Chapter 56: Chapter Fifty-six

I never expected things to turn out this way. Good or bad, we still have to accept our fate. But there are others who are brave enough to fight it, venture out of their comfort zone. I wish I was brave. I wouldn’t be feeling this way if I was. Now? It’s too late.

White roses sat on the vase, beautifying the room and giving off its floral scent that Dad could smell every morning. Mother would ask one of the helpers to buy fresh white roses at the flower shop every day, placing them on the nightstand for Dad to see. He was still in bed, frowning at how Mom would treat him like a ‘baby’.

“I could handle myself well, Helen.” Dad grumbled and stopped short to open his mouth at the incoming spoon of soup. Mom smiled at how obedient he was today as she fed him. “It’s not my jaw that hurts and I can still join my family for breakfast, not here in our bedroom.”

Harvey, who sat next to him, leaned into him and grinned. “I know, Dad! You’re still strong and healthy. I don’t understand why women have to fuss just about everything.” Flicking him on the forehead, I chuckled at a grumbling Harvey. Watched him rub the sore spot on his head.

“We’re just worried about Dad, Harv.” I smiled apologetically at the frowning boy. “You know how hardheaded he is, especially when he gets bored.”

Saturday has finally come, a time for us to spend it together. All of us were just going to stay at home. Mom uses her free time in taking care of Dad and to plan Harvey’s upcoming birthday party. Learning this, the boy would just hide in his room in fear for what our mother has in store for him.

Oh well, there’s nothing he can do but go through it or all hell will be set loose.

Excusing myself, I walked out of the master’s bedroom and down the hall. Heading for my room with a smile. But as I ventured further down the hall, the smile faltered and what was left was a thin line on my lips once I arrived in front of the door. Putting up a happy face around my family was harder than I thought when the images of Arianne Howard’s sudden death are still in my head. I could remember it all. How she ran towards me, just as a gunshot echoed around the place and how she stood still. Eyes wide like she has seen the light, blood trickling down her forehead. Body hitting the pavement.

I could still hear the screams of the nearby civilians, terrified by the blood that pooled around Howard’s still body on the ground. As Patton continued to pull my arm, urging me to leave immediately, my eyes remained glued at the unconscious form as he led the way back to the car. There was nothing I could do, the woman died so easily, a bullet taking her life just as she was about to reveal who her boss was. Who was behind it all?

Sighing deeply, I pushed the door open before shutting it behind me. I leaned on it and covered my face with my hands, tired of the thoughts and memories that kept me up all night. Nightmares continued to come and go, leaving me breathless and frightened. Dark circles were easy to hide during work, make up doing its best but at home, I could get questioned for wearing a concealer. Thankfully, no one has noticed yet and when they do, I’d repeat the same reason to them. That I stayed up late to finish my paperwork.

Phone ringing, it snapped me out of my thoughts and followed where the sound was, leading me to my desk. Chad’s name lit up on the screen which made me answer it hurriedly. Maybe he has news on who killed Arianne Howard. Picking the green button, I pressed the phone against my ear. “Chad?”

“Hey, baby… is everything all right?”

“Yeah,” I mumbled softly, flopping down on the bed. Mattress welcoming my tired back. “How ‘bout you?”

“Yes, everything’s fine here. Just a bit cold…”

“Cold? Are you outside?” Snatching the remote at my side, I turned the television on before lowering the volume. “Are you wearing a coat?” It was freezing outside, one of the many reasons why I didn’t want to leave the house, where the thermostat was blasting warmth and the fireplace was lit in every room, securing that we wouldn’t turn stiff due to the cold. Chad chuckled at the other end, releasing a breath.

“No, I’m here at the office. Even if it’s snowing, I have to be present since a meeting is going to be held in a few minutes.”

“I see,” I murmured, “I’m not keeping you, am I?” His soft reply was to urge me to talk, saying that he has all the time in the world. “Did you… find out anything about Arianne’s death?” It was obviously an assassination to silence her forever and whoever paid the gunner to do it must be so angry at her to go that far. We both must find the gunner and make him talk or trace everyone who knows Arianne that hated her. In that way, we’d see and know why they wanted her dead.

“I haven’t heard from the police, Rachel.” he sighed tiredly, “I received a call once but it was just to clarify some stuff. Nothing important.” He breathed into the receiver, sounding stressed. “To be honest, I think those assholes are slacking.”

“Or maybe just busy.” I defended myself. It was true that some police officers are lazy but not all of them. “Come on, Chad…”

“All right, so did you go out today? Is your father fine now?”

Dad? “He’s… the same as ever. Still butt hurt that he can’t go back to work until Mom tells him he can. Honestly, he’s doing much better now than the first week. Not really grumpy.”

