Cold Hearts - Mark Tuan fanfic

4 - 180-degree Turn

Mark and Phoebe take you to your aunt's place Saturday afternoon. She's actually the only relative you know aside from your dad. 

She's been a widow for twenty years now. She doesn't have any kids and is living alone in her house. 

The house is a two-story old house made of wood. It can't compare to the castle you've left behind. Your room, at the second floor, is just a third of your room back in your house. Mark helps you carry your things up to your room.

"Ugh...." you complain. 

"It's not that bad," Mark consoles you. 

"Come on and have some snacks, kids," your aunt shouts from downstairs. You can smell the sweet aroma of banana cream pie coming from the kitchen. 

"Thanks, Aunt Mary," Phoebe gets a big slice of the pie and immediately takes a bite. 

"How's your mom?" She asks her.

"She's doing fine. She's got a new baby coming, though."

"I heard." Then she turns to Mark. "Mark, right?"

"Yes, ma'am," he smiles shyly. 

"Your parents own the restaurant chains in town. Am I right?"

He just smiles to confirm and forks a big chunk of the pie. 

"Why are you not eating, sweetie?" Aunt Mary notices you've only had a nibble of your piece. 

"I have to watch my weight," you look at Phoebe who is pigging out hers .She just shrugs at your glare. 

"I know this place is not as big as yours, Elysa. But, it's still a home. I hope you enjoy your stay here." 

The apologetic face she shows you makes you smile. 

"I'm fine with it, Aunt Mary. Don't worry about me." But you're really not. It would take time for you to get used to it - no maids to order around, no pool to dip into, no luxury cars to drive around. 

Sunday night, after your date with Mark, you sit in the living room with your aunt. She turns on the TV and looks for the news. 

"Mr. Thorne is now in custody and is facing charges of illegal drug trafficking. He's....." she turns it off. 

With wide eyes, you turn to look at her. 

"What is going on?"

"Sweetie," your aunt moves closer to you on the sofa, "your dad.... he's...." but she stops.

"He's what? Aunt Mary, He's what?" Your voice is starting to shake. 

But she doesn't answer. 

You run up to your room, take out your laptop and type in your father's name on Google. 

Turns out, your father is one of the biggest illegal drug trafficker in the country. Just recently, authorities have proven his crime. He is now taken into custody and would be facing a 20 year to life sentence if found guilty.

He has contacts in China, Pakistan, Turkey, Eastern Europe - all the places he goes to when he tells you he has a business trip. 

His assets and or properties are all confiscated by the government and are still for investigation. That's why he gave you two bank accounts under two different names. 

Your tears won't stop flowing as you keep on reading articles after articles of your dads doing. 

How can this happen? He's not that man. Maybe they got the wrong guy. He's not a criminal. My dad is a legit business man.