Chapter 5 - Grave
The gloomy weather could be blamed for Wren Austin’s depressing mood the following morning. Not that she hated the rain, no. Wren Austin loved the rain. She would stay home, fix herself a hot cup of chocolate or coffee, put on some comfy clothes and get under her duvet, binge-watching her favourite series. And when the couch got too warm for her liking, she would shift to her window seat, listen to the pitter-patter of rain drops on her window and enjoy her view.
But today, the gloomy weather only seemed to darken her mood. The last thing she wanted was to be alone in her apartment, neither would she want to be out there, and risk bumping into him.
Giovanni O’Connell. Not after the events of last night, when he had seen her in a most defenceless state. He has always known her to be strong and fierce, but yesterday Luke caught her off guard, steering that behaviour from her.
What annoyed Wren Austin the more was the fact that the events of yesterday had already spread around town. She knew that because Gwen had called to ask her exactly what had happened because she didn’t want to believe the rumours.
Of course, she had dismissed the conversation as soon as Gwen brought it up because she was still mortified over the fact that he had seen her like that. Her talk with Gwen diverted onto something else which she was grateful for, but just like the rest, Gwen couldn’t help herself but talk about him. And it was with her talk with Gwen that Wren Austin knew about the memorial service of Mr Arthur O’Connell, Giovani’s father.
Wren didn’t want to go. But somehow, Gwen had succeeded in convincing her, and right now, just the thought of that made her stomach churn in an unpleasant way. She told herself that she was going for Topaz and Nanna Denise because they deserved her condolences. Not the arrogant and deceitful man who broke her heart and didn't bother to show up for his father's funeral.
Again, not that Wren cared.
More so, the blonde knew that the population of Craigsburg were monitoring her, wanting to see if she would show up, and if she didnt, how the interaction between her and Giovanni will look like.
Wren Austin signed as she got out of bed and made her way to the bathroom. She was going to show up at the Watford mansion, but she could only hope their paths didn't cross.
It was a quiet morning in the Watford mansion. Giovanni O'connell, Topaz O’Connell as well as Nanna Denise and her young lass all gathered around the large mahogany dining in the kitchen.
The only thing that filled the deafening silence was the clanking of forks against plates, the occasional sip from twelve-year-old Unika, Nanna Denise's daughter as well as the ticking of the clock.
The silence in the room was due to the fact that no one knew what to say, especially on a day like that. A day when they had to relieve a pain they have carried along for the past years.
Coincidentally, it was on a rainy day like this that Mr Arthur O’Connell said his goodbyes and embarked on his journey into the world unknown. They were all gathered on the table, just like now with the exception of Giovanni when the old man suddenly dropped and by the time they made it to the hospital, it was too late.
It felt like it happened yesterday because the pain was still fresh in the heart of Topaz O’Connell, considering that she was closer to him than Giovanni was. And in all honesty, Topaz held a little bit of anger towards Giovanni for not showing up when she needed him the most. She understood that he was held up with work, but deep down, she felt that if he could, he would have shown up.
Giovanni O’Connell was starting to feel a dagger in his heart. It will be his first time visiting his old man since his passing away as he never had the chance to properly mourn him. And now, with every ticking of the clock in the quiet room, his heartbeat began to match the rhythm.
"We should get going" Nanna Denise's voice filled the quiet room. Giovanni looked up to her with a nod whilst Topaz quietly got off her seat and mounted the stairs.
Giovanni was about to call after her when Nanna Denise's hand on his arm stopped him. The young man turn to her with a raised eyebrow.
Nanna Denise retreated her arm and let out a sigh. "Let her be, it's difficult for her," the woman said in a reasoning tone that made it impossible for the young man to argue.
When they made it to the cemetery, it had stopped raining, but the clouds were peach black indicating that it might rain again. As they stepped on the wet grass, Giovanni O’Connell couldn't help but take a peek in the direction of his sister, where the latter walked with her head facing the ground and with her arms.
Giovanni stood at a further end and gave way for Nana Denise, Topaz and Unika to pay their respects to him. It wasn't long until Giovanni felt a tap on his shoulder, and when he looked through his dark shade, he saw Nanna Denise nod and only then did he realise that they'd finished.
The young man nodded in acknowledgement and carefully stepped forward. After taking off his shades, he had his arms folded to the front while he looked at the slab that had the name of a great man scribbled in fine writing.
Giovanni O’Connell sniffled a breath and just then, a heavy wind blew, almost lifting him from the ground. Giovanni took it as a sign to be his father talking to him and expressing his anger towards him. Anger for not being present the day he was being laid to rest and anger for not showing up after so long to pay his respects.
Giovanni knew that his sister harboured ill feelings towards him regarding this subject, and he understood that. Hell, he hated himself for not being strong enough to show up and console his sister. In effect, he was too hurt so much so that, Topaz would have been the one consoling him.
So the young man listened to the unsaid words of the wind, nodding his head and blinking several times to chase away the pool of tears that welled up in his eyes. But he blinked until he couldn't, and then, he gave up, allowing the tears to roll down his eyes and permitting himself to fully mourn the death of his father. Giovanni O’Connell cried and cried until he felt his knees begin to grow weak until they eventually gave up and him, forcing him to the ground.