The Beginning

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The room was a mess of piles of paper. Books lined the heavy shelves, some of them completely untouched for years. Telltale dust flitted across lines of light filtering in through the stained glass windows that stretched up the wall behind the desk. The room smelled of must and alcohol, leaving me wondering what my father had done in his last few moments. He wouldn't ever have left his office like this, so I was a bit suspicious.

He'd practically lived in this office. He had seen more of the inside of this office than he had of his own daughter. Of course, I refused to become resentful. Resenting a parent was simply not cool, and never would be. I'd just mourn his death and try to move past the loss of a parent I barely knew. Oh, nope. Totally not resentful.

My father really did care about me. I know that. I mean, he bought me just about anything I ever wanted, and he showed up to most school functions. He let me go out with friends and never pushed me for details on where I'd been. I guessed he just wanted to give me space.

Still though, sometimes I felt like he never had time for me. I used to do stupid things to get his attention. Drinking, drugs, running away, skipping class or cutting school. I created quite the reputation, though nothing seemed to work.

There would be days when my father would vanish into his office and wouldn't come out for days. The maid would leave food at the door for him, though no one would see the door open at all during those times. I've always wondered what he did in the office all by himself for those days on end.

I shook out of my thoughts as an officer touched my shoulder. I glanced at him, noting the stress lines around his mouth and the crows feet at his eyes. The guy was in serious need of some botox.

"I'm sorry for your loss, Miss Raymonds. Truly. I've known your father for years. Geoffrey was a great man." He said in a gruff voice, nodding slowly.

I shook the hand off my shoulder, stepping away. "No. He was a brilliant man. He was a good worker. But he wasn't a good man. He was selfish and secretive. Don't lie to me."

He nodded once more. "I apologize, Miss."

"Maylee." I didn't look at him when I spoke, my gaze locked on my feet.

"Right. I'll be downstairs if you have any questions, Maylee." Officer Collins exited the room then.

I was left alone, retreating back into my memories of my father. I missed him already.

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a/n: sorry for the short chapter. I'll have the next one up soon.

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