Memories I
1449 Words
Ophelia held her phone close, hoping for a miracle. But nothing came.
Just as she finished her meal, a message popped up on her screen from an unknown number:
“I heard you got yourself in trouble at the Sinclair Mansion. Do you need help?”
Without thinking twice or even knowing who the sender was she replied instantly:
Yes! Please, I need help.
But after that, there was no response.
She waited anxiously, constantly refreshing her phone, but still, nothing. Eventually, the maids came to summon her. She had been called.
Her heart pounded. Her legs felt weak. As she walked through the halls, she felt like her end was near.
Old Man Sinclair’s furious voice boomed at her the moment she entered the room.
“I did nothing,” she managed to say, her voice trembling but firm.
That only provoked the old man further.
He stood up and raised his cane high, Ophelia had witnessed how he had beaten Rome with it but never did she think she would be the next in line.
She closed her eyes waiting for the karma to strike her, when she felt a huge body covering hers.
Opening her eyes, she met a familiar gaze.
Dave.
He stood in front of her, taking the beating without flinching. Despite the situation, she managed a faint smile. He was the only angel who could save her from this hell.
But deep down, she felt every strike he endured.
“You unfilial grandson!” Old Man Sinclair roared. “How dare you show your face in my house!?”
Dave turned slowly, meeting the old man’s rage with a calm smile. “Good evening, Grandpa.”
Mrs. Sinclair shrieked, charging forward. “Did you send that evil girl here?! You sent her to kill Celine, didn’t you, you bastard!?”
She raised her hand to slap him, but her husband stopped her wrist just in time.
“Your son brought her into this house! How is that my fault?!” Dave snapped.
“My son?” Mrs. Sinclair repeated, confusion flickering across her face.
“Don't tell me you still want me to call you mother after all you've said”. You recounted how pathetic my mother was so why pretend now!?. Dave said with a straight face.
“How dare you!?” Mr. Sinclair shouted slapping him hard across the face. “She is your mother whether you like it or not”. He said angrily.
This was the first time Ophelia had seen Mr. Sinclair’s angry face so she was scared that her matter was causing another thing entirely.
“So this is what you will pay me with after all these years of raising you!?” Mrs. Sinclair said with tears in her eyes.
She stormed upstairs, weeping. Mr. Sinclair glared at Dave.
“You’re not leaving this house without my permission,” he stated firmly, before following his wife.
Old Man Sinclair stood, glaring at Dave. “You’ve become bold. You treat the Sinclair family like a joke now, huh? Follow me!”
Without another word, Dave obeyed.
Ophelia was confused she didn't know what to do, she is not sure maybe she should laugh or cry.
The person she looked up to as her savior is already in a hot mess how the hell is she going to save herself from it?
“ I hope he survived it,” Sister Lana said placing her hand on Ophelia’s shoulder.
“What do you mean?” Ophelia asked, confused.
“The old man is a retired Lieutenant General,” Sister Lana explained. “Entering his study means everything. People either come out crippled… or wounded.”
“What?! A grown man like Dave could be flogged?” Ophelia gasped.
“Yes. But Dave has always been different. He usually comes out unscathed. Rome, his elder brother, often took the beatings and blame for him. But this time… even Rome is against him.” Sister Lana folded her arms beneath her chest.
“You mean… Rome has always taken the beatings for Dave?” Ophelia asked curiously, but Sister Lana had already walked away before she could ask more.
It was then Ophelia realized she only knew her bedroom and the sitting room. She didn’t even know where the old man’s study was, or where Sister Lana’s room was. She’d only seen people ascending the stairs… and disappearing.
Tired and overwhelmed, she returned to her room. Lying on the bed, her mind was restless.
I hope he’s okay, she thought. But what if he’s not? Should I go check the old man’s study? No… I don’t even know the way. Maybe I should ask the servants? No that’s too risky.
After going back and forth in her head, she finally decided: she would sneak into the old man’s study.
Sneaking quietly out of her room she tiptoed towards the sitting room, confirming no one was there she slowly ascended the stairs. When she was finally up her world collapsed.
Three corridors? Seriously? she thought, holding her head. This house is enormous!
How am I supposed to know where the Old man's study is??
Suddenly, a loud noise echoed from one of the corridors.
“Argh!”
“It must be this way!” she thought and hurried toward the sound.
*************
{Skyline Systems}
Rome had just finished a meeting. He was exhausted and sweating profusely. Entering his office he rested a while on his chair before Adrain came in with a coffee.
“Thanks,” Rome said, taking the coffee. “I think we can calm them down for now.”
“Yes. You can rest for tomorrow—I’ll handle the rest,” Adrian replied.
“But…” Adrian hesitated, clearly holding something back.
Rome raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”
Adrian sighed. “Your brother returned to the mansion… and fought for Ophelia.”
Rome blinked. “You mean… Dave returned because of Ophelia?”
“Yes,” Adrian confirmed.
“Okay,” Rome said flatly, leaving Adrian confused.
“Is there anything else you’d like to ask?” Rome added when Adrian went quiet again.
Adrian hesitated, then finally said, “Why don’t you just set that girl free and marry Celine instead? It’s not like you even want the company.”
Rome’s expression turned cold. “I’ll take care of my family matters myself.”
“But what about Celine? She is not going to give up no matter how hard you try. He added provoking Rome more.
“Why don't you mind your f*****g business!” Rome yelled slamming his hand against the desk.
“I just don’t want her to end up like Savannah…” Adrian said quietly before walking out.
Rome clenched his fists. He had already wounded his hand on the desk; now, blood oozed between his fingers.
Savannah…
Remembering Savannah is like rubbing salt on his wound. If there is that one person he wants to forget for eternity it's that girl.
Grabbing his car key, he stormed out of the office. Adrian was already waiting outside.
All the employees they passed lowered their heads in silence. Any noise could cost them their jobs or their paychecks.
At the parking lot, Adrian bowed. Rome only glared at him before getting into his car and speeding away.
“What a weirdo,” Adrian muttered with a satisfied smile before heading back inside.
Rome kept driving aimlessly. He knew he should go back to the mansion, especially with all the trouble happening. But he didn’t want to intervene because of Dave.
He considered returning to his own house, but he’d been living at a hotel ever since Ophelia moved in. Reflecting on everything that had happened, he let out a bitter laugh.
His thoughts were interrupted by a call from Sister Lana. He pressed the green button.
“I think… they are talking about her,” she said her voice breaking with tears.
Am on my way he replied before cutting off the call.
“Savannah again!” he yelled, frustration evident in his voice. He turned the car around and sped through turns as fast as he could.
************
Ophelia continued tiptoeing down the corridor until she reached a large door solid steel, elegant patterns etched into it.
Leaning closer, she heard Old Man Sinclair’s voice:
“It’s time to stop being childish. Now answer me… Did you kill Savannah?”
A gasp escaped Ophelia’s mouth alerting the people inside.
“Who is there” she heard the old man's voice again.
Panicked, She turned back to run away but someone suddenly pulled her from behind, Covering her mouth.
- Writer
