The Witch's Doll ⚢

Chapter 16

A/N

Sorry for the delay, got sick and all that crap. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this new chapter!

They buried him today.

Isla stood in the crowd, all of them dressed in blacks. She clenched her hands nervously as women in big, veiled hats and men with slicked-back hairs and fitted tuxedos exchanging soft, sad words about what a shame it was. How Parker had been so brilliant, how he could have had such a full life ahead of him.

There was a coffin in the middle, and the mortician did a great job in making Parker look peaceful even if he had a violent end.

Parker's grieving parents had heavy ringed eyes, their faces lined in stress. It was cold, not only because of the weather but being in a burial where the guilt was strong proved to be suffocating.

"This is aggravating," Henri confessed to her.

"Yes, this is one of those times where I wish I was everywhere but here."

Isla and Henri stood far out from the crowd where they watch Poppy and Abigail console Parker's dear parents at the front. Mrs. Hurley was red and swollen like a pregnant woman and Mr. Hurley brooding like a lost soldier in the midst of war.

They both couldn't find it in their hearts to face them once more today when they both share the immense guilt of his demise.

Parker's coffin had been lowered down to the earth. Yet, as the hours went by and the hollowed earth was full again, some people loved him who refused to move on and lingered.

Except for the Minister of Defense and his son, Graham Galloway, Isla was certain they stayed for a hidden agenda; probably to spread false information to strike fear and submission to their cause in their particular beliefs in the name of politics.

Henri's father, however, the Minister of State Jermaine De Ferrers was eager to leave. "It does not puzzle me that you would want to stay behind. He's your best mate after all, but I have to go."

"Worry not, father. I have my own car."

"See you, son."

They watched him walk away and when Henri was sure of his distance, he asked her while fixing his cufflinks. A habit he frequently does when he was about to put up with a facade. "So, what time will you meet with Miss Lu today?"

Isla doubted what sort of act of brash decision Henri had in mind for him to be nervous about and refuse to tell her. "In about an hour, I will meet her and Benjamin will drive us to a café shop she requested."

"What café shop is it?"

Isla raised her neatly arched eyebrow at the possibility that Henri might trail after them. "Something called Hallowed Grounds and Leaves, I am certain my chauffeur knows the place."

Henri's eyebrows knitted together in a frown.

"What? What's with that look?"

"I know the place. That was where Parker had a blind date weeks ago."

"Parker had a blind date?"

"Yeah, I set him up to help him get over you but during that date, something happened—he won't tell me—but I guess that saddened him so he took your aunt's advice to pursue you instead."

"Do you know the girl he had a date with?"

"Truthfully, I forgot her name. All I know is that she's the kind of girl that you wouldn't notice until you really look at her."