Chapter 7 - Hidden Truth

My father was dead.

For the second time.

The pain was as unimaginable and as intense as I remembered.

I left the hospital after making the arrangements with the doctor. Lisa made the public announcements and called everyone necessary and informed them. She received calls in my place and took down the notes that she needed.

A funeral home called me not long after. Apparently my father had anticipated his own death so much that he had planned his own funeral. Everything had been prepared, down to the suit that he would be wearing.

All I had to do was show up.

Michael still pestered me with incessant calls. I was tired of him, but he didn't stop. Nicholas Moretti sent me his deepest condolences. A heartfelt letter talking about my father and a large bouquet of white roses. He had left Hadron and was already in another country on a business trip.

A busy man, I couldn't blame him.

I spent the days before the funeral in complete solitude. At least I was given that.

My father's will would be read after his funeral, but I pretty much knew everything that was in it. The last time, he had willed everything to me, his only heir and child. He had given me the rest of his shares and I officially bacame Chairman of the board of directors. After that I was tasked with picking out the new CEO.

A position that I had been very determined to give Michael up until a few days ago.

Mabel walked into my room without as much as a knock, I didn't look up from the tv screen I was watching. I was playing home videos.

When my father was still alive he used to love making home videos. We had quite a number of them. The one I was currently watching was a favorite of mine. My Dad was teaching me how to play baseball. A sport I quickly lost interest in.

"Miss Faye is here to see you."

My ears perked at the sound of Faye coming to see me. Faye was the closest thing I had to a best friend, but she travelled a lot. We only saw each other whenever she was in Hadron. And she had tried to call after hearing the news of my father's death but I was too distraught to talk to anyone.

I couldn't believe she flew all the way from Calypso to see me.

Faye walked in right after Mabel announced.

She was just as I remembered, except this time her once bright dyed red hair had been dyed a shade of soft pink and cut into a bob. She was wearing dungarees and a plain white tee. I could tell she just got off the plane with the fatigue on her face.

"Cleo!"

She called out as she pulled me into a hug. Faye was very small, but she could crush me with her hugs sometimes. When it came to hugs, Faye gave them her all.

"Faye. I missed you."

I murmured into her neck. She smelled like the salty sea air and tropical fruits. She must have been having a blast in Calyspo before rushing back to see me.

"I came as soon as I heard."

She said.

I nodded in appreciation.

"You shouldn't have."

I said and she sighed.

"How are you holding up?"

I shrugged.

"I'm good. Just getting some rest. The funeral's tomorrow."

Faye nodded as she did a brief sweep of my room with her eyes. She must have noticed that it looked like I had not gotten out of bed all day.

"Where's Michael? Is he not here yet?!"

She asked and I shifted uncomfortably in my bed. She didn't hear the news then. She must have not seen it on the blogs and I've been so preoccupied that I didn't think of calling and informing her.

"Michael and I broke up."

I said plainly and Faye shrieked, her hands on her mouth. I looked up at her, she stared at me in shock.

"When did this happen?! You didn't tell me anything!"

"A few days ago."

I replied and she sighed.

"But why? What happened?"

"He was cheating on me."

I replied and Faye sighed.

"Oh. That bastard. I'm so sorry about everything Cleo."

She said sympathetically and I nodded.

"Still, you should have let him come here and comfort you. I don't like the fact that you're all alone." Faye said.

My eyes shot up to hers. Why would she make such a statement?!

Did everyone believe or think that I was some sort of fragile object that had to be taken care of all the time?!

"What do you mean?"

I asked and Faye shrugged. She looked hesitant to speak.

"Come on Cleo. It's not like it was his first time. You've forgiven him for cheating before. What's so different about this time?!"

She was right. Right and wrong at the same time. I had forgiven Michael for cheating before and it was foolish of me but I did it. The only soul I told was Faye and I couldn't believe she was throwing it back in my face.

Why was she even bringing it up?! If I told her all that Michael had done to me I'm sure she wouldn't believe it.

At a time like this.

And I couldn't believe the words that were coming out of her mouth.

"Get out Faye. I'd like to get some rest."

I said as I pulled my covers, pulling it away from her. Faye stood up abruptly, surprise etched on her features.

"Cleo as you sure you're okay?!"

"I don't think it's wise that I leave you alone..."

"But I want to be alone!"

I snapped at her.

Slowly, she stood up and left the room. I sighed in relief as she left.

Then I heard the whispers of a conversation just outside of my bedroom.

"Is she okay Mabel? I didn't think her father's death would affect her this much."

"She has been like this for a few days Ms Faye. I think it's something else."

I scoffed at them. Who were they?! What did they know? They would never be able to understand what I was going through.

I wanted them all to leave.

They should leave me and let me mourn my father in peace.

.........

The cemetery lay silent under a heavy, gray sky, matching the somber mood that draped over everything. Dressed entirely in black, I stood alone near my father's yet-to-be-filled grave, the air heavy with grief. The ceremony would begin soon, I just needed a moment with what would be my father's last resting place.

And a moment alone.

I forgot how many people offered their condolences during a time such as this. My phone kept blaring every hour with it. The house was filled with flowers and gifts and thoughtful messages from friends home and abroad. The rich didn't spare when it came to giving flowers for the dead.

The stillness and quiet I was experiencing now was comforting. And a huge relief. When the ceremony began, I'd have to deal with people again.

As I stared at the cold, unyielding earth beneath my feet. Everything had been prepared already. The funeral home my father had commissioned to plan his funeral had done everything like he asked, all I did was supervise and double check to see if they all met my father's wishes.

I heard footsteps approaching and I turned to look with a frown on my face. The ceremony wasn't starting anytime soon.

Who was that?!

Alexander, my father's former tall and lanky personal assistant, approached with an air of hesitation. I wondered what he was doing here. I haven't seen him since my father was sick.

"Cleo," he began tentatively, "My deepest condolences."

He said and I turned away.

"What are you doing here?!"

I asked and he muttered.

"I'm sorry, but there's something I need to tell you."

"This is not the time, Alexander," I replied, my voice cutting through the hushed atmosphere. "I don't want to deal with anything related to business right now or the company or whatever it is you want to tell me."

His gaze faltered, but he pressed on. "I can't leave. Not now. There's something important you need to know."

Frustration crept into my tone. "I said leave, Alexander. Today is my father's burial and it's a private closed off event, you shouldn't even be here."

His response carried an unexpected weight. "I can't leave, Cleo, because I have a right to be here."

I narrowed my eyes at him. Confused by his statement.

"What right?!"

"We're family."

My eyes widened in disbelief. "Family? What are you talking about?"

"I'm your brother, Cleo. This is my father's burial too, I cannot leave," he confessed, his words hanging heavy in the air, shattering the quiet mourning that enveloped us. The revelation echoed through the stillness of the cemetery, leaving me completely stunned.