Joan’s expectation was disappointed when Roman started the car, and drove out of the house. She expected him to drive like a madman just like the night before, but he drove at a normal speed like a normal human would.
A few times she threw him side glances, but forced herself not to make a comment, so that his invincible demons won’t come whispering to his ears to start speeding like a lunatic.
“Aren’t you going to say something about my driving?” Roman asked with a smirk as if he had heard what was going on in her mind.
“You are surprisingly better than I thought.” Joan responded, having bit back on the sarcastic comment which was about to escape her lips. She flashed him a small smile to back up her words.
Although he was shocked she responded, a contented smile graced Roman’s lips.
They soon arrived at the house and Joan’s brows knitted as she stepped out of the car. There was a police van out front and some policemen outside. Did something happen?
She hurried into the house, ignoring the people outside. Sighting her father at one corner of the sitting room, speaking with a different officer, she walked toward them.
“I’m so sorry,” Joan heard the officer say when she arrived, and she felt fear seep into her, seeing how her father nodded solemnly.
“Good morning, officer. What are you sorry about? Has my mother been found?” She threw the questions without thinking, searching the eyes of the man fearlessly as if she would get the answers from them.
“She’s my daughter,” Mr Elvin introduced her when the officer shot her a confused look.
“Oh… I’m so sorry, Miss -”
“Mrs,” Roman corrected, coming to stand beside Joan.
When the officer shifted his confused gaze once more from Roman to Mr. Elvin, the man, once again, did another introduction.
“That’s my son-in-law.”
Roman threw Mr. Elvin a side glance the moment he said that, but kept a neutral expression. If not for the severity of their current situation, he would have burst out laughing. Who was he referring to as his son-in-law?
“We found your mother, Ma’am, but she was already dead when we got there.” The officer revealed, and Joan’s heart dropped. “She was stuck in a burning building on the outskirts of town. We found her yesterday and her body is unrecognizable. But the autopsy confirmed her identity this morning. Investigations are still ongoing as we speak. We will relay any useful information as soon as we recieve any. I’m sorry for your loss.” The officer concluded the report, then excused himself.
Joan’s legs weakened instantly and she moved to rest on the nearest wall, breaking down in tears.
“No! This is not happening!” She muttered, finding it hard to believe what she just heard.
Roman, on the other hand, narrowed his eyes. Everything the officer just reported were lies, and although he knew who could be responsible for it, he wondered why.
Excusing himself, he walked out of the house, back into the car and dialed a number.
“Rome?” Williams’ voice echoed from the other end of the phone.
“What is the meaning of this?” Roman asked.
“You’re speaking in parables, Rome,” Williams responded.
“How come Mrs Elvin is dead when she is still in my house?” Roman came out plain.
“Oh, that…” Williams uttered, then paused for a moment. “You’re not gonna free her anyway, so I only did what I could to kill the matter and put your wife’s heart at peace. We have other pressing matters to attend to. You’re welcome.”
Roman remained silent for a while, before he ended the call. In a way, Williams was right. This would help put the issue of Joan’s mother behind them. But he didn’t like the fact that this broke her down so bad.
He let out a soft sigh and stepped out of the car. As his feet trudged back to the house, he met a scene he wasn’t expecting.
“What would you have done? Go after her and find her? You think you would have done a better job than the police?” Mr Elvin’s voice boomed as he glared at Joan.
“That is not the point. How could my mother be missing for days and you didn’t think it was right to inform me? Did you even put any effort into finding her apart from that excuse of a flyer? I already know you hate her. You don’t have to make it so obvious for the world to see.” Joan spoke bitterly, her tears pouring without restriction.
“Don’t you dare talk to me like that, and never ever raise your voice at me. Anyone would think you care about her when you are actually the biggest thorn in her flesh. You are the reason for all the trouble she went through. The only thing you bring with you everywhere you go is problems. Who do you think you are to talk to me like that?”
“I will talk to you anyhow I want.” Joan uttered, taking slow, steady steps toward her father. Her face, which initially had pain and helplessness plastered on it, now turned cold and furious, despite the streak of tears trailing down her cheeks. “The days I let you bully and torture me are over.” She continued walking forward, keeping her full attention on him. “You think I’m problematic, then watch out. I’m about to show you what real problem is.” Joan took more steps, but just before she could reach the man, Roman stepped in between them, facing her.
“He’s not worth it, my love. Don’t waste your energy on him.” Roman said, using his thumb to wipe the tears from her face. “You’re not a problem to me. You’re the best thing that happened to me.” He added, and fresh tears fell from Joan’s eyes, staining her already dried cheeks.
Without a word, she turned around and walked out of the house.
“I don’t appreciate anyone insulting my wife or making her cry. I thought I made that clear in our last meeting, Mr Elvin.” Roman turned around to face the man.
“I didn’t insult her, Mr. Gavriel. You are a witness to the way she spoke to me.”
“She can speak to you however she wants. You are supposed to worship the very ground she walks on. I guess you need a little persuasion to help you understand your place.” Roman declared, and without another word, he also walked out of the house, closely followed by Mr Elvin, who was pleading for a chance to explain himself.
Roman walked to the car, having sighted Joan seated inside already.
“Just take me back home, please.” Joan uttered just as he got in the car, and Roman nodded, feeling complete satisfaction in his heart.
Silence permeated the car as they drove back to the mansion, and when they arrived, Joan went straight to her room, ignoring everyone’s greetings.
The moment she shut her door upstairs, all the opened doors on the other floors banged shut at the same time, without anyone touching them.