Hellamorgue

Chapter 19: The Other Side

"Why you are so cruel to me?!"

A high-pitched voice of a woman came out from the telephone's speaker. On the other line, the man in a colorful suit was seriously aggravated. He was in his mid-fifties. The humanoid man flinched and inched his ear away from the handset. His other eye was closed and his lips quivered from the cringing sound. The piercing shrill was still ringing inside his sensitive ear.

"I am not being cruel, Taylor. You've always been like this! You never learn nor grow! You're childish as ever!" the man shouted on the telephone. His deep voice was overpowering the young woman's shriek.

He heard a loud bang. The line was cut off. His eldest daughter hung up the telephone in the middle of their talk, or an argument rather. The rabbit man grunted in disappointment. He brought down the handset and yanked his back against the regal looking desk chair. At the moment, he was inside his office in a building of their toy company. Roger Cottontail was the CEO of the Cotton Castle. A prominent toy store outside the Sandertown. They were known for their high quality products and unique set of dolls and stuffed toys.

Different species were rare to find outside the magical barrier that Sanders built. Despite being non-humans, the Cottontail family were warmly embraced by the humans. The company's innovated products that stood up from other company surely brought them success. The diversity inside of the company was one of its good qualities. Having human and non-human creature employees work inside gave it more color and life. The toy factory was ideally stunning and highly impressive. Equipments were on its best with the help of new technologies. Everything about the Cotton Castle was perfect. However, with the CEO gradually ageing and being prone to illnesses, the company needs a new leader when the time comes for the old man finally step down from his seat.

Taylor Cottontail was the supposed heir of the Cotton Castle. She is the eldest daughter of the chief Roger. But, the said young woman was found unfit for the highest position. She was deemed to be extremely childish despite her young adult age, completely out of the Chief Executive Officer's standards. Roger and his wife always had a hard time to teach their first daughter about responsibilities. After of Taylor's multiple training, she eventually failed and was replaced by her younger sister. Because of her never-ending tantrums, her parents have left no choice but to force her to move out in an another town. They see her as a threat for their fame and the perfect identity that was bounded to their family name. She was moved to the Sandertown, they believed that the town was perfect for her juvenile nature. Since the company was free from possible incidents and humiliation that can be done by Taylor herself, Roger and his wife found peace and relief.

Now their youngest daughter, Dolly, is the new heir of the Cotton Castle and soon will inherit the big company under her authority. She is a sweet and graceful young girl. An intelligent and responsible rabbit. She is a perfect candidate and the one that the business needs. The toy company will be on good hands in the perfect time. However, Taylor never liked the idea of being replaced easily just like that. She believes that she wasn't immature and is responsible enough to take care of the company. But it was obvious that she was just being delusional and it the end, she cannot handle a big responsibility all for herself. She sees everything as a mere game, but life doesn't revolve around just at that. Life was bigger and more complicated than what happens inside of a playground. That's one of the things Taylor cannot realize nor comprehend.

The old rabbit was sitting on his desk chair. His hand was covering his frustrated face. Grey eara were dropped and laying on his shoulders. His lips quivered into a snarl. Gritting his teeth in annoyance and irritation. Slightly, the wheeled chair was swaying to its left and right. Somehow, it made the bothered chief a little relaxed. For a moment, three consistent knocks thumped at his big and sturdy door. Roger removed his hand away from his face, he drifted his eyes at the brown door.

"Come in." he said calmly.

The big door creaked and an average tall male human came inside. It was his secretary. He walked towards the chief's direction while holding a tray of coffee and snacks.

"Here's your requested meal, Sir." said the secretary and gently placed the tray on the table.

"Thank you." the rabbit responded.

The secretary stood up beside the table. He looked at his boss. He scanned his looks and noticed his droopy ears. He thought something was bothering him. He opened his mouth slowly with little hesitation. Even though he doesn't want to interfere with the chief's current situation, he was still concerned enough to ask him anyway.

"Something's bothering you, Sir?" said the man with a hint of worry on his voice.

"Huh?" the chief grumbled. "Oh, ah.. yes I suppose." he staggering replied.

Roger grabbed the teaspoon and scooped a little amount of sugar from the bowl. He dropped it on his coffee and mixed it thoroughly.

