Episode1
CHAPTER 1
Mia's Pov
"Thank you for your cooperation"
I walked in on my grandfather rounding up a conversation with a strange man, dressed in all black.
I had just returned from my weekly rounds of babysitting when I saw this suspicious man leaving the house.
Taking a glance at my grandfather, I knew something was going on, but I could not place it.
I hid behind a curtain when I saw the man almost leaving, he turned and looked in my direction, and our eyes locked.
Immediately he turned his back against the building, I quickly locked the door.
"I think you need to get some sleep, my dear," pa said, while avoiding eye contact.
"Yes pa, right away" I turned off the power switch and headed to bed.
That night, I had a tough time sleeping. My mind kept on buzzing with thoughts. I kept on rolling from edge to edge of the bed. And I concluded that I would ask pa about it. What could it be that would ruin his mood so badly?
"Ugh!" I gasped as I reached for the alarm clock on my bedside drawer
"That is such an irritating way to wake up, I am definitely getting rid of this clock" I grudgingly got out of bed and dragged myself into the shower.
Because I barely slept the previous night, I had little dark circles on each eye. As I stepped into the shower,I felt really good and enthusiastic about the day. I had decided that after my shower, I would talk to pa and we would tackle whatever the issue is, like we had always done. I smiled.
Aside from my bed that looks like a huge mess, the rest of my room looked quite arranged. I walked up to the photo frame of my both parents and smiled,
"'Morning mom, morning dad, have a good day, urgh, wherever you are. Love you guys"
This has always been part of my morning routine since my parents passed on.
I moved to my dressing table and sat in front of the mirror. Applying lavender oil to my skin, my eyes swayed and I looked at the clock
"Oh my gosh, it's 10AM? How did I sleep in so late? Pa must have gone off to the coffee shop" I picked up my towel and wrapped it up and ran downstairs to pa's room.
"Good morning pa" I flung the door open and was greeted by the emptiness of the room.
". Ughhhhh, I can't have this conversation in the shop, I will have to wait all day again. I would die of curiosity" I grudgingly headed back to my room and dressed up.
Stepping into the city in my red floral dress and well-packed hair, I waved at my neighbors and headed to the coffee shop that my Grandpa and I had been managing for years.
I decided to keep every other thought aside and focused on work.
The little bell rang once I opened the coffee shop door and all the customers turned around to see who it was
"Good morning guys" I smiled And greeted them. I dropped my bag on the counter and picked my apron from the rack.
Serving pies and Coffee is something I loved doing. The customers are mostly the elderly people of the neighborhood, so I found pleasure serving them, the same way I would serve my pa. Aside from that,I cracked jokes and also held conversations with a few of them, so the extra cash they give me is some sort of payment for my entertainment.
Every now and then, my mind wandered off and I would stare at Pa
"No Mia, something is definitely off" I dropped my apron and went round the counter to where my pa was seated.
"Hey pops, you good" I grinned
"Yes baby, I'm good. Just a bit tired. Old boy stuff" pa laughed. But I didn't buy that joke.
"Right, definitely old boy stuff. Don't worry,you sit back, I'll handle everything here. Besides, it'll soon be time to go home"
"Thank you Mia, I'll try to clear some things back here" The sad smile he gave was very obvious to Me,and I was so eager to have that conversation with him once we got home.
"Bye miss, thanks for coming" I said goodbye to the last customer and began cleaning the shop.
I cleared out the cups and plates, headed to the kitchen and washed and wiped them.
I dusted off the tables and cleaned the chairs. When I felt everything was alright, it was time to go home.
The walk back with Pa was the most quiet one I had ever had. But I decided to go with the flow. What could be bothering him this much, my Pa has had things weigh him down, but he never had this look. I heaved a sigh and decided to wait.
"I'll be in my room Mia, go ahead and fix dinner for yourself, I already had something to eat at the shop" Pa said and walked away.
I quickly changed into my sleep wear and ran down to my grandpa's room.
"Yeah, come in," Pa responded when she knocked on the door.
"Hey pops, wanna chat?"
"Ummm,sure. Did something happen?" He still looked out for me even when he had his own thing going on.
"Yes pa, you happened. Talk to me"
"I should talk to you? What do you mean, my dear"
"Pa, who was that man? The one that had visited twice. Each time he came, your mood worsened. Talk to me, I want to know" I moved closer and held his hands. Pa had always been there for me, this was the least I could do. Maybe I would not be of any help, but I would listen to his thoughts and concerns.
"Mia, I knew you would ask. I am so sorry, but this is a difficult one. But do not worry, I will handle it" pa said and patted my back.
"No grandpa, I want to know, and if you do not tell me, I won't leave. I will remain here with you and be sober too" I insisted and I tightened my grip on his hands.
Pa looked at me, knowing the child he raised, he knew I wouldn't go away, so he decided to tell me everything.
"Okay baby, this is a lengthy one, so sit tight"
I smiled, straightened my back and paid rapt attention to him.
"Your parents, before their passing, worked for a very renowned and powerful family. Most of the private family matters were handled by your parents because your parents were the most trusted amongst every other worker.
On one of their assignments, which was to take some very private properties to a safe and hidden place, your parents were involved in the accident that took their lives.
Now, the properties that were in their possession went missing and weren't found at the accident scene.
While trying to find links to the missing items, the young man you've been seeing around here found us as the only surviving family members of your parents" He paused and watched my face for any expression, when he didn't find any, he continued
"I will just cut to the chase. Mia, we have a debt to pay, a very expensive debt. These people are never owed, they are not one to mess with"
I sighed "Pa, it can't be that difficult, I mean, if they are that dangerous, we could take a loan from the government and pay back with time. These people won't be on your neck anymore. It's very simple, don't worry Pa" I smiled at him.
"Mia, you do not understand, I thought so too, what government would give us a loan that runs into millions of dollars" Pa's face turned pale immediately, he was almost breaking down in tears.
"Millions of dollars? What could be that expensive Pa? These people are just trying to extort from us. What were the items Pa? Do you have an idea?"
"A very valuable family Heirloom that has been passed down from generation to generation. And some important documents were also in your parents' possession" Pa looked at me.
Still looking at the bright side, I spoke up "Ummm Pa, isn't there any other option? Don't we have other options?"
"Yes there is. It is the reason I have been this way. I can't do it. Even if I wanted to, it would be so selfish of me"
"But you have to try Pa, since it's the only way out, we should do it. It can't be that hard"
As if reality dawned on Me, I asked "What is the other way out?"
Fighting so hard with himself, Pa looked at me and a tear rolled down his face.
