*Kat’s pov
So sorry, grandpa for the trouble we caused you, yesterday.” I apologized for the hundredth time today.
After I woke up I freshened up and waited for Amanda to wakeup as well to move the cupboard back to its original position to open the door.
We descended down the stairs in hopes of not meeting the wicked witches as Amanda calls them, lest they ruin our day by their antics early in the morning itself. We found Grandpa sitting on the stool in the open kitchen.
Apparently he had been waiting for us to wake up to take us to a cafe down the Street for a peaceful breakfast, which we all were desperate for after the fiasco last night.
So here we are in this beautiful cafe which is a little worn down which actually added to its aesthetic feel. After talking with our waitress we got to know this cafe has been running for decades by a very lovely couple in their eighties with the help of their children and grandchildren.
Seeing their happy and warm family, made me yearn for the same warmth which I had lost 3 months back. It’s only been months, yet feels like few years has gone, by all the dramas that happened in these months.
“And for the hundredth time, it’s okay, sweetheart.” Grandpa smiles sympathetically while holding my hand when he saw me looking at the owner’s family.
“I hope it didn’t create a problem in your marital life, grandpa.” I said, to which he laughed making me look at him confused but delighted to see his carefree and happy self which is a lot different from the restrained guilt- filled man who welcomed us to his home.
“After what you guys did to them, they didn’t have time to trouble me. After all the screaming, they only had very little energy left in them which they smartly used to clean Dahlia’s room first, which was where they slept. Fortunately they didn’t wake up before we left or else we three would have had a very beautiful morning.” He grins while shaking his head.
“So where did you sleep if they only cleaned Dahlia’s room, Mr. Black?” Amanda asked while sipping her coffee.
“In our room itself.” He shrugged.
“You slept in that mess?” I asked shocked . Wasn’t there any other room?
“Yeah, don’t worry I am used to the mess. Apparently the mother and daughter both love to use all the free rooms as their storage rooms.” He signed not wanting to continue.
I could easily imagine how Natalie would make grandpa sleep on those mess. And from her indifference it’s easy to guess they sleep separately.
Poor grandpa what has she made him go through.
We all fell into a comfortable silence as we got deep into our thoughts while we sipped our coffee. By far this is the best coffee I have had from all the cafe I have been to.
“Grandpa this coffee is great.” I exclaimed.
“That’s the reason why I wanted to bring you guys here other than for a peaceful morning. Their muffins are great too. Damien used to whine to come here for their muffins ” He sighed sadly reminiscing the past. ” Anyways. How have you been child? Who is there for you in New York?” He asks as he takes my hands in his. His gesture makes me remind of the time dad used to do the same whenever I was upset.
“I think I am doing okay grandpa.” I said while trying everything in me to not cry by the gesture. “I am currently staying with Amanda in an apartment we bought.” I didnt bother mentioning about dad arranging the apartment, lest he gets the clue of accident being a planned murder. “My mom’s brother, Uncle Nathaniel has become my legal guardian. So currently he takes care of me along with Amanda’s dad, Uncle Nick.” I said, to which he nodded.
“So he became your legal guardian soon after the accident? Doesn’t the procedure take months to be completed?” He asked curiously which got Amanda’s attention as well. I realise we hadn’t had a proper conversation about the accident and its clues. I had been avoiding it, though I think she must have the overall idea about the clues I got so far.
“I had asked the same thing to him. He said he got a letter along with the legal papers of guardianship the morning that accident happened. ” I replied careful of not giving out any more clues though I could see the wheels turning in his head. I should choose my next words carefully. “Apparently my dad _”
” You don’t need to lie I know he had planned everything beforehand. It’s just like how I had warned him before he got into this business” Grandpa sighed. So he must know more then. My choice to continue my search here was right.
Throughout the whole conversation I noticed how Amanda was questionably silent. It’s not like she is not silent during a conversation but her body posture shows her uneasiness.
She might be feeling too out of place. I smiled at her to show that we will be leaving soon. Not only from this cafe but soon from Grandpa’s home. I too don’t feel very comfortable staying here nor do I feel safe. I get a very bad vibe from those two wicked witches. It’s better to stay at my mom’s family home, which is only 20 minutes drive from granddad’s.
At least Uncle Nat is there waiting for us, I will be safe there.
“Speaking of your uncle. You must have met your uncle Mike, your dad’s brother, right? He had left to New York to work in your father’s company.” He inquired. While I racked my brain trying to think whether my father had ever mentioned about Uncle. But as expected I came up with nothing.
I looked towards Amanda to see if my father had mentioned about Uncle coming to my father.
Grandpa got confused seeing our reaction. “But he did say he had met your dad and even reconciled with him. I was so enlightened after hearing the news. I never thought I might ever hear the news of my family uniting.” He said sadly.
“Why?” I asked.
” Well with Natalie riling up Mike and Dahlia against their half-brother, I thought I could never ever have my family happy again.” He sighed.
“Half-brother?” I asked confused.