“Oh?” Chad’s chuckles made me smile softly, missing him at the moment. Can we see each other this weekend? Should I ask him? “Hey Rach, are you still there?”

“Huh? Oh, yes I’m still here, um…” Scratching my arm, a goofy smile spread across my lips like an idiot. Can’t believe I’m doing this! He might tease me for weeks. Risking it, I licked my lips. “Chad, can we go out on a—”

“Huh? What?” Another voice was present from the other line, so faint I could barely make it out. “Oh, I see. All right.” Shuffling was all I heard before Chad’s voice went back to the receiver. “Hello? Um, baby I have to go. The meeting is starting.”

“Ah, all right I understand.”

“Did you say some—”

“No! Nothing, it’s fine. Go, you have a meeting to attend to.” It was silly of me to ask him when he is too busy. Maybe some other time will do. I should just stay at home; spend quality time with my family instead of frolicking off with him when we could just see each other later. Just not now. “I have to go too… um, Dad might find me and we’ll play some board games or talk about stuff fathers and daughters do.”

Chad was silent for a few seconds until he laughed. “Ah, okay. Sorry if I have to go, baby. See you soon, Rachel.”

“See you too, Chad. I love you.” I whispered, the intimacy making my stomach feel like there are butterflies in it. So strange. “I love you so much.”

When he didn’t reply, my lips turned into a thin line, wondering what was wrong. Panicking a bit, I almost released a sigh in relief when he chuckled gently. “Love you too, baby. Take care, okay?”

“Yeah, go and do your best to give the best ideas.” Supporting me was all I could do at the moment, not being there physically was not really a problem for there was the phone. Still, supporting him over the phone is different from cheering him on the side. Other than that, his mother might be there. Even on his bed, supposed to be resting instead of complaining, Dad would still voice out his doubts on Mrs. Montgomery and her family that all to make him shut up was for Mom to shove a spoonful of soup in his mouth.

Thinking about Chad was also considered dangerous on my part; for fear that Dad might read me through my facial reaction. I mean, who wouldn’t when all that I could do was smile like I “won the lottery or something” based on Harvey’s observation no less. Not to mention, the way Mom would do the same and Dad would think we were hiding something from him.

Embarrassing as it may be, we would just laugh it off. However, I couldn’t say the same thing if both of the men in our family found out about it. Harvey, who kind of likes Chad as a brother figure—their relationship still has the possibility to revert back to what it was before—might not like the idea. As for Dad, he wouldn’t like his daughter to date an ‘enemy’ of his.

“I will, baby.” he whispered, “Bye.”

“Bye.” Once he hung up, I stared at the phone for a few minutes and sighed. That was too close. So close to being teased until I die. Squealing like a dying whale, I buried my face into my pillows and exhaled deeply. What would’ve happened if I did? Would he even accept it? I mean, he does have work…

“Miss Maxwell?” Sitting up straight at Henry’s voice, I turned to the door and heard him knock again. “Miss Maxwell, are you in there?”

“Y-yes! I am here,” I answered hurriedly. Putting away my phone, I rushed towards the door and pulled it open. The old butler stood in front of me, all proper as he gestured down the hall. “What is it, Henry?”

“Your father wants to speak to you privately.”

Fixing my hair, I scurried my way over to his room and knocked twice before admitting myself in. Door creaked slightly as I pushed it. “Dad? You wanted to speak to me?” Eyes scanning the room, they landed on Mom, who took Harvey’s hand and they left the room. Harvey waved goodbye as he shut the door. My gaze landed on the man lying down on his bed as he grinned at me. Gesturing me to come closer.

Silently, I went towards him and sat on the edge of his bed. His sleepy eyes stared into mine for a moment. Probably contemplating on what to say until I broke the ice by asking him first. “Are you feeling all right, Dad? Is something bothering you?”

“No, nothing is bothering me.” he replied so softly that it was almost a whisper, “This is just… I have to talk to you about this. It’s important for you to know in case something happens to me.”

“Dad, nothing bad is going to happen to you.” I laughed lightly. Not wanting to touch such a sensitive topic. “So, what do you want to talk about?”

He cleared his throat first, signaling that this was going to be serious. “I want to talk about you talking over the company.”

What?! This is what he wanted to talk about?

Eyes wider than the moon on a clear night, all I could do was sit still or I’d fall down on the floor due to shock. Here was I, going to talk to Dad about taking over the company which has always been my fear. How come I couldn’t escape? My legs wanted to take off and run away from it all. However, I remained still and waited for him to start. Heart pounding so loudly inside my chest and I could barely breathe.

“T-take over the company?”

Dad smiled brightly, “Yes. You’ve been training for this ever since and I know you might say you’re not ready. But as I can see it, you’re perfect for the role now.” I don’t know what’s going on in his mind but I wish I did. I wish I knew what he was thinking at this moment so that I wouldn’t feel this terrified.

