UNRAVELLED: Silent Syndicate

Chapter 2

His eyes widened in shock at first, but he quickly composed himself and looked at me with a rather inquisitive expression. "Mey, what are you talking about? You want me to rummage through my dad's belongings without his knowledge?"

I know Luca can be obstinate at times, but I always manage to sway him somehow. Consequently, I didn't pay much attention to the fact that he looked at me as if I were unhinged for asking him to do me this favor. Well, maybe it's not that trivial since he'd be risking his relationship with his father, but still, I wouldn't dwell on it. They'll figure it out-they always do.

Nevertheless, even if he couldn't procure what I wanted today, it's fine since I'll only need it tomorrow. "Babe, come on, it's just this once. Please don't leave me stranded when I need you the most," I implored.

"Don't do that, Meille. You know this is wrong; don't try to guilt-trip me like that. I'm sorry, but I can't help you." I didn't really expect him to acquiesce immediately. I knew I'd need a bit more persuasion.

I just tilted my head down in feigned defeat and asked him to leave me alone for the rest of the day. Since I couldn't get what I wanted from him after all, there was no use in letting him stay when he couldn't assist me. But seeing his face did bring a little spark of life to my heart.

His presence is always comforting; I don't know how he does it, but he has a way of thawing my heart without even moving a finger whenever I've turned cold as ice. His presence soothes me like the sun's rays warming the skin on a very cold day, bringing warmth to the nerves and radiating it throughout. Although his presence is like Ferrero Rocher to my tongue, his rejection of my pleas is like a sting to my raw skin. But somehow, I've grown accustomed to it.

After a minute of sitting there silently, looking me dead in the eyes, probably weighing whether he should just relent and help me or not, he sighed and turned on his heels, making his way to the door. I heard a slight slide and the clicking of the door closing and locking, followed by silence once more.

Maybe I should get a parrot to invigorate this house because this silence is stifling. I grab my phone once more and try finding some of my friends on Instagram who might be online. I scroll down the chats for a moment with no luck, and after giving up, I toss my phone on the couch.

I open my eyes and notice I'm still in the lounge. I don't know when I dozed off, but it must have been while I was watching TV. I go to take a shower, and after almost half an hour of enjoying the sensation of warm water cascading down my body, I walk out and head to the dresser. I apply some oil to my skin to keep it smooth and flourishing, taking in a breath and embracing the scent rich in lanolin. I put on my panties and bra before donning black pants with white sneakers, a muscle top, and a black hoodie.

I look at myself in the mirror, feeling renewed and relishing this new me. The me who is determined to do something right, the me who's resolved to do at least this one last decent thing for her father, the me who now has something new to live for. That is my father's dignity, peace, and happiness in the afterlife.

I take a few jumps before heading to the door, suddenly feeling invigorated and active. I turn the knob and pull the door open, only to find my mother with a tray at my doorstep. "Are you going somewhere?"

"I'm going for a jog."

"Since when do you jog in the evening? I thought you enjoyed it in the morning," she inquires.

"Ah, yeah, I did, but some things have changed," I reply while walking away from her, heading to the stairs.

"But I made you something to eat," she says, a bit louder than before, as I am halfway down the stairs. I just ignore her and head to the front door.