Path to Recovery

After her meeting at the cemetery, Carolyn went to the commercial district to buy hangers, soap and other miscellaneous items along with gifts for her trainees. By the time she was done shopping, the sky was lit by the sunset, so she went straight home. She considered making a trip to the Wild Boar Inn but felt it was too soon to reminisce.

"Welcome back, Carol! I hope your day went well."

Receiving her with an energetic greeting at the door was Anna.

"Thank you, Anna. It did. How was your day?"

"Oh, it was the same as always. Just some chores and helping everyone out."

"I see."

Given that she had gone through many solemn and depressing topics throughout the day, interacting with Anna's pure smile felt like a much-needed tonic. After a little more small talk and agreeing to have dinner downstairs once again, Carolyn headed up to her room and sorted her luggage. There were still things she needed to get, like a new bow, but there would be no problems in her daily life. However, she couldn't be satisfied with just a peaceful lifestyle.

After a delicious dinner and a good shower, Carolyn went to bed and woke up early to work. This was her first time heading to work from The Fruity Breeze, but she was sure of the route she would need to get there, so she didn't wake up any earlier than usual.

"I'll be going now."

"Have a nice day at work."

"Thank you. I wish the same for you, Anna. Hmm?"

On her way out, Carolyn suddenly heard a clatter making it down the stairs. She elevated her wariness, but she noticed Anna shaking her head in exasperation. The one rushing down the stairs was the same young woman who Carolyn had met on the day she moved into The Fruity Breeze.

"Anna! Why didn't you wake me up?"

"I did wake you up, Carly. But you kept telling me that you just needed five more minutes, and I didn't hear from you again. You know I can't keep checking up on you in the morning."

Anna looked at her like a mother would a helpless daughter, but despite her brown hair seeming a little dishevelled, Carly was well dressed for an office worker.

"I know, but it's just hard for me to stay awake the first time. Maybe I should try buying another alarm?"

"I don't think one more will help given the number you already have, but best of luck. Oh, Carol, if you're not sure about how to get to work from here, you can ask Carly since she works at Continental Courier Service too."

""She does?""

Both Carolyn and Carly were surprised to hear that they were co-workers, but Carly was the first to accept that it was true.

"Oh, I remember now. You're Mr. Rome's new secretary. They did say you were holding on for longer than expected."

After hearing her superior's name from Carly, Carolyn believed that she was a coworker and guessed that she was among the crowd that was present when Rome introduced her to everyone.

"I'm not sure what everyone expected, but yes, I'm still working as Mr. Rome's secretary."

"Mmm. I don't mind giving you directions, but I'd rather not be seen going to work with you."

"Carly!"

"No, it's fine. I can tell she's not trying to be mean or anything."

Though she said that, Carolyn was curious why being seen with her would be problematic.

Despite Carolyn's consent, Anna felt obligated to make things right because she was the one who made the suggestion.

"Carly, come with me."

Anna pulled Carly to the right wall and quietly discussed something with her. Carolyn could tell that this had something to do with her, so she didn't leave, nor did she try to eavesdrop on them. When Anna and Carly were done talking, Carly marched towards Carolyn with a solemn expression and grabbed her hands.

"Forgive me for my previous outburst. I would be glad to join you on our way to the office."

The sincerity in her eyes was unmistakable, but Carolyn had no idea what Anna said to make her change like this. Carolyn wasn't sure if it was the best idea to leave with Carly like this, but when she looked towards Anna, the girl showed a thumbs-up with a confident smile, so it was difficult to reject her kind intentions.

"Okay. How much more time do you need?"

"I can leave now if we have to, but ten, no, five minutes would be plenty."

"Fine, I'll wait then."

"Thank you so much!"

Carly quickly returned upstairs while Carolyn wondered what prompted this change, but Anna left the room to handle her other duties. Soon after, Carly returned with no hint of being in a rush, so the two left the inn. On the way to work, Carolyn decided to clear up something that had bothered her.

"Carly, why did you originally not want to leave with me?"

"Oh, it's not because I don't like you or anything; I just don't want to attract any attention."

"Attract attention?"

"Yeah. You might not know, but you're quite famous among those of us in the office. Everyone thought an outsider like you would surely be fired just like the ones before you, but you managed to hold on by Mr. Rome's side. Some are jealous of you, some admire you, but regardless, they all want to know more about you."

"I do usually feel a lot of gazes when I go to the cafeteria, but I didn't know I was that popular. If they're all so interested in me, why doesn't anyone approach me?"

"I'm not sure, but I hear you give off a kind of aura that makes them reluctant to interrupt your meal."

Carolyn didn't remember giving off any such aura, but she did tend to keep work on her mind even during lunch.

'Should I try to be more approachable?'

"Anyway, people pay attention to you a lot, and I'd prefer not to have any of those eyes on me."

"I can understand that, but then why did you agree to go with me?"

"Well, we are neighbours now, so I figured it would be better if we did neighbour-like things like go to work together and wake each other up in the morning."

"Oh, I guess that makes sense."

"Right. We'll split up in front of the building, but until then we can walk together."

Going to work in the morning with someone was a fresh experience for Carolyn, and she quite liked it as well. However, like a nagging stepmother, she reminded herself not to get too attached to this feeling.

Besides that incident at the start of the day, work proceeded normally. Carolyn paid more attention to the eyes that turned to her when she ate in the cafeteria and tried to look less guarded, but she was still left alone. Becoming too close with the staff could become a problem, but she at least wanted to be on casual terms with them.

After work, Carolyn stopped by The Fruity Breeze to pick up some gifts before leaving for the slums district. Anna told her that Carly had returned earlier, but the two had no plans for walking home together. Carolyn wasn't really against it, but she couldn't ask Carly to stay behind waiting for her. Upon reaching the slums district church, Carolyn planned to check on Mike and discuss with Lety, but she found an unexpected situation instead.

"You're coming with me!"

"No! I don't want to!"

Outside of the slums it could be summarised as a father trying to take their stubborn child home, but here, Carolyn's mind immediately raced towards the worst-case scenario.

"What, do you think you're doing?!"

Within seconds, Carolyn leapt into the confrontation, grabbed the man's arm, kicked his feet and brought the scruffy man to his knees.

"Ah! Who the hell are you?!"

"I have no name to give to scum like you."

"Hah?! I'm her dad! I have the right to drag her home!"

"Don't lie to me!"

"You can ease up, Ms. Carol. He's telling the truth."

After hearing his voice, Carolyn finally realised that Benedict was among the group of children at the door of the church. He wore a composed expression as always, but there was some pressure from his eyes, so Carolyn backed off the man but stayed between him and the child he was trying to pull away. Once Carolyn released him, the man got back to his feet while holding the arm that Carolyn grabbed. She had only twisted it, but that still left a dull pain in his shoulder.

"You damn bitch!"

"Now, now, calm down, Mr. Fred. Rather than argue out here, why don't we go to my office to have a discussion?"

Benedict's smile appeared friendly as he made this suggestion, but something about the look in his eyes told Fred that he had no other choice.

"Tch."

Fred entered the church at Benedict's request, and after gently patting the head of Fred's supposed child to comfort her, Carolyn passed her luggage to Derrick and followed them. She had no idea what this conversation would be about, but at the very least she wouldn't let there be an ending that left a child crying.