As If I've Never Loved - Chapter 75

That day, a somewhat gloomy atmosphere hung over the poultry work area.

The workshop, which should have been quite lively with incessant chatter, laughter, and occasional screams, was devoid of any significant noise other than the sound of dunking slack chickens in water and hanging them upside down on poles.

“I’ll take the chickens.”

Even Mr. Hoover, who always enlivened the workshop with his booming voice, seemed to lack energy.

Normally, the clumsy, bare-skinned chickens would have flown vigorously from his hands, but today, he collected the live chickens in an unusually calm manner.

There was actually a good reason for this unfamiliarly strange atmosphere.

Even this morning, it seemed like just another day no different from before, but during lunchtime, a sudden piece of news flew in.

It was the retirement announcement of Mr. Osborne, the manager of the poultry section.

On her first day here, when she first met Mr. Osborne, Eloise thought that he might be a bit of an eccentric person.

His rugged appearance, forceful manner of speaking, and his office that resembled a disheveled hut fueled concerns that the new manager might be a weirdo.

But as time passed, Eloise learned just how warm and kind Mr. Osborne was.

Despite being in a managerial position, he never oppressed or ignored his subordinates, always watching over them from a step behind and readily lending an ear when they needed him.

Seeing the sadness that permeated the entire factory at the news of his retirement, Eloise realized that there were more people who had been unknowingly relying on Mr. Osborne than she had thought.

If even she, who had worked under him for less than two months, felt this regretful, the grief of those who had known him for a long time must have been much greater.

Take, for example, Mrs. Alicia Digg, who was the most senior employee in the poultry section after the manager.

“I feel like quitting my job too.”

“Alicia…!”

“Don’t be surprised. You shouldn’t easily give your heart at the workplace, Ellie. You never know when someone might leave and for what reason.”

At those words, Eloise nearly turned pale, but Alicia maintained a serious expression.

Melanie and Pumpkin also seemed composed, as if they understood her feelings. However, they couldn’t help but feel dumbfounded, and these words were exchanged between them.

“Still, isn’t it too sudden for him to leave in three days?”

“It’s just like him to leave as soon as he makes a decision. He must be very anxious.”

In fact, the reason why parting with Mr. Osborne was particularly painful was that this decision was related to his family.

More precisely, it was a resignation due to the illness of his hard-earned only daughter.

‘His thirteen-year-old daughter, who was born with a rare disease, had her symptoms worsen drastically in the past few years, but he said he miraculously got in touch with a doctor who had experience treating the same disease…’

Judging that they could no longer delay, Mr. Osborne’s family decided to move to the far southern region where the doctor lived, and that decision was made just last night.

“We’ll never find a better manager than him.”

“I hope Mr. Osborne finds luck, even if a weirdo takes over as his successor.”

“Hah, I agree.”

The time period with about an hour left until work was finished was usually rather leisurely.

Eloise quietly tidied up her workspace while listening to the three women’s poignant and sad conversation.

It was time for her to leave work, an hour earlier than the other workers.

“Miss Bailey.”

“…Huh?”

As she passed the chicken coops on her way to the office to say goodbye, she saw Mr. Osborne leaning against the outer wall of the office as if he had been waiting for her.

He waved his thick palm vigorously.

“I was going to nag you to go home quickly in case you were working overtime!”

“I don’t have a habit of working overtime, Mr. Osborne.”

As Eloise approached with quick steps after answering like that, the manager gestured inside the office and laughed heartily.

“You’re even joking with me now? Kids these days grow up fast!”

She could see faint steam rising from the two cups he had prepared in advance. It was surely that tea she had occasionally gotten to drink.

The tea Mr. Osborne served was so unpalatable that the factory workers jokingly called it a punishment.

However, when you think it’s the last time, nothing is not precious and dear.

Eloise, her nose already red, gratefully accepted the punishment.

“You heard the news?”

“…Yes.”

“No, you’ve lost your spirit since then.”

“No, Mr. Osborne! It’s because the tea is hot!”

Eloise widened her eyes vigorously and answered energetically, just like the day she first met this dignified manager.

Then, rubbing his tired eyes with his thumb and index finger, he opened his mouth with a hearty laugh.

“I know I have to leave in a hurry, and I’m sorry for taking your time. I’m not worried about the other fellows, but for some reason, I’m concerned about you, Miss Bailey.”

