THREE

The silence at the dinning table felt excruciating and painful. I forced most of the mashed potatoes down my throat and swallowed hurriedly each time, unable to feel the taste of the meal. When the silence became too unbearable, I shifted my meal and turned to my parents.

"Let's hear it, what's the problem?"

"Eat Ugo." My father said, tapping me gently on the arm.

"I'm full, and even if I'm not, I can't take more. I've lost my appetite. What's going on, what's with the silence and brooding, did someone die?"

My mother was the first to shake her head. "We didn't lose anyone. But we might as well loose someone if we don't find a solution." She said,

"Ada..." My father called in his usual peace-loving manner.

"Ugo is not a child, honey. The earlier we start taking....the better."

"Please talk to me... anyone. Dad, Mom."

"Honey, it's nothing serious....."

"Your father was accused of stealing from his company." My mom interrupted.

"What?" I looked at my father, hoping he would assure me his wife was just making things up, but he lowered his head. An act of surrender or shame. One that I've never seen him do since I knew him.

"How?" I asked the next question that came to mind.

My mom turned to my father and when she was certain he wasn't going to talk, she took over.

"The company your father works for is trying to.... "

"Some money was found missing." My father interrupted.

"Some money as in millions." My mom rushed in.

My heart rate increased a ton. I looked at my mother, my father then back to my mother. "What happened?" I asked, fearfully.

"Sweetheart," he called in his cheerful manner, although the tone of his voice lacked the usual grave it carries. "Remember when I told you about my job?"

I nodded. He tells me everything and recently, he's been calling to update me on some of the leverage his new position as the chief accountant offered him.

"Well, a few weeks ago, something terrible and suspicious happened. I stayed way above the normal closing time. I had a couple of projects to round off and I didn't want to bring work home...."

"Was that the night you called and I told you to order pizza for two?"

"Yes, exactly. That was the night." He replied and continued with his narration. At this point, I forgot about my meal completely.

"Sadly, Darling, I'm being framed for something I didn't do."

"What? I don't understand. What do you mean, Daddy? Framed, by who exactly?"

"It's... it's a very long story, but the company...." He looked at my mom, before turning back to me. Gradually, he kept rubbing his palms together, continuously and when he stopped occasionally, I would notice how shaky his hands were. Swallowing carefully, I let out a deep sigh, worried to my bones that whatever is disturbing him was way bigger than he could handle.

"The company belongs to a powerful man. The day I stayed above the necessary time, I saw some things that didn't just click. So, I started searching for more clues. I finally discovered that some illegal activities take place within the company."

I jolted immediately. "What sort of illegalities?" I croaked, cringing at the sound of my non-recognizable voice.

"Drug trafficking. I think the company is used as a camouflage to transport and store their merchandise. When I discovered it, I panicked and confided in someone from the office. But I guess that was where I made the mistake."

I impatiently cleaned my forehead with my palms, fear gripping the best part of me. "So, what happened?"

"Some funds were discovered to be missing and I was set up to take the fall for it."

"What, that's outrageous. Why, why would they do that. That's such a stupid and plain-annoying thing to do." I said, hoping the money wouldn't be anything more than a few thousands.

"If that was the worst of it, I wouldn't even be worked up. But it's not." My mom said, preparing my mind for the worst case scenario. I turned to my father, staring expectantly with wide eyes.

"Now, they are threatening me, saying I have to pay up a large sum of money or else... I.... we might lose our lives."

"What?" I pushed my meal farther away for fear of destroying the plate. "Death? Oh my god! What sort of situation is this? How much are we talking about?"

"Five hundred million dollars." My mom answered, laughing hysterically. "These people must think we are some Billionaires or something. How much is your father's salary? Let's start from there."

A wave of restlessness and fear swept over me instantly. Where in god's name am I going to get five hundred million dollars. Even with all my life savings and investments together, I wouldn't be able to get up to that sum. I started thinking of all the possible ways I could gather the money.

"We will need time to pay up." I finally said, looking up.

On normal days, I would have turned creative but this has to do with my father. The very first man I've ever loved and looked up to, my role model. There was no way I would let them touch a strand of his hair.

"No, there is no way we can give in to their cheap blackmail. I can't support their criminal activities. I'm going to fight this..." My best father announced.

"Darling there is nothing cheap about this blackmail and the corresponding threat. Ugo is right, we need time to pay up. We can negotiate paying gradually until we clear it out. These people are dangerous. You saw what they did the other day when they came to the house...."

"They what? They've been to the house?"

My mom nodded and I became terrified. "Did they give any sort of ultimatum?"

My parents nodded in unison. "We're to pay up in two months. But I think we should negotiate for a longer payment window."

"Yes." I replied scratching my head. "I think it's best if I meet your boss and negotiate for a flexible payment window for us or even plead for forgiveness. I will promise and give him my word that you won't say a single word to anyone." I added.

"You think that would work?" Mom asked.

"I'm only hoping it will. You know, normally Dad would have been targeted or killed by now. But the fact that he's still alive proves that there might be some goodness in your Boss."

"You're asking me to keep shut. I shouldn't open up to the authorities on what I saw?"

"No you can't." I snapped. "That would mean signing your death sentence. These people might hurt you, I'm scared for you."

"I'll be fine..."

"No, you won't." My mum interrupted. "Not until we sort this issue out. I'll go get my phone," she said. "I guess we have a call to make, yes?" She looked over to me and I nodded my consent.

We did have a call to make and the earlier we do that, the better for everyone of us. I looked at the sad expression on my father's face and shook my head.

He had no idea what he had gotten himself into. I'm still battling with the cartel case I handled a couple of months ago and have narrowly escaped death twice. So, I needed no soothsayer to tell me that my father might lose his life if we didn't act fast enough.

I scratched my head lazily and thought to myself, I needed a plan too. Although coming back home was a much needed holiday, I still had a battle looming over my head and the word, 'terrified' doesn't even explain how I feel at the thought of going back to Fairview.