“Really?” I drawled since I didn’t know what else to say. He nodded in affirmation. This made me scream silently inside. Oh shit, why are we even doing this? How did we reach this topic? God, can I go back to my room now and forget about this?

“Yes, you are ready to take the position.” Dad mumbled and took my hand in his. “You are the heiress to all our hard work and this is all for you. All for you and Harvey’s bright future. I know that I lack a lot of things as a father but I hope you’ll forgive me for that.”

“Dad—”

He shook his head. “Don’t deny it, Rachel. I may seem like I have it all but I don’t. Money can’t buy the life that was given to us. You know that very well.” He stopped to cough before continuing. “Whatever happens to me, you’ll take over our company. Your mother will help you but as time passes, you’ll be on your own.”

No, I don’t want it! I don’t want to run the company or any businesses for that matter. I’m tired of dealing with all this bullshit and just want to follow my dreams!

Staring at me straight in the eye, Dad spoke in such a solemn voice that all I could do was watch. “You’re the next CEO, Rachel. You’re going to be the best one—” It hurts my heart just to hear what he wishes. Working hard day and night just to give me this. But I didn’t want any of it. All his sacrifices were for nothing, unless…

“—unless you’re having second thoughts.”

Right then and there, I was convinced that he could read my mind. Or I could’ve just imagined the words he uttered. Second thoughts? Gazing back at the man who took all his time preparing me for an empire and only for me to eventually waste it, guilt was in my heart. How right of him to think that I was having second thoughts. Fiddling with my hands, I glanced down at my shirt and pajamas. Even the fluffy slipper. They were all bought by his money, never mine. Starting my small company was just practice because Dad and Mom wanted me to get to know how it means to run one. Now that Dad thinks I’m ‘ready’, this is what I’ve been fearing for since last year.

“Dad…” Am I really going to tell him? Should I prepare myself to get disowned? “Um, well, you see…”

“What is it, pumpkin?”

Body still. Mind running. I knew what I had to say so we wouldn’t encounter further problems. But what I wanted to say was what my heart was screaming. To say that I don’t want any of it. Once I do, there are two roads I’d be going down on. One, I would get disowned by my parents and they would force me to run the company. Two, he’d understand but be disappointed. Both would be the outcome of my bad decision and I hated it.

Life as a Maxwell may seem like a fairytale, but it is way farther than that. Right now, this is torture.

“Yes, I’ll run the company.” The words merely came out of my mouth for terror that I won’t be accepted. There was no other way and considering Dad’s health, he would’ve fainted on the spot if I told him I didn’t want to run our legacy. A legacy that would chain me in misery forever. However, the way Dad’s eyes brightened and how he cheered made me smile but at the same time it broke my heart. The foundation of his happiness was full of empty words and a decision made out of fear.

“Thank you, pumpkin. I knew you’d understand and I’m glad you have invested so much for the company.”

***

“Dr. Hill, is he going to be okay?”

Dad suddenly fainted in the middle of dinner. Mom rushed to his side in shock while Harvey sat still, tears forming in his eyes. My mind didn’t respond until I forced myself up my seat and called an ambulance. The moment we arrived at the hospital, Dad was wheeled to the emergency room. We spent at least an hour in the waiting room before we were transferred to where Dad was staying for the night.

“He’s all right, Mrs. Montgomery.” Walking towards the woman, the doctor continued. “Did he do some activities that would cause him to faint? Like heavy exercise? Or did he get a good sleep last night? Maybe fatigue?”

Mom shook her head at every suggestion. “No, he was just in bed the whole day. He was absolutely bored out of his mind to be honest. So, we decided to let him join us in the dining room and while we were in the middle of dinner he suddenly fell out of his seat!”

Glancing down at my vibrating phone, I checked to see a new message from Chad. Opening it, I read his words.

From: Chad Baby, is your Dad okay? It’s all over the news that he was sent to a hospital today. However the reasons are unknown. What happened to him?

Two other messages came and they were from Francine and Patton. As I was typing a reply to Chad’s inquiry, I walked towards the door to go out but hesitated. What if the paparazzi slipped in without the knowledge of the hospital? Not wanting to get bombarded with questions, I stirred away from the door just in time it barged open.

In came another nurse and behind her was another woman. My eyes widened at the familiar blonde hair and blue sharp eyes. What is she doing here?!

“Helen! I heard what happened to your husband and I came straight from work to be with you!” Rebecca Montgomery rushed to my mother’s side, embracing her hard. Steely eyes roaming the room, her gaze landed on Dad. “The newscasters didn’t know why Damon was sent to the hospital. Is he all right now?”