5: FUNERAL DAY

Death, it came for Bianca without warning; like a gunshot from behind. One moment she was here flying high above the clouds with her rich, married lover, clinking champagne glasses and probably joining the mile-high club, and then the next minute she was gone. Just like that; she ceased to exist.

Engine failure, they said. The sophisticated jet caught fire while it was still in the air, then it exploded into millions of pieces before the remnants fell to the shores of the Rocky Mountains.

Should I wear black? I asked myself. Wearing black clothing at a funeral was intended to show respect for the deceased. I searched my soul, but I could find no ounce of respect. I still wore black though. I dare not to get on the devil's dangerous side. He had been colder since the death of his only child. He backhanded a maid for spilling some water, and he kicked the holster for forgetting to clean the stables.

Sinister arranged for the funeral to be held just two days after her death, so Jenna and I missed the first day of high school.

I checked myself in the mirror and I disliked what I saw. My eyes were hollow, filled with pain and sorrow, but I could not mourn for Bianca. She did not deserve it. I sucked in a deep breath and pinched my pale cheeks, trying to put life into my soulless expression.

The simple black dress I wore dropped past my knees, and the old black ballets were a size too small. I squeezed my feet in the feeble shoes and walked with discomfort down to the first floor. My bruises were covered, but the aches were still nipping at my body and there was no way I could hide my busted lip. Makeup only covered so much.

Blaine and Blair were crying in each other's arms. Sinister was comforting a hysterical Jenna. Jenna pulled away from Sinister, and she gawked at me with disdain.

“Where the fuck do you think you're going?” Sinister yelled.

“I am-umm-going to the funeral.”

“Like hell you are. The governor will be there. I can't let him find out that I have a negro in this family." The devil's eyes shone red. “You will go back to your room, and you will stay there for the rest of the day.”

“But-.” I protested.

Sinister stepped to me, and he held me by my collar. My toes barely touched the ground. His breath reeked of liquor and his eyes burned with wrath. “If you ever talk back to me in my house ever again, I will kill you — do you understand?” He shook me hard.

“Y-yes," I stuttered. He released me, and then he stormed off through the front door.

“I am sorry, Pebbles, he's just —” Blaine tried to make an excuse for him, but even he could not come up with anything plausible.

Blair and Jenna left without saying a word to me. I tiredly retired to my room. I checked my email, but Badboy2.0 had not replied to my messages in two days. I closed my laptop and struggled to sleep, but then I heard a car pull up in the driveway.

Maybe Sinister changed his mind about me attending the funeral, so I rushed down the stairs and headed to the front door. I waited for the door to open, but instead, the doorbell rang. Why would they ring the buzzer? Perhaps they left their key.

I opened the door, and a man stood before me. I recognized him immediately. He was a little older, but still so handsome. His blue orbs were mesmerizing, and his tall frame was way more muscular and pronounced. His sharp cheekbones could cut diamonds and his hair was the most beautiful shade of golden blonde.

“Hello," I greeted.

“Good morning, is Sinister here?” His powerful voice was like music to my ears.

“No, sir, he is not. He left a while ago.”

“OK, may I leave this for him?” He handed me a letter. He kept staring at my busted lip, but he didn't mention it.

“Umm, maybe you should leave it with one of the maids.”

“I'm sorry, but aren't you one of the housemaids?” He quirked an eyebrow.

“No," I deadpanned. He probably thought so because of my skin colour.

“Good because you look too young to be working," he released a breath. Ok, so I was wrong about the reason he thought I worked here.

“Pebbles, who is at the door?” I craned my neck to see Maxwell walking towards me.

“Hello, Maxwell. It's good to see you again.” The man announced and Maxwell's eyes bulged as he recognized the man.

“Hey there, Bradley, why are you standing outside? Come on in,” Maxwell beamed.

The two men shook hands and began to catch up. I wanted to give them some privacy, so I started to retreat to my bedroom.

“Young lady, I still need to leave this for Sinister,” Bradley called to me. But before I could answer, Maxwell took the letter.

“I will give this to him. Miss Pebbles needs some rest, given the circumstances.”

Bradley looked between Maxwell and me. “What circumstances?”

“You do know that Bianca died?” Maxwell cocked a brow.

“Yes, I do. That's why I am here. I showed up to lend my support, but I cannot attend the service. Ever since my wife died, I have been unable to bring myself to set foot in a church or a cemetery.” The poor man was still mourning his wife.

“Ah yes. Daisy-Mae was a wonderful girl," Maxwell sighed. “I will tell Sinister that you stopped by, and I will make sure he gets this letter.”

“Thank you, Maxwell." Bradley then turned to me, “I am about to take my leave, but would you like a ride?” He asked me while looking at my outfit.

“No sir, I am fine.”

“Oh – ok. But are you sure? You look like you are dressed for a funeral.”

“Yes, but I changed my mind last minute.” I hated lying to people.

“So, you didn't know Bianca that well, then?” He inquired.

No, I didn't know my mother that well. I mentally rolled my eyes.

“Bradley, she is Bianca's daughter," Maxwell declared.

“What? Bianca had a child? How did I not know this?”

My eyes widened, and then I gave Maxwell a 'why the hell did you tell him that' look.

“Shit, I should not have told you that. Let's just keep this among the three of us," Maxwell begged.

Bradley did not answer. He just kept gazing at me. “So you're Bianca's daughter! WOW! How Old Are You?”

“I am 14, sir.”

“My son is two years your senior. He came to Palm Beach with me, but he is spending time with my parents. I wish you could have met him. You would like him," Bradley smiled and I almost lost my footing at his beauty. He was definitely the most gorgeous man I'd ever seen.

“Maybe some other time. I am kind of busy with stuff right now.”

“Ah yes. I am so sorry about your mother. May I hug you?” He stretched his arms out to me and I awkwardly wrapped my arms around his midriff. The hug was not as weird as I thought it would be. It was warm and fatherly. I almost did not want to let go. “OK, Pebbles, I must go now.” He pulled away and shook Maxwell's hand once more before making his exit.

“Such a cool guy," Maxwell praised.

“Yes, he is. I like him," I confessed.

“Come on, Miss Pebbles, let's go get something to eat.”

Maxwell and I went to have lunch with the staff. It felt nice. I hadn't shared a meal in a peaceful atmosphere since grandma died. My mind was crammed with thoughts of Bianca, and I wondered what my life would have been like if my father hadn't died.