04: Going Back To The Past

ALMA

Four Years Later,

The air was chill in the all-white lobby, and the resounding clang of my heels rang through every corner and every wall. My purse swung with every stride, and I nodded in the affirmative at workers who greeted me as they shuffled by.

I glanced at the silver wristwatch that laced my wrist. I had just thirty minutes of free time before work beckoned, and I knew more than half of that time would go into listening to Velma rant about something. She was way too outspoken not to have anything to say.

Shortly as I approached the elevator, Sofia's familiar voice called from behind, halting my steps. My head darted in her direction, and I stood, half-turned, while she quickly made her way to me, a large file in her hands.

"I beat you again today, Sofia," I commented, my hands resting on my hips and my head cocked to the side.

I hadn't seen her all morning, though she had a meeting with our finance representatives.  Green-eyed Sofia looked up at me with so much guilt etched in those orbs. She was my secretary and personal assistant. Best believe, that the file she clutched tightly dictated all of the activities we had to cover today.

She scratched her ears as we proceeded into the elevator. "I don't think I can ever make it earlier than you do, Boss. It's like you never sleep." She immediately covered her mouth as though she said something wrong. "Oh, I apologize, ma'am."

"No, it's fine," I waved dismissively, a genial smile sitting on my face. Sofia was right. This company was one of the things that kept me going after Velma.

After the biggest betrayal of my life four years ago, I came to this country and built it up from scratch. It was all I could do to redeem the mistakes I've made all my life. Now, I had to say, that deciding to leave was the best thing I could have ever done.

It took me two years to bounce to the top, earning a spot among one of the top three Wellness companies in the country. Velma LTD— the only suitable name for it because without Velma, I never would have found the zeal to pick myself up, and that kept me going every second of my life.

Velma was the present I got out of my unfortunate relationship with her father.

"For today..." Sofia began, slicing through my reverie. "There's a shareholders meeting with our pharmaceutical branch. And Dr. Mathews will be there."

I nodded. "That's by noon, isn't it?"

"Very correct," Sofia answered, her blue pen tapping rhythmically against her lower lips.

"Also, our two ads shot in South Korea and Europe were successful. The team leader will be back with a briefing tomorrow. We're also exporting more than three-quarters of our fitness apparel. Their demand increased, and luckily, we met it."

This was my life, every day. More business, more profit, and more wealth. Nothing else could be as pleasing. I'd left everything behind, and all that was left was a good, healthy life with my daughter.

"That's for the United Kingdom. I was contacted personally to ask for an increase. I was briefed. Thank you, Sofia." On cue, the elevator stopped, and the doors slid open.

I headed in the direction of my office, just a few steps away from Sofia's. I pushed the doors open and was met with the sight of Velma sitting next to Rodney, and both their attentions were completely stolen by something on his laptop.

Taking a while to sink into the sight before me, I slouched against the door and watched them. Rodney doted on her like she was his daughter. He always had. If only her father were nearly half as responsible as he was.

"Well, someone is having fun," I cleared my throat, announcing my presence, and Velma looked up at me. In an instant, she got off her seat and ran towards me, throwing her little hands around my legs, and I crouched lower to get a full hug. "Hm, I missed you so much, baby!"

"I missed you too, mama!" She whispered in my ears, before slowly pulling away and placing a small kiss at the side of my chin. Warmth fluttered in my chest, and I did the same. I slowly tucked the fall that fell on her face behind her eyes, and a pair of winter gray eyes stared back at me, just like her father.

I was red-haired, with brown eyes and freckles scattered around the tip of my nose, but it was the opposite for Velma. She had all of Carl's features, including porcelain skin and raven-black hair. Seeing her up close like this reminded me so much of him, and my heart sank for a second.

Just a second. Carl didn't have that much effect on me. "Was school fun today?"

Velma's lips pushed forward. "School is never fun, but after school is fun!" she responded in a mischievous tone, and I could instantly tell that something was up.

"Rodney?" I called out, peeking over Velma's head at him. "You took her to get ice cream again, didn't you?"

A small laugh bubbled from his lips, and he exchanged brief eye contact with Velma as though he was asking for permission before giving me a response. These two were so cheeky and mischievous together. He nodded slightly, "Just a scoop is all. That can't possibly cause cavities."

"Yes, it can't!" Velma immediately supported his claim. I stood to my feet, beaming as I approached my table.

"You're spoiling her, you know?" I leaned against the table, crossing my legs as I eyed both of them. "You two will end up getting time out every time to take her to the ice cream place after school."

"If you keep trying to stop us, we're not going to get you ice cream, too."

Velma ran back to him, and he wrapped his arm around her. They had a brief  'secret' deliberation on whether or not they get ice cream after school anymore. Of course, Velma was the meticulous one.

"Thank you for bringing her, Rodney," I finally said. "It's your fault she wouldn't let anyone else pick her up from school."

"My pleasure," he curtsied. "Velma pays me for it."

