Chapter 17

It’s been 2 days since my amazing night with Ralph.

A part of me years for him, however, I don’t know what his life is truly like. I know he owns the club, and this hotel. He’s a successful and busy man. He mentioned that he goes to Europe often. He mentioned that he frequents Germany cause it’s his ancestral home just like mine is France. I pray that we will someday soon see each other again. I am thankful for him.

His passionate love making has erased the pain that was continuously revolving inside of me. I feel like I can bury my parents with peace and move forward towards the next chapter in my life with purpose.

I schedule an Uber to take me to the “Whipstaff Funeral home.”

I feel a deadness in my heart as I arrive. I feel no tears though. I remember something he said to me while cuddling.

“I am sorry about your parents. Just know with everything they’ve left behind, and all you have become, they get to leave this earth doing what others have seldom accomplish. Leaving no regrets.” He said while comforting me. I realize he’s right. They had money up the wazoo, it’s not just that. They gave to everyone who needed help. They lavished their wealth and happiness on their employees. Everyone loved working for my parents.  They gave out ten-thousand-dollar bonus’ for the holidays. The provided financial assistance. They also had a women’s program. Mom recognized that women on their periods were unproductive due to pain and sickness relating to it so women could schedule a few days paid off during that moment for rest and recovery. My parents were the only people who would provide that. It made me smile thinking about it. He was right, the had short but, full lives, with no regrets.

I arrived at the ceremony. I felt good about saying goodbye to them both. I was not as broken as previously. Their lives ended tragically however, I had to pray and believe they were in a better place. That pain they endured was behind them now. They were at peace for eternity.

I sit in the front row with my Grandmother Charlotte. One of the attorney’s from the “Hofer Group” flew her from France for the service. I will forever be grateful to them. It wouldn’t feel right without her here.

 I wore a pure black pencil dress with a charcoal coat. I wore a vintage hat with a lace veil to cover my face. I sit here and listen to my parents personal priest conduct the service. The pain is palpable in the air. They lay there still as stone. Mother wears a cream and pink colored scarf to cover the nasty scar that would be on her throat. Her outfit is cream and pink colored. She’s wearing gold and pearl earrings with a pearl necklace. Ever the elegant beauty. Father wears a tailor made dark charcoal suit with a red power tie. Both are looking very peaceful as if they’re only sleeping. Which they will for eternity now. I pray to God that I will see them again someday.

The funeral concludes, and my grandmother leans against me for support. A young man flags me down with her.

“Mss. De Cheney, I am Walter Hofer, one of the attorney’s. Please continue to the reception area. The burial will be taking place according to Mr. De Cheney’s directions in France. Mrs. De Cheney, he said that they were to be cremated, and the ashes given to you his mother so he can be buried on the family cemetery to be close to you. They were planning on coming home to you in this life or the next.” The man said with a smile to my grandmother. She cries and thanks him.

“you’re one of the good ones” she says to him. He nods back at her with a look I don’t understand.

“Tell the head of your household to take care of her, she needs it now.” She tells him. I am so confused as to what they are speaking of.

“He will milady, always and forever now.” He says while looking at me.

“Good, he needs to be here, he’s absent too much.” My grandmother says.

“He has been milady; he’s also been busy taking care of things.” He says again looking at me. I really baffled.

“Good, good, he needs to.”

“Yes Ma’am”

“Tell that Mr. Dubois in Paris, I have not seen him recently, he needs to pay me a visit. Katherine said she’ll be travelling to France soon. I need arrangements made for her. If this curse spreads to me, she needs to be cared for.” She said in a cold voice, with determination.

“Absolutely Milady, we will not do everything we can ensure things are prepared. After this event, Lord Hofer is on the move.” She nodded her head and left with me following her.

“What is going on!” I ask her in a hurry. She’s speed walking for a older lady.

“There’s a curse on our family. Ever since Gabrielle was to marry Lord Rudolph Hofer.”

“What about it.”

“There was another family the “Carvernall family.  They lived in France about twenty miles from our family home. They were just as aristocratic as our family. The Lord of the house “Lord Phillipe Carvernall” had tried to arrange marriage with Gabrielle to their son Silas. They felt since they were both of noble blood, and connected with the crown, it would be a perfect match. Gabrielle, however, hated the idea. She pleaded with her father not to accept. She couldn’t tolerate Silas. He was cold and cruel. He was arrogant, and pompous. He was also a womanizer. She saw him bedding a servant. When he realized she’d discovered him, he killed the maid thinking that would make everything better. When she made it clear that she could never love him. She found his actions to be vile; he vowed that he would never let her rest. He vowed he would claim her whether she wanted it or not. If he couldn’t have her, no one could. He vowed that he would plague her family for eternity.”

“Grandma, that was centuries ago, he would be dead. There is no curse.”

“Never say never.” My grandmother said before stepping into the country club. We rode in the care together while discussing everything.  I refused to believe in something so outlandish. People don’t live forever. This is not the “Highlander” series.

I sit and dine with grandma and everyone else who attended the funeral. I love that the Hofer’s made sure to arrange the food to be French after the culture of my family.