Death

CHAPTER SIX

Who knew when I left the house twenty minutes ago I would witness the death of one of the most powerful men to ever live in his mansion after a heated argument with his arrogant son? It was like a movie playing out in front of me except I was part of this movie. Maybe even the main character. I watched in slow motion as Sebastian, on his knees beside his Father's bed, attempted to revive him with CPR, though it looked like a futile activity since his body was already rigid, his face pale, and most importantly, he wasn't breathing.

"Come on, Father come on!" he repeatedly hits his chest.

"Asher, Asher snap out of it and get on the phone with Doctor Will!"

His desperate call shook me out of my reverie, this was not the same, what happened years ago couldn't possibly be happening again- not to Robert, not to one of the kindest free-spirited people I had ever known.

I quickly dialed his Doctor's number when his Mother rushed into the room holding a tray, which immediately slipped out of her hands when she noticed the state her husband was in. She kneeled beside his bed while her entire body trembled with only soft sobs. She slipped her dainty fingers into his now frail large ones and squeezed them.

"Oh Robert, what happened?!" she sobbed.

Sebastian, so focused on the duty in front of him couldn't respond, he continued to try to desperately revive his Father, he didn't even notice the Doctor arrive.

"I'm afraid we'll have to move him to the hospital Mr. Crest."

"Do you think there's hope –" Celine started to speak.

Sebastian stood beside the bed with a blank expression on his face.

"I'm sorry Mrs. Crest…" William replied.

Through the years I have known him, this is the most sympathetic look he can pull off. He was a young man - dare I say, quite handsome.

"No," Sebastian said in a whisper.

"Mr.Crest…" William started to speak but

Sebastian cut him off with a shake of his head.

"The media should not catch wind of this."

"Sebastian!" I exclaimed.

My eyes widened, by my alien action, forgetting that–No one ever dared raise a voice at Sebastian, but I was on a roll, I ought to make him understand how insensitive he was, considering the situation.

His gaze turned to me in slow motion, his jaw tightened as if that was possible, if he gritted his teeth one more time his jaw would snap.

"Excuse me?"

"How could you say that in a situation like this? He needs to be taken there so we know the cause of death. You of all people know that."

"What more confirmation do you need?!" he thundered. His eyes were inhuman. "Need I remind you that the Murrays have been on our necks for decades now about incorporating with us if they have an inkling that he's…" he swallowed "They'll go straight to the media and turn this around for their benefits and --"

"Then we find a way, I know you can. There is another way, so let's do it," I added in a firm and final tone.

Sebastian drew in a shaky breath after an unwavering stare he hissed and ran his hands down his face, a painful groan eliciting from him. The sound made me wince at the agony in his voice. He was in so much pain everyone could feel it radiating off of him.

"Fine, let's go through the back passageway. Inform Sam and he'll know what to do." He ordered in a composed tone.

"On it!"

"And promise me you will keep Sophia in check when she barges in here in the next ten minutes. Then meet us at the hospital as soon as you can."

"Understood."

I watched as they wheeled Robert out and into the car and outside the backdoor. I couldn't believe it. Robert Crest was dead.

I entered the house and as I awaited Sophia's arrival I noticed Kate seated beside the counter in the middle of the huge kitchen hunched over, soft sobs emitting from her. I dropped my car keys on the counter by the entrance and quietly approached her. When I gently rubbed her back in a soothing motion Kate sprung up from her seated position and quickly wiped her eyes with the hem of her apron.

"Kate, are you okay?"

"No," she replied.

Her red eyes were a sign of suppressed grief.

"Oh, Kate…"

"I'll miss him Em."

I felt my throat close up at the thought of never seeing Robert again. Just then Sophia's shrill voice resounded throughout the house. My eyes widened.

"Where is he?!" Her footsteps approached the open kitchen, as she came into view I deliberated how to calm the raging child. I approached her like some wounded animal.

"Where is Dad?"

"Soph calm down, we–"

"Where did Seb take him?" Her voice was barely audible, she looked terrible in a short tight black gown, her dark hair scattered about her, her eyes swollen and her feet were bare.

"Sophia-"

"Tell me where my Father is. I need to see my Father" she shrieked.

"I think you should wash up and calm down –"

Don't try to treat me like a child," she shrieked. I quickly held her by her middle when she turned to go and struggled to contain her.

"What are you doing? Let go!" she flared her hands about and screamed profanities at me. Nonetheless, I tightened my hold on her.

"Sophia calm down-"

Before I could finish I received a hard blow beside my right eye, which forced me to release her. She ran toward the kitchen door and grabbed my car key from the counter and made a run for the front door.

"Shit!"

This was not going to be good. Sophia Crest was on the loose, I would rather prefer a lion.