Chapter Three: SHIMMER OF HOPE
1100 Words
Cara's eyes hardened with resolve. Going out to seek help was the only thought that filled her mind.
Cara held her mother's hand and pressed it gently. Tears welled in her mother’s eyes as she gazed at Cara, who offered a bitter smile.
"Mom," Cara said softly. "I need to go out there to get help. Jenny is in a critical condition and if nothing is done about it, we'll lose her."
"We have no one to help us."
Cara crouched down to her mother's level on the wheelchair. "But we have someone we can run to, Uncle Matteo."
Her mother glared at her before withdrawing her hands from her daughter's grasp, "Don't mention that name," she spat, her mother's face contorted in rage.
Cara sighed and stood up. She palmed her temple, rubbing it gently as if it would soothe the dull ache building up.
"He is your brother, mom. He is the only one that can help."
"I forbid you to speak of him! And you'll not go to him for help," her mother fired.
The fight between her mother and younger brother created a rift that could not be bridged.
She had little knowledge of the reason behind their fight. And each time she tried to ask her mother about it, all she got was silence.
"Stop being difficult, Mom. Your brother is wealthy and meeting him for help won't be a bad idea. It's fine if you don't want to meet him. I will go."
"Don’t you dare disobey me, Cara! Do not speak of him, and don’t ask him for help," her mother snapped, her voice trembling with anger.
Cara clenched her jaw, unable to understand why her mother refused to let her go. Her uncle was in the best position to help.
She threw up her hands. "Why, Mother? Is there something you’re not telling me? Why can’t I go to him for help?"
Her mother averted her gaze and her lips began to quiver. "It's…complicated" her voice barely above a whisper.
"I'm sorry, Mom, but I'll have to go to him. He's our only hope," then she walked to the door and yanked it open.
"Cara!" her mother called after her, but she ignored her and walked out of the room.
Walking briskly, she passed the long corridor heading for the exit. In no time, she got out of the hospital.
She stopped a taxi and gave the driver directions to her uncle’s house.
Though her mother spoke little of him, she knew where he stayed with his family. Thanks to the Internet, she had learned a lot about him.
Her uncle was well-known among the top class of society. And was always in the media for executing huge contracts.
They lived in constant poverty after the death of her father. The first time she saw him, she had walked in on them having a heated argument.
And he left when he noticed her presence. When she asked her mother about it, she refused to speak about it.
It's been five years since she last saw him. She'll be meeting him today to ask for help. Deep down, she was hopeful that he'd help.
He is her mother's brother, right? Siblings help each other. A smile spread across her face the moment the taxi pulled up in front of her uncle's mansion.
After paying the driver, she stepped out, the afternoon sunlight warming her skin.
She stared at the huge gate before thinking of how to get in. Just then, a security guard opened the gate slightly and then stepped out.
"Is there a problem?" the security guard asked as he looked at her in scrutiny.
She tucked a loose strand behind her ear. "Uhm, I'd like to speak with my uncle, Mr. Matteo Walters."
The security guard gave her a once over which made her shrink in shame. She knew she was poorly dressed which contrasted her relationship with a man as wealthy as her uncle.
The security guard flashed her a look of disbelief.
"Please, I need to see him. It's urgent," Cara pleaded.
"Alright, let me place a call across to him," he brought out his cell phone and dialed a number. " Good day, sir. A young woman is here to see you, sir."
Cara bit her lips and then began to fidget. What if he sends her away?
"What is your name?" the security guard asked, jolting her back to reality.
"Cara Jones," she responded quickly.
The guard said her name over the phone and after a few minutes, the call ended.
"Follow me," he instructed, and Cara followed him inside
Her eyes shone with admiration at the opulence before her eyes. The mansion was breathtaking, a testament to wealth. The exterior screams of luxury.
He pushed the huge double door open and gestured for her to go in. When she got in, she was captivated by the lavish furniture and rich interior design. The mansion smelt like rain and forest, the grey walls complemented the decorations and artifacts.
With his back turned to her, her uncle spoke on the phone. She waited patiently until he finally turned toward her, his expression indifferent.
"What do you want?" he asked, his eyes bearing disgust and slight irritation.
Cara stiffened at his coldness towards her. Her palm turned sweaty, which she tried to hide by rubbing on her clothes.
Her lips pulled into a tight smile, he didn’t even offer her a seat, a simple courtesy.
Matteo glared at his Niece, who looked the same as his dear sister, who he despised so much.
His face twisted in anger, his eyes brimming with hostility. A cold shiver ran down her spine. Her mind screamed at her, telling her to run away, but she refused, paying deaf ears to her thoughts.
Why is he being cold towards her?
Was it the wrong timing? Shouldn't he be happy to see her? She is his niece, for heaven's sake. A close relative.
Cara questioned herself, wondering the reason for such treatment.
Her Uncle's gaze told her she was not welcome; she felt the need to back off.
"Say whatever you came to say and leave. I don't have time for pointless visits. I am a very busy man," he muttered, his gaze piercing into Cara.
"Why are you here?"
She trembled at the sharpness of his voice before blurting out, "I need your help. My sister is dying. We don't have the money to pay for her surgery, that's why I am here. You're my last hope, will you please help us?”
- Writer
