Chapter 16

Darcie 

Saturday morning. Didn't bother to wake up early. All I did was lay as much as I liked on the bed. I closed my eyes to sleep again and when I woke up, I noticed I had slept for hours. It's 11:pm. I yawned, stretched and groggily got up from bed. My bare feet touched the cold marble floor. Head to the bathroom to brush and take my bath. The mansion is quiet today. Passing Charles room, the door's ajar. I popped my head inside. He's not in. I went downstairs. Still quiet till a maid told me he left with Arthur. Sunlight peered through the tall windows which casted shadows on the polished floors. Damn. Arthur is winning. And Charles still remains in control. He had dragged him to that suffocating, draining stupid firm. 

I just sat at the kitchen table eating fruits. I felt lonely. If Charles was here, I'd be entertained at least. Thinking about what would happen next exactly. Would his football career end like this already? My phone vibrated on the table and when I checked the caller ID, my eyes widened.

“Dad.”

Three weeks since I last saw him. Three weeks since I signed the nanny contract waiting for him to pay his bill to Mr Sterling before they return me back home. 

“Hi, Dad.” I smiled. “Dad, I've been trying to reach you for the past weeks but you don't seem to pick up or the line goes unavailable. I have–”

“Darcie. Let's see. Come home.” His words cut through my rambling and I was stunned. 

“Us. Um, I really really want to but I don't know if I can go back to the valley.”

“Don't worry. Mr Sterling knows. I talked to him. He permitted it along with the driver, George.”

My heart leapt and I danced in joy, excited. In Aurelia City, it's divided into the north hill and the valley, also known as the dust population. The poor and struggling people work hard to keep the hill (north hill) shining. And the sterling estate is at the hill. 

“Okay. I'll inform George right away. I'll come now. Right now. Immediately.”

The call ends. I ran upstairs and searched for clothes. Put on an orange floral dress, one of my best. A hand-me-down from my mom actually. I just brushed my messy hair and wore my shoes, and jumped down this stairs. I went to the security section of the mansion and called for George. Explaining everything. He nodded in agreement that Mr Sterling called him too to take me to see my father. What exactly was happening that I was being summoned. Maybe dad missed me so badly and he seeked permission from him. I slid into the passenger seat and the car glided away. As trees and buildings blur past the ride, It made me remember my journey to the hill after I signed the contract. 

The hill slowly faded away as we emerged into the ugly roads of the valley. My hands are clasped tightly in my lap and I couldn't help but smile. My heart beat with every turn the car made. 

Then, George finally parked across the road. Dad's house was opposite, exactly how I had remembered it. I stepped out and closed the door..

“Thank you.”

I crossed and walked to the porch. Then pushed the door open. “Hey, dad. I'm–”

The house was unusually dim. Too dim. The curtains were drawn halfway, letting rays of light slide through the room. 

“I'm home.” I continued and walked further. Then pushed the curtain. Now it was better, I could see clearly. Then, there he was. Standing by the wall. 

“Dad!” I was about to run to hug him but stopped halfway. Something moved behind him. A hand first, then a knife. Pressed on Dad's neck. He stood, frozen and tense. My entire body went pale and cold as I gasped. 

“Don't.” The figure behind him revealed his face and to my greatest surprise, it's…Arthur. I clutched my chest, feeling a brutal pain in my heart. His expression just remained bored. 

“What are you doing to father? Let him go! I screamed, tears building up. Dad looked into my eyes, crying and pleading. But he stood rigid, fear and panic was written all over his face. “Arthur, what are you doing?”

I moved forward but he only growled. “Each move you take, each slice….” Dad winced in pain as the blade sliced through his neck. Blood seeped on the blade. My heart shattered and I stood dead on my tracks.

“Please, don't. Don't hurt him, please.” My chin trembled. 

Arthur tilted his head slightly, studying me. “You're not very good at following instructions, are you?”

“What do you mean?”

“It's your audacity for me. Everything that revolves around me and Charles. You're sticky.”

“But…I don't understand. You succeeded in taking him to the firm.”

“Yes. I did. But that doesn't mean you aren't telling him what to do, ways to disobey me, am I right?”

“I didn't –”

“Enough. This is my first warning to you, Darcie. If you stick your nose into Charles' new career of pursuing law, your Father would pay the consequences. This is a reminder that you are nothing but a dust. You all look up to us on the hill. I over tolerated your bad manners too much, you even disrespect me.”

“I won't anymore. Please. Let my father go.” I wailed. “No, no. Don't hurt him, please.” I shook my head quickly. 

He laughed. “So you can be this desperate. What happened to your sarcastic response and feisty spirit. Next time, if you're going to be involved in matters that don't concern you, get ready for consequences. Your dad is.”

“I'm sorry.”

“Charles games, football zeal, distractions, you're going to stay away from it and this time, plead with him to focus on law. As from today on, both of you would submit to me. Do you understand?”

“Yes.” I whispered. 

He watched me for a while before he lowered the knife and pushed my father to the floor. I was about to move to him. “Dad!”

“Don't!” Arthur stopped me, blocking my way. . “I didn't call you here to see him. I just want you to observe the threat. Get back into the car.”

“What?” I sobbed. 

“Get back into the fucking car!”

I stepped away, slowly and painfully. I didn't get to talk to my father. To hug him. Nothing. As Arthur pushed me out back into the car, I couldn't help but cry. All my muscles are quivering..

Realizing how dangerous Arthur Sterling was.