And when the 48 hours are up, Roland asked, "What's the play? Your uncle won't back down. He's been trying to push you out since your father died. He has the board now. I fight," Vivien said.
The fire returned to her eyes, cold and sharp. "I tear them down. I have enough dirt on every single board member to ruin their lives. I'm going to take it all back and then I'm going to fire everyone. Roland shook his head slowly.
You haven't learned a thing, have you? Before Viven could snap back, the floorboards creaked. Roland turned, standing in the hallway, rubbing her eyes with the back of a small pajama clad arm was Chloe. She was clutching a worn stuffed rabbit. Daddy," she mumbled.
I heard talking. Roland's demeanor changed instantly. The defensive posture melted away. He walked over and knelt down. "Hey, Bug.
I'm sorry. Did we wake you? Is it morning? " "No, it's still late. Just had an unexpected guest. " Khloe peered around Roland's shoulder. She looked at Viven.
Viven looked back. It was like watching a shark encounter a golden retriever. Viven stiffened, clearly having no idea how to interact with a child that wasn't being presented to her at a charity gala. Hello, Vivien said stiffly. Kloe tilted her head.
Why are you wearing a towel? Because it was raining, Vivien replied entirely literal. Oh. Khloe looked at Roland. Is she your friend?
Roland paused. He looked at the woman who had demanded his soul for 6 years. The woman who was currently hiding in his kitchen from her own family. She's someone I used to work with, Roland said gently. She's going to sleep on the couch tonight.
Come on, let's get you back to bed. He picked Chloe up. She rested her head on his shoulder, her eyes already closing again. As Rolong carried her back to her room, Vivien stood in the kitchen watching them. She held her cheap mug of tea, the silence of the apartment settling around her.
For a woman who owned skyscrapers, she had never looked so entirely out of place. Roland returned a few minutes later, shutting the bedroom door quietly. He walked over to the hall closet, pulled out a spare blanket and a pillow, and tossed them onto the worn fabric sofa. "Bathroom is down the hall. Don't use all the hot water," Roland said.
"And keep it quiet. If you wake her up again, you're sleeping on the fire escape. " Viven looked at the sofa. It was lumpy, faded blue, and probably smelled like spilled juice. Thank you, Roland. It was the first time in 6 years he had ever heard her say those words.