𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙲𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚘𝚏 𝚊 𝙻𝚒𝚏𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎 ✓ (𝟷𝟾+)

When the dust settles

Roger

The joys of life were like water bubbles. It would only remain for a moment after which puff. The same feeling was what almost all of us felt after out win.

With the judgment that Brandon was defeated and his case dismissed, I heard a voice in my head. Mother's voice. The words of the judge although were for me to retain my business, it felt as if the decision had her finally rest in peace.

She suffered all his tortured and yet, stayed under him because she knew the repercussions of leaving. I would be left with no fortune and wealth, amassed by her father and forefathers. Brandon's marriage to my mother was only for money and the moment he got it, he stopped caring for her or me. Deep dived in his reckless ways of drugs and brothel visits, Brandon was the absentee father who tortured my mother and eventually resulting in her death:

Today, my mother's voice sounded peaceful. She finally was laid to rest in both my mind and heart.

But the aftermath of facing a demon too were suffered by us. Facing a man like Brandon always led to loss, no matter what. When the news of Charles and Malcom's resignation surfaced, we reached their place. Unlike all the other times, Oswald mansion's entrance was surrounded with press and fans, all ready to get a peek of Arin and me.

Engines in full throttle, the last mile towards the end of the driveway was quickened. Inside the mansion, Arin matched as if all her anger over these few months were redirected towards her father. The moment she shoved the door to his study open, Charles stood up from his place. He stubbed his cigar and gulped the last of the amber liquor before hissing between his teeth.

"Come in kiddo."

Arin walked in, her heels clacked on the marble as if they would dig a hole to the other side of earth. With flaring nostrils and ragged breath, she hit her palms on the mahogany desk, steadying.

"Can I talk to Roger first?" He tossed his hand in my direction.

Arin's head tilted to me, her reddened eyes scanned my whole body and I could feel the heat radiate off from her.

I stated my defense. "I swear I had no clue."

Seeking clarity from her father, anger liaised Arin tilted her head for her father's words. With his nod and gaze towards the door, she set off for the outside the same way she barged in.

Upon her being completed out of sight, Charles signed and fell back on the chair. I remained standing, awaiting an explanation.

"Let me cut to it. The resignation was impending," he spoke in a rather sincere tone.

"For lack of understanding, why was it so? I know for a fact, you didn't do anything wrong."

Charles nodded. "Yes but sometimes not doing wrong does not mean you don't have to resign."

I was tired to play word games. With a hand pulling my tie to release my neck of months of formal wear torture, I took a seat.

"My fiancé is racking her brains to understand why you decided on something without telling us anything of sorts. I have seen her suffer at the hands of a man whom I am ashamed to call my father. After all that, after all she endured, what she surely didn't expect was a news of this nature from her father."

I was seething, having always felt guilty for Arin's suffering, may it be the tabloid leaks or her past profession. My words were supposed to nudge Charles into conveying the truth but it let to him display a smirk.

"You really love her don't you?"

Who doesn't? She was perfect.

However I tried to stay on topic. "You are deviating Charles."