Amanda
“Dale, I really have to go to my parents. It should’ve been yesterday and my mom had called me again. In their own way, I think they’re worried about me.”
Dale was reluctant in letting me go to my parents, he was not sure that I’d be coming back to stay with him.
“I’ll come back this evening, or latest by tomorrow morning. My brother had just arrived from abroad and mom would like us to have a nice family dinner…”
“If you insist, then I’m picking you up tonight.” He was not going to let this one go, he could be very stubborn. So I gave in and agree with him.
I was at my parents’ hours later after he drops me off on his way to pick up Mable from school.
“Amanda… honey, come and join us for lunch. Monroe is coming in an hour then we’ll talk in the study. He got some stuff he would like to discuss with you.” Dad was telling me to sit and join them, Aaron was there already as he pats the chair next to him silently telling me to sit.
I smiled and took my seat next to him. We used to be close until he breaks up with my girl Emilie. But it was not until a couple of weeks ago, that I find out the real truth that he was doing drugs.
He was struggling with his work when a friend of his offered him the drug to help him finish off on his assignments. Then months later he was hooked on the stuff, and everything went downhill from there.
“How are you, Aaron?” I asked him as we were having our coffee after we finish our lunch.
Mom and dad were waiting for Aiden in the study, while I decide to catch up with Aaron in the living room.
“You know, I felt bad that I didn’t stand up for you with the Emilie thing…”
“Look, it’s okay… you didn’t know. And I was a real jerk back then. I was really hoping that I went to jail and live out my sentence for hurting her. And now, I couldn’t even reach out to her and apologize. I really fucked up… big time. While daddy dearest kept everything on the down-low, making me feel even worse.”
“Oh Aaron…” I hugged him, while he sighed in my embrace.
I was about to talk more when Gina interrupted us and told me that Aiden had arrived and that mom and dad were waiting for me with him.
“Go… I’m not going anywhere. We’ll talk later.” Aaron said as he dismissed himself walking upstairs, and retreated back to his room.
“He will be just fine Amanda, he’s a strong man. He’ll get through this.” Gina said as she ushered me to the study.
“Ah… here she is, takes a seat, Amanda. This is going to take a while. Gina, please make coffee for Aiden and William here…” dad said as he sits down on his chair.
“Let me help her with the refreshment and leave you all to talk privately…” mom said, being the perfect hostess she always had been for years.
The first few minutes were spent in greetings and pleasantries until Aiden drops the bomb.
“The will state that his estate will go to you, while his company will go to his sister…”
“… no, this is not right Aiden. I don’t want to do anything with his will… I’m done… I’ll sign a waiver and give everything to his sister…” my heart was thumping hard already, I was feeling a panic attack was about to wash over me when dad saw right through me, then he gives me a glass of his malt to calm me down.
The meeting was cut short, dad was finishing everything for me which I was really glad for. I was waiting for Aiden in the living room, while I slowly drink the malt.
“… they sensed that there was a foul play, the investigation stated as much. But we managed to keep in buried. But for whatever the truth was, I’m glad that he’s dead.”
We were talking while Aiden waited for William who was still with dad, finishing on several legal documents for his other business.
“What do you mean foul play?” I asked warily.
All of a sudden I get a real chill on my spine and take another sip of my malt. I didn’t know why, but somehow I had a feeling that Dale was behind all of this. I was remembering the gun that he was about to pull at the parking lot, on the day we thought we see Troy seating in his car.
I didn’t say anything to Aiden, while he slowly explains to me the findings that were a bit off regarding Troy’s caused of death.
My thoughts were driving me wild when Aiden and William finally said their goodbyes. I decided to go back to my room while waiting for our family dinner.
God… how am I going to face him? Knowing what he might’ve done.
I was sure that he would tell me the truth if I ask and that reality frightened me more. I was not ready to find out that he had Troy killed for me, that I somehow had caused someone’s death.
I was agitated throughout dinner, and Aaron pulled me aside afterward. “Hey sis? You know you can talk to me right?”
“Troy’s little sister Jess… she’s all alone now. I need to see her. He’s dead because of me…” I blurted out my words, he looks at me confused.
“Hey… it’s not your fault that he’s dead. God, Amanda… you didn’t know how hard it was for me knowing that you were handling the matter alone. I was still hold up in the facility while busting my ass off, detoxing my body from the drugs. But at least you have your girls.”
“I guess… but…” I was hesitant, and he pulled me in his brotherly hug.
“I got you, now I’m here for you. If it would make you feel better, I can take you to see her? Or maybe you can arrange a meet with her and Aiden it’ll be better from the legal side and I’ll go with you. You said at dinner, that you wanted to sign a waiver for his will…” Aaron was stating reasonable solutions, which I was actually considering when my phone buzzed.
My heart drops when I saw the caller ID. Damn… It was beating a bit faster, knowing that I would face him and that I was no ready for him. But then Gina came into the living room, announcing his arrival.
I introduced him to Aaron, and we chat for a while. I was trying to ignore the fact that he was there to pick me up.
“Are you sure you’re not spending the night?” Aaron asked feeling my reluctance, at that very moment.
But I was not going to prolong the inevitable, I need to know if the issue would jeopardize our relationship.
So I got up and decide to get this over and done with.
“I’m good Aaron, I’ll see you next week?” I hugged him, suddenly missing the closeness that we used to have.
“I love you Mandy… take care of her for me won’t you Dale?”
“I will Aaron, nice meeting you. Until next time.
We said our goodbyes, then Dale drives us back to his place. My head was speeding with my thoughts and Dale was noticing.
I love him. We will get through this…