Chapter 657 Farewell
Alaric slipped into his pajamas and climbed into bed.
Cecilia was already there, lying quietly. The room was dim, and suddenly, they both went silent.
Goodbyes always seemed to carry a heavy sadness.
Cecilia thought about how tough it must've been for Alaric and Francis to be apart since they were kids.
She turned and snuggled into Alaric's arms.
Alaric looked a bit down too.
When Cecilia moved closer, he seemed surprised for a moment, then he hugged her tight, but not too tight.
Cecilia listened to his strong heartbeat, the steady thump in her ears, knowing she wouldn't hear it tomorrow.
She asked, "Alaric, how often will you come back?"
"I don't know," Alaric replied, shaking his head.
"I'm worried I'll miss you," Cecilia said, feeling a bit sad.
"Of course you will," Alaric said with a smile, "You'll definitely miss me."
Cecilia pressed her lips together.
Then she heard Alaric's firm voice say, "I'll miss you too."
Cecilia felt touched.
Her mood always seemed to change because of Alaric.
If she could, she really wanted Alaric to stay.
If she could, she really wanted to go with Alaric.
The adult world was really full of helplessness.
Cecilia nodded silently.
She had so much to say but couldn't find the words.
All she could manage was, "Take care of yourself."
She thought to herself, 'Don't die.'
"Okay," Alaric said, hugging her tightly.
The night dragged on, sleepless. Cecilia lost track of time, but eventually, she drifted off.
When she woke up, the spot next to her was empty.
Alaric preferred to leave quietly.
He seemed afraid of facing the separation.
Maybe he and Francis had been through too many goodbyes, and it hurt him too.
Cecilia looked at the empty spot next to her, feeling lost.
She sighed.
She then adjusted her mood and got out of bed.
Every day with Alaric, he would help her brush her teeth, wash her face, and even carry her to the toilet.
Habits were really a scary thing.
Cecilia finished washing up and went downstairs.
George had already prepared breakfast for her.
As Cecilia ate, she asked, "What time did Alaric leave?"
"Mr. Whitaker left just before 6 AM. Augustus took him," George replied.
Cecilia looked at the time. It was over an hour's flight to Astralton City. Alaric should have landed by now, right?
But he hadn't sent her a message or called.
Was he too busy?
Cecilia finished her breakfast.
She sat in Augustus's car on her way to work.
Augustus was always very quiet. If Cecilia didn't ask, he generally wouldn't speak.
So he didn't mention the scene of Alaric leaving this morning.
Cecilia sighed.
She stared out the car window, lost in thought.
"Mrs. Whitaker," Augustus rarely spoke up.
Cecilia blinked and responded, "What?"
"Mr. Whitaker said that once he gets to Astralton City, he won't always be able to call or text you because he'll be very busy. He asked you not to worry," Augustus said.
Cecilia paused.
She didn't expect Augustus to say so much at once.
Augustus continued, "Mr. Whitaker said that as long as he has time, he will come back. He also asked you not to miss him too much and to take care of yourself and the baby."
Cecilia chuckled.
She felt warmed by Alaric's words.
Between Cecilia and Alaric, sometimes just one sentence could make each other happy for a long time.
The car arrived at the Lockhart Group.
Cecilia sat in her office, listening to Rose's work report.After the report, Rose said, "Ms. Lockhart, did you hear about the trouble at Everhart Bank?"
"What?" Cecilia's face showed her surprise.
"They're saying there's some internal conflict among the board members. The details are fuzzy, but it's public now, so it seems serious." Rose, being a good secretary, always kept up with industry news.
Cecilia nodded. "Can you get me a cup of milk?"
"Sure thing," Rose replied.
Cecilia glanced at Augustus.
Feeling her gaze, Augustus got nervous. Rose had been pretty forward with him lately.
Despite his clear explanations, she seemed to misunderstand everything.
Now she even walked up to him, asking, "What would you like to drink?"
"Mineral water," Augustus said coldly.
Rose smirked, "Just like you."
Augustus frowned.
"Bland," Rose teased.
Augustus pressed his lips together tightly. Rose couldn't figure him out.
She had been trying to get his attention for over a month—didn't he feel anything for her?
Augustus could ignore her anytime.
Frustrated, she threw a bag she was holding at him.
Augustus instinctively slapped the bag away, and it landed on the floor not far away.
Rose's face grew even more sullen.
"Do you think it's a bomb?" she snapped.
Augustus's throat moved slightly.
He did think it was a bomb.
"I made it myself. If you don't want it, fine!" Rose stormed off, angry.
She left in a huff.
Cecilia watched the interaction between Augustus and Rose.
She thought that only a boss like her would allow such obvious workplace romance.
Cecilia turned her gaze and picked up the phone to call Dashiell.
She wanted to ask what was happening inside Everhart Bank.
Her gut told her that this had a lot to do with Dashiell.
Dashiell quickly answered, "Cecilia."
"I heard Everhart Bank is having issues?" Cecilia asked.
Dashiell seemed to have expected her call.
After all, the news was out.
Dashiell said, "Sebastian's supporters are trying to use public opinion to force me to resign."
"Why?" Cecilia was a bit angry.
"When I took office, I made promises that I haven't been able to keep because a lot of things happened along the way, wasting too much time."
Cecilia nodded, understanding why Dashiell had done what he did before.
She had done the same to secure her position barely.
Dashiell added, "But don't worry. I can handle it."
Cecilia asked, "Do you need my help?"
"I've checked," Dashiell said bluntly, "Your close cooperation with Everhart Bank doesn't offer much help, so I won't trouble you."
Cecilia said, "So you're discriminating against me?"
Dashiell replied, "I wouldn't dare."
Cecilia was just joking. She said, "Anyway, if you need help, just ask."
Dashiell replied, "Okay."
Cecilia said, "Don't overdo it."
Dashiell said, "I won't."
Cecilia responded, "Alright."
"By the way, did Alaric leave this morning?" Dashiell asked.
Cecilia replied, "Yes, he left early. I didn't even get to see him."
Dashiell chuckled.
He was familiar with Alaric's style.
He said, "Cassius should be going with him. Don't worry; it won't be too dangerous."
"Okay." Cecilia nodded.
She had to think positively; she couldn't afford to think otherwise.
She said, "I have to get back to work."
"Okay." With that, Dashiell hung up the phone.
He turned to see Daphne entering after knocking.
Daphne nervously said, "Mr. Rainier, there's a meeting in the executive conference room that requires your attendance."
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