26 Unreal apology

Stepping out of the hospital room, Axel felt a high level of urgency wash through him. The revelations about Flora had left him restless, a myriad of unanswered questions swirling in his mind. He needed more information, a deeper understanding of this elusive woman who seemed to be shrouded in mystery. His fingers tapped the screen of his phone, speed dialing the familiar number of Eric, the family chauffeur, who often took charge in handling the family's peculiar situations. "Eric, it's Axel," he spoke briskly as soon as the call connected. "I need you to delve deeper into Eisen Group’s Chief Jewelry Designer, Flora. I want every single personal detail you can lay your hands on." There was a pause at the other end of the line, and Axel could almost hear the gears turning in Eric's mind. "Flora, sir? I managed to access the file at the company. Unfortunately, it's terribly insufficient. I can't come to you with such scanty information." Axel's frustration was palpable. "What do you mean by 'insufficient'?" He sighed, the sound crackling through the phone. "The file is barely informative. It mentions her role and her responsibilities, but nothing substantial about who she is as a person. It's as if she's carefully hidden any trace of her past." Axel clenched his fists, his impatience mounting. "We need more, Eric. We have to know who she is, why she's so secretive. Find anything, dig into her past, her connections, anything that might give us a clue." "I understand, sir," Eric responded, his voice laced with determination. "But it's proving to be quite the challenge. The company has erected walls around any details regarding her." Axel's mind raced. "Try another approach. Contact the Human Resources Management of the group. Maybe they have more insight into her background, something that might give us a lead." Minutes felt like hours as Axel waited for Eric's response. Finally, Eric's phone call broke the silence. "I reached out to the HR manager. According to them, Flora was personally brought in by the owner. Her work mainly involves submitting three jewelry designs each month. She operates independently and doesn't need to be physically present at the office." Axel sighed in exasperation. It seemed Flora was adept at concealing her past, crafting a mysterious existence that avoided prying eyes. "Keep pushing, Eric. We need more. If she holds the key to what I've been seeking, we have to uncover her secrets." Eric nodded, even though Axel couldn't see him. "I'll keep digging, sir. I won't stop until I find something substantial." As the call ended, Axel paced back and forth, a sense of unease settling within him. Flora's mysterious nature and her ability to evade scrutiny only fueled his determination to unravel her secrets. Axel reentered the hospital room, his thoughts still on Flora. Marc lay on the bed, flicking through a magazine, a hint of curiosity in his eyes as he glanced up at Axel. "Hey, everything alright?" Marc asked, sensing the underlying tension in Axel's demeanor. Axel pulled a chair closer to Marc's bedside. "We're still in the dark about Flora. She's a true puzzle. Eric's on it, trying to uncover more details, but it's like she's deliberately hidden her past." Marc frowned, the concern mirrored in his eyes. "Does it relate to what you've been searching for?" Axel nodded, a trace of frustration etched on his face. "I'm almost certain she's connected, but she's keeping herself well-guarded." The conversation lingered for a while longer, lightening the atmosphere in the room. Marc's inquiries about Axel's plans outside the hospital subtly indicated his longing to know when he would leave. "I might head back to the hotel for some rest," Axel mentioned casually. He understood his brother's unspoken question about when he'd be discharged.Axel had a place in Billy City, but it was located a bit far from the company. Marc nodded, a knowing smile on his face. "Right, I think you could use some proper sleep. Don't worry about me; I'll be fine here." Axel stood up, giving Marc a pat on the shoulder. "I'll catch you tomorrow, then. Try not to cause any more trouble in the meantime." They exchanged smiles, a silent understanding passing between them. As Axel left the room, Marc settled back into his hospital bed, a hint of mischief dancing in his eyes. It was typical of Marc to stir things up, but in the serene atmosphere of the hospital room, he knew better than to instigate further chaos. … Flora sat calmly in the living room, a book resting in her hands, as Kendra and Kayden walked in, their expressions were a mix of apprehension and remorse. They exchanged glances, silently steeling themselves before approaching their mother. "Mom, we're really sorry about sneaking out," Kendra began, her voice a bit shaky. Flora glanced up from her book, meeting their eyes with understanding. "I know you two are incredibly bright and curious. But leaving the building without permission wasn't the wisest choice." Kayden nodded, his tone laced with regret. "We also... we tried to find Dad." Flora paused, her gaze softening. "I understand why you would want that. You both need him, and it's natural to be curious. But finding him is something adults should handle." Kendra took a deep breath, her words coming out in a rush. "We just thought maybe if we found him, things would be clearer, and you wouldn't have to worry about it." Flora closed her book, setting it aside, and gestured for them to sit beside her on the couch. "Come here, both of you." They sat down feeling a bit tense, unsure of what to expect. "You two are brilliant, and I love that about you. But some things are too big for young minds to handle alone," Flora explained gently, her hand finding theirs. "Your father... It's a complicated situation. It's something I've been trying to sort out for a while now." Kendra bit her lip, her eyes showing remorse. "We're really sorry, Mom. We just thought we could help." Flora pulled them into a comforting embrace. "You have such big hearts, wanting to help and understand. But sometimes, the best way to help is by being patient and letting the grown-ups take care of it. I promise I'll tell you everything when the time is right, okay?" They nodded, relief washing over them as they hugged their mother. They knew they had overstepped, but hearing Flora's reassurance brought them comfort. Flora felt a subtle tension, an unspoken resolve. She pulled away slightly, meeting their gaze one by one, understanding dawning upon her. "I appreciate your apologies, I truly do," Flora began, her tone gentle yet firm. "But I know you two well enough to see that behind these apologies, there's a resolve. Am I right?" Kendra and Kayden exchanged a quick glance, their expressions shifting to sheepishness. Kayden spoke up, "Mom, we're really sorry for worrying you. But..." Flora cut in. "I want it to end as but. Thanks for your understanding so I need you to promise me not to do anything like that anymore.” Kendra and Kayden shared another look, a silent conversation passing between them. "We promise," Kendra said finally. Flora smiled softly even though concern was evident in her eyes. "Just leave this to me. Deal?" The twins nodded in unison, their expressions resolute yet softened by their mother's understanding. They hugged her once more, a silent agreement passing between them which was a promise to be patient but never to fully let go of their pursuit for answers.