Back in Time [WMatsui fanfic]

Chapter 12

It was almost 7 p.m. when Rena arrived home, a heavy sigh of exhaustion escaping her lips as she passed the front door. Removing her raincoat and boots, she rubbed her forehead at her headache, placing her wet umbrella in the basket. Today, and following months of intense negotiations, she had at last signed an important contract with the CEO of a leading specialty pharmaceutical German company. The business woman was pleased and proud to have reached such a great deal, the 5-year contract partnership opening their products to the European market.

This morning, she had arrived at the office a little before 7. Along with the other members of her company working on this negotiation, they had revised in detail all the terms of the contract, while waiting for the arrival of their foreign counterparts. Rena wished to put all chances on her side, refusing to let pass such an incredible opportunity. After a 4-hour meeting with the German representatives, their brand-new collaboration had been formally sealed with a long-awaited signature.

Rena progressed forward in the hallway, feeling her own strengths leaving her. Outside, the wind and rain were fierce, announcing an imminent tempest, water droplets hitting the house windows with a deafening noise. After such a long tiring and stressful day, Rena had one desire: to have a light, quick dinner and join her bed.

Rena entered the living room and dropped her briefcase on a chair, startled when she noticed the obscurity greeting her and the unusual quietness of the house. Her gaze drifted to the top of the staircase, wondering why she couldn't hear Natsuki playing, then noticed their domestic robot standing by the side of the living room's television. That definitely piqued her curiosity. "Alfred? Why are you not playing with Natsuki?"

When the robot didn't react, Rena blinked in confusion. "Alfred, did you hear me?"

His large blue eyes lightened at last, and the robot stepped forward; acknowledging her presence. "M-Mistress? Y-You c-called m-me?"

"Yes. I asked you why you were not upstairs with Natsuki," Rena repeated, destabilized by the slight jerks in his metallic voice.

Rena was taken aback by his lengthy response time.

"That's because little Mistress is upset that Mistress Jurina didn't come to pick her up after school. She refuses to let me enter her room."

"What do you mean, she didn't pick her up? Weren't they supposed to go to the zoo today?" Rena asked, feeling a tinge of doubt. "Show me the calendar."

The robot projected an image on the wall, blurry and unreadable at first, which caused Rena to gaze back at the robot in curiosity, before it adjusted and got clearer, revealing the family's monthly schedule. Rena's confusion arose; the data displayed confirmed what she thought. Jurina was indeed supposed to leave work earlier today to spend quality time with their daughter.

"Did Jurina warn you about any change of plans?" Rena asked, seeing the robot nodding negatively in response. She stood in the living room for a moment, analyzing the situation. Alright; that was strange.

Rena retrieved her Bluetooth earpiece from her vest pocket, and placed it inside her ear. "Call Jurina."

Calling Jurina. The device responded to the command, dialing. Rena waited, hearing the call ending after one ringing, and falling on Jurina's voicemail. Rena extracted the earpiece, checking it for any potential malfunction, then put it back inside her ear when nothing appeared out of the ordinary. "Call Jurina." She repeated, the robotic voice recognizing the command and dialing the requested number. A couple of seconds later, she reached the same result.

Straight to voicemail.

Rena removed the communication device, and faced Alfred's expectant look. "Something unexpected must have come up at work." She tried to keep her voice light and unconcerned, but knew she'd failed when she saw Alfred frowning at her.