Pol In Love [gxg]

2: Unknown Caller

Alice’s POV

With my position as municipal mayor suspended, I've decided to dedicate three days a week to my farm. As in stay the night here, alone. I'm determined not to let fear lead me to defeat in this battle. My family runs a commercial farm; this is where all our wealth came from. My father knows how to manage money. That's why we have always managed to avoid financial losses, except in cases of unforeseen natural disasters. And it was just my brother and me, and as we grew older, we had to separate due to work obligations. However, I don't get to see my dad very often, either.

“Ma’am, it’s not that we don’t like you working with us here. It’s just that, we are getting paid by you not to mention the incentives that we receive every week. Now, you’re working with us under this heat?”

I shook my head as I heard the old man’s concern in front of me, picking up tomatoes, “Don’t worry about me. I kind of miss spending most of my days here. It’s been a while since I’ve talked to these veggies and roosters.” I said jokingly.

The intense heat of the sun made it impossible for me to gaze upward without risking temporary blindness. As the clock struck noon, the skilled cook kindly gathered our attention, inviting us to indulge in a delicious meal.

We shared a meal together. However, I realized I hadn't checked my phone for urgent messages. It was the tons of missed calls coming from an unknown number caught my attention, as did a text from the same number; and the rest are work-related notifications.

Curiously, a sense of unease washed over me as I wondered who could be the person behind these missed calls. Dad? My brother? However, I have their contacts saved in my phone book. Why would they bother calling me from a different phone number if it's really them?

Out of all the tons of messages I received, I decided to first read the text message from the same number.

“I’ll call you again later at 7 pm, please answer.” It says.

As I read it in my head, the words seemed to demand my full attention. However, just as I was fully intrigued, my focus was abruptly interrupted by the sound of the lady cook calling my name, “Ma’am, don’t you like the food? If you want I can cook other dishes for you.” The lady offered.

In order to reassure the elderly woman, I gestured with my hands, shaking my head, “No, it’s fine. These are all delicious; I just have to answer these messages quickly.” I explained, but then I put down my phone, answering none of the messages I got after reading the suspicious text.

I'll take care of it once I've finished my lunch. Spending time on my phone while my elderly folks eat will be rude.

As I was eating, my mind wasn't really focused on the food I was chewing, but rather on the text I had just read. I wonder,  who could it be?

We took a brief break after lunch and then made the decision to resume work.

Collecting freshly laid eggs, baskets filled with bountiful vegetables and luscious fruits ready to be sold at the market. If I were to ask, if I’m the only person who benefits from this farm’s profit, no. Half of the profit is allocated to the charities I wholeheartedly endorse, which I distribute through checks.

I live alone, don't have a partner, and don't have any children. I own every last penny I have. The money I make as an entrepreneur, not as a politician, is too much for me, so I donate and assist financially whenever I can.

Also, farm duties humble me, as they require sweat and calluses in order for me to accomplish the task. In contrast to when I'm relaxing in my cool office, paperwork is the only thing that stresses me out.