"Was it your daughter again?" the secretary abruptly asked.

The chief rabbit stopped from mixing his coffee. He moved his head above and glared at the human's eyes. His eyes were tired and dead. The human backed a little and gulped. He shouldn't have asked that. The man put his hands behind his back. He slid his eyes to his left to avoid eye contact and tucked his lips. Roger closed his eyes and sighed so loud. He grabbed the cup and blew the hot coffee. Then he took a loud sip. The secretary didn't say anything nor moved from his position. Roger brought down the coffee.

"Well, yes." he mumbled, looking away.

"Ah, I see..." said the secretary.

"She will just never stop until I give her the chief's position," the chief continued.

"And? What are you going to do, Sir?" the human asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Of course that won't happen. I will never give it to her. Never." Roger responded. He leaned against the table and crossed his fingers. "She can't do anything about it, as long as she's inside that town." he followed.

"The Sandertown, huh?" the secretary hummed.

"That town is protected by a magical barrier. Only certain people can go out with explicit consent from the town's leader himself." the chief stated.

"The leader is a mage right? I've never witnessed magic before."

Roger went quiet. His breathing slowed. The air inside the office was dead silent. The rabbit chief didn't say a thing about what he heard from his assistant. As if there was something he knew but doesn't want to say. It is indeed rare to see magic outside the barrier. Since ninety-eight percent of the population outside were humans. And mages weren't likely be around as well. Roger closed his eyes.

"Neither I." he grumbled.

"Imagine doing magic, Sir. Imagine using it with the company's products." the assistant whispered. He stepped forward to his boss and scrunched his knees. "Boss, I think with magic we can make the products more special!" he tattled, full of enthusiasm.

Roger, however, didn't like what his assistant said. He furrowed his eyebrows. His purple eyes drifted to the human beside. The rabbit man snarled. His lips quivered as he listened to the secretary's gabble.

"No." the boss firmly said. His voice was solid and deep.

The assistant walked nearer. He leaned while his hand touched the chief's table. "But Sir! See what can a magical spell do with things. Haven't you seen it on televisions? Or read it on magazines or books?! Magic makes things special!" he retorted. "What if we-"

Roger gnashed his teeth in annoyance. He slammed his thick hands against the table. The coffee almost spilled out. The chief stood up from the chair and faced the human beside. The rabbit's face was purely wrinkled and mad. The assistant straightened his back and recoiled. His shoulders and arms were up.

"No, Mr. Buttons! You need to stop! We are not using magic!" he shouted.

The chief's voice echoed inside the office. Horror can be seen on the human's face. Later, guilt was painted over it. He put his hands together. He bowed his head and apologized.

"I am sorry, Mr. Cottontail." he apologized with a soft voice.

The rabbit chief huffed. He yanked himself back to his chair. He touched his forehead with his right hand resting on the swivel chair's arm. He sighed in frustration. He raised his left hand and shooed his assistant away.

"Apology accepted. Just don't do it again. You may go now." said the boss.

The assistant just bowed his head once again and walked away from his boss. He gently opened the big and door and closed it. The angry rabbit was left alone inside his office. He tried to reassure himself. He grabbed his coffee and drank it in one chug. He slammed the cup on the saucer, making a loud clang. The old man rested his back against the desk chair and looked above the ceiling. He shut his eyes and tried to calm himself.

Suddenly, the telephone rang and caught the old man's attention. He composed himself and picked up the phone. It was his receptionist who called.

"Hello?"

"Good afternoon, Mr. Cottontail. Your daughter is here to see you." the receptionist informed.

"Okay. Let her in." he responded.

Roger hung up the telephone. He sat properly and waited for his daughter's arrival. He wondered why would she visit during this time. She was supposed to be in her piano class. After a while, a person knocked on his door.

"Come in." the chief said.

The door opened, a beautiful young woman stood up in front of it. She's was about an average tall. Her long greyish ears were standing straight. She wears an elegant lacy dress. Round purple eyes with white eyelashes. She smiled brightly, facing her father.

"Hello, Dad!" she greeted enthusiastically.

"Welcome, my lovely daughter!" the father greeted. His arms were wide open.

The young woman hopped her way straight to her father. She hugged him tightly and Roger hugged back. Dolly let go and sat on the chair in front of the table.