“I’m fine, Mr. Osborne.”

“I wanted to help you for a long time because I was impressed by a young lady jumping into such rough work, but instead of helping, I created a sudden situation, and I’m ashamed.”

“…”

It seemed that Mr. Osborne had called her to apologize. Realizing that, a silent sigh escaped her unconsciously.

“Thanks to your care, I was able to settle in as a member of this place without any problems. I still show signs of being a newcomer, but at least I’m not noticeably slow anymore, and I know how to pluck feathers so that the meat doesn’t spoil. If Alicia mixes the chickens she processed with mine, even you would have a hard time distinguishing them, Mr. Osborne.”

The words she listed to reassure him might have sounded a bit impudent. But at least they weren’t lies.

Hmm, Eloise, snorting like a brave lion, added a calm remark.

“If you called me to apologize, you don’t need to worry. It’s all thanks to you that I was able to adapt without any difficulties.”

“I called you not to apologize, but to say thank you.”

“What? To me?”

Eloise made a foolish face at the unexpected words.

“Even though they can’t say it out loud because they’re shy, I’m sure everyone feels the same way. Thank you for always working diligently, Miss Eloise Bailey.”

“That’s natural…”

“I don’t know what kind of life you’ve lived so far, but I hope you continue to navigate well, just like now. A brave young lady like you, Miss Bailey, can do anything.”

It was a wonder why the tip of her nose stung and her throat choked up upon hearing the kind encouragement and praise.

Eloise gently bit and released the edge of the cup with trembling lips.

“If my daughter grows up to be such a lively and wonderful young lady, I would have nothing more to wish for.”

“Mr. Osborne…”

“Sincerely.”

If it were any other day, she might have waved her hands, saying, ‘Please find a better standard. I’m nothing special.’ But today, strangely, her lips moved on their own.

“She will definitely become like that.”

The moment she said that, a strange sense of obligation came over her.

I shouldn’t think of myself as insignificant. And I’ll strive to become an even more lively and wonderful person than I am now. So that someone’s wish won’t be in vain.

As she opened the back door and entered the house, the maid quickly approached and took the shawl from her shoulders with a skillful touch.

“You’re late.”

“Yes. I had some business, so a little…”

The maid’s voice sounded somewhat urgent, and the expected answer came.

“He’s waiting in the dining room.”

“…”

“He’s been waiting for quite a while. Will you go right away?”

The maid who asked that carefully scrutinized Eloise’s disheveled hair and dirty clothes, which clearly showed that she had hurried here in a frenzy.

Eloise didn’t miss the way the corners of the maid’s tightly closed lips curved downward.

It seemed to be a question asked out of courtesy.

“No. I’ll wash up quickly and come down.”

“The bath water is prepared. It might have cooled down, so I’ll bring up hot water right away.”

As expected, the answer was quick. Eloise gave a brief nod and went straight up to the second floor without even turning her head towards the dining room.

Then, she stripped off the layers of clothing all at once, like a child about to jump into a lake.

The water was half-cooled, but it wasn’t enough to bother her.

Eloise picked up the rose soap and brush placed behind the bathtub and began washing her body with a determined face.

It was like an angry mother washing her young daughter who had just rolled in mud.

When the maid, carrying a kettle of boiled water, knocked on the bathroom door, Eloise had already finished her bath and was wiping the moisture from her body.

The maid waited at the door to make sure Eloise had washed herself thoroughly enough, and finally felt relieved when she saw her walking out in a thin chemise dress.

Although she had dried herself enough to put on clothes, it was insufficient to remove the moisture from her soaking wet hair.

Normally, she would have gone up to the attic to leisurely dry her hair and enjoy a brief moment of relaxation, but knowing that he had been waiting for a long time, there was no room for dawdling.

Eloise went down the stairs, large water droplets dripping from the ends of her hair.

Droplet patterns were dotted everywhere she passed.

The line created by those small, irregular patterns was only interrupted when she reached the dining room.

Feeling like a rain-soaked mouse, Eloise looked at the beautiful man shining beyond the candlelight.

His gaze, lifted at the sound of her presence, quietly observed the white, soft chemise, slender neck, and her hair that was darker and curlier than usual, soaked with moisture.

For some reason, Ansel didn’t meet Eloise’s eyes.

He simply said this.

“You’re late.”