C242 To Distract Herself

The afternoon passed by in what felt like the blink of an eye. Before anyone realized it, the workday had come to an end. After spending almost the entire day dealing with reports, meetings, and difficult decisions, Alicia leaned back against her office chair and gently massaged her temples. The exhaustion on her face was impossible to hide.

Today had been one challenge after another. First it was Charlie Kinlore's sudden resignation. Then the discovery that she had connections to the Harris family. After that came the board meeting where she had been forced to establish her authority as the new Director. Although she had won the battle, the mental exhaustion remained. She slowly gathered the remaining documents before standing up.

Outside her office, I was already waiting. The moment she stepped out, I smiled. "Tired?" Alicia let out a long sigh before nodding honestly. "Very." I walked closer before wrapping my arms around her. For several seconds neither of us spoke. The quiet embrace somehow washed away most of the stress she had been carrying all day. She rested her forehead against my shoulder. "I didn't realize being a director could be this exhausting."

I chuckled softly. "And this is only your third day." She pinched my arm lightly. "You're making fun of me." "I wouldn't dare." She finally smiled. "I still have so much to learn." "You handled today's meeting perfectly." She looked up at me. "Really?" I nodded confidently. "You were calm." "You didn't panic." "You didn't let your emotions make decisions." "And most importantly..." I gently touched her nose. "You protected your authority."

Her beautiful dimples appeared. "Husband." "Hmm?" "Thank you." "For what?" "For always believing in me." I smiled warmly. "There has never been a reason not to." The two of us remained standing there for another moment before I finally spoke. "Wife..." She looked at me. "I'll be staying at my parents' house tonight." Her smile faded slightly. "I know you told me yesterday..." "I just..." She hesitated before forcing herself to smile again. "I got used to sleeping beside you."

I laughed softly. "It'll only be one night." "I'll come back tomorrow." She nodded obediently. "Promise?" "I promise." Only then did she finally let go of me. "I'll hold you to it." "I wouldn't want Director Smith accusing me of breaking promises." She rolled her eyes before laughing. "You deserve to sleep outside if you do." "I'll make sure I don't." The atmosphere instantly became warm again. We walked together toward the parking area.

Alicia headed toward her black Maserati while I walked toward the Volkswagen she had bought for me. Before getting inside her car, she suddenly called out. "Husband." I turned around. "Drive safely." "You too." She smiled before waving. "See you tomorrow." "See you tomorrow." Soon, both cars slowly left Lucia Goods Headquarters in different directions.

At the Mooney Residence. After nearly forty minutes of driving, Alicia finally arrived home. The large gates slowly opened before she drove inside. She switched off the engine and leaned back against the driver's seat. "What a day..." She muttered before taking a deep breath. Even though she was physically exhausted, she knew there was still one important thing left to do. She had decided to move into her late mother's bedroom. That meant organizing everything herself.

Inside the mansion, several maids had already moved most of her belongings as Peter had instructed earlier. The moment Alicia stepped inside, Georgia followed her towards her mothers room. "My child." Alicia smiled tiredly. "I'm home, Grandma." Georgia immediately said. "You look exhausted." "I am." "Then don't do anything tonight." "Go and rest." Alicia shook her head gently. "I still have to organize my room." Georgia frowned. "The maids can do that."

Alicia smiled. "I know." "But..." "I want to do it myself." Georgia looked at her granddaughter carefully. Something about her expression seemed unusually heavy. "My child..." "Is work becoming difficult?" Alicia remained silent for several seconds before finally smiling. "I'll be okay." "I just need something to distract me." Georgia understood immediately. She gently patted Alicia's shoulder. "Then go." "I won't stop you." Alicia hugged her grandmother. "Thank you."

She slowly entered her mother's bedroom. The door opened gently. Everything inside remained exactly as it had been few days ago. The neatly arranged furniture... The elegant curtains... The family photographs... Even the faint scent of lavender still lingered in the room. Alicia stood there quietly. For several seconds she simply looked around. "It still feels like you're here, Mother..." she whispered softly. She smiled faintly before rolling up her sleeves. "Let's get started."

She carefully began arranging her clothes inside the wardrobe while making sure not to disturb the room itself. Everything belonging to her mother was packed and she asked the maids to take it to her aunt's room. She started organizing her own belongings neatly while intentionally leaving enough space inside the wardrobe. A small smile appeared. "This side will be for Mike."

Downstairs... Georgia returned to the living room. Peter was comfortably sitting in his favorite chair while Mark watched television absentmindedly. The moment Georgia entered, Peter immediately smiled. "You came back quickly." "What happened?" "Did our granddaughter chase you away?" Mark laughed. "I wouldn't be surprised." Georgia rolled her eyes. "She's too stubborn." Peter burst into laughter. "I told you." "So?" "What happened?"

Georgia sighed before sitting down beside them. "She insisted on organizing everything herself." Mark frowned. "Why?" "She said..." Georgia smiled gently. "...that arranging the room herself would help her release all the stress from work." Both men immediately became quiet. Peter slowly removed his reading glasses. "So work has become that difficult already..." Georgia folded his arms. "I've never seen her this exhausted." Peter nodded. "Neither have I."

Georgia looked toward the staircase. "I think she's carrying more pressure than she's willing to admit." Mark sighed deeply. "We'll ask her after she's finished." Peter nodded in agreement. "For now..." "Let's give her some space." The three continued chatting quietly, hoping their granddaughter would eventually come downstairs feeling much lighter than before.

Meanwhile I finally arrived at my parents' house. The moment I parked outside, I immediately noticed something unusual. Several cardboard boxes were stacked near the entrance. Suitcases filled one corner of the living room. Furniture had been shifted around. It looked more like people were moving houses than simply packing. I blinked twice. "What happened here?"

The moment I entered, my mother looked up and smiled. "Oh." "Perfect timing." I laughed. "What happened to the house?" Mary folded her arms dramatically. "What happened?" "You abandoned us." I immediately laughed. "Mom." "I didn't abandon anyone." "I was staying with my wife." She pretended to be angry. "Hmph." "Same thing." Quinton couldn't help laughing. "Your mother has been complaining since morning."

Mary pointed upstairs. "Do you know whose room is still untouched?" I smiled. "Mine?" She nodded. "Exactly." "We didn't know whether we should pack your things without asking." "I thought maybe you would accuse us of stealing." I laughed even harder. "I don't think would ever say that." Mary smiled. "Go and pack your own room." "I'm exhausted." "We've been doing this the whole day." Quinton nodded in agreement. "Your mother nearly made me carry the everything by myself."

Mary glared at him. "You volunteered." "I didn't." "You did." "I was forced." The two immediately started arguing playfully. I couldn't help laughing. "It looks like nothing has changed." Quinton smiled proudly. "Good." "Now stop standing there." "Go do your work." "Yes, Dad." Still smiling, I picked up my bag and slowly headed upstairs toward my room. The first thing I needed wasn't packing. It was a shower... Because tonight, I had another important mission waiting for me.