The Lost Child

Chapter 9: A Trip

A day later...

"Papa!" Genevieve decided to beg her father inside his house office to forgive Catherine for what she has done. "She didn't mean it, she had a rough childhood and she said she was just jealous. Can you just forgive her? Please."

"She stole money from me! Do you think I would let that slide easily?!" Arthur said sternly.

"Papa!" Genevieve grabbed his arm. "It's not good if anyone in this house are on bad terms. Why don't you try and listen to her side?"

Arthur felt bad for yelling at Catherine. He realized that she also needed to be heard, maybe Catherine was needing something they couldn't provide because she hesitated to ask.

"Please, papa! Just forgive Catherine!" Genevieve pleaded.

Arthur sighed, "Where is she?"

"In her room," Genevieve replied.

Meanwhile, Catherine was laying on her bed, her head against the wall, tears pouring from her eyes as she knew she had broken their trust.

There was a soft knock on the door, and Arthur entered, walking gently towards Catherine so he wouldn't startle her.

"Can we talk?" He said as he sat down on the bed next to her.

"I'm sorry," Catherine broke down into tears. "I didn't know what I was doing."

"Why did you do that?" Arthur asked.

Catherine sniffled. "I was shy to ask for money, so I stole it, thinking you wouldn't notice. I know it's wrong, I'm really sorry."

Arthur sighed as he pulled his daughter into his arms, her cheeks resting on his chest as he wrapped her in a warm embrace. "Next time, just ask. You don't have to steal. Don't do this again, okay?"

"Yes, papa," she sniffled.

Just then, Mary's voice rang out from the kitchen, calling for everyone to get ready as they prepared to leave on a trip.

As the family descended into chaos, packing and gathering their things, Arthur and Catherine shared a moment of understanding, their bond strengthened by forgiveness.

Then Mary's voice was heard that was coming down from the kitchen while the 2 are having an emotional moment.

"EVERYONE? WHERE ARE YOU? I TOLD YOU TO PREPARE, GEORGE, PACK YOUR BAGS NOW, ELISA! WHERE ARE THE CONTAINERS? WHY AREN'T YOU CHANGING YOUR CLOTHES YET?! YOU KNOW WE HAVE TO LEAVE EARLY, WHERE IS YOUR FATHER? TAKE A SHOWER NOW! WHERE IS MY SLIPPERS? ALICE, PREPARE YOUR MENSTRUATION NAPKINS! GOODNESS SAKE WHERE IS THE KITCHEN KNIFE, DID YOUR FATHER USED THAT TO CUT HIS DRAGON FRUIT AGAIN?! OH MY GOODNESS, ELISA, I TOLD YOU TO PUT THE FRUITS INSIDE A PLASTIC BAG! WHERE IS THE PLASTIC BAG?!"

Arthur muttered, "I assume you are used to Mary nagging again"

Catherine giggled.

After a few hours, everyone was under chaos, Elisa and George helping each other carry the luggage downstairs, Genevieve and Catherine placing the food on different containers, Arthur taking a shower and Mary nagging.

Mary almost tripped on the box, she opened it and saw tools like screwdrivers, hammers, bow arrows, revolvers, thumb tacks, and a rope, "Goodness, why is my husband so obsessed with fixing the furnitures, he has always been like this"

She called out Catherine and Genevieve, "Cath! Genie! Come out here!"

The 2 girls went up to their mother, Mary points at the box with the tools, "Kindly put that on the basement, your father is so useless!"