.
The only sounds were the turning of pages, the occasional clink of a coffee cup, and my voice as I walked him through the proposal.
"Good job," he said at the end, closing the file.
"It sounds like something you’re capable of handling."
"Thank you, President Evan," I replied as I stood up.
He nodded.
"I’ll review it again later. If I find any issues, I’ll mark them for corrections."
"Alright, sir. Thank you. If there’s nothing else, I’d like to take my leave."
"Of course. Have a good day."
I turned around and was about to leave when he suddenly called out.
"Alicia."
I paused and looked back.
For a moment, he looked as though he wanted to say something.
His lips parted slightly before closing again.
Then he simply said,
"Go home early today. You look tired."
It must have been that obvious.
"Thank you, sir."
He nodded, and I finally left the office.
I returned to my own office and buried myself in work.
By four in the afternoon, Anna called to say she was already waiting in the garage.
I packed my things, grabbed my bag, and headed downstairs.
The ride home was much like the one in the morning—quiet.
When we arrived at the mansion, we found Aunt Margaret and Aunt Veronica sitting together in the living room.
Anna blinked in surprise.
"How are you here already, Aunt Veronica?"
"I came home as soon as I finished my meetings," Aunt Veronica replied with a smile.
Aunt Veronica was the Vice President of Whitmore Industries and the youngest among the three siblings. My mother had been the second child, while Uncle Herbert was the eldest.
After her husband passed away, Uncle Herbert had insisted she stay at the mansion with them. Having already lost my mother, he couldn’t bear the thought of another family member living alone, especially since her son, Raymond, was abroad most of the time.
Aunt Veronica’s gaze shifted to me.
"You should go get some rest, Alicia. You look exhausted."
I was about to respond when Anna suddenly looked around.
"Where’s Aimy?"
Her question made me pause.
I glanced around the living room as well.
Only then did I realize she wasn’t there.
I had been so occupied with my thoughts that I hadn’t even noticed.
"She—"
"Mummy!"
Aunt Margaret was interrupted by a familiar voice.
I immediately turned toward the staircase.
Aimy was coming downstairs hand in hand with one of the staff members.
Her dark hair was tied neatly, and a blue ribbon sat proudly on top of it.
The moment she spotted me, she broke into a run.
"Mummy!"
I smiled and crouched slightly before lifting her into my arms.
"Mum, look! Grandma Veronica got me a ribbon!"
"Really?"
I brushed my fingers over the ribbon.
"Wow. My baby is so pretty."
Aimy smiled shyly.
"Is it really beautiful?"
"Of course it is."
I kissed her cheek.
"It suits you perfectly."
Then I tilted my head.
"Did you say thank you to Grandma?"
Aimy nodded immediately.
Before she could answer, Aunt Veronica chuckled.
"She even gave me a thank-you kiss on the cheek."
The tension that had been sitting heavily inside me all day eased slightly.
I walked over to the couch and sat down with Aimy still in my lap.
After a moment, I noticed the ribbon wasn’t sitting properly.
It tilted a little.
I carefully removed it and adjusted it before tying it again.
Aimy frowned slightly.
I smiled.
"It was a little sideways, so I fixed it."
Without saying a word, she reached for my phone from the coffee table and stared at her reflection in the dark screen.
A few seconds later, a satisfied smile spread across her face.
"Do you like it?" I asked.
She nodded enthusiastically.
"My baby is so beautiful."
I gently pinched her cheek.
Aimy immediately turned toward Anna.
"Aunt Anna, look! It’s the same color as my eyes!"
Aunt Margaret and Aunt Veronica laughed softly.
Anna leaned forward dramatically.
"Oh yes, it is."
She nodded seriously.
"And it’s beautiful. Just like you."
Aimy giggled happily.
Anna had always been the one teaching her little things—colors, numbers, animals, and whatever else caught her attention that week.
Then Aimy suddenly turned back toward me.
A small frown appeared on her face.
She looked at the reflection in the phone.
Then at me.
Then back at the phone again.
The adults in the room exchanged confused glances.
"What’s wrong, baby?" I asked.
Aimy pouted thoughtfully.
"Mummy’s eyes are beautiful too..."
She paused.
"...but they’re not the same color as mine."
The room instantly fell silent.
I froze.
So did everyone else.
Only Aimy remained completely oblivious as she stared between our reflections with genuine confusion.
Her large blue eyes blinked curiously.
Waiting for an answer.
