His Questions

We sit together at the table and eat, but I know Alaric is about to speak, and I need to address something first.

“Sir, why are you avoiding working?” I ask, knowing that he is.

“I’m not,” his response elicits a chuckle from me. “Look, I’m still working. I’m still going to the business to help with issues,” he explains, and I nod.

“You barely even looked at your phone yesterday,” I point out, a tinge of concern creeping in. I get he might be worried, but he still has to work.

“Things were hectic that time because I pushed through a big change and didn’t monitor it. This is different. The businesses run smoothly from day to day, and the staff tend to fix issues. Sometimes, baby girl, I could go weeks without contact with them. I worked to pass the time, not because I had to,” his explanation leaves me puzzled.

“I don’t understand. How can you not be needed at your businesses?” I inquire.

“I could have retired years ago. That’s how well things are going. I chose not to; otherwise, I wou