"Really?"

"Of course! Have you seen this?" He tugged at the barely noticeable and tangled braid at the back of his head."She's becoming my personal stylist. She even does my nails!"

I giggled, gently pulling on the hair. "I pray you don't have to cut it off to loosen it."

"She'd definitely find a way through for me," he immediately responded, glancing at Velma where she was seated. He looked at her with so much affection, and I felt grateful all over again.

Meeting Rodney again two years ago felt like the last piece of a very huge puzzle. I remember vividly, running into him at a children's hospital charity event that he was holding.

Two years ago.

I felt a small tap on my back and turned, my grip around Velma's wrist tightening for no reason. It had been engraved in my subconscious mind to protect her with my life. She was just two years old. I turned to see the beaming man in glasses, smiling widely at me.

It took a while for it to click. I scrutinized him, trying to remember how or where I'd met him as his face was so familiar, etched deep in my memory. I was aware that I knew him, but I couldn't remember.

"Alma? It's Alma, right?" He softly said, glancing at me and then my daughter. I pulled Velma closer, feeling awkward for not recalling anything about this man who clearly remembered me, and my name.

Was this my cue to run? My fingers flicked my hair, and I apologized. "I'm sorry, I don't know what you're saying. If you'd excuse me--"

"From Peak Hills?" he urged. "Rodney, I used to...play the guitar, and you were the smartest in our class back then. Do you remember?"

His face held so much expectation, and I tapped into it. It was funny how so many memories of mine had been suppressed. Finally, it occurred to me, and I gasped. "Oh! I remember you. The music guy who had almost every girl at his beck and call?"

He flashed me a timid smile, his hands settling in his pockets. "I wouldn't exactly say that. What happened? I can't believe I'd run into you here." He paused, and then his gaze fell on Velma momentarily. "Your daughter?"

I carried Velma in my hands, and before I could give a response, she jumped in, in a small, barely audible tone. "Dada?" Her hands flexed in Rodney's direction. "Is he Dada?"

I laughed coyly, embarrassment washing through me. I kissed her head and patted it. "No, darling. It's not Dada." Your dad was probably somewhere mindlessly fucking my step-sister.

The situation had gotten a bit awkward, and I'd rather walk away than face it until Rodney insisted on showing me around.

The Present

Since then, he'd been one of the most supportive people around, and for Velma's sake, he'd do anything. "I have way too much to thank you for, Rodney," I said in reminiscence of the past. "I've been saying thank you so ceaselessly. It's tiring even to my ears."

"Oh?" A mischievous smile crawled up his face, and he closed in on my personal space. "You could pay me back. How about Lunch? We could grab something to eat."

This wasn't the first time he was asking, and it wouldn't be the first time I'd be turning him down, either. I had a tight schedule, not to mention, I didn't want to give a chance to any familiarity that surpassed his relationship with Velma. I tapped my chin and zoned off, weighing my chances.

Velma liked to have him around. That was the saving grace Rodney had.

"Is that a no?"

"No..."

"Oh, I.."

"No, I meant..." My voice faded. "No, it is not a no. I have a meeting in a few hours, so how about dinner then? You could drop by from work?"

Rodney grinned. "Yeah, I'd drop by earlier to do the cooking. Velma likes it when I cook."

"Oh, show off!" I rolled my eyes. "Dinner it is!"

Dinner was going well, with clattering sounds of cutlery and Velma's compliments to Rodney ringing in my ears. His head might explode with that many compliments.

It was quiet until my phone on the table vibrated, and I glanced at it. Table manners depicted no phones on the dinner table, and I could already feel Velma's judging eyes. She was so adorable.

However, it wasn't a phone call I could ignore as it came from a restricted number. I was puzzled by the unfamiliarity of the situation and hesitant.  After brief contemplation, I answered.

"Miss Alma Jenkins?"  The voice mildly breezed through the speakers, calm yet authoritative.

"Yes. Who is this, and how may I help you?"

"I'm Andrew Page. Attorney-at- law, I represent your grandfather's business organization."

My heart skipped a beat, and my fingers flexed at the back of the phone. I wanted to have nothing to do with that family. Rodney seemed to notice and kept his eyes on me. "How may I help you?"

"Ms. Jenkins, I have important news to share with you. You see, your grandfather had a specific plan in place for you regarding the organization. It's about the inheritance," Mr. Page continued, his tone grave.

Inheritance? My mind raced as I struggled to comprehend his words. "What do you mean?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"You have been programmed to take over the business organization upon turning 26," he explained, his words sending a shiver down my spine. Programmed? It sounded like something out of a science fiction novel, not my reality.

"I need you to come to Los Angeles as soon as possible. They need you to take over," Mr. Page urged, his words punctuated by a sense of urgency. "We've been waiting for this day."

Los Angeles? Take over?

The past was never in the past, was it? After the phone call, my phone slid down my ears, and I stared blankly into space. "They... Th-they want me to come back..."