When Love is Gone

Chapter 9

When Theo and I arrived at Dad's office, which I would take over, I was pleasantly surprised to see that it had already been renovated to my liking.

"It looks like Uncle really anticipated your arrival and made sure the office suited you, Mommy," Theo remarked, clearly impressed.

I smiled at him, feeling proud of my Dad's architectural and interior design skills. "He's quite talented, isn't he, Thie?"

I made my way to the desk and settled into the chair comfortably.

"You can have the office next to mine, Thie. You are one of my VPs, after all," I informed him.

"Alright, I'll head there. Are you going to meet with the employees for a briefing?" Theo inquired as he took a seat on the couch.

"I still need to review some documents before that," I replied, opening a thick folder filled with reports.

"In that case, I'll head to my office since you're getting started. I'll see you at lunch?" he asked.

"Definitely, Thie. See you then."

I saw him walk out of my office and let out a deep sigh. I'm relieved he didn't mention my eyes. I know he saw that I cried last night. I covered it up with makeup, but he's too perceptive not to notice. He's just being considerate and doesn't want to embarrass me, so he kept quiet.

I was already engrossed in reading when my secretary entered.

"VP Castro is waiting outside, Ma'am. He said he needs to speak with you."

"Send him in, Marie."

She nodded and left.

"Grachelle!"

"Uncle George!"

I got up and greeted him with a hug.

When we pulled away, his smile was wide.

"Look at you! The ever-so-beautiful troublemaker of Edrian Atkins. How long have you been gone?"

I chuckled at his words.

"Just four years, Uncle. I'm sure you didn't miss me that much."

I gestured for him to sit with me on the couch.

"Oh, you're mistaken, Grachelle. Surprisingly, I did miss you. I wanted to visit you in London, but my arthritis was acting up. It's a miracle that I was able to come here today to welcome you on your first day at the company."

I smiled, remembering how I used to pester him to let Ram come and take me out on a date. Uncle George was one of the people who helped me with him, so he knows exactly what happened between us without having to ask my parents.

"So, what brings you here, Uncle? Are you waiting for me to give you a fridge magnet from London?"

Uncle George laughed so hard that tears came to his eyes.

"Damn, Grachelle! This is what I miss about you. You and your sweetness!" he said sarcastically, but I knew he was just teasing.

After we calmed down, he became serious.

"Grachelle, I'm here to bid you farewell. I didn't want to be the first person you see on your first day of work, but your father insisted that I talk to you about this.

"You're retiring, Uncle?"

Well, it's not surprising. He's already in his 60s, and it's time for him to retire and spend time with his family.

"Yes, my dear. I've been waiting for you. I can't leave the company without your approval."

I nodded and smiled.

"Of course, I'll approve your retirement, Uncle. Aunt Connie has been waiting for this for years, hasn't she?"

He smiled warmly when I mentioned his wife.

"Yes, my dear. She wants us to retire to the Philippines where her relatives are."

"Although we still need you at the company, I know it's time for you to enjoy the fruits of your 30 years of hard work, Uncle. I'll have HR process your retirement right away."

"And what about the position I'll be leaving, Grachelle?"

I looked at him curiously.

"Aren't you supposed to be asking me about your retirement benefits instead of who will replace you, Uncle?" I teased.

He cleared his throat.

"Well, Grachelle. I have someone in mind to take over as VP. But ultimately, it's up to you whether you want to pave the way for my candidate to fill that role."

My smile faded. Uncle George rarely asks me for favors; it's usually the other way around.

"I'll consider your recommendation, Uncle. I trust that you've chosen the best person for the job. The position should be open to qualified candidates, but if you've already made a choice, then you're saving us some trouble. So, who's your candidate, Uncle?"

He studied me intently before speaking. I already had a strong feeling about the name he was going to mention.

"It's Ram, Grachelle. I want him to take my place as one of the VPs."

My heart skipped a beat. I gazed at him, my eyes filled with curiosity.

"I know what he did to you, Grachelle, and I was furious with him as well. I didn't speak to him for months after you left. But you know, he tried to make amends by working diligently in the company. He turned down several promotions, claiming he didn't deserve them, even though he was more than qualified."

"Grachelle, you know Ram. He's dedicated, and intelligent, and he puts the company's needs above his own. Setting aside his past mistakes, everyone would agree that he's a valuable employee."

"Uncle, you don't need to praise him so much. I'm aware of his qualities. But if he refused promotions before, why do you think he'll accept your offer now?"

He let out a sigh.

"I believe he declined those offers in the past because he felt he still owed you and your family. With your father gone, and you're stepping into his role, I think Ram will finally accept the promotion, especially since it will bring him closer to you."

I narrowed my eyes at Uncle George's words.

"What are you trying to say, Uncle?"

I shook my head at him.

"Uncle, you must be mistaken. We spent three years together but all he did was tell me he doesn't love me. He kept on blaming me for imprisoning him in our marriage. And what you saw of him when I left was not love. It was guilt perhaps, but never love, Uncle."

"Grachelle, how can you be sure that it wasn't love?" He sounded as if he was speaking to a child rather than a woman.

I smiled bitterly. He knows our story so I am comfortable in telling him what's on my mind and heart.

"Uncle, you don't know how many times he swore that he would never learn to love me. That he'd rather die than be with me for the rest of his life. And that I am useless and nothing to him. Uncle, if my love for him didn't teach him to love me back, then how could my loss teach him? How did he learn from my absence?"

Uncle George sighed. I knew he would not answer the question I asked.

"Grachelle...".

I'll definitely take him into account for the position, Uncle. I assure you of that. However, I will also be considering other qualified candidates for the role. I hope you understand my perspective if he ends up being the one to replace you, Uncle. If his presence brings him closer to me, it won't have the same effect on me. Seeing his face every day would only serve as a painful reminder of the suffering I endured at his hands over the years. His careless words and the hatred he harbored towards me for so long would be a constant reminder. The love I once cherished and fought for, only to have it discarded and be treated like trash during the three years we were together, would be a painful memory. I still value your high regard for him as a responsible employee, Uncle. But please, I implore you... Stop trying to bring us together. While my feelings for him may have changed over time, I prefer not to have him in my life anymore. Just like with my son, our relationship will be strictly professional. If given the choice, I would rather not have any contact with him."

Especially him with my son.

Uncle George appeared ashamed. "I apologize, Grachelle. I failed to consider your emotions, and I never realized the impact he had on you. I was hoping for a reconciliation between you two."

"That ship has sailed, Uncle. I am content with my accomplishments and current life without him," I replied.

"You're absolutely right, Grachelle. You have exceeded all our expectations. Can you find it in your heart to forgive this old man? I only wanted what I thought would bring you happiness," he said humbly.

I placed my hand on his and flashed a smile.

"I understand that, Uncle. People change especially their feelings. If Mr. Moore is selected for the position, and if he accepts the board's decision, then I will respect that. But if he refuses, even if the board wants him as one of the VPs, then so be it. It's his loss, not ours."

"Yes, I will respect his choice, Grachelle. However, I hope that one day you will find it in your heart to forgive and forget what he did. It's for your peace of mind."

"Uncle, the pain he caused in my heart and memories cannot be erased with mere apologies. But I do hope that in due time, I will be able to move on from what happened."

Uncle George nodded in understanding.

"That's true. I also hope that one day I can let go of all the hurtful memories he inflicted upon me. But for now, I still struggle to forgive him, especially since I almost lost Charlie because of him."