Chapter 95 She's Not Here
Noah's POV:
Where is she? She should be here by now... Not only is Eden not here, but neither is Mrs Clancy or Martin. They should all be waiting in the wings because the memorial is about to begin. Literally, there are only minutes left. There's an excited buzz around the hall as everyone waits eagerly to see what is beneath the black cloth on the stage. People are wandering about talking among themselves while others take their seats to wait.
Looking around, I'm pleased with the results of our hard work. The team have been working around the clock to get everything ready in time. There are photographs of a young Eden with her parents, others of Mrs Clancy with them, and some of Eden and her father working on the doll's houses together up on stands all around the room. People are crowded around them, speculating whether we'll finally get to see the illusive Clancy granddaughter.
Some people have asked me about her, if I've ever met her. It's surprising how much people are interested in her. Perhaps it's because she's the company's heir or because Mrs Clancy is getting older. Although Mrs Clancy has never once mentioned retiring, at least not that I've heard.
The hall is crowded with people but no matter how many times I look for her face among the sea of faces, she isn't here. Did she chicken out? Is she worried what everyone will think when they learn that she is actually Mrs Clancy's granddaughter and not just my assistant? Is she scared what I'll think?
Maybe I should have told her that I know before now... But I'd hoped that she'd tell me herself. I never imagined that she'd leave it this late. It's slightly disappointing. I'd hoped she'd have told me sooner, that she'd have explained why she did it. I'm sure she has a good enough reason. Eden isn't the sort of person to deceive people without good reason.
Eden isn't really cowardly though so I'm struggling to understand why she hasn't just owned up to it. She's so brave and outspoken and yet she's not once tried to broach the subject with me... Then again, in the last few weeks I've not really given her the opportunity, as I've been trying my best to keep her busy in an attempt to hide the miniature houses from her.
Maybe she did try to tell me and I just missed it... Or maybe she doesn't think she needs to explain... That doesn't seem likely though. Eden isn't cruel or entitled. No doubt she feels terrible for having been lying to us all this time.
Perhaps she's just too scared... What if she never actually opens up about it? I mean she has to eventually right? She can't avoid it forever. Eventually, she is going to have to tell the entire staff at Clancy's who she is. That's not something she can avoid if she's going to run the company one day.
That doesn't explain why Martin and Mrs Clancy aren't here though. Even if Eden isn't coming, they would still be here. My mind is a rush with all the possibilities; everything from bad traffic to an emergency. I'm tempted to call Eden and check on her, except I'm not even sure what I'd say. I'd have to admit that I know who she is. That makes me hesitate.
I busy myself, ensuring that everything is ready for when Eden and her grandmother finally arrive but it's hard to concentrate when she's late. It's not like Eden to be late. She's usually more of a stickler for time than I am. Always arriving to work before me in the morning.
Ten minutes after the event is due to start, I pull out my phone unwilling to wait any longer. I need to know she's okay. It's probably nothing, just a spot of bad traffic I imagine, but I can't shake the feeling that something could actually be wrong. Pulling up her contact information, I prepare to call her but am stopped short when my phone starts ringing.
I stare at the screen, not daring to answer it. I can't understand why he would be calling me, especially right now.
Hesitantly, I lift the device to my ear, "hello?"
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
