Broken Faith

Chapter 1

It was yet another day not a happy one, filled with laughter and love. But a day full of misery and sadness. I stared out of the window into the garden that was one of our treasures. We spent hours planting trees and flowers whenever we felt like it. The garden had lily of the Nile, Santa Barbara daisy, sea lavender, California fuchsia and many more (googled the flowers). Now looking at the flowers didn’t help soothe me. Seeing the bees and butterflies dancing on the flowers flooded my brain with memories. I couldn’t stop thinking about the only person that was the most important to me. He is everywhere but not physically.

My room outlooked the garden and it was beautiful. My room contained what a teenage girl’s room would have – a queen sized bed, I body length mirror, a study table with laptop and books, a mini library in one corner, a connected closet room that had more than enough dresses, shoes, jewellery that if I were sell I would be a millionaire, an en-suite with a shower, bathtub big enough for two, bean bags, TV, dressing table. My room walls were not drenched with pink colour or posters. The wall paper was white coloured with golden and silver designs. The furniture filled the lack of colours.

Even though it was sunny outside it felt like the nature was taunting me. I wanted to scream out loud, cry until no tears escaped my eyes, kick and break things to take out my anger. It won’t go well with mom. I saw a faint reflection of myself in the window. I didn’t want to dwell on the red puffy eyes or dark circles underneath them or my read nose nor the dry lips. I most definitely did not want to see my sunken face that’s the result of not eating properly these past few days.

You know the five stages of grief – denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Denial is what I’m going through, right now. I just can’t think for a moment that he’s gone. It’s been over two weeks since the funeral. I visit his grave every day and sometimes even spend the whole day there. It was a sudden change in our perfect life. I had everything- family, cars, money - a luxurious life. All the things that one could possibly ask for, I had more than enough.

My mood was down as probably have guessed but still the death of someone couldn’t pardon me from the rules that I had to follow since mom came to our life. I wanted to spend my days cooped up inside my room and never see anyone nor move. But one look from mom was enough for me to know to just do what she asked. I was wearing a dress that went past my knees which was selected my personal maid and my hair left free. It was a mustered floral printed midi dress with a plaited tie fastening at the neck. I would’ve appreciated the dress I wasn’t focused on the coming guest. A little make up would’ve helped in making me presentive but I couldn’t care less.

I sighed remembering about the lawyer, Mr Liam Bennett, that’s going to come in few minutes to read my father’s Will. I honestly don’t want anything but my dad. Nothing could compare to him. I can’t delay the hearing of the Will anymore. I don’t want to hear another lecture that will turn into an argument, with my mom. I wish I could just disappear. But then I always remember dad’s words whenever my mind wanders to shortcuts to cope with pain.

My dad was a handsome man with nice built and tall. He was in good position for his age of 53 years. I inherited his blue eyes but not the red ginger hair that I got form mom. His hair was black, but they were turning grey due to his age. He had few wrinkles from age and dark skin for spending most of his time out. He was always serious with blank face. Everyone told me that he was a completely different person when he was with me – caring, loving, possessive, happy. I noticed that as well but soon found out that the business was responsible for his expressionless face. I was happy to have never been on the end of his death glares. He was the best father in the whole world, and I was lucky to have him.

I could hear my brother, Danny, coming up the stairs. I can always tell its him because he makes too much noise whenever he walks. In few moments, there was a knock at my door.

“Amy, come to the office. The lawyer and mom’s waiting for you there.” He said and left, not waiting to see if I’m following.

I stood up from my sitting place and opened my bedroom door. I walked downstairs like a zombie. I not only looked but felt like a zombie too. Enough about the details about my life and appearance.

I reached the office and was about to knock but the door was opened by our butler, Archer. I step inside and notice that mom, Danny and the lawyer were sitting on the sofa leaving me the only chair. They look at me as I entered, and I quickly apologise for keeping them waiting. Mr Bennett just smiled at me which I tried to return but couldn’t.

