The Woman in the Letter

PART 41

NATALİE

"You seem so reluctant. Do not do that at least in your speech" as I straightened his tie, I acted as if everything was fine to lift his mood. He did not tell me anything. He has been talking very little lately. I never believed that my father would be so trapped, that he would collapse spiritually. What Detective İan said in the cemetery came to my mind. As we grow older, we realize how weak and fragile our parents are. Holding father's hand we entered the big hall. Henry and Nicole were the first to meet us.

"Congratulations," he said and hugged my father. Henry's eyes were dark and his face was drooping. Like me, obviously, he could not sleep at night.

I was very ashamed when I saw Nicole. I did not answer her calls and messages. She approached me as if nothing had happened. Her belly was very big and her facial expressions had changed a bit. Motherhood would suit my brother's wife very well.

My father was completing his 17th year at the international transportation company he worked for. In fact, my father would not have attended the company's annual ceremony. However, this year he will be awarded a special order of appreciation for his work, as well as a presentation from the position of head of the department to deputy's head. Therefore, the head of the company specifically asked my father to be there, as they would present their new position to the whole company. We also forced my father, thinking that in such a situation a little distraction would have a good effect on him.

Despite a large number of people in the large hall, which was decorated in more white and light purple colors, the spaciousness of the surroundings made me feel very refreshed. Although everyone was dressed in a special and luxurious way, I found the dress I wore to the invitations before my wardrobe and put it on. None of us were in the mood for preparation or enthusiasm. We just gathered here tonight to be with our father.

My father announced in advance that he would not be able to stay in the assembly for a long time, and the head of the company, Mr. Jack, understood his situation and instructed him to postpone the award ceremony. Mr. Jack and my father were not only colleagues but also close friends for a very long time.

When he came on stage and came in front of the microphone, he pulled and expanded the tie I had made a few hours ago. He took a deep breath and looked at the more than 100 guests standing in front of him.

He cleared his throat and said, "Welcome, everyone."

I looked at Madeline when she held my hand. She was smiling without taking his eyes off father.

"First of all, I would like to congratulate each of you on the 25th anniversary of our company. I am sure that everyone in this hall and those who cannot be, has a big share in our success today. As long as we have a wonderful team like yours, the 100th anniversary of this company will be celebrated in the future. Most likely, those in this hall will not be able to live to see the 100th anniversary. "

Smiles were heard from the hall. My father's voice was tired. He spoke silently and without emotion.

"But I know that with such a successful year, we will set a good example for future generations. I would like to express my special gratitude to Mr. Jack Jhonson, the director of our company, for making this day special for me. He knows very well that every member of our team does his best, regardless of position. I also promise to do my best in my new position. "

He paused for a moment. Everyone listened to my father silently and attentively. Then he came face to face with me. "We open and close our eyes and see that time has passed. We promise ourselves that today we begin to change our lives or implement our plans. But then we decide to do it not today, we change it to tomorrow. Then one more day, one more day ... Instead of reaching the goals we have set for ourselves, we run after other goals. Every small success we achieve makes us even happier, and then we strive for other small successes. Suddenly we wake up and we see that we are so far away from our goal that we can no longer even see it. When I was 13, I moved to this city. I have been working non-stop since that age. At that age, I had no purpose. From the day I set foot in the city, I could not get used to it. At first, I didn't understand why everyone was in such a hurry. I did not understand anyone. It was strange to me when everyone in our village talked about the beauty of the city. Nobody understood me. Then, I met my wife when I was a student. She was just like me. She could not get used to the city or its people. Our souls were like twins. I promised her when we got married. We would work to some extent, help our children to build their lives, build a small two-person house in one of the beautiful areas outside of the city, and spend the rest of our lives there. As I said later... The responsibility of life has taken us away from our dreams, our purpose in life "

I looked at Madeline. She closed her eyes as she listened to my father. I saw her jaw tremble.

"When I realized I need to get back to my goals, it was late. Because my wife died"

I held my sister's hand tighter. I wanted to feel that I am with her.

"By saying this, I mean ... Especially to young people ... Never postpone some things. Do what you want to do, go on that journey you want to go, tell the person you love that you love him, be the person you want to be, be with the person you love. Believe me, if you do not reach your true goal, all your success will be dull and you will spend the rest of your life in regret. "

After the applause, we all went to my father. Henry hugged her tightly as if he hadn't seen her in a long time. I stopped when my small bag shook. I took out the phone and saw Detective İan's name on the screen.

"Ms. Natalie "

"I am very sorry, but now is not the time. If you are very urgent ... "

Detective İan interrupted and said, "It is urgent. We must meet face to face, "he said.

I shook my father's hand and turned my face away. To avoid the sound of some music, I leaned into a corner and closed my other ear with my left hand so that I could hear it comfortably.

"Any news from Paul?" Every time I asked this question, I thought I was annoying him.

"I don't know about Paul yet, but at least I know something very important"

Excited, I wondered which way to go. "Wait a minute," I said, and hurried out. When I went out of the restaurant "I can hear you better now," I said.

"Katherine Jennings," he said.

"Yes"

"You said you didn't know her"

I didn't like the way he said, "Yeah ... I don't know her as I said." I felt a tone in his voice as if I had lied to him.

"You don't know her, but she knew you."

I pressed the "I don't understand" phone to my ear. "How?"

Detective İan's voice did not come for a few seconds. He was about to say something. "Mrs. Natalie ... Before Katherine Jennings died ... she was following you"