CHAPTER 4 PRECIOUS TIME

( Rhio POV)

Every weight that I though got discarded at the chapel suddenly sprung back. When the gates opened, the lonesome aura of the Mansion greeted me. I wanted peace but the silence inside that cage did the reverse of healing me. It killed me more instead.

The maids stood in array as they welcomed my arrival.   

“I was told you left the hospital alone,” Sya asked like a concerned mother who’s about to beat her kid for getting home late. She must be worried, apparently because she might have known what I did to dad. The news must have spilled it all.

“Yes. I just wanted be alone for some time,” Ironically, it was the least I wanted when I was a kid. I wanted playmates but now all I wanted was some isolation. “Did they get home?”

“Dr. Eriez and Atty. Elthon?” she asked back as we ascended the stairs.

I nodded.

“I doubt they’d be coming home today. They must be busy with your father’s passing.” She looked me in the eye when we reached my room, “All of us here like to express our sympathy for Master James.”

I nodded again.

“Just wake me up once Elthon and Eriez arrive.”

Every step that I took felt heavy. I felt so lost once more, worsened by the deafening silence in my room. Sleep wouldn’t come easily but I fought hard to close my eyes and wished for a ridiculous dream to take my reality just that day. Failing to do so, I remembered the flower in my pocket.

I sat up and watched it with interest and curiosity. Its petals has gradually lost its pure natural color and was tinged with streaks of brown. It’s has begun to wither. But I suddenly remembered her smile and her crazy optimism.

I dialed Deo to ask for his service. A private one.

“There was this girl I want you to investigate. Get every details of her for me…Everything,” I said while obsessing at the sight of the flower. “She usually goes at dusk to an old chapel beside an abandoned nunnery. Confirm with me first with her picture before delving in deeper.”

“Aye sir,” Deo responded with his youthful vigor. “All noted.”

“And one last thing, Nobody must know about this,” I added before I hung up.

“Good,” I whispered as I let my body fall back to the huge bed. Enthusiasm sparked inside me again and I was able to close my eyes. Slowly, I drifted to sleep.

( Sya POV’)

Master Rhio has waited for five long years hoping a miracle will do its magic and revive his father. I know him too well so his face couldn’t lie to me about the sadness pitted within his chest. But he needed to be firm or everything he’s built would crumble to nothing. Master James had been in that dilemma too as he had chosen Rhio over Mitchel in her dangerous labor.

I still remembered the hushed conversation between the couple before that fateful day. Miss Mitchelle herself said that if ever a complication would occur in her birthing, Master James must choose the child in her womb over her life.

The doctor gave him a measly two minutes to make the decision. Mitchelle pleaded in between pangs of extreme muscle contraction that James must do what they initially decided. He must choose Rhio no matter what.

“I love you very much,” James sobbed excruciatingly as he held her hands tight “But if this is what you want, I will.”

Miss Mitchelle turned to me. Never in my life will I forget how her eyes brimmed with sadness. “Sya, please look after my son and make him feel a mother’s love. Remind him every day how much I love him.”

“Do it,” James’ voice broke as he spoke to the doctor. “But I could pay how much it would take if you could save them both.”

He turned back anxiously from his wife as the doctors moved on with the delivery. It was erratically noisy; the clanking of medical tools, the medically related mumbling of the doctors, the beeping machine, and his wife’s wailing which then eventually stopped. …He listened for it all at the corner of the room while his eyes remained closed. Then finally…

…the cry of his newborn baby.

He didn’t turn at the sound of it, still patiently waiting for the doctor to confirm both was alive.

“I’m sorry Mr. Cantheliz.”

It was all he needed to hear to know they weren’t able to save his wife.  Strength escaped him as he fell heartbroken on the chair. It was the first time I saw him weep that much. I couldn’t hold my emotions any longer so I let myself cry at the loss. Miss Mitchelle was a very kind person and her presence would be sorely missed by the household.  

After that, Master James threw all his time to work. He wanted to avert his grief to something beneficial rather than being eaten by it. All the while his son, Rhio, grew up reticent from the lack of his father’s attention.  

Heeding the words of Miss Mitchelle before she died, I took courage to speak to Master James. He noticed me and let me in his study room that day. He looked busy as he gathered his things for work whilst sparing some time for what I have to say.

“Oh. How’s Rhio?”

“He’s good. His tutorial class has just begun.”

“I see” he said detachedly. “Tell my secretary if he needs something.”

He was about to leave so I willed to say what I came there for. “Rhio needs you. He needs a father to grow up along with. Please do consider having some free time out with him.”

“He’s a smart kid. He should be able to understand my reasons.”

At loss for words, I wasn’t able to hold myself back. “But it wasn’t his fault…”

He knew exactly what I meant so he looked at me with such cold intensity. I was surprised when he raised his usually monotonic voice, “Enough! I’ve been slaving myself already with work! Don’t you think I also need some time to rest by myself?”

As far as I could recall, there has just been one time that Master James and Rhio conversed in person longer than usual. I was glad he finally admitted to himself that his wife’s death wasn’t Rhio’s fault. Or anybody else’s. But fate played tricks too I guess, since it was also after that same day that Master James fell ill.

“Headmistress,” someone called out to me. It was another maid, the newest one. She’s young and it was unsurprising since poor families usually send their young for work. I wasn’t an exception.

“Mister Elthon would like to inform that the wake will be held here,” she spoke with her head bowed down. “Master James’ body will be transferred here tomorrow.”

I smiled shortly at her. “There’s no need to be so formal. Please lift your head when talking to me.”

Breathing in the somber air of the mansion, I turned around to look at how big it was. I have worked here for so long that I’ve seen things transition from happy to sad. Master James’ wedding has been held here and it was the happiest day this mansion has ever witnessed. But this has also been the place where Miss Mitchelle’s passing has been grieved. And now, it was James’ turn.

My eyes wandered up the stairs leading to Rhio’s room. I knew he expected the news I was about to tell him tomorrow.

(Rhio POV)

Sleep felt like a dream. I was awoken early by a phone call. It was Deo.

“What is it?” I slurred.

“The news has reached the company’s major stakeholders. They knew your father has died,” his tone felt anxious. “They called for an early conference and your presence is direly requested.”

“I’ll be there before eight.” I hung up the phone and closed my eyes for a few more seconds. My body felt less heavy compared to last night. I was so exhausted when I got home that I went straight to sleep without even changing clothes.

A knock rapped on my door.

“Come in.”

It was Sya holding a tray of food. I did forget to eat last night.

“Leave it there on the table,” I said as I went for the toilet.

My reflection stared back at me like a ghost. My face has lost its healthy color and was pallid from exertion. The chilly water helped a bit but the foresight of the conference and my father’s corpse coming in later made my fate heat up. I’m so done with everything.

“Are they here?” I asked from inside.

“Not yet.”

I nodded in reply, dressed up and went to the car without even touching the food Sya made for me.

@DEATH WISH 

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