Compass - Banana Fish x Reader

CHAPTER SEVEN: Third Down to the Left

It had been so long since I had joined Papa for tea in his garden, and usually it made me feel so at ease...but this time, all I felt was nausea creeping up through my guts. The weather was perfect despite the storm internally brewing, but Papa seemed none the wiser.

"Arthur tells me you've been locking yourself up in that art classroom all day. I wish you would get out more...I have connections to get you wherever you want to be, you know..." Again, he was trying to give me an easy path, and my suspicions wavered once more. Smiling, I placed my teacup back down on the saucer and shook my head.

"I really appreciate it...but I'd like to pave my own way, Papa. You've already done so much for me, I think it's about time I do something for myself, don't you think?" The sun was beating down on us, and I was thankful for it. I could blame the light sheen of sweat on the heat rather than my rising nerves.

"You're truly an admirable woman, my dear." Papa sighed as he folded his hands in his lap. "I really wish you would just move in here with me so I wouldn't have to worry about you so much..." He hadn't mentioned the whole abduction thing at all, but I thought that was what he was trying to imply.

"I'll...consider it...You know I enjoy my independence a little too much..." I laughed kind of awkwardly and shifted in my seat. I would never get used to so many guards surrounding us, even if we were having a private conversation on his own property.

"Ah, I know, I know...but please, seriously consider it. I need my little puppy dog safe." He went to continue on, but one of his men intervened by leaning down and whispering in his ear. After nodding and humming in agreement to whatever was said, he turned back to me. "I'm sorry, but I must be going to an appointment now. Senator Kippard doesn't like to be kept waiting!"

Kippard...

That name caused me to swallow down something that decided to try and shoot up my throat, but I wasn't sure why. Every time I heard it I would feel almost violated, in a way. I'd never even officially met the man.

"Oh...that's fine! W..would you mind if I stuck around for a while? I kind of miss coming here all the time..." It was difficult to maintain a poker face, but Papa didn't even give his answer a second thought.

"My house is your house, my dear. If you're here when I return, perhaps we could go out for dinner? It's been an age since we did that." His smile crinkled the skin beneath his eyes as he stood up, and I followed suit to be polite. Agreeing and seeing him off, I let out a breath I hadn't even knew I had been holding as I ventured into the mansion. I probably had about half an hour or so until Arthur returned from whatever business he had to attend to, so I had to make it quick. In and out, to prove my uncle's innocence.

It should have been easy, but no, in no way, shape or form was this a simple task for me. The good thing about the situation was that the guards trusted me, so I wasn't being tailed every step I took, but it didn't make it any less nerve-wracking. His office was on the top floor, and even the door looked daunting to me. I had only been inside a handful of times, but I had never stayed long. I was always ushered out or just popped my head in.

Sucking in a deep breath, I entered and made a beeline straight for his desk. I swept my hand over the pristine mahogany and eyed the third drawer down to the left. My muscles seemed to seize in that moment, and I regretted even attempting this, but it was too late to back out now. Just one, quick look was all that would be needed, and I could leave and never think of Ash, Shorter or any of those fiends again.

Here goes nothing...

I was surprised that the drawer was unlocked, and I let out a short sigh of relief when all I saw was paperwork. Manilla folders stacked neatly on top of one another, and I almost closed the drawer then and there. My job was done...or so I thought. Before I got the drawer even half way closed, something caught my eye. Scrawled messily upon the first folder, in my Papa's handwriting was...