Chapter 34 We have to go back
A day ago, Karen made a huge mistake when she sent a message to her benefactor, Van. Though he hadn’t been in communication with her, he soon came to her aid as soon as he received her text message.
‘This is urgent. I mistakenly sent a message to Roger. It was meant for you and he transferred me five billion.’
Van, who was waiting for Roger to come out of the mall, immediately called Karen on the phone. “Pack up. I’m coming over.”
As soon as he got down from the car, he saw a young man driving in and made him a deal. “I’ll pay double for your car.”
The guy was confused, but the seriousness on the face of the middle-aged man made him agree. As soon as he handed over the keys and his account number, the money was transferred.
Karen was waiting nervously when Van arrived, and without a word, he loaded her stuff into the boot of the car.
“I’m so sorry,” Karen apologized, seeing from his attire that Van must have been busy these few days. He was usually casually dressed, but today, he wore a black suit, emanating a domineering presence.
“See it as a favor you have to pay back,” he said casually. Karen couldn’t tell if he was joking or serious but asked, “should I send the money back?”
“Do you want to keep it?” Van asked in return. She shook her head. Why wouldn’t he give any straightforward answers? Quickly, she transferred back the money with a simple apology. ‘Sorry.’
After that, she barred Roger’s number from reaching her. Giovanni made a call on the way, and Karen was stunned when a man arrived with a chopper.
“What’s going on?” She asked, feeling nervous, but so was Van. “You have to promise to never watch or listen to the news.”
Roger’s identity was going to be announced, and so Karen would know who he was as well as his relationship with Roger. The last thing he wanted was for Karen to feel betrayed or afraid because he was Roger’s father.
“Why mustn’t I watch the news?” She asked curiously, but only his dominating voice echoed. “Do you promise or not?”
There was a deep pause before she gave in. “I promise,” she agreed as he helped her into the chopper. “Watch your head.”
She felt as if the wind from the chopper would blow her away, but thankfully, Van was not just helping but going with her.
The weather was good, so in about six and a half hours, they arrived in Ireland, and this time, Karen knew she was going to see less of Van the moment he entrusted her to a family.
Most of the conversation was held in private, but the couple beamed as soon as they were done with it. “Feel at home, Karen,” the woman grinned. “I’m Octavia, and this is my husband, Josh. He’s a professor.”
Karen was glad to meet a family in academia. That way, she wouldn’t feel odd, as she did in her own family.
“I think you should hold off on stocks for now,” Van cautioned, and Karen found it strange. “But why?” Things were going smoothly until her sudden mistake.
Van wished he could tell her, but now wasn’t the time. He was in a hurry to make it in time for the press conference. “I will find a way to come visit, and then I can tell you everything. For now, you have to lay low. I need to go.”
Karen was saddened to see him leave, but it was short-lived. “I’ll show you to your room,” Octavia said affectionately. Karen found warmth in the middle-aged woman, but she could swear that her features resembled Roger slightly.
However, she felt that perhaps her mind was playing tricks on her.
“How much is rent?” she asked after settling into the cozy room. Since she wasn’t allowed to invest in the stock market anymore, she could retain whatever amount she had left and comfortably pay rent.
Octavia chuckled. “Don’t worry, we’ll take good care of you for free. Josh can help with your studies, and even Joe, our son.”
“You have a son?” Karen found things interesting but couldn’t help feeling nervous at the same time.
“Yeah, he’s pursuing his Ph.D. and is usually busy, but my daughter Oriana is in her final year of college. She will be here soon."
Karen smiled. At least life here wasn’t going to be boring, and she could focus on hacking, but where to get jobs? If only she hadn’t sent that stupid message, then things wouldn’t have changed drastically.
During dinner, she was excited to meet the whole family. Joe looked like his father, and their common interest in academia gave them a lot to talk about.
“You are extremely smart and talented,” Joe acknowledged. He was just twenty but very intelligent. Karen found it satisfying to have someone call her smart and not just a nerd.
“Thanks, and you are the smarter than I perceived,” she replied. Joe smiled but didn’t comment anymore.
Oriana expressed her desires in fashion, giving Karen tips here and there. Dinner was the best she ever had, not just because she helped in preparing it but because they treated her like a part of the family.
She never felt like this in her own home.
“Tell you what, we can have it arranged for you to write the final exams. We can help you prepare,” Joe proposed, and Josh agreed. “Indeed, Don can have it arranged.”
“Who is Don?” Karen asked, confused. Octavia blinked, and everyone went silent. “Don is a good family friend, but don’t worry. We’ll take permission from Van before anything else.”
A sigh of relief escaped Karen and the family. Van didn’t want Karen to find out his identity anytime soon.
Oriana, who looked a lot like her stunning mother, Octavia, seemed to have a familiarity with Roger that Karen could not comprehend. In the end, she kept her observations to herself, feeling that hearing Roger’s voice was what was making her see him in everyone.
Her time in Dublin was one of the best, as she toured the city’s historical areas over the weekend with Oriana and enjoyed its nightlife as well.
All this while, she was still in communication with Wade. The guy refused to give up. ‘When can I see you?’ he texted. Karen sighed. This was the sixth time he asked that question.
‘I’m out of the country and will let you know when I return.’
‘Where are you? I will come to see you," he insisted, as usual, but Karen politely refused. ‘It's not necessary. I'll let you know when I arrive in the country.’
Catching up on her academics with Joe was interesting, and Josh tutored her well. "You're a natural. Your lecturers must be proud," he remarked after going through their areas of study.
Karen wasn't surprised by the compliment, as she was always the professor's pet.
She also helped a lot in the kitchen, receiving beauty tips from both Oriana and her mother. Soon, she felt like she belonged to a real family, but perhaps she concluded too early.
Four days after her time in Dublin, Van returned, looking frustrated but also with an offer. "Karen, I'm afraid we have to go back."