The Truth Hidden In Cross Industries

Chapter 1: More To The Story

Nadia's Pov

I had just finished making dinner, I heard the door open and rushed to it.

"Welcome home dad!", I gave him the biggest hug and of course he hugged me back.

"My princess, oh how I love you. Do I smell chicken lasagna?"

"Yup! Made with extra love and cheese."

We both laugh.

Not long after, we both had dinner.

"How was work today dad?"

"Work will be work" he brushed off the question quickly.

"More importantly, how has school been?"

"Still top of your class as always I'm sure?"

"Yes of course! I am your daughter after all, so you should expect nothing less,” I say proudly.

"My pride and joy, you're growing into a lovely woman, your mother would be so proud."

His smile softened as he said those words.

"Thanks a lot dad, that means a lot to me."

"I actually have to go back to the office soon, I have some unfinished work."

"You could've stayed in a little later dad, I would've understood."

"And miss out on this amazing cooking? How could I?"

"Hahaha, I could always make it again dad."

The atmosphere became subtly tense.

"My princess, don't ever doubt how much I love you."

"Of course I know how much you love me dad and I love you too."

"But is everything okay? There's a faint sadness in your voice."

"There's no hiding anything from you is there?"

"I just don't want to go back to work right away."

"Awwwn dad, we can hang out more once you're done with work."

"Yes, once I'm done with work we'll definitely spend more time together."

"He hugs me before going out to work again but this time it's tighter and a bit longer, I hug him back."

An hour passed by and I heard a knock on the door.

I assumed it was my dad and wondered why he didn't just open it himself.

Maybe dad forgot his keys.

I open the door, and see two police officers in front of me.

"Can I help you officers?"

"Yes, is this the White resident? Are you Daniel White's daughter?"

"That's correct, is there a problem?"

"We're sorry to have to tell you this but your father was in a horrible car accident."

My chest tightened. There's no way this could be happening.

"He said he had work to do and that he would be back soon,” I said with tear-filled eyes and a shaky voice.

"We're sorry for your loss, the accident was so bad that the victim's body burned to ashes."

"It was a collision between his vehicle and a gas truck."

"We were only able to retrieve his driving documents from the glove compartment, that's how we were able to trace it here."

"We also found a lighter beneath the driver seat."

They handed it to me inside an air-tight bag and left.

The tears affected my vision and I just kept crying. Each time I tried to get a hold of myself I just couldn't.

How could I? How could I accept that all of a sudden you're gone and not coming back?

But something didn't sit right with me, my dad never had a lighter and never smoked.

*...*

Seven years had passed since I received that heartbreaking news but I had never accepted it.

Life wasn't the same since you left. Thankfully there haven't been any pending bills.

"You really did work hard for both of us,” I said to myself as a tear ran down my cheek.

I had always kept my father's room clean since then as if I was still expecting him to come home.

This time I decided to go through his things. “There has to be something I'm missing.”

I went through some of his files that he'd left on his table and the rest which were on his book shelf.

Quite some time had passed and I still hadn't found any sort of clue. I sat at the edge of the bed and started thinking out loud.

“Ashes, driver's documents and a lighter. Why would there be a lighter to begin with?There's got to be an explanation for that.”

I'm also certain you wouldn't think I would accept that as the truth.

You said it yourself, nothing gets by me, so I will find it.

Whatever 'it' is.

It was almost time for my brunch date with Stacey.

"Shoot! I almost forgot about my meeting with Stacey today."

"I'm definitely not done here, I'll continue from where I stopped later."

Stacey and I had graduated high school together and still kept in touch after college.

She was sweet and cheerful and we enjoyed each other's company.

"Nadyyy! I almost thought you'd stood me up,” she said while pouting.

"I would never do that, I was just running a bit late, sorry I didn't let you know sooner"

"It's alright girl, plus I could never be mad at you."

"What was keeping you though? Hope you're alright?"

"I'm alright, I was just doing some late cleaning."

"I absolutely love these cute napkin pockets, they're so adorable!"

Stacey said with the excitement of a child.

"Pockets! Of course, I said like I had just figured out something."

"You're simply amazing Stacey"

"Awwn, thanks girl. It seems like we both love these napkins."

"You just gave me a good insight Stacey."

"Oouu! Glad I could help!"

After our brunch I went back home to continue the search.

I forgot to check the pockets of his clothes, I was so focused on his documents that I completely forgot there could be a clue in his closet as well.

I started with the pockets on his suits, I hadn't found anything yet but I was certain I would eventually.

I checked every pocket but still nothing.

I then checked the pockets of his pants but still nothing.

"There's no way there's nothing here."

I sat on the bed for a while and realized the mess I had caused.

"What am I doing, this place is an absolute mess, is this really how I choose to disrespect my dad in his absence?"

"Am I going crazy? I have to clean this place up."

I started putting things back where they were.

I had finished arranging his files and started putting his clothes back.

As I was almost done putting his suits back, I saw something fall from the suit I had just put away.

"Was that just the corner of my eye or did something just fall out?"

I checked the floor and found a white envelope.

"It's sealed,” I whispered to myself.

I ripped it open, and saw it was a letter written to me.

On the cover it said, 'to my Nadia'.

“I knew it!"

"I knew I would find something, and that something happened to be a letter for me."

Was this it? Will this be the truth I've been searching for? Or just a piece of it?.

“Maybe this will lead me to the truth.”