Shadows of deceit : The Augustus secret

Chapter nineteen

Ashley

I walk into the living room, and I can see David sitting on a chair, his cigar is placed next to him on a table and in front of him lays a chess board. He was moving the pieces, focused. But as soon as I walked in, he noticed my presence as he looked my way and gave me a smile.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to interrupt you."

"Nonsense, come join me." I make my way towards him and sit across from him.

"Do you know how to play?" he asked. "I do."

"Would you honor me a game then?" I hesitated for a moment since I wasn't that good at chess, but it was an opportunity for me to make small talk with David.

"Alright." I smiled at him, "Ladies first, so here take white." He smiled at me as he flipped the board and began to arrange the pieces into their places.

Everything was set, and he gestured for me to begin. I take my knight and I move it, he does the same with his piece and I continue developing my opening as he follows up.

"The King's Indian Attack, good opening." He looks at me before he moves one of his pieces. I didn't even know the name of my opening since I'm not that good or drawn to chess, but I learned it because it seemed to be interesting for me to learn.

"How long have you been playing chess?" I ask. "Since I was a kid, I used to play with Henry, and he always walked away mid game when he sensed a checkmate." He quietly laughed to himself.

"You were better at chess than him?" I asked, trying to hide my surprise as the thought of something beating up Henry Augustus seemed unusual from the way he presented himself.

"I wouldn't say better, only I didn't mind defeat." He said as he moved another piece. "Check."

I studied the board for a moment before I chose my next move. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Go ahead."

"How close were you to your brother?" his eyes fixated on the board as he stayed quiet for a moment before he said, "There was a time in our lives when Henry and I were inseparable, he was my older brother and he treated me as if he was my second father."

"But growing up changes a person, it sets different priorities and goals, for me my priority was my family, the one I made. My children and my wife." He paused before he looked at me and said quietly "May her soul rests in piece."

"I- I'm sorry..." he shakes his head before he continues "No it's alright, as I was saying, my brother's priority was also his family, he was dedicated to the family name, dedicated to the business and legacy."

"So, with both of us being focused on both our families, that kind of pulled us apart."

"I'm sorry but I can't help but notice the way you say both our families as if you don't belong to the same family, in the end you both are Augustus." I replied as I moved my piece.

He hummed as he studied his next move, he remained silent for a moment, and I couldn't help but overthink weather I formed my question right or I pushed him away from opening up.

"No, you're right. But I'd be lying to you If I spoke as if we were one big happy family." He looked at me and he gave me an apologetic smile before he continued, "I understand your attempt to push this conversation in a certain direction Miss Ashley, but I would appreciate it if you asked what you wanted to ask directly and not play a game of chess with me." He quietly laughed at his pun, and I couldn't help but feel my cheeks heating up at my failed try to interview him.