"Why are you visiting here? Aren't you supposed to be in your piano lesson?" her father asked. Curiosity was marked on his face.

"I finished the class early, Dad. It wasn't that hard at all." the young bunny proudly stated and flipped her wavy hair.

"As expected. You really are my daughter." Roger praised.

"Ahaha! Right!" she chuckled and flicked her hand. "I also perfected my exams!" she followed.

"Oh really? That's great. Very good, Dolly. Continue the good work."

"Yeah! Yeah... I always do my best with my studies! And.... everything to be precise! I also did some home chores!" she gabbled nervously.

"And! And, I finished my homeworks. I also visited the daycare and taught kids. Helped them with some things, and played with them, and-"

"Hold on, Dolly." Roger interfered.

Dolly's eyes widened. She gulped and tucked her lips. Her father stared at her for a brief moment. He leaned on the table and crossed his fingers. He knew something was up. With all the chattering his daughter told him about things she accomplished, he felt like she wanted to say something else. Something really important.

"Dolly. Be honest. What exactly the reason you visited me?" the father asked.

"I...." she mumbled. Dolly closed her eyes. She breathed in and out. She looked at her father's face. The young girl clasped her hands. "I wanted to ask for your permission." she grinned awkwardly.

Roger raised his eyebrow, "Permission for what?" he asked.

"I...." she sighed. "I wanted to go inside the Sandertown." she finally spoke up.

Roger's eyes widened. He couldn't process what his daughter said for a moment. The man cleared his ears. He stared at his daughter with a confused look.

"What did you say? The Sandertown?"

"Y....yeah. Aheh." she confirmed and giggled nervously.

"Seriously?! Why would you even go there?!" his voice raised.

"I just wanted to visit! Please, Dad. Just for a day!" the bunny girl begged, hands glued together.

"Why visit the town? Out here was bigger and fancier." Roger retorted. He extended his right arm and pointed his palm to the window. Cityscape can be seen below.

"I know! But there is a special occasion happening inside the barrier. It's the town's foundation! I just wanted to attend the event." Dolly explained, her hands juggling in action.

"What's so special inside there? There's a lot of events in here as well, why don't you just go there." Roger suggested. His arms crossed.

"No, Dad. You don't understand." she bluffed. "It is different inside the town, remember? There is a variety of creatures inside there! And magics are present as well. I have nothing against humans or anything outside here. I just wanted to witness the wonders of Sandertown even just for today!" she persisted.

"My answer is still no, Dolly. You should stop by now." the man spat.

The ambience inside the office was becoming more intense. Like dark clouds forming in the sky to rain. Dolly persisted and fought for what she want. Roger, however, kept on shunning her daughter's whims away.

"You know your sister is in there. What if the two of you met?! What if she hurt you?!" the man countered.

"She's not gonna hurt me! She's my sister!" Dolly hurled in defense.

"You can't blame me for thinking that way! She's always been aggressive." Roger hurled.

"Because you didn't took care of her enough!" Dolly shouted. Her voice resonated inside the office.

Dolly realized what she did. She immediately looked at her father's face. He was speechless. Roger furrowed his eyebrows and narrowed his eyes. Disappoinment painted his face. Dolly got nervous by her father's state.

"I never expect you, out of my two daughters, to raise your voice at me!" he bawled.

"But I-"

"Enough!" he interfered. "Just go home, Dolly. You are grounded!"

"What?! That's unfair!"

Roger activated his walkie-talkie and called for his butlers. He ordered them to escort his daughter back to the mansion. Dolly protested but her father didn't listen to her. The butlers arrived at the office. One of them was in his early thirties while the other one was about the same age as Dolly. The young woman turned her head and glanced at the two tall men behind. She drifted her eyes back to her father. Her eyes were glistening with her tears.

"You can't do this to me! I've done everything you want!"

Roger was silent. The father didn't look at his daughter. Completely ignoring her. He signalled the two men to leave with his daughter. They grabbed the young woman and escorted her outside. Dolly glared at one of the butlers. Her eyes were wet yet a sparking determination and hope can be seen on it. Like ordering someone to help her with her situation. The young butler just stared at her and then removed his sight away afterwards. They left the chief's office. And once again, the CEO was all alone inside.