Too Bad, So Sad.

chapter fifteen: fear

Trion Greece, the man feared by all because of his name alone stood in front of me and all I could think about was his mistress, their relationship, and their untimely end. Behind the man above his desk was a large framed picture with Ursa and Trion standing behind a young Salem, she looked about ten or eleven years old.  The family photo mirrored a royal family's painting–distant, no smiles in place, the purpose to show wealth and power nothing else. Finally getting to see what Ursa looked cemented just how identical Salem and Trion are, there’s no resemblance between Ursa and Salem whatsoever.  Ursa had dark brown hair that was wavy and long, her face was very round and her lips were thin, she had her sunken dark brown eyes, and she was extremely thin–Trion has a thing for women who look like they can break easily.

My eyes flit back onto Trion who is wearing a suit similar to the one in the family picture, he looked exactly the same as if he's frozen in time. I wonder if he spent hours staring at Ursa after he got the news Salem drowned Luis. I wanted to know what his first reaction was, if he cried or continued to only show rage. The room had not been cleaned, instead it looked even messier than the last time we were in here–I guess that answers my question. Anger. Only anger.

Trion and Salem were staring at each other, my presence lost to Trion, they were having a silent battle. The sight of the father and daughter together glaring deeply into each other's eyes  scares me more than the violence I’ve seen and committed. They were in a completely different world, one I’m not permitted to enter. They glared at each other like it was common practice, like there was something that had to be proven.  Salem has the upperhand this time, there’s the fear Fawn mentioned lingering in TG’s eyes. He can’t believe it. His disbelief grows as he notices his daughter’s disheveled appearance.

A growl escapes his throat, his gaze fixed on her neck. “You look like a damn harlot Salem.”

“So?” Salem eyes the state of the room unamused. “You’re the one having a temper tantrum, not me.”

“Salem.” Trion warned.

“Trion.” Salem mimicked.

“If your mother were here you wouldn’t be acting like this. You are acting like a damn teenager.”

“I AM a teenager.” Salem states dryly. “I don’t know how you’ve forgotten that.  I made it  a point to mention my age the last time we spoke.  It’s pathetic that you’ve given me ownership of the organization you so proudly created from the ground up. You’re belittling me as if you weren’t the very person who made me this way.”

“I love you.” He says it is like a weapon, like he had successfully diverted the conversation but Salem’s stoic expression expels any triumph TG was attempting to achieve. 

“Who lives and who dies is in my jurisdiction.” Salem said, raising an eyebrow. “I thought that was clear when you handed everything to me?”

“I love you.” He repeated, his eyes narrowed. “I’m the only person in the world to embrace all of you. You’re right I made you the person you are today and look how successful you’ve become because of my teachings. Your blatant disrespect for me cannot go on any longer. Your birthday is coming up and it’ll be a celebration like no other.”

I turned my head to see Salem grit her teeth–showing a reaction to his words. He looked pleased, disgustingly pleased. I held onto Salem’s shaky hand feeling her exhale and gave me a gentle smile. She had broken down because of this man. Of this man frozen in the past. My anger continued to fester, I needed to act and say something to get Salem to catch her breath and calm down.

“Mr. Greece we haven’t  been formally introduced. I'm Honey Sie.” I smirked, enjoying the fact TG’s smug expression disappeared into a hardened one.