𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙲𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚘𝚏 𝚊 𝙻𝚒𝚏𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎 ✓ (𝟷𝟾+)

The Truth

Roger

The deal was done. A business deal to help me with Brandon's lawsuit and a merger that would help both Murphy and Oswalds to profit.

A deal with the devil herself.

Malcolm Oswald was always behind my business. His daughter Stella, whom I once presumed to be the love of my life had now become a party to the ruse I planned. It was the only way to ensure that my Company stayed above any lawsuits and became the toughest competition for anyone, not just in the United Kingdom but around the world.

Did I do the right thing?

Mrs. Rose's charming voice floated into the office before she walked in. "Hello Roger"

"Good morning, Mrs. Rose." I rotated my chair, watching her slide in a chair.

"I read the news... Congratulations are in order, it seems."

"You know the truth, Mrs. Rose. Stella is just a stepping stone."

Confiding in her didn't seem troubling. After all, only she knew of my past with Brandon and Stella.

"Just as how she treated you." Her words carried no emotion towards the woman who was responsible for my pain and suffering. "A stepping stone."

After my mother passed away and my grandparents' age took its toll on them, I grew up around nannies. When I joined Murphy enterprises, Mrs. Rose was there for me every step of the way. She took care of a crumbling pile of human mess that I was. When my father was visiting every whore-house in the country and spending all our money on drugs, Mrs. Rose took up the role of my mother for all terms and purposes.

And because she became my confidant, she was privy to all my secrets; of life and heart.

"I have seen your credit bills, Roger." I sensed concern in her voice.

Ahh. She must have presumed I was following Brandon's footsteps. The difference being instead of visiting a brothel, I was calling up one.

"Do you have anything to say about it?" I pursed my lips, knowing what she might say.

"Don't spend too much. That's all I can say. If that woman knows who you are, she'll bleed you dry..."

"I am not my father. I won't bleed money for some brothel woman somewhere."

"Then is this different?"

Her question had me thinking.

Was Babydoll different? Or was she being different because she didn't know me?

"I don't know, yet."

"Then find out." She sighed. "Roger, with your name, there's an attached responsibility. The Murphy responsibility. Don't let a call center woman deviate you from that."

Her command was clear. She wanted me to put an end to it.

I nodded again for the pearls of wisdom she let out with every word she said. I was lucky enough to have someone close and understanding like her. Strong and wise. And someone who wasn't behind my money.

*

Arin

"So..." both Georgia and I spoke in unison as Mrs. Rose emerged outside Roger's office. We beelined towards her cubicle, our minds swirling with the question that the entire office wanted to know.