MENACE

CHAPTER FIFTEEN: Unforeseen Event

***

"Happy Birthday, my little darling!"

"Wah~ thank you Papa !"

The small girl, carried by her father in his arms appeared very lively as her eyes shone in delight. Her affective smile brought many colours which sweetly overflowed in the corners of a simple but warm home.

"Mama made you a cake! " The beautiful mother smiled affectionately at her husband and daughter that looked almost identical. Their dark brown eyes were sparkling like crystals and even their short curly hair matched well.

If their daughter was been born a male, she might exactly looked like her husband when he was a child. The wife mused yet she got her attention called when her two sons were crying.

The small family gathered over their daughter's 8th birthday. When the small girl blew out the candles of her cake, she closed her eyes and stated a wish out loud.

"I wish for this day to last forever!"

Both parents looked at each other and laughed since both forgot to tell her to keep her wish a secret.

"Haha you won't grow taller if that's the case sweetheart."

"Darling, she might've meant that we must celebrate her upcoming birthdays like this."

The young girl blushed and nodded aggressively towards her father who had a wide smile that will be forever captured the young girl's memory.

"Of course, I will !"

A gust of wind carried away the words and a mixed over a new conversation which features the daughter around her early teenage years.

"You lied, dad."

"I'm sorry! Next, we'll definitely go out in your 18th birthday."

"Alright...."

They were driving ahead to school for the last time since she'll be graduating highschool soon and move to senior high. Her dad sometimes send her off since it's only a mile away from his office company.

However, an empty feeling resided at the girl's heart knowing that her father will be transferring back to Germany again.

It usually took over a year or more for him to return. So she had been sulking since the case where her father could not return for her debut is high.

"I'll definitely make sure to return in time. So don't put on that gloomy look, little darling! It reminds me of that serious kid I met before!"

His hearty laugh vibrated through the car and the daughter tried to appear nonchalant.

"Haha, really... it surprised me how kids wouldn't even consider enjoying their time today. Worrying about your future, or even trying escape reality. You shouldn't be carrying that at all!"

"......"

"I wish for you to keep smiling and fulfill your wishes."

Deep brown eyes looked straight at his daughter's who looked puzzled.

"At the same time, I hope you can bring smile to others and spark hope —as you are my little sunshine!"

"Dad, that's too—"

"Especially that serious kid! I've already entrusted him my treasure, so you should help him take care of it, alright?"

"What?"

"Hahahaha "

The familiar laugh of a father and the daughter's look of confusion slowly dissipated on the thin air as a ray of sunlight hit Rita's face who had been frowning on her bed the entire time .

"Hmm... what in the world.."

After clearing her troubled mind, Rita finally fluttered her eyes open and adjusted to the white ceiling. The sudden chill of air that came in from the open windows made her realize that it's still dawn. Did she forgot to close the windows again?

Also, that dream, which was definitely vivid and detailed, as if showing an entire memory that she didn't thought would resurface.

"Dad..." Rita whispered and took a short time to process on what she remembered. What he said that time.. she thought he was only kidding as he kept laughing with that gentle smile. Even if she'll seriously thought of it, his words would still leave her perplexed and exasperated.

He definitely mentioned a kid. Don't tell me he had an affair with a woman to another country and they had a child?

Rita stared at the ceiling with a blank look. No no, if he did , a word about it would've came to her family after he passed away.

"Help him take care of my father's treasure ?" Rita thought that even though her father formerly worked at an elite company and travelled overseas, he still maintained a humble appearance and background.

He wouldn't be that rich to keep a treasure, right? Or was he only fooling her as he wasn't been able to fulfill his promise to the end?

Rita pulled her hair and made a groan as her head started to ache and her eyes started to water.

"Damn it, dad. How can I even keep smiling? Aren't those just nonsense things?"

***

"Good morning, Miss Rita! the breakfast is already prepared."

"...."

Who the heck hired Mr. Edmund as the butler? Was that 'gardener' work only a bluff ?

Rita raised a look of suspicion at the aging man yet full of energy, Edmund, who returned it with an innocent look.

"Is there a problem? Do you want to request something to eat ?"

"Are you actually a butler ?"

"Excuse me ..?"

Edmund made a shocking look and hurriedly waved his both hands as if denying her assumption.

"N-no way, I am not such thing as a butler... I was actually told by Madam Kikuo to take care of the household chores and cater your daily meals, as part of the contract."

"What ? I didn't know that there's something like that in the contract -"

Rita recalled the paper that she had signed the first day she was offered to rent the mansion that Rita couldn't simply believe that no one was occupying. A great mansion such as this, of course she had expected that there are some people who would take care, but to this kind of service ?

Rita couldn't help but recount the reasons why, maybe it's because of the price? She felt dreaded to remember how many zeros it had, but she certainly heard Madam Kikuo that she can pay her anytime and the first month will be free. She couldn't ignore such offer, and even though she had worked her whole life to save up and pay for it, she might still be at risk of still drowning in debt.

"I'm totally jobless right now. So I wouldn't like anything to further add to my balance, okay?"

Rita clearly emphasized and saw Edmund who looked away and pretended to pour her coffee.

"Please don't worry too much about it, we are only doing this to help you feel more comfortable here at your stay."

Rita felt easily tired to argue and just sat down as the fresh pancakes with honey syrup, and the steaming hot milk chocolate kept luring her to shut up and have breakfast.

So Rita chose to sit down and began eating, which made Edmund sigh in relief.

'Seriously, things are getting much fishy. What if I'll get myself into a large scam? To the point that I might even sell my body to pay off the price?

No no, Rita, even that might be too much. Who would even want a 26 year old with no romantic experience? '

A lone tear escaped her eye while she indulged into the heavenly taste; in combination of the pancakes' sweetness and the bitterness of chocolate. She might've appeared emotional while eating a delicious breakfast but it actually accompanied by the hard thought of reality she must face; the huge price in exchange of indulging her luxurious moment, and the tender slap of her anxiety which emphasized the fact that she was a late bloomer.

"I am glad that you enjoyed the food that much, young lady. " Edmund also emotionally added, now even his tone sounded like seeing a child princess taking her first walk.

'Nevermind the price, if I get to wake up everyday in a soft bed and eat quality breakfast...'

Rita shamelessly thought knowing that these moments would not last that long.

"Precious things are meant to be taken away by an inevitable thief."

***

“ Young master, we have done everything what you had told."

" ...."

The silhouette of the man sitting on a chair within a well lit room reflected on the bloody red carpet.

Klak!

A dark red liquid dripped down, and the crushed shard of glass almost hit the servant who deeply bowed infront.

"I already forbid you that address."

"P-pardon me, Sir Ghailles. "

The man twitched and helped himself not to throw an actual knife at the lowly servant that reported to him. That woman named Kikuo must've been messing up with me again to send an oblivious servant.

'I already cast aside that title, yet these imbeciles..'

"Prepare the car. I'll be returning to check upon it myself."

"Y-yes ? "

"Did I stutter?"

"Ah, I mean, right away, Sir ! "

The man wrote a mental note to reassign those who worked under him, and possibly get rid of those he perceived as useless scumbags. Yet, everything will be cast aside for tomorrow as he will return after 3 years at the place wherein those immemorable days of his childhood began.

"To think that I am eager to return for that cause. "

He took off his round glasses, and combed back his hair dyed in silver.

The night was strangely warm for him as he looked forward for that day.

~~~