Our office was the usual that you would see in movies that had chairs, table, sofa set, shelves filled with files and books. It was coloured with dark brown-black-grey colour combination. It was rather dark contrast compared to the rest of the house.

I took a seat and kept silent. My mum cleared her throat and asked Mr. Bennett to proceed. He opened a file and took papers out. The lawyer was in his mid-fifties with black peppered hair, brown eyes and a wrinkly average face. He was wearing a black suit.

Clearing his throat, Bennett started to speak. “This is the Last Will and Testament of Anton Noszka. It states that all the properties, cars, private jet, helicopter and money will go to Ms Amelia Noszka. Mr Danny Noszka is given 10% of the business. Mrs Tessa Noszka will own the one house in Hawaii and ten million dollars are to be transferred in her account. The 90% of the business will go to Ms Amelia Noszka.” He waited for a moment to gauze our reaction. My face was blank, but eyes said everything that my mouth couldn’t or wouldn’t say. Danny and mom looked annoyed but when the lawyer turned to read their expression their faces blank as well.

Bennett started speaking again. “This is not all. So, listen carefully as it will get a bit messy. The Will was changed few months ago because a deal was formed between Mr Anton Noszka and Mr Elliot Moretz. The deal was not mentioned as what should’ve happened, but the conditions are stated in the Will. If the deal was not fulfilled by either of the parties the other party could do whatever they think is right with all that was owned by Mr Anton Noszka that includes money, cars, private jet, helicopter, properties and the business.” He paused but not enough to nice the glare my mom and brother were sending his way. Even if he did notice but pretended to not comment on it. I, for once was shocked because I never thought dad would make such a deal that could very well affect our lives – his family.

“However, there is a way to get, not everything, but some of the things back if Mr Moretz agree. I would advice you to arrange a meeting with Mr Moretz and discuss this all.” With this Mr Bennett closed the file.

All three of us were stunned for a moment before my mom and brother broke the silence. I was still processing what was said by the lawyer.

My mom was a beauty with black hair, grey eyes, with 5’4” height and olive skin. You can always find her in designer clothes and presentable all the times. She likes spending money on jewellery and parties that rich people think is necessary. You can say she doesn’t value money and likes to show-off to others. I love her but our personalities are different which causes arguments most of the time. So, to stop a fight to occur between my parents I just follow moms’ orders. Well most of the times.

My brother looks more like my mom. They have the same grey eyes and black hair. Not to forget the skin colour. He was tall with strong built. Our age difference was five years that makes him 24 years old. I will say my brother is handsome but from what I have heard they say that girls only like him because of money and not for his ‘donkey’s backside’ face. Our sibling bond is not strong mostly because he spent his days with dad learning about business that at home. I’m sure that if something were to happen, he would always be there for me.

I tuned all of them out. I knew my mom was upset probably thinking how she be able to live the life now that she knew since she met my father. And Danny was red in the face from anger because he was going to be the one running the business even if I owned 90% of the business. It was always going to be him but now his future was unclear or more likely snatched.

I wanted nothing from the Will except maybe this house. This is the place where I grew up. I’m attached to this place that holds all the moments that we spent as family. I can’t for a moment think that the only thing (maybe not the only – you know what I am trying to say, right?) that was left of my father is not mine to care. I know there are many properties that my father owned. But this is not just any property. This is… was our home.

This house had an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, several rooms with all the furniture, a grand hall with huge chandeliers, a dining room big enough to feed twenty people, a gym that was mostly used by dad and Danny, a garage with hundreds of cars that my father and brother collected, a cinema, playground for volleyball, basketball, football, tennis, library. I was prohibited to go inside the mini club that was used for the parties. The reason why I was not allowed was not told. This house had everything that one could ask for.

We had our personal maids, servants, chefs, gardener, security, bodyguards. My father had many enemies which always put us on risk that was why we had security 24/7.  

Mom and Danny were still arguing when I excused myself. No one even glanced at me. They just nodded their head and continued with their rant.

I left to be in confines of our garden.