Chapter 5
He hurried up to reply who would probably be at the door with thought that it might be Alfred who change his mind but he knew how adamant and reluctant his son could be.
Once he got the door opened, he found no one except a gift box. Nervously, he peeps to and fro while picking it up. Curiously, he tore it open and shudders at what his eyes behold.
"Oh no!... Alfred...no!" He cried dropping the box on the ground while rushing inside.
There were still mourners inside and so he didn't want to raise any suspicion. Quietly, he storm towards his study room, locks himself inside and tried contacting Alfred but then cease doing that because he remembers what Alfred said to him about cutting all ties. His wife was still unconscious in her room and was taken care of by a family nurse.
"Oh God, please... please" he pray clenching his fingers together and breathing hard. At this rate, he might go unconscious like his wife.
"Why did you have to go to the villa!" He queries as though Alfred was right there.
"What have you done!" He added up shutting his eyes and shivering.
"We're all gonna die because of you! Alfred wake up!"
Her hands were around her father. Those sore eyes of hers were laid to rest. Her mind was void of thoughts as sleep had taken her.
Currently, they would be staying at a renown chief's home. He was quiet wealthy and was a victim of the present vandalisation by the president. This man known as luke had offer to help. There were also others who offered aid because they saw him as their hero.
However, the real tragedy was just beginning. It has been two months now after he lost his wife, had no contact with his family and still fighting on the case. Though, he was getting on the winning side because the death of his wife prompt more masses to join force.
As for Thelma, Julie's nanny, she had suddenly left the country two days after her boss's death claiming she was having lessons. For the detective, he had his suspicion around thelma for being involved in Linda's death but Alfred didn't find anything suspicious around the juvenile and close the case.
Julie had to acclimatize to the new environment she found herself. Her father never had time for her as he was always busy working! Oh how she hated that. This was the period for this little child to feel loved but off he goes taking care of the masses when family matters first.
The only person she was close to was Luke's son Derek, an adult who runs the business at home. He had a boring personality and wasn't friendly but that was just the only person around that she could talk to.
He was quite religious, good but bad at babysitting but Julie only tries her best to smile at him. At least, his appearance doesn't make her miss her father. Things were worst now because she barely sees him. At nights, she cries hoping that someday he would spend more time with her.
However, things was quite different this day. It was two days to the lawsuit about the president son Brian. A Saturday morning precisely and as always, Alfred was away gathering evidence and abandoning the little girl with Derek.
However, Julie work up early, besides, it was her birthday and unfortunately, the busy man forgot and she had to remind him. He was in his room, hurrying to get dressed up at 5am.
The lonely girl gaze at him, wishing to hug him or get a kiss on the forehead or possibly wish her a blessed birthday. Her father snub her like though she wasn't in the room which made her almost cry but she said to herself.
"A princess doesn't cry"
"Dad?" She called drawing closer to where he was. Gathering an unending file on the bed. He didn't respond to her and she folded her lips.
"Dad!" She press on increasing the pitch of her voice.
"Not now Julie, daddy got work to do" he snap and she heaves a sigh.
"I...just want to say..."
"Yes?" He beckons annoyed that she was interrupting him that early. She was startled at how quick he cut her short.
"Well...I love you dad" she confessed with teary eyes at him and before he could say a word, she ran away to her room and slam the door.
Alfred swallow hard and exhale deeply.
"Kids...they just don't know the right time" he joked while taking the files with him.
She never minds as she had to become mature than her age. Sobbing had her as she pace to the window. Gently, she wipe those tears to see clearly. Her eyes could see her father driving away. Her expectations were cut short. She had thought he would come over at least to know what troubles her but reverse was the case.
He didn't knock, call out to her or reply her back, he just walk away! He was turning his back on those that matters most and wasn't realizing it. She was missing her mother.
A lot rang in her tender head and she hated this day. Sadly, she climb her bed and wrap herself with a pillow lost in thoughts.
Her attention was drawn by a knock on the door. She suddenly brighten up her face expecting that perhaps, her father had come for her.
Happily, she place a beautiful smile and ran to the door, got it open only to find Derek. He was holding a birthday cake and cheering her up.
Even this boring man knows her birthday which was weird because no one here knows that except she and her father. She still maintain her smiles but it was obviously fake.
"Hey princess!" He sang attempting to come inside but she prefers he stays by the door to address her.
"Care to go somewhere amazing?" He mutters with a wry smile. Derek was someone who went straight to the point.
Everything was puzzling for Julie because this was the first time Derek was trying to be fun. Her eyes met with his and she somehow sensed uncertainty.
However, if her father trusts this man to leave her all alone with him, she was fine by it.
"Fine"