Broken Faith

Chapter 2

I walked past the servants that were doing their duties. I went through the back door. As I opened the door, the guards stood up straight. I walked on stone tiles that lead to my favourite spot that was around the bushes. It was maintained by our gardener, Harry. It was a site to see from where I sat on a chair. The flowers were fully bloomed. The different coloured flowers were a great contrast compared to the trees that surrounded them.

Coming here was a mistake because all the thoughts and the sight of flowers leads to the sad ending. I thought of the questions that I ran in my mind when I was informed of dad’s death. I always ask him the same questions when I visit his grave as if somehow, I would get the answers. How will I leave this place and start some place new? How can this happy family lose everything in a matter of days? I didn’t get much time to dwell further as a hand was placed on my shoulder. I was startled and let out a yelp.

“Sorry dear. I didn’t mean to scare you. I am here to inform you that lunch has been served and Madam is asking for you to join them.” Said Maria. She was one of our kitchen staff. She was in her early fifties but still beautiful for her age. Most of the staff was polite and stayed out of our life. They were like robots not saying much. Only speaking when spoken to and not friendly. This is what my mom instructed them to behave like.

“It’s alright. I’ll join them in the dining room in few minutes. I need time to collect myself.” I said sighing looking down at my hands that were in my lap. I was trying to avoid from letting her see the tears that were about to fall.

Maria was the only one that I was comfortable and knew on personal level. We kept our friendship if you can even call that secret from everyone. I knew she can’t comfort me when the guard’s eyes were on us.

“You need to be strong. Your father wouldn’t want you to sulk like that. He would’ve wanted you to move on with your life happily. I know it’s hard to lose someone you loved but time will help you cope with it as well you have to try. It’s a test you must pass, and you’ll come out as a different person. This is life and it has ups and downs. You must keep going.” Maria said with a pained voice. I looked up to see that she had a far away look as if she was once in my position.

I didn’t ask her, nor did I say a word. I just stood up and put my hand on her shoulder. She came back from whatever memory and gave me a small smile. I attempted a smile which looked more like grimace. I followed Maria to the dining room. 

I stopped in my tracks at seeing the head chair where my father used to sit. It took quite a lot of efforts to tear my gaze away and focus on mom and Danny.

They were seated at their usual places. I took my usual place to my fathers right and unfolded and placed the napkin in lap. I looked at my plate which was filled with food. I lost my appetite after hearing the Will. So, I just played with the food.

“Amelia.” I looked up hearing my name called by mom.

“Yes, mom.” I didn’t know what this was about, but mom looked like she was deep I thoughts. Danny also looked up at mom with a questioning look.

“I called Mr Elliot Moretz to set a time to meet up. His manager spoke to me and said that he is not available till next month which is more than two weeks away. After much persuasion he agreed to meet next week. The day is not finalized yet, but he said he will call to inform us. We have a month to clear this place according to our lawyer. We need to go over the Will again to see if we can find any loophole. We need to contact others to help us. Danny you do that and ask the business partners to see if any one of them know about the deal between your dad and this Moretz”. Said mom with a scowl on her face.

Danny nodded and continued to eat. I sat playing with food thinking of this meeting that holds our whole life. I continued with my thoughts until I was the only one left. I left to go to my room. I took a book out of my mini library and got comfortable on the bed. It’s a nice way to lose myself from the reality and be in an imaginative world. I had books of all genres, but I chose a mystery which will help me pass time.

I didn’t know when I fell sleep, but I was awakened by my alarm. I followed my usual routine or what resembles to be my routine. Mom and Danny were nowhere to be found. I was left alone most of the time.

**_____________________________**

I was sitting near my father’s grave. The flowers were placed near the headstone. Tears streamed down my cheeks. I inhaled filling my lungs with morning air, looking at the sky.

“Why dad? Why…? Why did you leave me? You knew I couldn’t live away from you for mere hours. At least then I could always call you whenever I wanted. But now I can’t talk to you as I please. You are so far away, out my reach.” I sucked in a breath.

I placed my hand on the grave and carried on. I knew there was no point in asking the questions whose answers, along with the only one person could give are buried six foot deep.

