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Her voiced thought lingered in the air between you, providing an ominous weight to conversation that was already heavy with meaning.
This old woman was hard to read, but you didn’t get the impression that she was lying to you. Cindy’s mom being alive should be a good thing, but that still didn't answer the question of why she hasn't revealed herself to either of you yet.
You had a terrible feeling that this family drama might unfold into something far more complicated than you were prepared for.
You gave Young a scrutinizing glare.
<span class="mu-r">“Your daughter's safe and sound, but you don't sound very happy about it. Why? What aren't you telling me?”</span> you demanded.
For a moment, Young's calm and collected facade wavered noticeably. You saw a flash of guilt wash over her face.
<span class="mu-s">“You said that my granddaughter is a...‘sweet girl’, yes?”</span>
You nodded hesitantly, and a look of relief replaced her worried frown.
<span class="mu-r">“Good. That is good. I have always feared that her mother's influence would corrupt her, somehow.”</span>
<span class="mu-i">“She's not like what I expected, either.”</span> said a familiar voice coming from upstairs. An old, shaggy black dog was trotting back down into the shop to join you, and Young moved to pour him his own cup of tea.
<span class="mu-i">“Before, when Hi-Vo cornered Gorgolla, she attempted to talk them down. And it would have worked if not for the ambush.”</span> he continued.
Young's brows furrowed, and she stopped pouring to stare at the dog that had just sat down in front of the coffee table.
<span class="mu-s">“Ambush!? By who?”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“We don’t know yet.”</span> you admitted, unable to pull your eyes away from the dog lapping up his tea. <span class="mu-r">“But I plan on making some inquiries when I get back.”</span>
Young's expression remained troubled, and you couldn't help but dwell on her words from earlier. What had she meant when she said Cindy might've been “corrupted” by her mom's influence?
<span class="mu-s">“Benjamin?”</span>
Your eyes snapped up to meet Young’s. They were still sharp, despite her age.
<span class="mu-s">“I know that it isn't my place to make requests of you, but might I ask that you continue to look after my granddaughter?”</span>
You sat there, dumbfounded for a second, before nodding enthusiastically.
<span class="mu-r">“Of course. I would’ve done that even if you hadn't asked.”</span>
She gave you a tight-lipped smile.
<span class="mu-s">“That is reassuring. From what the dog tells me, you are capable of holding your own in a fight. I pray that you can protect her from anyone, or anything that might threaten her safety.”</span>
This conversation was…not going the way that you thought it would. Instead of being the stubborn, willful person that Shaggy had informed you of, the woman who sat before you seemed tired and remorseful. It was almost as if she was giving you her blessing.
Somehow, that only soured your mood even further.
<span class="mu-r">“You've gone this long without so much as saying a word to Cindy. Why would you call her now? Are you that desperate?”</span>
(Cont.)
