Haven And Chaos

9) Her last words

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GALE'S POV
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The clock's ticking infiltrated my mind, distracting me from the document I was reviewing. There was so much to do. But at least the work kept me occupied, restraining my depression even if it was only for a while.
I was getting better. That's what the doctor told me.
I would slowly learn to let go. That's what they said.

But nobody knew the kind of hatred buried deep in my heart and soul for the person responsible for the death of my daughter.

An accident. It's what the police concluded.
An accident? Tsk!

The damned brat was drunk while driving.
I blamed her. I hated her.
I wanted to make her life as miserable as I could. Forcing her into college was just the beginning of the rest of her pitiful life.

*Knock-knock*
The faint knocking interrupted my moment of rage.
I raised my gaze toward the door, before permitting whoever was outside, "Come in!"

The lock clicked and the door slowly gave way.
Standing at the doorway was the person I despised the most in the world. Her presence made me want to rush over and strangle her to death. But, I never killed women. Besides, death would be too easy of a punishment.
It was fun watching her cry and look so miserable.

I had purposely brought her into the house so that the two she-devils living with me could make it even more difficult for her.
Just like her, I hated them as well.
They were two sluts trying to trap me with their feminine charm. And damn my family for forcing me to live with them in the name of comforting me.

"Close the damn door!" I breathed furiously.

Maya quickly jumped inside the room before hurrying over to me.
She brought forward her shaking hands, offering me a sealed envelope.

I grabbed it from her hands. "What is this?"

"The content inside the safe," she answered timidly just as I recognized the seal. It was my family's seal.

I averted my eyes from the purple envelope and studied her. Why was she acting so innocent and scared? Had I not seen enough courage and naughtiness from our strange encounters in both the strip club and the bathroom?
The thought made images of her wet body flash in my head.

I cursed myself instantly, disgusted by my eyes for taking in such a sight.
She wasn't particularly trying to seduce me, but I still couldn't help but think so.

"What are you standing there for? Get to work?" I bellowed smacking the envelope on the desk. The hatred had snapped again and I had lost control.
Gale, oh Gale.

"What...what would you-"

"Go make me two cups of coffee. Icy and hot. No hotter than forty-nine degrees."

"Okay," she said weakly, her eyes lowered to the desk to avoid mine.

I waited till she left the room before picking up the envelope.
My breathing slowed but my heartbeats rose. The letter must have been from my daughter. Why would she leave behind a letter? And why was my name on the envelope?

My palms became sweaty as I tore open the envelope. The dread grew stronger and stronger by the second.

I opened the piece of pink paper, decorated with the beautiful handwriting of Cindy.

'Dear Daddy,

If you're reading this letter, it only means I'm no longer around. I know you've never believed in the sixth sense, but I could already feel that my time was coming. I regret not saying a proper goodbye for I know my departure will be abrupt.

The person you will blame for my death is someone close to me and I can feel that she didn't intend to harm me.

I know you won't let them go so easily, but please, don't revenge Daddy.

Also, do you remember my best friend Maya? I'm sure she's around since you're reading this letter. Only she can unlock the safe. Please take care of her. She's my favorite person, or was since I'm no longer around.

Offer her the love you have for me and be there when she needs me for I can no longer accompany her as we had promised each other.

                           With love, Cindy Grayson.'

They were hot and extremely painful, and they were coming out of my eyes without my permission as I read the letter.
They rolled and fell on the pink paper, leaving stains on the words written in black.

I shut my eyes, the letter slipping from my fingers to fall somewhere around me.
She knew she would die.
Cindy knew we'd never see each other again.

Since she was born, her life had been rough due to the calamities that seemed the happen around her.
Her mother died upon giving birth.
Her first pet died on her fifth birthday.
Her uncle, my brother, died on her tenth birthday.

They said she was doomed and cursed.
But I said it was all nonsense.
Because of such stupid superstitious beliefs, my daughter was mostly isolated by her very own family. She had few friends growing up, and when she became friends with Maya, I was the first to know.

I had been elated by such news.
Who knew that the same friend would be the end of her?

She was asking me to take care of her murderer. Impossible!
I did love her with all I had, money and status and time, but satisfying her last request would be damn impossible.
I wanted to do the opposite of taking care of Maya.