The following morning, Canary woke up with a splitting headache. His head felt incredibly heavy, and for several minutes he remained lying on the bed with his eyes closed. Every movement seemed to worsen the pain.
Slowly, he forced himself out of bed and made his way to the bathroom. He stood under the shower for a long time, allowing the cold water to run down his face and shoulders.
Even after showering, the headache remained.
Fragments of the previous night flashed through his mind.
The bar.
The drinks.
Then nothing.
The rest was a blur.
Unable to remember everything that had happened, he got dressed and headed downstairs.
Ketra was already in the living room when she saw him approaching.
"Good morning, Canary."
"Good morning, Aunt Ketra."
Ketra gave him a small smile.
"Come with me."
Canary followed her to the dining room.
"Your mom prepared this hangover soup for you. You should try it."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Thank you."
He pulled out a chair and sat down. Lucy was nowhere to be seen. Joel was absent too.
"Where's Mom?"
"She already left for the company."
Canary looked surprised for a moment although he wasn't sure why. Usually Lucy waited to see him before leaving.
"Oh."
He simply nodded and began eating. Ketra quietly watched him. She wanted to ask about Lisa.
She wanted to ask what had happened.
But one look at his tired face was enough to stop her. She didn't want to reopen his wounds so early in the morning.
Instead, she allowed him to eat in peace.
After finishing breakfast, Canary grabbed his car keys and left for work.
By the time he arrived at Andersons Group, it was already much later than his usual arrival time.
Employees throughout the company were already busy with their duties.
Meanwhile, Lisa had arrived much earlier.
She had forced herself out of bed despite barely sleeping.
Now she sat with Gladys and the rest of her colleagues, pretending everything was normal.
She focused on files.
On reports.
On work.
Anything that could stop her from thinking about Canary.
Anything that could keep the pain away.
Elsewhere, Regina was inside her office writing down several notes when she heard a knock.
"Come in."
The door opened. Regina immediately stood up in surprise.
"Madam Lucy?"
Lucy smiled warmly.
"Good morning, Regina."
"Good morning."
Regina quickly walked forward.
"I'm so glad to have you here. Please come and have a seat."
She guided Lucy to the sitting area inside her office.
Lucy sat down gracefully.
"Should I get you coffee or anything?"
Lucy shook her head.
"No, thank you. I'm fine."
Regina sat across from her.
"I just need to talk to you."
Regina immediately became attentive.
" Of course."
For several seconds, Lucy simply observed her. Regina was beautiful.
Elegant.
Well educated.
She came from a wealthy background and had already established herself as an important figure within the company.
Everything Lucy believed a woman beside Canary should be.
Regina noticed Lucy studying her.
"Mom, is there something wrong?"
Lucy smiled.
"Oh, nothing."
Then she paused.
"I wanted to talk about you and Canary."
Regina immediately became curious.
"What about us?"
Lucy folded her hands together.
"I know the two of you were together back in high school."
Regina nodded.
"Yes, but that was a long time ago."
"I know."
Lucy smiled gently.
"But I believe the two of you loved each other deeply."
A nostalgic smile crossed Regina's face.
"Yes."
She laughed softly.
"We did."
Then she added quietly,
"I was actually his first love."
"That's wonderful."
Regina nodded.
"It was."
Her smile faded slightly.
"And I hope that despite everything that happened, Canary and I can remain friends."
Lucy leaned forward.
"You shouldn't blame yourself for whatever happened."
Regina remained silent.
"I believe he forgave you."
Lucy smiled.
"And I hope you've forgiven him too."
Regina slowly nodded.
"Yes, ma'am."
Lucy took a deep breath.
" Actually, Lisa and Canary broke up."
Regina's eyes widened.
"What?"
She sat upright.
"They broke up?"
Lucy nodded.
" Yes."
"But why?"
Lucy sighed.
"He had to."
Regina frowned.
"But Canary loved her."
"I know."
Lucy looked away briefly.
"But love isn't always enough."
Regina remained quiet. Lucy continued.
"I know he loved her deeply. Perhaps as much as he once loved you."
Regina lowered her eyes.
For a few moments neither woman spoke.
Then Lucy broke the silence.
"One thing I know about men is that when they've truly loved someone before, it's very difficult for them to completely let go."
Regina listened carefully.
"Don't you think Canary might still have a small place in his heart for you?"
Regina looked uncertain.
"I don't know."
She shook her head.
"Honestly, I think he hates me."
Lucy immediately disagreed.
"No."
"He can't fully hate you."
She smiled knowingly.
"You were his first love."
Regina remained silent.
Then Lucy finally asked the question she had come to ask.
"What would you think about the two of you getting back together?"
Regina froze.
For several seconds she simply stared at Lucy.
"Mom…"
She laughed nervously.
"Why would I even think about something like that?"
Lucy smiled.
"Because I can see that you still care about him."
Regina's eyes widened slightly.
"And because I believe you still love him."
Regina looked away.
Lucy continued.
"Now that Lisa is out of the picture, this might be your chance."
Regina looked back at her.
"Are you serious?"
"I'm very serious."
Lucy reached for Regina's hand.
"I think you're the most suitable woman for Canary."
Regina's heart began racing.
"Mom…"
She smiled excitedly.
"I love the idea."
Then uncertainty returned.
"But do you really think he could ever like me again?"
Lucy squeezed her hand reassuringly.
"I've told you already."
"When a man has loved you before, finding his way back to you becomes much easier."
Regina listened carefully.
"All you have to do is be there for him."
Lucy lowered her voice.
"He's hurting right now."
"If you help him through this difficult period and help him forget Lisa, his feelings for you may return."
Regina could barely contain her excitement. A smile spread across her face.
"Mom, I don't know how to thank you."
Lucy smiled warmly. She held both of Regina's hands.
"I've already made up my mind."
Regina stared at her.
"I want you to become my daughter-in-law."
Tears of happiness almost formed in Regina's eyes.
"And I want you to go get Canary."
A huge smile spread across Regina's face.
"Thank you so much, Mom."
The two women stood and embraced. As Regina smiled happily, Lucy's expression became thoughtful.
Inside her heart, she silently reassured herself.
Yes.
This was the only way she could make Canary forget Lisa.