“I don’t believe what others say about you dad. About you being a coward and taking your own life. I know you dad and I can confidently say that you’re not a person to take the easy way out. You always taught me to face the problems head on. Then how is it possible that you took such a drastic step. But one of the many questions that I can’t wrap my head around is why you signed that type of a deal. I know I don’t know much about the business but still. I don’t doubt your decisions, never had never will. What I regret the most is that I didn’t stop you from leaving. Yes, I told you `I love you’ but there were many things in head that I wanted to talk to you. Like, carrying on with my studies in Germany or that I wanted to take cooking lessons or that I wanted to take piano lessons or singing and dancing lessons or that I wanted to work with you and Danny to take an interest in our business”

“I wanted to talk to you about my future, but I guess it wasn’t in my fate. I wanted your put in in every step. I want to be strong dad. But I don’t know if I can anymore. I’m trying dad, maybe not hard enough. I don’t want to disappoint you. I know you expect me to carry on with my life. But how can I when you were my rock. You always pushed me beyond my limits to make me who I am now. I …” my heart to heart to with dad was interrupted by my phone ringing.

I noticed Danny’s name displayed on the screen. I knew it was important because he wouldn’t contact me for no reason. I picked the phone to accept the call and placed it near my ear. I didn’t get to get a single word out as Danny spoke the moment, I hit the accept button.

“You need to get here as soon as possible. Just know it’s serious Amy. I’m giving you twenty minutes to get back.” He cut the call immediately not waiting for my reply.

I sigh getting up to run to the car to let my driver know to that we are leaving now. I spotted him leaning on a tree, but he straightened upon seeing me. When I said we were leaving he was surprised because usually I spent minimum of two-three hours here. The ride home was silent. I was worried from detecting nervousness in Danny’s voice. It can’t be that bad. I mean I should not think horrible things that come to mind and have a little faith in mom and Danny to handle whatever was the problem. Some might think of me as selfish but let me tell you something. I was kept in the dark of whatever happens in the business and other things. So, I don’t know much about handling situations involving business. I’m not much of a use so it might not be related to business. I sigh looking at the passing scenery to not dwell on something that I don’t even know to begin with.

It took us exactly twenty minutes to arrive at the house. Archer, our butler, was waiting at the front door. I rushed out of the car as soon as it came to stop.

“What is it? Where’s mom and Danny? What happened? Why did Danny told me to come as soon as possible? Do…” I fired the questions quickly in one breath only to be interrupted by Danny appearing behind Archer.

“Amy come with me.” I followed Danny inside to the office. He continued with his rant till we were outside the office. “I told you to come as soon as possible. Stop wasting time asking silly questions. You will get your answers if just come and do as you are told for once.” I just kept mum because I knew he is stressed a lot lately.

He turned to face me and sighed. Running his hand through his hair he spoke. “Okay, now listen carefully. You know mom set a meeting with Moretz. They called when you were out and informed us that they’ll be here in an hour. They are inside waiting for you to turn up. They said they wanted every family member to be present and not said a single word since then. That’s why I called you to come. I want you to stay quiet and only speak when spoken to. They are powerful people. We can’t risk a slip of word that could ruin us even more than we already are. Just be careful.” And with that he opened the door. I wanted to tell him that I know how to behave in front of others. But didn’t get the chance to.

I noticed four people standing, two on each side of the chair. The chair was occupied by a man that looked to be in his late twenties with brown cold, emotionless eyes that could freeze anything that gets in his way. He had brown hair that looked almost black. I couldn’t tell how tall he was because he was sitting. But he was well built if anything to go by how broad his shoulders were or how his arms bulged every time, he flipped pages. He looked scary and what could be said an average looking man. Nonetheless he commanded attention and oozed power.

Mom was sitting on end of the sofa which left for me and Danny enough space to fit. Everyone looked up to see us entering. Mom just gave a nod and said nothing. Danny stepped forward to introduce us when Mr Moretz stood up and cut off Danny. He was as tall as my brother.

He offered me his hand to shake. “You must be Amelia Noszka.” is what he says shaking my hand. His voice was as cold as his eyes if not less. His face was emotionless so couldn’t gauze what he was feeling.

With great efforts I plastered a polite smile on my face. “That’s me. And you must be Mr Moretz.”

He didn’t deny if he’s Elliot Moretz or not, just simply took his previous place. Of course, he is Moretz otherwise why would he be here. Silly me for asking. Danny already told me that Mr Moretz was waiting for me.

I took a seat next to mom. I found the place to be suffocating and couldn’t wait to leave. No one said a word for few moments. Everyone was watching each other with calculation. That was until Mr Moretz broke the stares.