THE HEIRESS

Universe

Chapter Two

Dalia walked the streets looking out for the black car, it’s been three weeks and still nothing. Standing across the hospital building hoping for a miracle, looking up it seemed as though the universe heard her plea. Marcus walked out of the hospital but before Dalia could cross the road, he had stepped into his car and drove off in a speed of light. “What if he’s not the one?” she questioned herself, but she never forgets a face; he was the one in the car on the night of the accident.

********

“Has she settled in?” Marcus asked the person on the other end of the line “Make sure she’s comfortable at all times” he cut the call, dropped the phone and picked up his tablet. “Rose make sure the hospital gets the donation and also make sure all records of her are erased” he spoke, going through his tablet

“Yes sir” Rose a woman in her late forties replied

“Oh, I don’t want my family to get a wind of her” “of course sir” putting off his tablet, he gazed at the city through the closed window of his car. If only she were here, if only he could just be in her presence for a little while but she was bringing out the side of him he thought had died, the side of him he doesn’t want to see, the side of him he calls weak; he had to be careful.

******

Stepping out of his car, he was greeted by the servants all lined up outside “What’s going on?” he asked

“Good evening sir, welcome” the servants greeted

“I asked a question and your greeting is not the answered. Grace! What’s the meaning of this? What’s with the uniform?” he asked again, this time one could hear the anger in his voice, and stepping into the house he turned to face Grace

“Well sir…”

“Welcome home son” a voice interrupted. Turing around “Mom?! What are you doing here? Why didn’t you tell me you were coming over?” Marcus asked.

“Is that how to welcome your mother? I thought I raised you better, clearly I didn’t do a good job” she spoke out moving close to Marcus, “Good evening ma” he greeted giving her a kiss on the cheeks

“That’s better. I made dinner, mashed potatoes and eggs. Come the table is set” she beckoned as she walked towards the dinner table, Marcus smirked “I’m not a child. Enjoy your dinner ma” walked up to her, kissed her on her forehead and headed upstairs “Marcus?!” she called out “Good night ma” was the response she got, she turned to face the servants and immediately they all disappeared.

********

Dalia opened the door closely, so the noise wouldn’t wake up her father; closing it carefully she tiptoed

“Anything new?” a voice asked,

Dalia turned with tears in her eyes “Nothing yet papa” she rushed to hug him

“Shh, it’s okay. It’ll be fine” he consoled her

“How?! Let’s go report to the police already. It’s been over three weeks” Dalia spoke letting go of him

“You know they’ll pay us no attention. Besides do you have a photo of her to give to them?” Dalia used her hands to clean her eyes and nodded her head in response

“So let’s keep praying and searching. I’m confident your sister is safe. I’m off to work, I got wind that my boss’s mother is in town. See you tomorrow” he picked his bag pack and headed towards the door

“Papa” Dalia called out

“Please take care of yourself” he smiled at her “I will sweetheart. I’ll take care of myself”.

*********

Esther opened the old journal on the shelf beside her bed, taking out the picture from it she gave it a kiss “I hope you’ve found rest”. The door opened, looking up she grinned

“Today would have been her twenty fifth birth Daniel” sitting beside her on the bed, he took the picture and the journal away from her

“Esther, I think it’s time to let go. Accept that she’s gone and move on”

“You know I’ve tried. Daniel I’ve tried” she spoke taking back the journal and picture from him “well try harder. She’s not your only child. Sarah and Charles miss their mother, I miss you. Look they’re coming back home tomorrow, don’t make them feel any less important than they are already felling” he stood up from the bed

“Are you accusing me of something?”

“I’m not accusing you of anything Esther. I’m stating a fact. Those children have never felt their mother’s love, they’re competing with a sister that is dead”

“Well maybe if you hadn’t forced them on me, I wouldn’t be trying to love total strangers. Daniel I never wanted them, you adopted them not me, so don’t you go throwing blame”

Daniel grinned “I think it’s time you realize that there’s a whole world out there Esther. Estela is gone, let her rest peacefully” he turned at headed for the door.

“My daughter is still alive. My baby is alive” she shouted. Daniel slammed the door at her as she kept on shouting.

***********

“And why are you late?” John stopped and turned

“Good evening ma” he greeted.

“Is that the answer to my question? Why are you late?” she asked again

“I didn’t know the boss would be back early” he replied.

“You have just one job, one simple job. Keep track of him but that you can’t even do it”

“Ma’am, I do……”

“Shut up, am still talking. I need updates, what’s been happening in this house? I came in and met him in a rather happy mood, my son in a happy mood. I need you to find out the ‘cause of this change" standing up,

“And I want reports as soon as possible” she picked her phone and walked out.

John took a deep breath, for twenty-eight years he has been working for the William’s yet nothing to show for it and now her daughter is missing.