Devil's Oasis

Chapter 5

Our conversation still rings in my mind, it hasn't left my head. For the past four days. After our interesting conversation about Cinderella, he informed me he was leaving to handle business and his cell wouldn't be operable. What does that even mean? The black matte card stares at me in taunt. The smooth surface is only marred by beautiful smooth golden cursive; his name sits elegantly in the middle, below a number. What does he do for work? The question has refused to leave my mind.

I've yet to find a single thing on what he does. Why is it such a problem now? It's not like I've ever known what he does. I figured some boring corporate job, something that kept him busy during the day, left him little conversational time. Not that I've wanted that with him. I can't lie and say that our conversation the other night hasn't sparked my interest. Once more my mind wanders to other places rather than work. The bell rings above the door and I offer the woman a smile.

"Good afternoon, welcome to Rustic Reading Cove, how can I help you?" She offers a polite smile as she turns towards the desk, a folded manilla envelope in hand.

"Are you Embry Faye?" I pause as I watch her, her deep red hair pulled back tightly to a bun, stern features and dark green eyes meet mine in a professional way.

"Can I ask who's asking?" She blinks as she rests her hands on the counter before offering her own tight and controlled nod.

"I'm Kayla Ross, your parents- biological parents Lawyer," she holds her hand out expectantly, as if she hadn't just blown my world up with one sentence.

"Excuse me?" I can't help myself as I stare at her, she frowns for a moment before her hand drops slowly- unsure of my reaction.

"Your biological parents-"

"I don't want to talk to them," I step away from the counter, putting a barrier, more of a barrier between us. I don't need them, they abandoned me first- I don't. Her frown grows more as confusion swims in her eyes.

"I'm sorry- do you not know they passed away?" She asks confusedly as she sets the envelope on the counter.

"I don't care- I don't- you need to leave," my voice sounds so strong, confident- even though my hand shakes as I point towards the door. Suddenly unsure she looks towards the door, back to me in a debate.

"Ma'am, they- you're their estate holder. I'm here-"

"I don't want anything from them," I growl, a poor attempt to stay strong as I wave towards the door once more, needing her gone. This can't be real.

"Oh- uhm... I-" She nods slowly before she pushes the envelope towards me, pushing me back as if she physically shoved me. "I'll leave this here- it's for you. Your parents' estate matters, here's my card if you need anything," she offers and pauses as if expecting me to stop her, I can only stare at her in shock. What does that even mean? Anger rushes over my awareness.

"Leave now- please," my voice quivers under her inspection of me, finally she gives a nod as she offers a much more unsure smile and takes her leave. The professional appearance now shattered and left in shambles at the counter, the bell chimes above the door as she exits. I don't- My eyes fall to the envelope as I'm forced to think on her words. Why? I don't understand why my biological... spawn would leave anything- to me.

My stomach churns, the coffee I had had earlier curdles in my belly, I make a dash towards the bathroom. I hurl unable to control myself, hands shake as I clutch the wall. Why? Why now? Why do they care now? My limbs feel heavy as I flush the toilet, splashing water on my face. I stare in the mirror- the image that stares back is one I hate. I look just like them. My father's blue eyes, light in tone but dark in shadows, a mysterious depth to them, gray flecks dance across the surface in an interesting masterpiece.